Kylie kept her head down, trying to ignore the weight of the stares that followed her as she walked in step with her brother, Michael, and Miguel. The air around them buzzed with hushed conversations, but the moment they neared Michael's usual group, the chatter faded into a heavy silence.
She could feel their eyes on her.
Her stomach twisted with unease.
Among the group stood Nickolas Johnson, the biggest and most physically imposing of them all. If someone told her he wasn't supposed to be in high school, she wouldn't have questioned it. Nick was tall, broad-shouldered, and effortlessly cool in a way that made people take notice. His hazel eyes, framed by golden-rimmed glasses, stood out against his deep brown skin, and his usual attire—a crisp white T-shirt, black jacket, and jeans—only added to his laid-back confidence.
Nick's parents were divorced, and he had chosen to live with his mother, Courtney. He also had a three-year-old little brother, Aiden. Given Nick's size and the way he doted on the kid, people often mistook Aiden for his son rather than his brother.
Then there was Matt Watson, the prankster.
His hair was currently dyed a deep navy blue, a stark contrast against his sharp light blue eyes. Kylie couldn't even remember the last time she'd seen his natural dark brown hair. His tan skin was littered with tattoos—his personal rebellion against the constant comparisons to his older brother, Damian, a doctor and the family's golden child. Matt had no interest in following in his brother's footsteps, something his parents hated.
And then there was Alec Aldrich.
Alec had sharp, defined features, piercing green eyes, and jet-black hair cut in a neat taper fade. He stood slightly taller than Michael, with a presence that exuded an air of danger—one that made people instinctively keep their distance. Kylie had never been sure why, but there was something about him that set her on edge.
Maybe it was the way he carried himself—calm, calculated.
Maybe it was the fact that he rarely showed any emotion.
Or maybe it was that he watched people, taking in everything without saying much.
He lived with his uncle and mother, and though he rarely spoke about his family, the way he dressed and the sleek black G-Wagon he drove made it clear that he came from money.
Kylie trailed slightly behind Michael, with Miguel lingering close behind her. As they neared, Michael's friends greeted each other with bro-hugs, their usual banter picking up—except their reactions to her were hard to ignore.
The once-familiar group fell silent, their eyes scanning her in barely concealed surprise.
Freshmen. Upperclassmen. It didn't matter.
Boys were staring at her—some subtle, others not so much. Their gazes lingered, drifting down her body before snapping back up. It was a different kind of attention, one she wasn't used to.
Kylie swallowed, her fingers curling into the straps of her backpack.
Then, just as quickly as the moment settled, it was gone.
The guys resumed talking, the momentary awkwardness fading into their usual rhythm.
"What's up, Red?"
Nick's deep voice cut through the noise, drawing her attention as he stretched his arms wide.
"Where's my hug?"
A laugh bubbled up before she could stop it, her nerves momentarily forgotten as she stepped forward. She barely had time to wrap her arms around him before she was lifted off the ground.
"Nick!" she squealed, gripping his shoulders.
When he finally set her down, she smoothed out her shirt and shot him a mock glare. "How are you, Nicki?"
Nick smirked. "I'm great. But damn, you've grown. What did they feed you at that camp?"
Kylie rolled her eyes, playfully shoving him. If there was one thing about Nick, it was that he always treated her like a little sister—teasing, protective, and always ready to dish out advice whether she asked for it or not.
Before she could respond, a streak of blue entered her vision.
"Well, well, well, what do we have here?"
Matt's familiar smirk spread across his face as he leaned in, arms crossed.
"Little Red Riding Hood is finally back."
Kylie scowled. She hated that nickname.
Matt knew she hated that nickname.
"You're still on that?" she muttered, crossing her arms.
"Of course." His grin widened. "What kind of friend would I be if I didn't remind you?"
She rolled her eyes, opening her mouth to fire back—
And then she felt it.
That prickle.
That awareness.
Her breath caught in her throat as an odd feeling washed over her.
Someone was watching her.
Slowly, she turned—
And met a pair of piercing green eyes.
Alec.
His gaze was unreadable, his expression impassive. But there was something there.
Something intense.
Something that made the air between them feel heavier.
Kylie's pulse quickened.
She had no idea why.
But for the first time, she couldn't look away.
For a moment, neither of them moved.
Alec's gaze lingered, slow and deliberate as it drifted lower, taking her in.
Kylie's breath caught.
A strange heat spread through her chest, climbing up her neck and settling in her cheeks. Before she could stop herself, she dropped her gaze to her sneakers, suddenly finding them incredibly interesting.
What the hell was that?
Matt's voice snapped her out of it.
"W-What?" she stammered, looking up.
Matt didn't answer. He just smirked.
A knowing, infuriating smirk.
He had noticed.
Kylie swallowed, sneaking another glance at Alec—only to find him already engaged in a conversation with Miguel and Matt about potential basketball recruits.
Did she imagine it?
Maybe.
Matt, however, was still watching her. Casually leaning against Nick's Mustang, arms crossed over his chest, his biceps flexing in the process—something that did not go unnoticed by a few passing girls.
"So, Little Red," he drawled, his smirk still firmly in place. "Planning on joining the cheer team this year?"
Kylie frowned, shaking off the lingering awkwardness from earlier.
"You know how they are, Matt, and you're still suggesting it?" Nick cut in before she could respond.
Matt shrugged. "They're not that bad."
Nick scoffed. "You're only saying that because they throw themselves at you whenever you give them the slightest bit of attention. You really want Red getting mixed up with that crowd?"
Matt grinned. "They do it because they like me."
Nick adjusted his glasses, unimpressed. "Keep telling yourself that. I'm not saying they're bad people, well not all of em. But they're definitely not the best influence—especially for someone like Red."
Kylie crossed her arms. "I'm not that naïve."
Still, she felt her face heat up. It wasn't the conversation itself—it was how blunt Nick was about Matt's extracurricular activities.
Before she could change the subject, a familiar voice called her name.
She turned to see Marie waving her over.
Excited, Kylie quickly said goodbye to the guys and rushed toward her best friend.
Marie—Marian Bailey, though Kylie preferred Mariebear—was impossible to miss.
Standing at 5'10", she had tan skin, a heart-shaped face, and shoulder-length brunette hair styled in loose curls. Her beauty was the kind that could land her a modeling contract—not that she'd ever be interested.
Today, she was wearing jean shorts and a blue blouse that read I Hate School.
As soon as Kylie was within reach, Marie launched herself at her, pulling her into a suffocating hug.
"I fucking missed you!" she exclaimed before finally letting go.
Kylie gasped for air, laughing. "I missed you too, Marie!"
The two started walking toward their lockers when—
Smack!
Kylie froze. A sharp sting spread across her ass cheek.
She whipped around.
Marie was smirking.
"I couldn't help it," she said, looking far too pleased with herself.
Kylie's face burned. "What the hell, Marie?!"
Marie simply grinned. "Do you know how many people would love to do that? And I'm the first. Gives me a great sense of victory."
Kylie quickly glanced around, relieved that no one seemed to have noticed.
"You're so weird," she muttered. "And I can't believe you just did that."
Marie shrugged. "I still can't believe you turned into a damn succubus over the summer. You're gonna have guys—and maybe some girls—falling over themselves for you."
Kylie groaned. "I hope not."
---
Kylie had barely taken a bite of her chicken when Cole's exasperated voice rang out across the table.
"You barbarian woman! Can't you eat properly? Stop making those sounds while you're eating! Don't you have any table manners?!"
The group burst into laughter.
Or at least, they tried to hold it in.
Cole's glare swept over them, and one by one, their laughter faded. Nobody wanted to be lectured by Cole McCain.
Nobody except Marie.
She continued munching on her fried chicken, deliberately sucking the sauce off her fingers, fully aware that it would drive Cole insane.
"Oh, come on, Cole. Maybe it's because you wanted a piece," Marie teased, sliding her plate of chicken bones toward him. "You know I'm willing to share."
The table erupted again.
Cole looked seconds away from an aneurysm.
"You are absolutely vile," he muttered, stabbing his salad with unnecessary force.
Kylie shook her head fondly. Same old Cole.
Cole McCain wasn't the most imposing guy. Petite, with light brown wavy hair that framed his baby face, pouty lips, and big doe eyes—he looked innocent.
He wasn't.
At 5'5", he was almost the same height as Kylie, but his sharp tongue and no-nonsense attitude made up for any lack of height.
Just as the group settled back down, a voice broke through.
"Guys!"
Angelica slid into the seat next to Kylie, dramatically tossing her bag onto the table.
"I've decided to be goth."
Silence.
Everyone turned to look at her.
Kylie raised an eyebrow. "What?"
"Last year you said you wanted to be a skater," Kylie pointed out.
"That was last year," Angie shrugged.
"And you broke your arm," Romaine added.
"So?" Angie said, completely unbothered.
"And the year before that, you wanted to join the musical," Cole chimed in.
"Then you ended up with a concussion for a week, and you broke one of the school's pianos. How did you even manage to break a piano?" Marie asked.
Angie simply smiled. "What are you guys saying?"
Cole sighed. "Maybe this time you'll be possessed by a ghost or be the the ghost."
While the conversation continued, Kylie subtly observed something odd—Angie was avoiding Romaine.
They hadn't said a single word to each other.
It was weird, considering how close they usually were.
But before Kylie could dwell on it, Angie turned back to her.
"So," she grinned. "Any cute boys at camp?"
Cole groaned. Romaine shifted uncomfortably.
Kylie hesitated. "I—I didn't have much close contact with people at camp."
Angie's eyes lit up. "But that doesn't mean you didn't have any contact at all!"
Kylie nibbled on a cookie, trying to avoid their gazes. "I think he was cute and very friendly."
"Did you take his number? Did he ask you out? Did he—"
Kylie was saved by her phone ringing.
She checked the caller ID—Michael💓.
"Yes, Mike?"
"Could you bring me something to eat? Preferably a cheeseburger," he asked casually.
"Of course," Kylie said, eternally grateful for the distraction.
"Thank you, sis. I'm at the court."
Kylie hung up and quickly stood. "Duty calls. My brother needs me."
Angie shot her a look that clearly said I'm not done with you yet, but Kylie was more than happy to escape.
She grabbed a cheeseburger with extra cheese—just the way Mike liked it—along with two others in case anyone else wanted one, a fruit juice, five bottles of water for his friends, and two large fries.
Arms full, she carefully made her way toward the court.
As she walked, she couldn't help but wonder—
Why had Alec looked at her like that?
And why did it make her heart race?