Okay, let's get one thing clear:I was done.Cooked. Finished. Buried six feet under in a grave made of bad decisions and confusing feelings.
Because after everything — after detention, the hallway run-ins, and that one time Zayne smirked at me like he knew my phone password and the embarrassing things I text myself at night — he went ahead and pulled the most illegal move in teenage history.
He gave me his hoodie.In public.Plot Twist Number 7: Death by hoodie-induced heart palpitations.
Ivy found me sitting on the bleachers after school, staring into space like one of those movie characters who just realized they're in love with their arch-nemesis.
"Ari, what's wrong? Did someone die?"
"Yeah," I croaked. "Me. Inside."
"What happened this time?"
I lifted the grey hoodie in my hands."He… gave me this."
Ivy's eyes went wide."No. Way."
"Way."
"Girl, do you know what this means? In teenage language, a boy giving you his hoodie is the equivalent of a marriage proposal."
"Ivy, stop."
"You better start writing your wedding vows, ma'am."
"Ivy, I swear to God—"
Plot Twist Number 8: I nearly tripped over Lucifer the Demon Cat, who had somehow escaped Zayne's jacket pocket earlier in the day and was now terrorizing a group of terrified Year 9 kids by hissing at their sneakers.
Ivy and I wheezed with laughter as one kid shrieked,"It's possessed!"
I scooped up Lucifer like a proud mother."That's my emotionally unstable son you're screaming about."
"I see the resemblance," Ivy quipped.
Enter Zayne Carter, The Problem Child.
Just when I thought the day couldn't get weirder, he strolled over, hands in his pockets, that smirk making my soul leave my body for the 57th time.
"You keeping my cat hostage now, Princess?"
"He's mine. Finders keepers."
"That's not how this works."
"Says who?"
"Says me."
He took a step closer and lowered his voice so only I could hear."Also, you forgot your jacket today. Don't make me do it again, Ari."
Plot Twist Number 9: My heart actually skipped a beat and I physically felt my IQ drop by at least seven points.
Ivy was watching the whole thing from a distance like it was a reality show, mouthing 'say something dumb, say something dumb!'Spoiler: I did.
"Well, maybe I like freezing to death."
Zayne chuckled — a real, genuine laugh that made me question my entire reason for existing.
"You're so weird."
"Takes one to know one."
And then. THEN.
This man leaned in, brushed a piece of hair from my face, and said"You look good in my stuff. Don't give it back."
I think I momentarily died.
Later That Night: Emotional Damage Report.
I sat on my bed, wrapped in that stupidly soft hoodie that smelled like him — fresh rain, soap, and trouble — texting Ivy:
Ari:I'm officially emotionally compromised.
Ivy:You're screwed.
Ari:Fully.
Ivy:Also Mia saw the whole thing. You're dead tomorrow.
Ari:Great. I'll pick out a coffin.
Plot Twist Number 10: Mia posted a story with a cryptic caption:"Some people don't know their place. Stay tuned."
My life's basically a telenovela now. All I need is a dramatic rain scene and an evil twin.