Alec Jacobs hated Mondays, especially rainy ones. The gray skies hung low over Saint William High, casting the school in shadows, and a thin drizzle blurred the windows of the bus as it pulled up to the main gate. He pulled his hood over his head, wishing he'd stayed in bed, and trudged toward the entrance with his backpack slung over one shoulder.
That's when he saw her.
She was standing just outside the gate, holding a red umbrella, the only spot of color against the dreary background. Her gaze was fixed, intense, as if she was waiting for someone—or something. Alec felt a strange shiver run down his spine when her eyes locked onto his. She didn't look away, not even when he glanced back over his shoulder, wondering if there was someone else behind him.
He offered a polite smile, more out of habit than anything else, and the corners of her lips curved upward. Her smile was bright, almost too bright for the gloomy day, and Alec felt a tug of unease. He nodded quickly and walked faster, feeling her eyes on him until he vanished through the double doors.
All morning, he couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. In homeroom, he glanced out the window and caught sight of the same red umbrella, now closed and propped against the wall just outside the classroom. His heart skipped a beat when he realized the girl was in the same class, sitting two rows behind him.
By lunch, she had found her way to his table.
"Hi," she said, her voice soft and sweet, eyes locking onto his with a curious intensity. "I'm Lila. I just transferred here. Mind if I sit with you?"
Alec hesitated, then shrugged, waving a hand at the empty seat. She sat down, smiling so widely that it almost hurt to look at her. His friends didn't seem to notice anything strange about her, but Alec couldn't shake the feeling that something was off.
As she chatted with his friends, seamlessly blending into their conversation, Alec couldn't help but glance at her. Everything about her was perfect—too perfect. The way her hair curled effortlessly around her shoulders, the neatness of her uniform, the way she laughed at the right moments. It was like she had rehearsed it all beforehand, and Alec had the unnerving sense that he was being drawn into something he couldn't yet understand.
When the bell rang, Lila stood, her eyes flickering to his as if she'd been waiting for him to make the first move. "I'll see you around," she said, almost like a promise.
As Alec walked to his next class, he told himself it was nothing—just a girl being friendly. But when he opened his locker that afternoon, a folded note fluttered to the ground. He unfolded it, his heart racing as he read the delicate handwriting:
"You smiled at me today. It was perfect. Let's make more memories together, Alec. – L."
He glanced around the empty hallway, a cold feeling settling in his chest. He had never told her his name.
YOU ARE READING
Tangled Hearts
Mystery / Thriller"Tangled Hearts" is a dark romance that follows Alec, a quiet high school senior, whose world is turned upside down when he meets Lila-a beautiful and mysterious new transfer student. Lila's interest in Alec quickly turns obsessive, and as she tight...
