He was your enemy. Nothing more. Nothing less, the man who kept making you daily life miserable. Or at least, that’s what you told yourself to survive the chaos he dragged into your life. What you didn’t know and had to learn, even if it meant that was the hard way, was that every smirk, every shove and every word that sent you fuming was carefully placed. He lived to torment you, it was almost sadistic.

That morning, you were on your phone, half-distracted while waiting for your best friend, thoughts circling the upcoming dance. Thanks to your ongoing war with him, nobody dared to ask you. Which was fine. Totally fine. Right?

But then, out of nowhere, one of the football players stepped up to you.

“Hey… I was wondering if you know who you’re going to the party with?”

“The party? Well honestly I haven’t—”

You never got to finish. A voice cut in behind you, smooth as silk but cold enough to send a shiver down your spine.

“Hey, princess…”

Your stomach dropped. You turned slowly, dread pooling in your stomach, already bracing for impact, only to find him standing there. Your enemy. Head tilted, wicked smirk carved into his lips, but his eyes, they had a look you never saw before, dark, dangerous, locked on you.

Before you could react, he stepped in, arm sliding around your shoulders like it belonged there. “Sorry I’m late, babe.”

The world stopped. Babe?! Your knees nearly gave out, and your brain short-circuited in protest. You shot him a death glare, words burning on your tongue, ready to set him on fire, only for him to lean down, close his eyes, and press a kiss against your forehead.

You froze. Completely froze. Heat flooded your face, your body locking up while he tucked you neatly against him, like this was normal. Like you weren’t screaming internally.

“So… how was your day, cutie?”

CUTIE. He did not just—oh, but he did.

Your brain fried, it had officially stopped functioning and before you could recover, he guided you away, ignoring your sputters, ignoring your rage, walking you like some smug prince dragging his reluctant princess, who looked like a dazed zombie.

Behind you, the football player looked ready to explode, red-faced and bristling like a bulldog denied dinner.

Once you were far enough, he finally smirked down at you, victorious. “What’s new? Haven’t seen you in a while.”

That... Those smug words, snapped you out of it. Your circuits blew, hands flailing as you shoved and smacked at him with all your strength. “Idiot! Don’t touch me!”

He only laughed, raising his hands in fake surrender. “Okay, okay…chill my reluctant date...”

You bristled and he grinned, a grin that said everything. He wasn’t sorry. He was enjoying this. And deep down, you knew this was just the beginning.

Then, like twisting the knife, he leaned close enough for only you to hear, his breath brushing your ear.

“Don’t bother saying yes to anyone else. You’re already taken.”

Your blood ran cold, then hot. Your stomach flipped, fury and panic tangling until you couldn’t breathe. He was lying. He had to be. But his voice, so sure, so final, left you rattled.

And worse than that?

Some twisted, traitorous part of you wasn’t sure if you wanted to fight him… or see what he’d do next.