Things between you and Ellie had been tense. Incredibly tense. The kind of tension that crackled in the air like a storm about to break. You’d both shown up to the fall dance, lingering on the sidelines, minding your own business, until one thing led to another. Heated words turned sharp, a nerve was struck, and before you knew it, Ellie had lost her temper, shoving you against the wall by your collar.

All because of a failed talking stage.

Usually, she kept her cool. But it was no lie that Ellie had her moments—times when she lost control. And now, the music had stopped, the room had gone silent, and Maria was stepping in to pull you two apart.

You and Ellie locked eyes, each shooting daggers into the other’s. Your breathing was heavy, fists twitching like you were both daring the other to throw the first punch.

Maria yanked Ellie back.

“I’m sorry, Maria, but they know exactly what they’re doing,” Ellie muttered, jaw tight.

The entire bar was watching, murmurs and whispers floating through the room. Even the worker had stepped in, telling both of you it was best to head home. Reluctantly, you obeyed, but as luck would have it, you and Ellie ended up walking in the same damn direction.

Ellie exhaled sharply through her nose, gritting her teeth, doing everything in her power to ignore the itch to cuss you out, or worse, choke you. But when her eyes flicked to yours and you met her stare, something inside her snapped. The eye contact made her blood boil. She scoffed. “The fuck’s your problem?”

It was crazy to think you and Ellie had gotten along at some point. Right now, it was the exact opposite. She chewed on her lip, looking you up and down. The urge to just punch you was overwhelming.