It didn't take long for people to start talking.
Whispers followed us down the hall like shadows. Lia Summers, the girl who used to eat alone, was suddenly walking in with Chase Donovan.
Some said we were siblings. Others said we were dating. A few called me worse.
Chase didn't seem to care. I tried to, but failed.
He started showing up everywhere. My classroom door. The cafeteria. By the vending machines when I thought I was alone.
"I'm not stalking you," he said once, handing me a soda. "I just have good timing."
I rolled my eyes, but drank it anyway.
That day during lunch, a boy from another class slid into the seat beside me.
"Hey. You're Lia, right?"
I blinked. "Yeah."
He smiled. "I've seen you around. You wanna hang out sometime?"
Before I could answer, the chair across from me scraped loudly.
Chase sat down, jaw tight. He didn't say a word. Just stared the boy down until he mumbled something and left.
"What was that?" I hissed.
He sipped from my juice box. "You're not interested in him."
"You don't get to decide that."
"I do if you're living under my roof."
I stared at him. "So now I belong to you?"
He looked at me then—really looked at me. "You don't belong to anyone. But that doesn't mean I'll let just anyone touch you."
His voice was low. Possessive. A little dangerous.
My heart stuttered.
I wanted to yell at him. I didn't.
Instead, I finished my lunch in silence. He walked me to class.
Later that night, I found my clothes neatly folded on the edge of the mattress. Washed. Dried.
A sticky note was on top.
Stop leaving your socks in the hallway.
I smiled.
Then immediately frowned.
I was smiling because of Chase Donovan.
God help me.