FATAL ATTRACTION

Episode One

CHAPTER ONE

Three Years Later...

St. Judes High School...

“Couldn’t you just consider joining the cheerleading club?” Lyra asked, her lips pouted in a practiced plea. She knew, deep down, that Jazel’s answer would be nothing but-

“Nope,” she replied. Her expression remained in a perfect blank slate as she arranged her locker.

“Oh, c’mon girl! We’re talking about cheering for guys on the top shelf here,” Lyra persisted, her eyes going dreamy. “Guys that are actually hot and cool. Guys like Jason, Allen... and the hottest of them all, Alex.”

As if on cue, a group of students swept through the hallway. At the center of the crowd was the 'King' himself. Alex didn't just walk; he cruised, surrounded by a rotating cast of admirers—mostly girls.

“He’s got a literal army of girlfriends,” Lyra continued dreamily. She waved enthusiastically at Alex, who caught her eye and flashed a dazzling, practiced wave back.

Then, his gaze drifted to Jazel. He waved at her, too, expecting the usual melt-down. Instead, he got a reply he felt in his bones. Jazel didn't wave. She didn't smile. She shot him a glare so deadly it could have curdled milk.

Alex’s smile faltered. He snapped his head forward, his pace quickening as he practically dragged Allen toward the locker room nearby. He knew if looks could kill, he would have died, resurrected, died again, and then been buried for good.

Jazel’s gaze only softened once he vanished around the corner.

“What?! Are you serious, Jazel?” Lyra blurted out, her jaw practically dropping so low after witnessing the ‘scene.’

“Yes,” Jazel replied nonchalantly, clicking her locker shut with a thud.

“He did not deserve that... at all. You know,” Lyra said, her eyebrow arched in judgment.

Jazel sighed, placing her hands on Lyra’s shoulders like a tired mentor. “Look, Lyra. These are my finals. I don’t have time to cheer for a bunch of boys who think being 'hot' is a personality trait.”

“But at least they are hot,” she muttered shifting back as Jazel walked past her casually.

“And also…” RIIIIING! The bell echoed through the halls.

“Yay! Class” Jazel remarked dryly as she continued walking leaving Lyra who sighed aloud before trailing behind.

The Boy’s locker room****

“Oh my God, that was the deadliest glare I’ve ever seen!” Jason laughed, throwing himself onto a chair.

“I know,” Alex sighed, rubbing the back of his neck as if he could still feel the burn of her eyes.

“I really want to understand, dude,” Allen said, looking at Alex suspiciously. “What was that look about? A normal human being doesn’t just shoot a glare like that for no reason. What did you do?”

“Oh, I will surely have the honor of telling you that this guy here is not innocent,” Jason chimed in, pointing a finger at Alex despite the warning look Alex was throwing him.

Jason ignored the threat and leaned forward, his palms spread wide as he set the stage. “Alright, Allen... imagine this...”

{Flash back}…

Alex was stuffing his backpack in a frantic haste, acting like he had a life-or-death appointment. But it wasn't anything important. As a matter of fact, he was moving with the focused energy of a man about to do something purely mischievous.

“Where are you going?” Jason asked, his eyes narrowed.

“I’m going to look for trouble,” Alex paused, a wicked grin spreading across his face. “A girl’s trouble.”

“Seriously, Alex?”

“Yup!”

“So... who exactly?"

“Uhm... whoever my spirit leads me to,” Alex replied simply, slinging his bag over his shoulder.

“Wait, but-”

“Bye!” Alex shouted, already halfway out the door.

Jason sighed. He knew his friend. Alex never carried his own books or bags—he usually had one girlfriend to carry the heavy lifting and another to handle his notes. But today was anonymously different. Alex went to the café, loaded up with his own bag, his books, and a steaming cup of hot coffee.

Jazel was on her way to the science lab, her steps quick, almost running as she checked her watch. She was in a hurry, which made her the perfect target.

Alex didn't just "bump" into her. He had it timed with perfect precision stepping directly into her path.

Just as then, “Oops, sorry,” Jazel said, her voice neutral as she instinctively bent down. But as they both reached for the books, Alex tipped the cup. The steamy coffee splashed directly down the front of Jazel’s dress, soaking into the fabric and dripping onto the books still held in her hand.

“Oops... sorry,” Alex whispered. He stayed still for a second, a triumphant smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth. He was waiting for it—the gasp, the cliché dusting of the fabric, the high-pitched annoyance that usually followed his ‘trouble-making.’

But the reaction never came.

Jazel stood up slowly, coffee dripping off her lashes, and just looked at him. No words. Just a cold, steady gaze that made his "smirk" falter for a split second. The few students who started to chuckle stopped suddenly and started looking at the floor like it was the most interesting thing ever. The entire hallway became dead calm with some suffocating silence.

Alex’s smirk began to fade, his expression shifting from amusement to a flicker of genuine confusion. He looked up, expecting to see tears or rage. Instead, he met a glare so cold it felt like a physical weight.

And just like that, without another word, she straightened up, turned and left like he was some random bug not even worth stepping on.

Present day: The locker room

“And that was the legend of our dearly beloved Ale-”

Jason didn't even finish before Allen lost it. He started laughing so hard he nearly slid off the locker bench, his face turning a bright, frantic red. He was clutching his stomach, completely ignoring the "what is wrong with you" looks Alex and Jason were throwing his way.

“Ahem,” Allen finally cleared his throat, wiping his eyes and trying to sit up straight. “Okay, okay. My bad. You were saying?”

“I seriously don’t get it,” Alex muttered, looking genuinely disgusted. “What’s so funny?”

“Everything, dude! Everything is funny!” Allen hit Alex’s shoulder, still chuckling.

“Seriously, of all the people to mess with? Out of every single girl in this school, your ‘spirit’ led you straight to Jazel Martins? Wow,” Allen shook his head, grinning. “You’re actually bold. Or just stupid.”

“He’s definitely something,” Jason chimed in, walking over to give Alex a mocking pat on the back. “I can’t even blame the girl for giving you those death stares, Alex. You literally asked for it. Whatever... I’m going to grab a drink.”

“I’m coming with you,” Allen said, jumping up to follow. He reached the door and paused, giving Alex a dramatic ‘be strong’ fist-to-chest gesture before disappearing into the hallway.

The heavy locker room door clicked shut, leaving Alex alone in the silence. He leaned back against the cold metal, touching the back of his neck where the ghost of her gaze lingered…

He remembered she hadn't even at least reacted to the burn of the coffee. He was pretty sure that coffee was hot enough. He stayed still for a while, then a small confused smile curved up his handsome face.

****

Jazel was on her way to the dorm when a notification pinged on her phone. She reluctantly brought it out to check it, but immediately paused mid-step as her eyes widened slightly at the message.

"s**t!" she cursed as she began to hasten up to the dorm room.