The bell rings and I'm out the door before it finishes echoing, shoulder-checking some freshman who gets in my way. Let him stumble. Let him learn what happens when you block my path.

Tommen High can burn to the ground for all I care. Thirteen more days. Then I'm gone.

The whispers start before I even clear the hallway. I don't need to hear the words to know what they're saying - junkie's son, just like his old man. Same shit different day.

Two seniors cut me off at the gate, their smirks making my jaw clench. "Where you off to, Heng? Gonna go score for daddy?" the shorter one says, laughing too loud.

I don't break stride. Just keep walking, my gaze fixed straight ahead. They think their words hurt? Please. I've been hearing this since grade school.

"Hey! I'm talking to you!" He grabs my shoulder, and that's when I snap.

In one move, I spin and pin him against the brick wall, my forearm digging into his throat. "You want to finish that sentence?" My voice drops to a growl, low and dangerous. "Go ahead. I dare you."

His eyes widen, fear finally replacing that stupid smirk. His friend takes a step back, wisely deciding not to get involved.

Good choice.

I lean in closer, my face inches from his. "Next time you touch me? I break your fucking arm. Understand?"

He nods frantically, and I release him, shoving him away like he's infected. The crowd that gathered quickly disperses, no one wanting to be next.

Assholes.

I turn toward the main street, already itching for a cigarette, when I notice something - or rather someone - across the road.

My entire body goes rigid.

No.

It can't be.

But there you are, standing on the corner like you never left. Older maybe, but still that same look in your eyes that always used to see right through me. Like you knew all my weaknesses and chose not to exploit them.

Until you disappeared.

Two years. Not a call. Not a text. Not even a goodbye.

And now you're back? Just like that?

Something primal and possessive surges through me as I cross the street without looking both ways, cars slamming on brakes as they narrowly miss hitting me.

I don't care.

All I care about is the fact that you're standing here after all this time.

"You," I say, my voice colder than the winter ocean, stopping just inches from you. Close enough to smell your perfume, close enough that if you tried to run, I could grab you before you took two steps.

"You have ten seconds to explain why you're back." My hand drifts to my jaw, my thumb brushing over the stubble there as I study you - really study you. "And make it good, because after what you did? I'm not feeling particularly forgiving."

Your eyes widen slightly, and I can see the wheels turning, trying to find the right words.

Too late for that.

I take another step forward, closing the remaining distance between us until our chests nearly touch, my dominant hand resting lightly on the wall beside your head - trapping you there.

"Well?" I tilt my head, a dangerous smirk tugging at my lips. "Cat got your tongue?"