THE BADDEST HEART

The first thing I noticed about Jayden King was his arrogance. The second thing I noticed was that everyone else seemed to love it. I stood at the entrance of the school gym, clutching the books against my chest as the sound of sneakers squeaking against the polished floor echoed through the building. “Move, Amara!” Someone bumped into my shoulder. I stepped aside just in time to see a basketball fly past my face. “Sorry!” a boy shouted. I glared at him. “Could've killed me.” He laughed and ran back onto the court. Typical. I hated basketball. Actually, that wasn't completely true. I hated the people basketball attracted. The screaming girls. The enormous crowds. The constant attention. And most importantly— Jayden King. He was standing in the middle of the court. Tall. Confident. Completely surrounded by his teammates. He caught the ball with one hand, spun it between his fingers, and glanced toward the crowd. The girls screamed. Of course they did. “Jayden!” “Look over here!” “King!” He smiled. That stupid, perfect smile. I rolled my eyes and started walking toward the exit. “Leaving already?” I stopped. I knew that voice. Slowly, I turned around. Jayden was standing a few feet away from me, holding the basketball against his hip. Up close, he was even more annoying. “What do you want?” I asked. His eyebrow lifted. “That's a nice way to greet someone.” “I wasn't greeting you.” He smiled. “You always this friendly?” “Only with people I don't like.” His smile disappeared for half a second. Then it returned. Interesting. “You don't like me?” “No.” “Why?” “Do I need a reason?” He stepped closer. I instinctively stepped backward. He noticed. Of course he noticed. His eyes dropped briefly to the books in my arms before returning to my face. “You're Amara, right?” I frowned. “How do you know my name?” “I know everybody's name.” “That sounds creepy.” He chuckled. “You're funny.” “I'm leaving.” I turned. “Amara.” I stopped again. “What?” His voice was quieter this time. “Try not to hate me too much.” I looked over my shoulder. “Don't worry.” I smiled sweetly. “I won't.” Then I walked away. Behind me, I heard him laugh. And somehow, I knew that wasn't the last conversation we'd have. I just didn't know yet that meeting Jayden King would change everything CHAPTER TWO The Bet By Monday morning, I'd almost forgotten about Jayden. Almost. Then I walked into class and found him sitting in my seat. I stopped. He looked up from his phone. “Morning.” I stared at him. “That’s my seat.” He glanced around the classroom dramatically. “Looks like a chair to me.” “Move.” “No.” I dropped my books onto the desk. “Jayden.” “Amara.” “Move.” He leaned back, completely relaxed. “You're bossy.” “And you're sitting in my seat.” “Then sit with me.” I blinked. “What?” He moved slightly to the side, leaving just enough space. I stared at him like he'd lost his mind. “Absolutely not.” He smiled. “Scared?” “Of you?” “Maybe.” I laughed. “You really think highly of yourself.” Before he could answer, our teacher walked into the classroom. “Everyone, settle down.” I reluctantly took the empty seat behind him. For the entire lesson, I tried to focus. But every few minutes, Jayden turned around. The first time, I ignored him. The second time, I frowned. The third time, I whispered, “What?” He simply smiled. I rolled my eyes. At lunch, my best friend, Nia, practically dragged me across the cafeteria. “You're sitting with us.” “I was going to the library.” “You can survive without studying for thirty minutes.” I sat down. Then I saw him. Jayden was across the cafeteria with his teammates. Girls surrounded their table. Nia followed my gaze. “Oh.” “What?” “You're looking at Jayden.” “I am not.” “You definitely are.” “I was looking past him.” “Sure.” I picked up my drink. “Whatever.” Then one of Jayden's teammates shouted across the cafeteria. “King! You still doing that bet?” Jayden looked up. The entire table went quiet. I frowned. “What bet?” Nia shrugged. “I don't know.” I looked back at Jayden. His eyes met mine. And for the first time since I'd met him... He didn't smile. Instead, he looked almost worried. That was strange. Very strange. After lunch, I was walking toward my locker when someone grabbed my wrist. I spun around. Jayden. “Let go.” He immediately released me. “Sorry.” I rubbed my wrist. “What was that about?” He glanced down the hallway. “Don't listen to what they say.” “What are you talking about?” “The bet.” My stomach tightened. “What bet?” He hesitated. Then he looked directly into my eyes. “It was stupid.” “That doesn't answer my question.” He stepped closer. “Amara, just stay away from it.” “Why?” His jaw tightened. “Because you're not supposed to be involved.” I stared at him. “Not supposed to be involved in what?” Before he could answer, his teammate appeared at the end of the hallway. “Jayden!” Jayden looked back. His expression changed instantly. Cold. Guarded. He looked at me one last time. “Forget you heard anything.” Then he walked away. I watched him disappear around the corner. And suddenly, I had only one thought. What exactly had Jayden King bet on? CHAPTER THREE The Bet I couldn't stop thinking about the bet. Not during my next class. Not while I was eating. Not even when I was supposed to be studying. By the end of the day, curiosity had completely defeated me. I found Nia by the lockers. “Tell me everything you know about Jayden.” She stared at me. “That was sudden.” “Just tell me.” She lowered her voice. “Okay. Jayden and his friends have this stupid tradition before every major basketball game.” “What kind of tradition?” “They make bets.” “On what?” “Anything.” I frowned. “That doesn't sound so bad.” “It is when they start betting on people.” My stomach dropped. “People?” Nia nodded. “Last year, they bet that one of the players couldn't get a certain girl to go on a date with him.” I stared at her. “And?” “She found out.” “What happened?” “She never spoke to him again.” I looked down the hallway. Jayden was standing near the gym doors. Watching us. Our eyes met. He looked away first. That bothered me more than it should have. “Do you know what Jayden's bet is?” I asked. Nia shook her head. “No. But whatever it is, people have been talking about it all week.” I turned toward the gym. “I'm going to ask him.” Nia grabbed my arm. “Amara, don't.” “Why?” “Because boys like Jayden don't play fair.” I pulled my arm free. “Then maybe someone should finally call him out.” I walked toward the gym. The doors were slightly open. Inside, Jayden was practicing alone. No teammates. No crowd. No girls screaming his name. Just him and the basketball. He threw the ball toward the hoop. Missed. He caught it when it bounced back. Then he noticed me. “Why are you here?” “I want answers.” He sighed. “I told you to forget about it.” “I don't take orders from you.” He walked toward me. “What do you want to know?” “The bet.” His face hardened. “There isn't a bet.” “Don't lie to me.” “I’m not.” “Your friend literally mentioned it.” Jayden looked away. I stepped closer. “What did you bet?” Silence. Then he said quietly, “You.” My heart stopped. “What?” He looked at me. “I bet I could get you to fall for me.” For a moment, neither of us moved. Then I laughed. Not because it was funny. Because I couldn't believe him. “You're unbelievable.” “I know.” “So that's why you talked to me?” “Partly.” “Partly?” He stepped closer. “But something changed.” I swallowed. “What changed?” His eyes stayed on mine. “I actually started liking you.” I stared at him. Then I shook my head. “You don't get to do that.” “Do what?” “Turn your stupid game into something real.” He didn't answer. I turned to leave. “Amara.” I stopped. His voice was different now. No teasing. No arrogance. Just honesty. “I wish I never made the bet.” I looked back at him. “Why?” He looked at me for a long moment. “Because now I'm scared you're going to hate me before you ever get the chance to know me.” And somehow... TO BE CONTINUED!!!