Chapter 14
My heart fitters as 1 step through the double doors of my school After yesterday, I don’t e
know how to act when I see Valentine again
Is he going to tease
to tease me about the kiss
I tuck a strand of chestnut hair behind my ear, trying to calm the butterflies in my stomach. “Get it together, Scar,” 1 muner to myself. “He’s just a
guy
But even as I say it, I know it’s a lie. Valentine isn’t just any guy. He’s the guy who turned my world upside down with one smile.
Damn him.
As I walk down the crowded hallway, a hushed giggle catches my attention. I glance to my right and spot Emily and Amber huddled near a row of lockers. The self–proclaimed queens of the hallways are whispering furiously, their eyes locked on me.
Oh, great. What are they up to now?
Emily nudges Amber, nodding in my direction. Amber covers her mouth to stifle another giggle.
My stomach twists, but I force myself to keep walking, quickening my pace.
“Hey, Scarlet” Emily’s coy voice calls out “Love the outfit.
you raid | your grandma’s closet again?”
My cheeks burn, but I keep my eyes forward. I can feel their stares boring into my back, practically hear the wheels turning in their devious minds.
Amber’s shrill voice cuts through the noise. “Oh, Em, did you hear? Little Miss Nobody thinks she has a shot with Valentine!”
I reach my locker, fumbling with the combination as I try to block out the whispers and giggles echoing down the hallway. My fingers tremble as I spin the dial.
“Just grab your books and go.” I mutter, willing my hands to steady, “Don’t give them the satisfaction”
But as I swing open my locker, a familiar, sickly–sweet perfume wafts toward me. I turn slowly and come face to face with Emily and Amber They’re blocking my path, smirking with all the confidence in the world.
“What do you want?” I ask, trying to keep my voice steady.
etic. Valentine doesn’t date nobodies”
Amber leans in her eyes glistering with malice. “Just wanted to give you a friendly warning, sweetie.
I roll my eyes. “You’ve told me this already.”
“And dyet. I saw you walking out with him yesterday.” Emily chimes in, her tone laced with venom. “He’s way out of your league, Scarlet So why don’t you do yourself a favor and back off?”
I lift my chin, meeting their glares. I am not in the mood to deal with these two.
“You know, I’d love to see things from your perspective,” I say, keeping my voice cool, but I can’t seem to get my head that far up my own bur
Emily’s jaw drops, and Amber’s eyes widen in shock. I keep going, my words cutting.
“And as for Valentine bring out of my league, maybe you should worry less about who he’s dating and more about why he’s never shown interest in either of you.”
“Valentine and I dated!” Emily screeches, loud enough to turn a few heads.
“Then how come he told me you two were never serious?” I counter.
Emily’s face twists with anger. “Oh, you think you’re so special, don’t you?” she snarls, stepping closer. “Listen here, you linle—”
I cut her off. “No, you listen. Your insecurities are showing, and frankly, it’s not a good look on either of you.”
Both of their expressions harden. I know I’ve struck a nerve, and while part of me feels triumphant, another part is screaming at me to get out of here.
Suddenly, Emily’s hand shoots out, shoving me hard. My back slams against the lockers, abd I gasp, the impact knocking the air from my lungs.
“Yourlinle birch,” Emily sneers..
1/3
Chapter 11
1 struggle to regain my footing, my back throbbing from the hit, I can feel the eyes of nearby students on me, and I’m tempted to give Emily and Amber a piece of my mind–or maybe even my lists.
But before I can decide. I see him. Valentine.
His eyes lock onto the scene, blazing with an intensity that makes my breath catch. Jaw clenched, he strides down the hall, the crowd parting like the Red Sea as he nears.
Oh god. This is about to get interesting.
Valentine’s voice is low and dangerous. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?”
Emily stammers, her earlier bravado melting “We we were just..”
“Just what?” he snaps, stepping closer. His gaze is ice–cold, his jaw neitching.
Amber tries to salvage the situation. “Nothing, Valentine. We were just joking around.”
“So you jokingly shoved my girlfriend into the lockers?” His glare is fierce, sweeping over both of them. “Was that supposed to be funny? Because I’m not laughing”
My eyes widen. His what 17
Emily and Amber exchange a panicked glance, their confident smirks gone.
“Your girlfriend?” Emily echoes, her voice incredulous. “Since when?”
Valentine steps closer to me, positioning himself like a shield between me and the two girls. “Since right now,” he s
“Valentine, you don’t have to-” I start, but he cuts me off
“It’s okay, Scarlet,” he says, his voice softening
Emily’s face twists in disbelief. “Is this a joke!”
Valentine’s voice is sharp as he replies, “No. Now, kindly get out of my sight before I lose my temper.”
says firmly.
His gaze shifts between them, has frustration barely contained. “And don’t even think about coming after Scarlet again. If you do, I’ll make sure your last year of high school is a living hell.”
The weight of his threat is impossible to ignore, and I can see the uncertainty flicker in their eyes. The crowd around us holds its breath, and my heart races, hardly believing what’s happening
“Let’s go Emily finally muters, grabbing Amber’s arm. They retreat, whispering furiously.
When the crowd disperses. Valentine turns to me, his expression soft. “Are you okay?”
Inod
He steps closer, concern in his eyes. “They pushed you pretty hard. Does your back hurt! Maybe I should take you to the nurse’s office”
“Valentine, I’m fine. Why did you lie to them?” I ask, trying to process what just happened.
“Hmm? What are you talking about“” he asks, genuinely confused,
“You know what I’m talking about! Why did you tell them I was your girlfriend?”
“Because you are?” he says, like it’s the most obvious thing in the world.
“Valentine” I exclaim, scolding him.
“Scarlet!” he mocks, his eyes dancing with mischief.
– I parrow my eyes. “I’m serious! I never agreed to be your girlfriend”
“Ah yeah, right.” He smirks. “So, Blackwood, will you be my girlfriend?” He looks at me expectantly.
“No!” I squeal, feeling my checks heat
He pours. “So you think you can just kiss me and not take responsibility?”
2/3
227 PM
Chapter 14
“Respo–are you completely insane! It was barely a kiss!” I whine, hardly believing this conversation.
“Oh, excuse me for thinking you’d care after you kissed me. Gosh, Scarlet, I didn’t know you were such a player,” he says, faking hurt,
1 roll my eyes, trying to hold back a smile. “I’m not a player! And that wasn’t a real kiss!”
A playful smirk tugs at his lips. “Really? Maybe you should teach me what a real kiss is.”
My heart races. “You’re ridiculous,” I stammer, fighting the smile threatening to take over my face. “I can’t believe you just said that!”
Valentine takes a step closer, his eyes locked on mine. “What? You don’t want to show me how it’s done!”
I feel my cheeks grow even warmer. “This isn’t a game, Valentine. We’re in school!”
“Exactly! That’s what makes it fun,” he teases, leaning in slightly as if daring me to make a move.
For a moment, I forget how to breathe. “Valentine, we can’t,” I whisper.
“Meet me
me after school, then,” he says. “And then show me what a real kiss looks like.”
3/3
