A Dangerous Game
622 Words
Ava had never wanted to leave school as badly as she did now.
The moment the final bell rang, she bolted from her last class, weaving through the crowded hallways with her head down. Her body still ached from gym class, and the sting of Lucas’s words echoed in her head.
You actually thought you could beat me?
She hated how much he got to her. Hated that, no matter how hard she tried to ignore them, Lucas and his friends always found a way to remind her of her place in this school.
Ava reached her locker and quickly spun the combination lock. All she had to do was grab her books and get out of here before—
Click.
Her locker slammed shut.
Ava’s breath hitched.
She didn’t need to turn around to know who it was.
“Running away again, Carter?”
Lucas.
Of course.
She inhaled sharply before exhaling, forcing herself to stay calm.
“Not running,” she muttered, gripping the strap of her bag tighter. “Just trying to avoid a headache.”
A low chuckle sounded behind her.
“Guess you didn’t avoid it well enough, then,” Jace said, his usual arrogance lacing his voice.
Ava clenched her jaw.
If she ignored them, maybe—just maybe—they’d get bored and leave her alone.
But she knew better.
Lucas Lancaster wasn’t the type to be ignored.
“You really thought you could beat me in gym?” Lucas asked, stepping closer.
Ava didn’t answer.
She reopened her locker, grabbed her books, and turned, ready to push past him.
But Lucas wasn’t having it.
His hand shot out—slamming the locker shut again.
The sound echoed in the hallway, catching the attention of a few students who lingered nearby.
Ava flinched.
Lucas leaned in slightly, his presence looming over her.
Not touching her, but close enough to trap her.
A shiver ran down her spine.
“Careful, Carter,” he murmured, voice low. “You don’t want to start a war you can’t win.”
Ava’s heart pounded, but she refused to let him see her fear.
She met his gaze head-on.
“Why?” she shot back. “Afraid I’ll win this one too?”
Lucas’s smirk flickered.
His eyes darkened—just for a second.
Then, suddenly, something shifted.
Ava felt it before she saw it.
The weight of another presence.
The hallway grew quieter.
She turned her head slightly.
Damian Lancaster.
He stood a few feet away, watching.
His hands were shoved into his pockets, his face unreadable—but his gaze was sharp.
Not looking at her.
Looking at Lucas.
Lucas noticed too.
His smirk faltered, just for a moment.
Then he scoffed and stepped back. “Relax, man. We’re just talking.”
Damian didn’t say a word.
He just stared.
Lucas let out a breath and rolled his eyes.
“Whatever,” he muttered.
Then, turning back to Ava, he flashed a lazy grin. “See you around, scholarship.”
With that, he walked away, Jace following.
Ava exhaled slowly, her shoulders stiff.
Her hands were still curled into fists at her sides.
She turned to Damian.
“What was that?” she asked.
His face remained blank. “Nothing.”
“Really?” She narrowed her eyes. “Because it sure looked like you were—”
“I wasn’t,” he cut her off, voice clipped.
Ava clenched her jaw.
“You don’t get to play both sides, Lancaster.”
Damian met her gaze, his expression unreadable.
His jaw clenched.
Then—without another word—he walked away.
Leaving Ava standing there.
Confused.
Frustrated.
And, despite everything—more intrigued than she wanted to be.
- Writer
