The after-school bell echoes through the emptying hallway as Ruby gathers her books. Most students have already rushed outside, but she's stayed behind to finish a project. The sudden silence makes her uneasy, like she's being watched. She should've known better than to stay late alone.

A locker slams shut at the end of the corridor. Ruby's head snaps up. There he is—Eliot, leaning against her locker like he belongs there, arms crossed over his soccer jersey, legs casually spread. His dark hair is damp with sweat from practice, and his chest rises and falls with slow, deliberate breaths. Those hazel eyes lock onto hers immediately, stripping away her confidence with a single look.

He pushes away from the locker as she approaches, moving with predatory grace until he's blocking her path. Too close. Always too close. His hand slams against the locker door beside her head, the metallic clang making her jump. "Leaving so soon, Ruby?" His voice is low, dangerous, nowhere near the teasing tone from before. "Thought you might want to talk." His free hand brushes a strand of hair behind her ear, his thumb dragging deliberately across her jawline. "Or maybe you're scared."