REBELLION IN THE HALLWAY

Raelle opened the door without a sound.

The room beyond was dimly lit, shadows pooling in the corners like they were meant to hide something. She stepped inside and closed the door behind her with deliberate care.

The click echoed louder than it should have.

She looked lethal.

Tailored black, clean lines, confidence sewn into every detail. The kind of outfit chosen not to impress, but to dominate. She slipped her purse from her shoulder and handed it to the guard stationed just inside the door.

When she smiled at him, it was brief and practiced.

"You can go," She said softly. The guard flushed, nodding too quickly as he left.

Silence reclaimed the room.

"So you finally realized."

Raelle didn't flinch. Her gaze shifted to the table at the center of the room. The man sitting there was mostly swallowed by shadow, but she hadn't come here guessing.

"Tyler," She said. She stepped closer, heels quiet against the floor. An empty chair sat opposite him. It was placed precisely, waiting for her. She ignored it, stopping instead behind it, using the chair like a barrier between them.

"You still say my name like that," He muttered. She didn't react.

"Where is it?" She asked. "Where did you hide it?"

He laughed, low and amused. "Why? Didn't you already search?" She folded her arms.

"I miss you, you know. This is a refreshing Christmas gift."

"You're wasting my time," She cut in smoothly instead, "Even though I've already paid for extra of it."

His smile widened. "I knew you missed me." Raelle's arms tightened around her at his smile. He didn't seem to notice.

"How's Cole, though? As much as I hate that he's around you... he still saved me. Twice now." He asked. Raelle tilted her head.

"And it's about to be three times if you don't tell me where it is."

Tyler sighed theatrically and lifted his cuffed hands onto the table, metal clinking softly. He looked the same. Still infuriatingly put together. The neck tattoo visible above his collar. The earrings catching what little light there was.

"You're still attached," He said.

"You don't know anything," She replied coldly. "You don't have the right to judge."

"Then tell me." His voice softened a fraction. "I miss talking to you. We've got all the time in the world thanks to you." Their eyes met again. Raelle sighed, seemingly detached from the room. Then she gazed up, scoffing,

"Well, Aiden, money doesn't grow on trees. I'm not wasting it to spend extra seconds on you." He nodded, smiling like he'd expected nothing else.

"Right."

A beat passed. He pointed at the empty chair.

"I know you too well, whether you like it or not. I've seen, I've heard, I've..." His smile faded, almost a look of regret. "Tasted." She held his gaze.

"Something's happened again, hasn't it?" He continued. "Let's talk." She hesitated.

He started to rise. Instantly, she stepped back. The place went silent again.

Tyler grinned, and that was when she noticed it. His hair. Dyed black now, falling into his eyes. The contrast only made his blue stare more piercing. He dropped back into his chair, amused.

"Come on," He said lightly. "If you came to see someone you wanted dead, it's because—"

"It's because you have something of mine."

"But you paid for extra time," He told her. She froze. "The Raelle Carter I know doesn't need extra time." His eyes traced her slowly, deliberately, before settling on her lips.

She didn't move.

Then he looked away when her gaze narrowed.

The tension stretched, tight and humming, almost one-sided now.

Almost.

"Sit down," He said, laughing softly.

Charming as ever.

_________________________________________________

MIDDLE SCHOOL:

They slowed as the school gates came into view, iron bars already crowded with students spilling inside, laughter and chatter buzzing through the morning air.

Ezekiel adjusted the strap of his backpack. "You know," He said, glancing sideways at her, "You don't have to keep getting dropped off at my house. Your limo could literally bring you to the front gates."

Raelle smiled, bright and easy. "I know."

"Then why do you keep doing it?"

She shrugged, braids swaying. "I feel kinda sad that you don't have a car yet and Kai's no more here to pick you up."

He stopped walking just long enough to roll his eyes dramatically. "Wow. Thanks. I don't want pity."

She laughed. "Yeah, I don't pity you. After all, I could've gotten my driver to drive you too, but instead I'm using us walking to school as my daily morning exercise."

He snorted and gave her a playful punch on the shoulder. "You're ridiculous."

Her braids flew across her shoulder, and she laughed, cheeks warming as she quickly looked away, suddenly very interested in the pavement. She tried—failed—not to steal a glance at him.

They slipped into the building together, the familiar scent of lockers and floor cleaner wrapping around them. Ezekiel stopped at his locker first, spinning the dial with practiced ease.

"I'm thinking of trying out for the basketball team," He said, pulling out a couple of books. "The coach said they're looking for new guards."

Raelle leaned against the locker beside him. "You'll crush it."

Before he could reply, a girl hurried past and stopped short when she saw Raelle.

"Oh hi! I just wanted to say thanks for the flowers for my project. They were perfect."

"No problem," Raelle said easily. "Glad they helped."

The girl beamed and rushed off.

Ezekiel shut his locker and stared at Raelle for a moment. "You've been helping people around, haven't you?"

She grinned, eyes sparkling. "What can I say? I'm practicing my future good karma."

He shook his head, smiling as he walked her to her locker. On the way, more students waved, called her name, thanked her for one thing or another. Raelle answered all of them without missing a beat.

When they stopped at her locker, Ezekiel muttered, "You're kind of everywhere."

She opened it and laughed. "I like being useful."

Two boys from the basketball team suddenly appeared, jerseys already slung over their shoulders. "Yo, Ezekiel," One of them said. "You trying out?"

"Yeah," Ezekiel answered.

"Nice." The other boy tossed him a basketball.

Without thinking, Ezekiel started dribbling right there in the hallway, spinning the ball, testing its bounce. The boys hyped him up, laughing and cheering.

Raelle shut her locker and turned to watch, smiling to herself.

He's handsome, she thought.

Then the hallway shifted.

The noise dipped into whispers, heads turning one by one. Raelle frowned and followed their gaze.

Blake Taryn was walking down the hallway.

She was blonde, impossibly so, her hair sleek and loose around her shoulders. Her lips were painted a deep, dark red that made her stand out like she didn't belong to the same world as everyone else.

No one looked away.

The boys encouraging Ezekiel stepped back without realizing it. Ezekiel did too, distracted, moving straight into her path.

"Ezekiel!" Raelle reached out, grabbing his collar and yanking him toward her.

Blake stumbled past them, barely spared, but Raelle lost her balance. Her head knocked against the locker door with a dull clang as Ezekiel leaned over her.

The basketball hit the floor and rolled away.

"Ouch."

"Raelle—are you okay?" Ezekiel asked quickly. The dull thrumming at the back of her head caused her to feel slightly dizzy. She looked up after a swallow and a pause, forcing a smile.

"Mmhmm."

His hand slid under her head and he stepped closer, steadying her. Raelle froze just then. His face hovered just above hers, worry etched clearly across it.

"Are you sure?" He asked softly. She nodded, cheeks burning, unable to look anywhere but his eyes.

Then—

Snap.