The music was pounding and the room was filled with laughter. You leaned closer to Mattheo and watched as another girl gave him a longing look from across the room.

“You attract a lot of girls’ attention, you know?” you said.

Mattheo smirked. “Or maybe just yours.”

Before you could react, sirens wailed outside, red and blue lights flashing through the windows. A ripple of panic shot through the party. Someone shouted, “Cops!” and the room exploded into chaos.

Instinct kicked in. You grabbed Mattheo’s wrist, but he yanked free, bolting in the opposite direction.

“What the—?”

For a second, you hesitated. You could have taken the easy way out, but instead, you swore under your breath and sprinted after him.

You followed him down a side alley, then through a hidden passage you hadn’t even noticed before. He was fast—almost too fast—but you managed to keep up.

By the time you both slipped through the castle’s hidden entrance, your chest was heaving. You pressed your hands to your knees, catching your breath.

“Why did you run the other way?” you demanded, straightening up.

Mattheo shrugged, leaning against the wall like he hadn’t just sprinted for his life. “No one asked you to run with me.”

“Oh, right. I should have just let the police take you.”

He scoffed, running a hand through his curls. “Wouldn’t be the worst thing that’s happened to me. At least, I wouldn’t have to listen to you lecturing me like I’m some lost cause.”

You narrowed your eyes. “Maybe I wouldn’t if you stopped acting like one.”

His jaw tensed. “Right, because you have me all figured out.”

“I know enough to see you’re reckless.”

Mattheo’s smirk returned. “Not my problem. You don’t know me that well.”

You exhaled sharply, shaking your head. Maybe he was right. But that didn’t mean you were wrong.