It was late in the evening, and the moon and stars were coming out to play.
Skylar was in a bit of a hurry again. She had spent all day in the library and completely lost track of time. The road to her dorm from the library was a bit far and… isolated, making her walk briskly. She never planned to stay in the library this long. She just wanted to read for maybe two or three hours and leave—but no, the book had other plans. Okay fine, it wasn't just one book—she had read like five from that aisle and even borrowed two more.
She checked her phone for the time and saw that it was already 9 PM. There were several missed calls from Kira. She sighed.
"Kira's gonna give me an earful," she muttered to herself. "I think it's better to take the shortcut," she added, heading for the path behind the art building—it was just around the corner.
As soon as she rounded the corner, she froze at the sight before her.
Leaning casually against the wall, phone in hand, was him. The hallway boy. Dressed like he was about to have a photoshoot, bathed in moonlight like it was his personal spotlight. She was awestruck.
His head tilted slightly as she came into view.
"Well, well, well, if it isn't my favorite hallway assassin," he said with a slow grin, sliding his phone into his pocket. "I hope you're not here to assault me again."
She immediately frowned. "I didn't assault you. I bumped into you. There's a difference," she said, walking past him.
"Oh, absolutely," he agreed. "But there's also a difference between bumping into someone and trying to destroy their foot."
He stood upright and casually fell into step beside her like it was the most natural thing in the world. "But you should know, I've never recovered from that. I limp in my dreams now, thanks to you."
That dream flashed in her mind and she shook her head, glaring at him.
"Maybe you trip in your dreams because your ego is too heavy." She retorted.
He laughed. "Now that's new. She finally learned to talk without blushing. How cute."
She opened her mouth to respond but nothing came out. She just glared at him and quickened her pace. He matched her easily with his long legs.
"You know," he continued, glancing at her, "it's not safe for a girl like you to be out at this time. Especially in an isolated place like this." His tone shifted there was real concern behind the teasing.
"Well, I didn't plan to," she said as they passed through some trees. "I don't even like walking at night.," She had bad memories tied to late-night walks.
"If you don't like it, then you shouldn't do it. What if some creep appears out of nowhere? You never know what they might do to you," he said, a deep frown forming on his face , one she couldn't see.
"Creeps like you?" she muttered without looking at him. He was starting to annoy her.
He scoffed. "You should be happy it's me and not someone else. You don't know the kinds of people in this place," he said, tone half-joking, but deadly serious.
"So you're saying they're all evil?" she asked.
"Not all of them... just some," he replied with a shrug.
'right'..she thought. And yet here they were, talking so casually. It wasn't like they were friends or anything.
They rounded a corner, and her shoe caught on a cracked curb. She yelped and nearly fell forward, but he caught her by the elbow just in time.
"Wow... you're so graceful," he teased, steadying her.
"Shut up," she snapped, cheeks flaming. "…and thank you," she added quietly, looking away.
He released her arm, his gaze suddenly sharper. His eyes flicked behind them, scanning the shadows.
"What's wrong?" she asked, sensing the shift in his demeanor.
"Nothing," he said, voice low. "Just… heard something."
"Like what? The wind?" she said, trying to sound unimpressed, though a flicker of fear crept in.
He shook his head and stepped closer, his voice dropping."No, not the wind… something else."
She swallowed hard. "Are you trying to scare me? Because it's not going to work," she said, trying to sound brave.
"Maybe," he said, straightening again. "It's just that…" He paused and run a hand through his hair. "I'm afraid you'll make me carry you the rest of the way…"Then he grinned and the tension broke.
She gawked at him, speechless.
"After all, you forced me to walk you to your dorm," he added, as they neared her building.
"I never even asked you to walk me to my dorm!" she exclaimed, exasperated. "I was walking on my own, and you decided to tag along. So stop acting like I forced you."
He tilted his head. "Oh, but you did..force me. You forced me by looking like an innocent child lost in the dark, trying to find her mama."
She scoffed.
"You were a damsel in distress, and me, being the gentleman that I am, couldn't just let you be... okay?"He continued.
She was speechless again. Her mouth opened and closed as she stared at him.
He, on the other hand, was enjoying the look on her face. It was really cute.
"Oh yeah… you never told me your name, little assassin," he said, even though he already knew it.
She finally found her voice. "That's because I never planned to tell you. And I still don't."
He grinned wider, completely unfazed ."Well, that's fine by me. It's more fun guessing anyway. Hmm… You look like a Lily? No, too soft. Maybe... Ivy? No, too spiky and unpredictable."
She glared at him, but her cheeks betrayed her, turning pink despite her best efforts.
"You're impossible," she muttered as they approached her dorm building.
"And you're easily flustered," he said.
"I am not...." She wasn't able to finish because he yanked her toward him suddenly, closing the distance between them.
She stared at him in shock.
"There it is," he said, his breath warm against her skin. "That look. Like a deer caught in headlights. Cute."
Her breath hitched. Her stomach flipped. Her heart pounded as she stared into his eyes, which seemed to pull her in and scramble her thoughts.
The front of the building was decently lit, so she could see every detail of his face and... those eyes.
"Skylar? Is that you?" Kira's worried voice shattered the silence.
Skylar instantly pulled away from him.
Her sister stood by the building's entrance, hand on the doorknob.
Skylar cleared her throat, words catching in her mouth. How could she say anything when her sister had just caught her in such an awkward position with a boy?
Kira hurried down, concern etched on her face. "I was so worried! I kept calling, but it kept going to voicemail."
Skylar let go of Jace's hand and rushed into her sister's arms.
"I'm okay, I promise." She reassured her.
Jace remained where he was, watching the sisters. His face was neutral, but he wasn't exactly happy about the interruption.
Kira looked up at him."Who is he?"
Skylar glanced back and hesitated. "Uhm… ah… he's a friend," she said, and a smile instantly appeared on Jace's face.
"Thanks for walking her home," Kira said gratefully.
"Anytime." He inclined his head. "But I have to say, your sister is a bit tougher than she looks."
Kira raised an eyebrow. "Is that your polite way of saying she's a klutz?"
He smiled and gave a light nod.
She smiled back.
"Uhm, you both know I can see and hear you, right?" Skylar exclaimed.
"We know," Kira said with a smirk. Then she turned to Jace. "It's already late and close to curfew. You should get going. Thanks again for walking her home."
"Uhm… thank you for walking me home," Skylar said a bit hesitantly. Even though she never asked him, she was a little grateful.
"Good night," she added quickly, hurrying inside.
He grinned, eyes flicking to Kira.
"Good night, Ms. Concerned Sister." Jace said.
"Good night, Skylar's friend "Kira replied with a smirk.
She watched him disappear into the shadows. As soon as he was out of sight, she turned and caught up with Skylar in the hallway.
"Let's go to your room," Kira said, linking their arms. "You and I have a lot to talk about." The smile on her face said it all, this was going to be a long night of questions.
Meanwhile, Jace walked silently through the darkness. The smile he wore moments ago had vanished the second he turned away from the sisters. The air around him had shifted ,menacing now.
He stopped near the forest path behind the art building, his eyes scanning the area.
"Come out," he said, voice icy and commanding. "I'm giving you five seconds. Otherwise, I'll hunt you and trust me, you won't like the outcome."
Five seconds passed.
His eyes glowed.
"This'll be quick," he said with a chilling smile. His glowing eyes narrowing as a dark figure finally stepped out from the shadows.
"I was just curious," the figure said coolly, his voice tinged with mockery. "Didn't mean to intrude on your little… date."
"You've got five seconds to explain why you were following her." Jace said coolly.
"And what if I don't." The figure said . And a menacing smile flashed across Jace's face.