The buzz of excitement in the hallways of Washington DC International High School was palpable. Conversations bounced off the lockers, mingling with the metallic clang of doors and the rhythmic hum of footsteps. The air was thick with anticipation, students eagerly counting down the hours until the bonfire. Girls huddled in groups, whispering about outfits and makeup, while others speculated on who might show up and what drama might unfold. The scent of freshly waxed floors mixed with the faint aroma of cafeteria pizza, grounding Kamsi in the reality of the day.
Kamsi and Zendaya navigated the crowded hall, their steps in sync. The occasional brush of a shoulder or bump from a rushing student didn't faze them; their minds were elsewhere.
"So," Zendaya began, her voice low but charged with excitement. "When and how do you plan on sneaking out tonight?"
Kamsi chewed her bottom lip, her brow furrowed in thought. "I was thinking of telling my mom I'm coming over to your place. With everything going on at your house, she'd believe me. It feels like a solid cover."
Zendaya's bright expression faltered for a second, her eyes flickering with something unspoken. She quickly recovered, forcing a grin. "Yeah… that could work. But why even risk asking? Just sneak out. Leave your room, arrange the bed like you're still there, and lock the door. Trust me, she won't suspect a thing."
Kamsi hesitated, her fingers tightening around the strap of her backpack. "It sounds good, but what if she comes in at night to check on me? She's done that before, and if she finds my room locked..."
Zendaya shrugged, tossing her hair over her shoulder with forced nonchalance. "Just leave something under the door to make it look like it jammed. Or pretend you fell asleep and locked it by accident. Kamsi, we *can't* miss this. Everyone will be there."
Kamsi's stomach twisted. She could already picture her mother's disappointed face if she got caught. Memories of that time she was grounded for sneaking out to a friend's house surfaced, making her palms sweat. Her mom had been furious, her trust shattered for weeks. But Zendaya's enthusiasm was contagious, and Kamsi found herself nodding despite her nerves.
"You're right," she murmured. "I'll do it. But if this goes wrong..."
"It won't," Zendaya interrupted, her tone firm. Then, softer, "Besides, we deserve one night of fun."
Something about the way Zendaya said it, a touch of vulnerability in her voice, made Kamsi pause. She glanced at her friend, noticing for the first time the tension in her shoulders, the slight tremble in her hands.
"Zendaya… is everything okay?"
Zendaya waved her off, laughing a little too loudly. "I'm fine! Just... ready for tonight. Let's make it unforgettable, yeah?"
Kamsi nodded, though unease settled in her chest. She couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to Zendaya's determination than just excitement for the bonfire. But she pushed the thought aside. Tonight was about fun—nothing more, nothing less.
As the two continued down the hallway, Kamsi caught a glimpse of Xavier leaning against the lockers, his sharp eyes tracking their movements. His smirk was lazy, almost mocking, and it sent a shiver down her spine. She quickly looked away, heart pounding.
"See you tonight," Zendaya whispered, squeezing Kamsi's arm before disappearing into the crowd.
Kamsi watched her go, swallowing the lump in her throat. She tightened her grip on her backpack and took a deep breath. She was sneaking out tonight. No turning back.
The bonfire blazed against the dark sky, the beach alive with laughter and music as students mingled in twos and threes. Yet, despite the festive atmosphere, Xavier's gaze remained dark, his fingers tightening around his drink as he scanned the crowd. Kamsi was nowhere in sight.
"Are you sure she's coming?" Damon asked, his tone light but his eyes flicking toward Xavier.
Gilbert shrugged, watching Xavier carefully. "Maybe her mom didn't let her out," he suggested, though the smirk that followed said he doubted it. "You know how strict Nigerian mothers can be."
Xavier's jaw clenched. "I need a drink," he muttered, his voice rough, before stalking off toward the bar.
Damon watched him go, shaking his head. "Dude's seriously wound up."
"Yeah," Gilbert said, draining his cup. "And you know why. It's not about needing a drink; it's about needing her."
Damon smirked. "You think she's got him like that?"
Gilbert nodded. "He won't admit it, but yeah. She's all over his head."
At the bar, Xavier grabbed a fresh bottle, twisting the cap off with a sharp flick. The last thing he needed was Gilbert and Damon reading him so easily. He tilted the bottle to his lips just as a familiar, unwelcome voice purred his name.
"Xavier."
He turned slowly, his eyes narrowing. Patricia stood there, her lips curved into a practiced smile. She wore a skin-tight dress that left little to the imagination, leaning forward to flaunt her exposed cleavage.
"Nice party," she cooed, brushing a hand along his arm. "But you don't look like you're enjoying yourself. Maybe I can help... loosen you up."
Xavier's stare didn't waver, hard and unmoved. "I'm fine."
Patricia leaned in closer, lowering her voice. "Come on, Xavier. You know we'd be good together. Why fight it?"
Xavier's grip on his bottle tightened. He stepped back, his voice calm but deadly. "Back off."
Her confidence faltered for a fraction of a second, but she quickly recovered, flashing a sultry smile. "Whatever," she said, her voice dripping with faux sweetness. "You'll come to your senses."
As she sauntered away, Xavier exhaled, irritation rolling off him in waves. The last thing he wanted tonight was to entertain someone like Patricia. His thoughts weren't on her. They were stuck on someone else—someone who still hadn't shown up.
Just as he turned back toward the bonfire, Damon's voice echoed through the crowd. "Holy hell—look who just stepped in."
Xavier followed Damon's gaze, his heart slamming against his ribs.
Kamsi.
She moved through the crowd like she owned the night. Her outfit, an intricately embroidered burgundy off-shoulder top paired with navy shorts, gleamed under the flickering firelight. The rich colors framed her deep brown skin perfectly, every detail of the outfit tailored to highlight her grace. Her braided ponytail swayed with each step, baby curls framing her face with delicate precision.
Gilbert choked on his drink. "Is that really Kamsi?"
But Xavier wasn't listening. The world around him seemed to fade, the music, the laughter, all reduced to background noise. His gaze locked on her, captivated by the confidence in her stride, the quiet power in her presence.
His pulse quickened. She wasn't just beautiful—she was breathtaking, an unstoppable force in the sea of faces. And the moment she looked his way, time seemed to stop.
For the first time that night, Xavier felt something other than frustration. Something raw. Something undeniable...