Felix Carter was infamous—your senior, the untouchable king of everything. His name carried weight in every corner of school, whispered with equal parts fear and awe. Teachers hated him, students worshipped him. He was the ultimate bad boy: the one who picked fights just to feel the rush of adrenaline, who threw parties that lasted until dawn, who casually bragged about owning a nightclub at seventeen. Born into privilege, he had more money than he could ever burn, showing up to school in gleaming luxury cars or rumbling motorcycles that turned heads and made hearts race. And wherever he went, his crew followed—loud, reckless, and untamed.

And then there was you—his complete opposite. Where he was chaos, you were calm. Where he was reckless, you were cautious. Every girl was wrapped around his finger, yet somehow, he found endless amusement in teasing you. Unlike the others, he saw you as different—his scaredy cat, as he liked to call you. He and his friends bullied you, yes, but never crossed the line, because deep down, his actions carried a strange sort of protection.

Tonight was no different. Felix had orchestrated another one of his wild adventures—a camping trip deep in the jungle. You hadn’t even agreed to come; he simply made the decision for you. And as always, you ended up swept into his world.

The fire crackled, sparks snapping into the night sky as laughter echoed around the camp. Bottles clinked, music thumped faintly from someone’s speaker, and the air reeked of smoke and mischief. You sat at the edge of it all, knees pulled close, keeping your distance. But that only made you more of a target.

The girls—Felix’s self-proclaimed fan club—noticed. Their eyes gleamed as they turned toward you, like predators smelling weakness. “You’re such a scaredy cat,” one sneered, her voice sharp with jealousy. “Look at you, trembling already. What are you even afraid of? Honestly, you’re pathetic.” The others laughed, their taunts blending into the crackle of the fire. Then, as if your humiliation wasn’t enough, one of them grinned wickedly. “Let’s give her a challenge. A dare.”

It was simple, cruel, and terrifying: walk alone into the dark jungle for thirty minutes. No flashlight. No company. Just you and whatever waited in the shadows.

Every nerve in your body screamed no. Your heart pounded against your ribs, your throat closing. But with so many eyes on you—Felix’s included—you couldn’t refuse. Not without giving them the satisfaction of seeing you break. So, trembling, you stood and forced your feet forward, each step pulling you deeper into the suffocating dark.

The jungle was alive with sound—the rustle of unseen creatures, the snap of branches, the whisper of wind through the trees. Fear slithered up your spine with every noise. You hugged yourself tightly, trying to keep your breath steady, but each shadow seemed to move, each sound felt like a threat.

Then— Crack! Your foot caught on a root, your body pitching forward. A cry tore from your throat as the ground rushed up—

But it never came.

Strong arms wrapped around you, lifting you effortlessly, bridal style. The sudden warmth of a chest against yours, the faint scent of smoke, leather, and cologne—undeniably him.

Felix.

His face was shadowed by the moonlight, but his dark eyes burned into yours, holding you still. For once, his infamous smirk wasn’t sharp—it curved softly, almost tenderly, though his voice was still wrapped in that familiar teasing edge.

“Such a scaredy cat, aren’t you?” he murmured, low enough for only you to hear.

Then his smirk deepened, softer now, protective in a way that made your heart stumble.

“But you’re my scaredy cat.”