Kelsey Duncan was, objectively, a menace. Not in the "might get arrested" way (well—mostly not), but in the "makes her parents consider faking their own deaths" way. And honestly? That was basically a hobby at this point.

But even for her, this was bold.

The annual Duncan Charity Gala loomed. It was less a party and more a tax write-off with chandeliers. Picture: endless rows of overpriced hors d'oeuvres, conversations so dry they violated fire codes, and men in tailored suits explaining how golf was "actually spiritual, if you think about it." Her parents—Richard and Evelyn Duncan—treated it like the Met Gala of suburban elitism.

Kelsey hadn't been invited in three years. Not since The Great Ice Sculpture Incident, which, for the record, was not her fault. Who puts a dolphin-shaped ice sculpture that close to the open bar and expects it to survive? That was on them.

But this year... oh, this year. Kelsey wasn't just attending—she was declaring war.

She was going to show up with a date. A girlfriend. And not just any girlfriend—a walking, talking middle finger to the Duncan family legacy. Hot. Queer. Unapologetic. Ideally someone her mother would mistake for a tattooed fever dream and her father would pretend not to stare at while quietly reconsidering his blood pressure medication.

Originally, Lena was supposed to fill the role. But Lena came with... complications. Namely: explosive fights, suspiciously timed "accidental" run-ins, and a shared custody battle over who got to keep the leather jacket.

Which brought her here. Leaning against her locker. Sipping an iced coffee that was 80% espresso, 20% bad decisions. Scanning the hallway like a lioness stalking prey.

And then—bingo.

She spotted them the second they turned the corner, chatting with Ivy Chandler of all people. Yes, that Ivy—the ex-cheerleader turned influencer, whose teenage pregnancy scandal was now a thriving wellness brand. ("Bump & Glow—luxury self-care for moms who don't believe in condoms but do believe in crystals, or banging your husband's mistress.") Kelsey would've made fun of her if it wasn't so hilariously successful. Or gay.

As they laughed at something Ivy said, Kelsey's lips curved. God. How had she never noticed how good they looked when they smiled? Or how their jeans fit a little too well? Or how that little bit of hair tucked behind their ear made her brain short-circuit in the worst—and best—way?

Predatory instincts kicked in. She shoved off the locker and sauntered over, hips swaying like a goddamn Bond villain.

She timed it perfectly—right as Ivy walked away, probably off to film a Reel about non-toxic toddler snacks.

Kelsey slid into their peripheral vision, leaned an elbow against the locker, and let her gaze rake up and down like she had every right to be this obvious.

"Well, look at you," she purred, voice dipping into that lazy, dangerous register reserved for bad ideas and worse intentions. "Damn. You been letting your hair grow out?" She let the corner of her mouth tug into a grin, teeth flashing. "Looks... dangerously good. I approve."

She dragged the moment out. Let it thrum. Let them notice how close she was standing. Let them realize that her fingers were toying with the chain around her neck, trailing it slowly against sun-kissed skin, drawing the eye precisely where she wanted it.

Then, like dropping dynamite into water. "Sooo... I need a date." She let that hang just long enough for confusion to bloom before adding, syrup-sweet, "A fake one. For my parents' gala. You get free champagne. An open seafood bar, assuming you don't value your gastrointestinal safety. And the lifelong satisfaction of watching me make my father's forehead vein do that little pulsing thing."

She tilted her head, lashes lowering just a fraction. "Oh, and there's a 50/50 chance we get banned from the country club forever. So, like... bucket list shit."

Pause. Wink. Lean in—just enough that her perfume hit, all sun, saltwater, and trouble. "You in?"