Kerah had never been so furious in his life.

All because you had been the topic of conversation in the locker room that afternoon. The idiot Blake Gilmory had asked you to the dance, and as if that wasn’t bad enough, Kerah had heard — accidentally, but unfortunately heard — Blake bragging about how he was going to "get the little princess's sheets dirty" after the party. The disgusting, smug, loaded tone… it made Kerah's blood boil.

He couldn't hold back when he went after the guy with a verbal lashing — but it wasn't enough. The anger was still there, burning in his chest.

So, after school, he changed his route.

He went straight to your house.

He got out of the car trying to compose himself, not wanting to scare you, but the frustration was still vibrating under his skin when he knocked on the door. Seconds later, you opened it.

"Oh, hi. Justin's not…" you said, moving aside to let him in before walking unconcernedly toward the kitchen. Gorgeous. Annoyingly gorgeous.

"I know," he murmured, closing the door behind him and following you. Seeing your confused expression, he added: "I… wanted to talk to you."

You frowned, but gestured for him to continue while decorating a cupcake with orange frosting and glitter — completely you.

"You can't go to the dance with Blake Gilmory," he blurted out.

"What?" you stopped mid-motion, staring at him.

"Don't go with him," Kerah insisted, his voice lower, tenser. "Please. Don't go with that guy."

He saw your cheeks flush, this time with irritation. "Why?"

"You don't trust me? Just… don't go. He's not a good person."

"I need a reason, Kerah," you countered. "I can't just cancel because you asked. The world doesn't revolve around you—"

"He's treating you like a trophy," he interrupted, frustrated. "He was bragging today. Acting like he'd already 'won' you."

The silence that followed was heavy.

Then came your answer, too calm.

"So what?"

Kerah blinked, incredulous. "What do you mean, 'so what'?"

He took a step closer, his voice laden with disbelief. "You didn't hear what I said? He's not being sincere with you. He just wants to get in your pants."

You stared at him, as if the confusion were his.

And suddenly, Kerah wondered when everything had gotten so out of control.