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Chapter 3 - Chapter 3

Maya's pov

The sun spilled lazily through the curtains as I tied my hair in a ponytail, with quiet tension still clinging to me from the night before, i heard the familiar honk outside,two short beeps, one long "Cherry"

I slung my bag over my shoulder and headed for the kitchen where my mum was sipping tea and scrolling through her phone.

"Hey, Mum," i said,"Cherry's outside, I'm not going with you today".

my mum looked up, a bit surprised "You sure? I thought you said you had something to give Mrs Smith at the hospital today".

"I'll handle it," i replied quickly

My mum narrowed her eyes slightly "Everything okay?"

"Yep," i said, forcing a smile "Totally fine".

I leaned down to kiss her cheek before going out the door.

Cherry was already blasting music in her mum's dusty black SUV, sunglasses on like she owned the world.

"Get in, babe," she grinned, "we're surviving high school".

I got into the passenger seat "You're too cheerful for 7:48 a.m".

"That's because I slept like a queen," Cherry said "Unlike someone who looked like she was wrestling her demons last night".

I sighed "Let's not talk about it".

As we drove off

At School...

The air buzzed with chatter when we arrived more than usual,people stood in clusters, whispering, phone screens lighting up with something everyone seemed to already know.

"Okay, what's going on?" Cherry asked as we walked toward the hallway.

Before i could guess, a girl from our class grabbed Cherry's arm

"Did you guys hear about Lisa?!"

I blinked "No what happened?"

The girl leaned in like it was national gossip "Someone leaked her pictures"

"what? Wait show me" Cherry asked, lips already curling in excitement

My eyes widened "No freaking way, this is obviously photoshop"

"yeah it's so obvious,It's all over Instagram and Snap, someone did this just to get back at her,God knows what she did". cherry added

Then the first bell rang, Everyone head to class but was still glued to their phones.

I turned to Cherry "this day is about to be insane".

Later That Day – After Last Class

The final bell rang,the buzz from Lisa's scandal still hadn't died down,even the teachers looked like they were just trying to make it to the end of the day without getting dragged into it.

Cherry and I were gathering our books, chatting quietly about what to do after school

Just then, the classroom door slammed harder than necessary, Lisa stood there, arms crossed, eyes locked on me like a storm brewing.

"You think you're smart, huh?" she spat, marching up to us

Cherry stood up instantly "What is your problem?"

Lisa ignored the question and focused all her fire on me "You seriously had the nerve to do this to me? Because of yesterday?"

I frowned "what are you talking about Lisa?"

"Oh, don't play innocent," Lisa hissed "I played a little game with you yesterday,yeah, so what? That doesn't mean you get to ruin me".

My eyes widened "you think I did this to you?"

Lisa stepped closer, lowering her voice but with rage "i played one little game with you and now my entire life is blowing up? Please..... You're not that slick".

Cherry scoffed "you've clearly messed with a lot more people than Maya,maybe they got tired of your silly games".

Lisa leaned in a little close to me "I don't care if it wasn't you,but trust me I'll get back at you,better watch it, Maya".

I stood my ground "whatever Lisa, I didn't do anything to you".

Lisa tilted her head, smiled darkly,and walked away with heels clacking like gunshots across the hallway.

Cherry exhaled. "she's officially lost it".

"Tell me about it" I said faintly

After School – Cherry's Phone Buzzes

As the crowd in the hallway thinned out,we finally stepped outside, walking towards the parking lot,the air felt heavier than usual

Cherry's phone buzzed.

She glanced down at the screen and immediately lit up "Oh my God".

I looked over "What?"

Cherry held up her phone with a huge grin "Ray just texted me,he wants me to come over to his garage".

I blinked "Garage?"

Cherry laughed "yeah,It's more like his hangout spot his 'studio' His cousin turned it into this cool place with speakers,snacks and drinks. He says to come chill".

I raised an eyebrow "sounds sketchy".

"It's not," Cherry said quickly "he's not like that I've been there before,he's just… Ray.....you know just,Vibes,Music and Chill".

I didn't look convinced "fine whatever,go, I'll just grab a bus".

Cherry gasped like that was a crime "Excuse me? You're not ditching me,we're going together".

"Cherry…"

"Maya," she said dramatically, "I am not walking into a boy's garage by myself like some desperate chick,I need backup,emotional support,someone to judge his playlist with me in silence".

I gave her a flat look "That sounds like something you can do on your own"

"But it'll be more fun if you're there!" Cherry nudged me playfully, "Besides, you need a distraction,Lisa's being weird, school's a mess, and you've had that same tense look since this morning,just come for like fifteen minutes If it's boring, we'll leave I promise",

I gave a deep breath hesitated "fineeee, fifteen minutes"

Cherry squealed "Yes! You won't regret it,unless he plays trap music from 2017 again then we both regret it", we burst into laughter.

Ray's Garage – Early Evening

The garage smelled faintly of cologne, engine oil, and microwave popcorn,oddly comforting, music low in the background,posters of rappers ,cars and random anime girl with a sword covered the walls

I stepped in cautiously behind Cherry, who was already grinning

Ray was sitting on a beat-up couch, PlayStation controller in hand, headset on, intensely focused on the screen.

"Hey babe!" Cherry called out over the noise.

Ray looked up, grinned, and paused his game. "baby you're here".

"i'm here," Cherry teased, walking over to him.

Ray's eyes flicked to me "And you brought a friend,what's up?"

I gave a polite wave "Hey" Ray nodded "Cool, cool Make yourselves at home,there's soda in the cooler, and chips… somewhere".

Before i could even decide whether to sit or stand awkwardly, the door leading into the house creaked open.

Footsteps....

Then— him.

Adrian Sinclair walked in like he lived there hoodie, joggers, and that effortless swagger that made it feel like everything in the room tilted towards him His hair was slightly messy, like he'd just woken up or didn't care to fix it,probably both.

Of course I froze from shock

He looked just as surprised to see me

"Oh," he said, one brow raised "Didn't know we had guests".

Ray didn't look up from his controller "Cherry brought her friend, Maya this is Adrian my homeboy Adrian, this is Maya".

Adrian gave a lazy smirk "Hey Monroe"

i blinked "heyy?"

He glanced at the cooler "Is there soda in here?"

Ray mumbled, "Check the bottom, the good stuff sinks".

Adrian crouched, grabbed two cans, and handed me one

"Thanks"

Cherry had already curled herself beside Ray on the couch, giggling at something he whispered,I sat on the other seat,a low stool near a dusty keyboard,I cracked open my soda quietly

But as i lifted the can,my fingers slipped just slightly (splash)cold soda spilled straight onto my shirt.

"Ugh!" i gasped, standing up

Ray and Cherry barely noticed, too lost in their own little bubble.

Adrian stood "You good?"

I stared down at my damp shirt, embarrassed obviously "Yeah,just cold really cold".

Adrian gave Ray a pointed look, then turned back to me "come on, I'll show you where the towels are,you don't wanna walk around like that".

I glanced at Cherry, who was practically in Ray's lap, then followed Adrian inside.

Inside the House – Ray's Living Room

The hallway was quiet, the air cooler than the garage, scented faintly with fabric softener and something that smelled like lemon polish. Adrian led the way, casual but quick, until we reached a small laundry room,he pulled open a cupboard, grabbed a towel, and tossed it to me without a word.

"Thanks," I muttered, dabbing at the soda stains on my shirt

He leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, watching me with that calm, unreadable expression. "So… what made you agree to come here? You don't exactly scream 'Ray's garage' energy".

I raised a brow "What's that supposed to mean?"

He shrugged,tugged up his hands slightly "no offense."

I let out a soft laugh "Cherry dragged me here," i admitted "I don't plan to stay long".

He nodded "Figured"

There was a short silence,not awkward, just… heavy.

I glanced at him "You and Ray seem close"

Adrian's expression shifted, not in a big way, just… a small flicker of something in his eyes

"Yeah," he said after a pause "Ray's solid, I've known him a long time now,his family's cool"

I tilted my head "What about yours?"

Another pause,then Adrian looked away, as if he was considering how much to say.

Noticed his movement "sorry,I didn't mean to prey," i said simply

"No it's fine" he replied

"My mum died few years ago,I live with my dad and his new wife," Adrian continued "Technically"

"Technically?"i said

He gave a soft, humorless laugh "we just talk when we have to".

I was quiet, I was slightly shocked I didn't know there was more to the coolest guy in school, I've never seen this side of him before,there was a rawness in his voice, barely there,but obvious.

"I guess that's why I'm always at Ray's," he finished with a chuckle

"You don't talk much about her, do you?,your mum"

Adrian met my gaze "Nope"

He gave a small shrug"I don't know,you just make it easy to talk about

I wasn't sure what to say to that,so i just nodded and said gently, "I'm sorry about your mum"

Adrian gave a tight smile, the kind people wear when they don't want to fall apart "Me too".

For a second, the room fell silent again,not uncomfortable,just heavy and honest.

Then he cleared his throat, back to his usual calm "You good now? Or should I find you a hoodie with fewer soda vibes?"

I let out a soft laugh. "I'm fine".

Adrian opened the door "Let's get back before Ray starts making out with Cherry on the PlayStation".

I followed,thinking less about soda stains and more about Adrian Sinclair.

Back in the Garage

The garage had dimmed a little,Cherry and Ray tangled up on the couch, giggling and teasing each other between sips of soda and inside jokes

Adrian and I slipped back in from the house, and I quietly returned to my seat,still feeling the weight of our conversation earlier.

Adrian grabbed his phone from the arm of the couch and glanced at the screen,a small frown flickered across his face.

Ray noticed "Everything cool?"

Adrian stood, pocketing the phone "Yeah,just gotta head out,something came up".

I stood up too

"Actually… I should get going too"

Cherry popped her head up from Ray's shoulder "Already?....why?.....You just got comfortable"

"I need to pack up for the trip, it's tomorrow remember" I said

"Oh that's right, Adrian you could drop her off, right? Since you're leaving anyway".

I snapped toward her "No! It's fine, I'll grab a bus "

Adrian glanced at me and smirked "I don't mind"

I tried again "It's really not necessary...."

Cherry leaned towards me and whisperd "Gurll, you better loosen up and let this fine man drive you...." She blinked innocently and sipped her soda.

Adrian cut in smoothly. "It's not a big deal,I was heading out anyways

Ray tossed Adrian's car keys to him "Take her bro,make her laugh or something,she's too stiff".

I narrowed my eyes "I am not stiff"

Adrian smirked "Guess we'll find out".

I sighed, finally giving in "Fineeeee"

Adrian grinned

We stepped out of the garage together, and i caught sight of his car parked across the driveway,matte black, sleek, tinted windows, the kind of car that made heads turn.

Adrian clicked the key fob and the car unlocked with a soft, expensive beep,without a word, he walked ahead and opened the passenger door for me,then I got in

The interior smelled like leather and something subtle, expensive cologne maybe,cool air wrapped around as the engine purred to life

Adrian shut my door and slid into the driver's seat

He tapped the screen, music coming on low just instrumental,nothing too loud,his fingers adjusted the volume, then we pulled out of the driveway.

My phone buzzed.

I glanced down at the screen and it was a text from cherry "Text me when you fall in love!"

I subtly tilted my phone away and locked the screen, heat rising to my cheeks.

Adrian's hand rested easily on the wheel, the other tapping rhythmically on the console.

After a minute, he said, "You going on that school trip this weekend?"

I turned towards him "Yeah... why?"

He shrugged "Just curious I wasn't planning on going "

"Why not?"

He exhaled through his nose "just don't feel like pretending to be excited about nature trails and weird roommates".

I smirked "so you're scared of tents and bug spray".

He glanced at me with a sideways grin. "No, I'm scared of being stuck with people who talk too much and ask dumb questions".

I gave him a look. "Wow"

He shrugged again "Not my thing"

"But it actually is" i teased "You could just lean against a tree and people would act like it's a performance".

That made him laugh, soft and low.

Adrian looked over at me for a second, then back at the road "You going makes it... less terrible"

My heart paused

"What does that mean?" i asked, my voice just a bit too steady.

He didn't answer right away, the tension stretch, alive in the space between us

Then, with that maddening calm of his, he said, "Maybe I'll go,since you'll be there"

I looked out the window, trying to ignore the way my stomach flipped.

Outside My House – Night

Adrian's car pulled to a slow stop in front of my house, headlights washing across the driveway before dimming. The engine stayed on, humming low like it didn't want to break the silence between us

I turned slightly in my seat, fingers wrapped around my bag

"Thanks," I said softly "For dropping me off and not laughing when I spilled soda on myself"

Adrian glanced at me, smirking "wouldn't say I wasn't laughing on the inside"

I rolled my eyes then smiled "You're impossible"

He leaned back slightly in his seat, eyes fixed on me "You say that like it's a bad thing"

I held his gaze and something shifted,the teasing faded just enough for the air to thicken between us

His eyes dropped, for a second, to my lips.

My heart thudded...hard

The space between us felt dangerously small, even though neither of us had moved,it was the kind of silence that screamed,the kind where one breath could tip everything

Adrian leaned in not rushed, not aggressive,just....closer,his voice dropped lower.

"You're unusually quiet"

My heart raced "it's just with you"

"why with me?"

I hesitated "Because... you feel like trouble"

That made him grin "you're not wrong," he murmured

His face was inches from mine now, our eyes flicked between each other's, lips, eyes, lips again, time slowed,heat built,breath caught, as our lips gets closer almost touching each other's

Then....

*buzz buzz*

Adrian's phone lit up in the center console, screen flashing a name: Kiara.

The moment cracked like glass.

Adrian glanced at the screen and, with a slight frown, declined the call without a word

But I had seen it.

I leaned back, just slightly, as if that one name pulled me back to reality

"Right," I said quietly, reaching for the door handle, "Thanks again"

"Monroe....." he started

But i was already out of the car, clutching my bag like armor

I didn't slam the door, but i didn't look back either.

He sat there a moment, jaw tight, the glow of his phone screen slowly fading back into black,then he drove off

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