THE PARKING SPOT
Scarlett Hayes had learned long ago that life wasn't fair.
She had spent seventeen years proving she could handle whatever the universe threw at her—whether it was moving to a new city every few years, watching her mother chase broken dreams, or learning how to stand tall when everything else around her crumbled.
But this?
This was just irritating.
Scarlett's fingers tightened around the steering wheel as she glared at the jet-black Mustang parked in the space that had been assigned to her.
First day at Blackwood Academy, and she was already being tested.
She took a slow breath, her nails drumming against the leather of her car's interior. The logical thing would be to let it go, find another spot, and move on.
But logic had never been her strong suit when someone challenged her.
With a roll of her shoulders, Scarlett pulled into the next available space, yanked the keys from the ignition, and stepped out, smoothing down the oversized black leather jacket she had practically lived in since she was fifteen.
Her boots clicked against the pavement as she surveyed the school in front of her.
Blackwood Academy was every bit as elite and suffocatingly polished as she had expected. The buildings were sleek and modern, lined with floor-to-ceiling windows and sharp edges, as if the entire campus had been designed to look like a luxury brand ad.
The students weren't much different.
Clusters of perfectly put-together teenagers stood in small groups, tossing glances at her—the new girl, the outsider, the one who didn't belong.
Scarlett didn't care.
She had been the new girl too many times to count. The trick was simple: Act like you own the place, and no one will question you.
She had just slung her bag over her shoulder when a voice, smooth as velvet and sharp as a knife, sliced through the morning air.
"That's my spot, new girl."
Scarlett turned.
The first thing she noticed was the arrogance.
It radiated off him like heat from the hood of a car on a summer day.
Jaxon Knight stood casually against the Mustang, arms crossed, his body language a perfect display of effortless confidence.
He was tall—easily over six feet—with dark hair that looked like he had just rolled out of bed in the most attractive way possible. His blue eyes, cold and sharp, roamed over her with the kind of lazy assessment that made Scarlett's teeth clench.
She knew guys like him. Entitled. Untouchable. Dangerous in the way that made people reckless.
Too bad she wasn't the reckless type.
Scarlett arched a brow. "Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't realize parking spots came with personal ownership."
Jaxon's lips curled into a smirk—the kind that spelled trouble. "Everyone knows that's mine."
"Well, I didn't. And now I don't care."
She turned to walk away, but his low chuckle stopped her in her tracks.
"You've got an attitude. I like that."
Scarlett faced him again, tilting her head slightly, as if evaluating a problem she had no time for.
"You sound like you're trying to impress me," she said smoothly. "Hate to break it to you, but I'm not interested."
Jaxon took a slow step forward, the space between them closing inch by inch.
"That's cute," he murmured. "You think you have a choice."
Scarlett refused to step back. If he thought intimidation worked on her, he was in for a surprise.
"No," she said lightly. "I think I have better things to do than entertain some guy with a parking spot obsession."
Something flickered in Jaxon's gaze—curiosity? Challenge?
Then, just as quickly, his smirk returned. "We'll see about that, new girl."
With that, he turned and walked away like he had all the time in the world, leaving Scarlett standing there with one undeniable thought.
This wasn't over.
Not even close.
