The hallway was buzzing between classes—voices echoing, lockers slamming, sneakers squeaking against the floors.
Leni was at her locker, switching out her books and trying not to think too hard about yesterday. The kiss. The way he'd held her like she was something precious. The way she couldn't stop replaying it in her mind all night.
But that was private. That was hidden.
This was school. The public stage. And Marco was still… Marco.
And like clockwork, he showed up.
His shadow moved across her locker before he did—lean, towering, eyes sharp as ever. Leni barely had time to turn before his hand slammed gently but firmly beside her head, pinning her in place.
The hallway emptied fast. They had a ten-second window before the next wave of students poured through. Just them. Just this moment.
To anyone watching, he was the same old Marco—leaning in close, saying something teasing, maybe cruel. A smirk on his lips, a hand too casual on her side.
But this time?
This time, without a word, he gripped her hip, pulled her flush against him, and kissed her.
Not soft. Not shy.
A deep, desperate kiss. His mouth claimed hers with a hunger she wasn't ready for but didn't want to stop. His hand slid up her side, the other pressing to the locker just above her head, caging her in—but not to trap her. To hold her there like she was something he didn't want to lose.
Leni's fingers clenched the fabric of his shirt, breath caught somewhere between shock and surrender.
Then the sound of footsteps—distant, but growing.
Marco broke the kiss as quickly as he'd started it. His forehead stayed pressed to hers for just a heartbeat, lips brushing hers as he whispered:
"You're mine, Enny. Even when I have to pretend you're not."
And just like that, he was gone—back into the crowd, blending into the noise, leaving Leni breathless and stunned, her lips still burning, heart still racing.
No one knew.
But her world had just shifted again.