WRECKED BY YOU

CHAPTER THREE:MIDNIGHT RENDEZVOUS

The halls were deserted when Zara slipped out of her dormitory, the night air crisp against her skin. The school felt different after hours — quieter, but charged, like it was holding its breath, waiting for something to break the silence.

She tucked the folded note deep into her jacket pocket, heart beating faster than it should. Midnight on the library roof. The thought should've terrified her. Instead, it pulled her forward.

She rounded the corner near the science block, scanning the shadows for any sign of Jace. The flickering glow of the emergency exit sign was the only light.

"Right on time," a voice drawled from the darkness.

Jace stepped out from behind the brick wall, the moonlight catching the glint of his chain. His eyes were unreadable — dangerous, yes, but also... something softer, almost daring her.

Zara squared her shoulders. "You trying to get me arrested? Or just killed?"

He smirked. "Depends if you're worth the trouble."

Without waiting for her answer, he tugged the door open and motioned her inside.

The library roof was a secret sanctuary — an open-air space surrounded by wrought iron railings and scattered with worn wooden benches. The city lights twinkled far below, like distant stars.

"Why here?" Zara asked, eyeing the deserted spot.

"Because," Jace said, stepping closer, "it's the only place up here where no one's watching. No gossip, no rumors. Just us."

She wanted to say something clever, but the words tangled in her throat.

Jace leaned in, voice dropping to a whisper. "I've been watching you since you walked through those doors."

She blinked. "You have a lot of time."

He grinned, a slow, dangerous smile. "I make time for the things that matter."

The air between them thickened.

Zara's resolve wavered.

Maybe this year wouldn't be as quiet as she planned.

Maybe that was exactly what she needed.

The night stretched on, full of unspoken promises and the dangerous thrill of crossing a line neither of them was ready to admit.

And somewhere deep inside, Zara knew she was already lost.