Ethan
The campus felt different that afternoon. I kept expecting her to appear from around a corner, her laugh echoing like a challenge. And she did.
Serena was sitting on the steps outside, phone in hand, flipping through notes—or pretending to. She looked up, eyes locking on mine, and my chest tightened.
"Studying alone again?" she asked, standing as I approached.
"I don't need distraction," I said, forcing calm into my voice.
She smirked. "Distraction can be… fun."
Her words, light as they were, sent shivers down my spine. I wanted to focus, but every step I took toward her made the air heavier, hotter.
Then Lana appeared behind her, eyes flicking between us. "Careful, Serena," she warned. "People are talking."
"Let them talk," Serena replied, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "I like him. Don't you?"
I felt my jaw tighten. She didn't even blush. She didn't hesitate. This rich girl played by her own rules.
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Serena
I loved watching him squirm without trying to touch him too much. He was calm, cool, untouchable, but I knew he felt it. I could see it in the way his fingers twitched, the way his jaw flexed.
I stepped closer. "People might not like this," I whispered, letting my fingers brush his arm. "But I do."
His eyes met mine, dark, steady, unreadable. "You should be careful with your games."
I leaned closer, almost daring him to pull away. "I like games," I breathed.
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Ethan
Her closeness was intoxicating, maddening. Every nerve in me screamed to step back, but another voice, smaller, deeper, told me to stay. To see how far this would go.
"Your rules," I said quietly. "Not mine."
Her smirk widened. "Then we'll see whose rules survive."
The campus suddenly felt smaller, the space between us charged. And then… someone cleared their throat behind us.
Serena's ex appeared—tall, smug, rich, and entirely used to getting what he wanted. He stopped, eyes narrowing at me.
"Well, well," he said, voice dripping with arrogance. "So this is the poor boy everyone's talking about?"
Heat rushed through me, not just from his words but from the challenge he posed. And I realized—my battle wasn't just with her anymore. It had only just begun.
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Serena
I felt a flash of possessiveness, a thrill I didn't want to admit. My ex shouldn't have that power over me, and yet here he was, daring to challenge him.
I leaned close to Ethan. "Ignore him. Focus on me."
He didn't smile, didn't flinch. But the intensity in his eyes said it all.
And in that moment, I knew this wasn't just attraction anymore—it was a war of desire, pride, and rules. And I would win.
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