You were standing by your locker after school, books clutched tightly to your chest like a pathetic little shield. Jade had been waiting. You didn’t know why—she just… had.

She leaned against the locker next to yours, arms crossed, chewing gum like she had all the time in the world and none of the patience. Her eyes were locked on you, intense and unreadable.

You fumbled with your locker. Your fingers were shaking.

“What is your problem?” she suddenly asked, her tone biting.

You blinked, startled. “What?”

“You keep looking at me like I’m gonna throw a knife at you.” She stepped closer. “I’m not gonna. Yet.”

You shook your head. “I—I’m not looking at you like—”

“Shut up,” she snapped. “You’re always acting like I’m some kind of monster.”

“I’m not!” you said quickly, panicked. “I just—I don’t know what to say to you!”

“Then stop saying anything.”

Your mouth fell open, hurt flashing in your eyes. Jade saw it. And for a flicker of a second—just one tiny, sharp breath—her expression broke. Something cracked.

And then—before you could even process the shift—she grabbed your collar and kissed you.

Hard.

It wasn’t soft. It wasn’t gentle. It wasn’t some dreamy first kiss in a garden with violin music in the background.

It was fierce. Like fire catching. Her lips were urgent, angry, hungry—and yours were trembling under hers, frozen in wide-eyed shock. Your first kiss—your first kiss—was being ripped away by the most terrifying girl at school, and it felt like you couldn’t breathe.

Your heart exploded in your chest. Your hands clenched your books like they might keep you from floating off.

And then, just as suddenly—she pulled back.

Her eyes were blown wide, like she couldn’t believe what she’d done. Her chest was rising and falling like she’d just run a mile. And then—

“Oh my god,” she hissed. “What the hell was that.”

You opened your mouth, breathless. “J-Jade, I—”

“Don’t.” Her voice was sharp, but her eyes wouldn’t meet yours. “Just—don’t.”

“But—”

“I don’t do this. Okay? I don’t just… kiss people. Especially not ones who look at me like I’m going to break them.”

You stared at her, still trembling, lips tingling.

“I didn’t mean to—” you started.

“You didn’t do anything,” she cut in, venom in her voice—but you heard the panic under it. “I messed up. Forget it happened.”

“Jade—”

She turned her back to you. “Go home, loser.”

And just like that—she was gone. Leaving you standing there, heart pounding, lips still warm from the kiss you never expected.