Expected (18+)

19

Ezra

I got maybe three hours of sleep.

Not because I couldn't—because I didn't want to.

Every time I closed my eyes, I was right back there. Her back against the counter, my jacket in her fists, the way she looked at me when she asked "why?" Like she was holding me at gunpoint without touching me.

And I gave her an answer I'd never said to anyone before.

Now I had to make sure she believed it.

Walking into school felt like stepping onto a minefield. I spotted her at her locker instantly—like my eyes didn't even have a choice. She was talking to Michael, laughing at something, hair falling over her shoulder like nothing had happened. Like she hadn't just kissed me in a gala bathroom last night.

I slowed down, watching her from down the hall. Everyone else blurred out. It was just her.

I wanted to walk up, lean against the locker next to hers, say something cocky just to see her roll her eyes at me. But I couldn't risk her shutting me out in front of half the school. Not when I'm trying to win her over.

So I took the long way around, waiting for the moment she'd be alone.

Between second and third period, it finally happened. She was heading toward the courtyard, earbuds in, not paying attention. I fell into step beside her.

She glanced at me, instantly suspicious but a small
smile tugging at her sweet lips. "What do you want, Ezra?"

I smirked, because that's what she expected from me. But my voice came out softer than I meant. "To walk you to class."

She looked at me like she was trying to figure out the punchline. "Since when?"

"Since last night," I said, meeting her eyes for a second before she looked away.

Her cheeks flushed just enough for me to notice, and I knew I'd scored a point—small, but it counted.

"Ezra..." she warned, like she was about to tell me to leave her alone.

I leaned in just enough for only her to hear. "One chance, remember?"

She didn't say yes. But she didn't tell me to get lost either. And in my book, that was progress.

⸻

By the time lunch rolled around, I already had a plan.
Sit next to Val. Keep her attention on me. Make her see that last night wasn't a one-time thing.

Problem was... Courtney.

The second I walked into the cafeteria, she was waving me over like we were best friends—or worse, like we were something more. And the way she looked at me? Yeah, she definitely thought we were.

I slid into the seat next to Val anyway. Courtney immediately shifted her chair closer to my other side, practically pressing her arm against mine.

"Ezra, you have to hear what happened in first period," Courtney said, laying her hand on my arm like she owned it.

I didn't even look at her. My eyes were on Val, who was quietly opening her drink like she was pretending not to notice.

"What happened in first period?" I asked—still watching Val.

Courtney launched into some story about a teacher tripping over a backpack, laughing way too loud at her own joke. Zach and Michael chuckled along, Kayla smiled politely, but Val didn't even look up.

I hated that.

So I leaned in toward her, ignoring Courtney entirely. "You didn't text me back this morning."

Val finally glanced at me, eyebrows raised. "Didn't know I was supposed to."

"You weren't. Just thought you might." I smirked, stealing a fry from her tray.

Courtney's voice sharpened. "Um, Ezra? Those are my fries."

I glanced at her just long enough to say, "Then why'd you put them on her tray?"

The table went quiet for a second. Val bit her lip, trying not to smile. That tiny flicker of satisfaction in her eyes? Worth it.

Courtney recovered fast, flipping her hair. "Well, we're still on for Friday, right?"

Val's head snapped up at that, and my stomach twisted. I hated that Courtney was baiting her—and that it was working.

"We're not on for anything," I said flatly. "I told you I'm busy."

Courtney's face fell, but she covered it with a fake laugh. "Oh, you're such a tease."

I didn't even respond. I just kept my eyes on Val, lowering my voice so only she could hear. "Don't listen to her. She just likes drama."

Val didn't say anything, but her foot brushed mine under the table, quick and light like it was an accident.

I knew better.