WILD ON THE INSIDE

CHAPTER SEVEN

For a moment, they stood in silence, the tension between them crackling like static. Then Dylan’s expression shifted back to mild curiosity. “So, are you going to tell me what’s really bothering you? You’re obviously upset.”

Megan’s eyes turned cold. “Oh, yes—I mind. A lot.”

He shrugged, turning away. “Fine. Suit yourself,” he said, his voice oddly resigned. And with that, Dylan walked away.

That night, Megan wandered the halls of her quiet house. She entered a room she rarely visited—a room heavy with memories she preferred to keep locked away. Dust coated the frame of a photograph resting on a small table: a man and woman, standing close together, smiling in the glow of a past that seemed too distant to touch. Her parents. The sight of them—so alive in that captured moment—stirred something deep and fragile inside her.

Tears welled in her eyes. She pressed her lips together, remembering the promise she’d made so long ago, back when she was still a child.

“I promise you, Mom,” she whispered into the empty air. “Even till my very last breath, I’ll never grow weak. I won’t let myself cry. I will be strong—no matter what.”

She closed her eyes, willing the tears to retreat. “I’ll never cry again,” she reassured herself.

Later, she lay curled up on her bed, her phone in hand. The videos of the talent show had gone viral, flooding every corner of the internet. t****k, i********:—everywhere she looked, there she was, caught in that unexpected kiss.

She scrolled through the comments, a small smile playing at her lips despite the storm of emotions brewing inside her.

“I love Nikki, but this girl is perfect for Hardin,” one read.

“I guess Nikki is supposed to step down in this case,” said another.

“I think I’m falling in love,” someone else confessed.

Megan couldn’t help it—she let out a soft, bitter laugh. “Ouch, what a loss,” she read aloud. “Nikki has just lost one great guy. Hardin is in love, is in love…”

She placed the phone on her bedside table, her heart pounding with a mix of fear and thrill. The whole world seemed to be watching her now, waiting to see what she’d do next.

Early the next morning, she was running late. Her car had a flat tire—a final insult to an already overwhelming week. She stood outside, frustrated, unsure of what to do.

To her surprise, Dylan appeared, hands shoved in his pockets, a faint smirk on his lips. “You look like you need a hand,” he said, glancing at the car.

She hesitated, then gave a small nod. “I suppose I do,” she admitted.

He crouched beside the car, his movements quick and practiced as he worked to fix the tire. “I don’t have school plans today,” he said offhandedly. “So consider this my good deed.”

Megan watched him silently, her thoughts tangled in confusion and curiosity. Despite everything—despite the mess they’d made of each other—here he was, helping her anyway.

For once, she didn’t have the words to fight him.

When Megan reached class, she was greeted by an unsettling silence. All eyes turned toward her, their curious gazes following her every move. She couldn’t understand why even her usually supportive friend Charlie couldn’t stop staring. The weight of so many eyes made her stomach twist, but she forced herself to keep moving. Her heart pounded as she took her seat, trying to ignore the whispers and sidelong glances that prickled at her composure.

With trembling hands, she opened her locker. A folded piece of paper fell out, landing at her feet. She froze. Another letter? Her fingers shook as she unfolded the note, the words jumping off the page:

“By the way, I have to admit, kissing you was a very good thing that day. You might be wondering who I am, but don’t worry—you’ll find out when the time is right. I’m a good kisser, right?”

Megan crumpled the note in her fist, her breath coming in short gasps. “I’m tired of this nonsense!” she screamed, her voice echoing through the classroom. She was shaking with fury, unable to settle down. Her outburst startled everyone; even her neighbors scurried out of the way, as if bracing themselves for the coming storm.

Before she could completely lose her temper, Hardin strode into the classroom, his presence commanding as always. He glanced around at the tense silence. “What’s going on?” he asked, his tone casual yet laced with authority.

Charlie stood up, his face pinched with concern. “Sir— I mean, Hardin—someone broke into Megan’s house and won’t stop harassing her with these… these stupid letters,” he explained, his voice trembling. “This could start a war. She won’t be at peace until she breaks someone’s nose, I swear. You have to find out who’s behind it.”

Hardin’s gaze flicked to Megan, his expression unreadable. “That’s none of my business,” he said flatly, his voice dripping with cold indifference. “I have better things to do than chase down this… crap.”

Megan’s eyes flashed with sudden resolve. “I know exactly why you’re acting like you don’t care,” she said, her voice low and dangerous.

The entire class fell silent, turning to stare at her with wide eyes. Even Hardin looked at her with a flicker of surprise. “What are you talking about, Blondie?” he asked, his tone mocking but edged with curiosity.

“What I’m talking about,” Megan said slowly, “is that you’re the genius who broke into my house with Tyler and Jake. You three were the thugs dressed in black that night.” Her voice rose with each word, the fury that had been simmering all morning finally boiling over. “That explains why you’e been sending me these stupid letters. Why didn’t I realize it sooner?”

For a moment, Hardin said nothing. His face was a mask of calm, but his eyes flickered with something unspoken. Then, without warning, he grabbed her arm and pulled her out of the classroom. The class erupted in shocked whispers as he dragged her down the hallway, his grip firm and unyielding.

“Let me go—I can walk on my own!” she protested, trying to wrench free.

But Hardin wouldn’t release her. He didn’t stop until they reached the main hall. Thankfully, it was empty—no curious eyes to witness the standoff.

“Why are you treating me like you’re the one who’s been wronged?” Megan demanded, her voice shaking with equal parts rage and confusion. “Tell me, why would you break into my house? Is that how you and your friends maintain your image as the school’s rich elite—by playing at being thieves?”

He stepped closer, his voice low and urgent. “No one should hear you say that.”

“Then tell me the truth,” she shot back, her jaw set.

Hardin ran a hand through his hair, letting out a sigh. “First, I have to ask—how on earth did you figure it out? How did you tie all the knots together?”

Megan’s eyes narrowed. “I would have let it go if you hadn’t kept sending me those letters. But honestly, it was tricky. At first, I thought it might have been Dylan, but I remembered—he has no friends. Then, when you kissed me on stage at the talent show… it was the same way you kissed me that night. That’s when you became my top suspect—because you and Dylan might be different on the surface, but you’re both the same inside. I confirmed it today when you reacted the way you did in class.”

Hardin fell silent, his expression tense. Finally, he let out a short, humorless laugh. “Okay… you win. I admit it—it was me. But it’s not like we broke into your house to steal anything. That’s not who we are.” His eyes searched hers, as if looking for understanding. “I came there that night to see you. That’s the truth. I had to see you, to… assure you, even though you were so unshaken.”

Megan’s brow furrowed. “Had you even seen me before that night?”

He hesitated, then nodded. “Yeah. That was your first day at that school, but… I’d seen you in a dance video before. Then, when you came to the school to ask for a vacancy, I saw you again. That’s how I fell for you so easily.” He looked away, his jaw tightening. “I have to admit, I really like you,” he said quietly.

Megan stared at him, her confusion plain. Her lips parted, but no words came out.

Hardin gave her a half-smile. “No need for you to say anything. I can guess what you’re thinking—he has a pretty girlfriend, there are celebrities all over, and so on. But that’s not the point. Even though I like you, I can’t date you.” His tone grew firmer. “I wouldn’t risk everything for that. I have no interest in taking you out—and I would never break up with Nikki for any reason. Not even for you,” he emphasized.

“You’ve said a lot—most of it unnecessary,” Megan said coolly. “Are you done? Can I go back to class now?”

“Why? Do you feel hurt?” he teased.

“You wish,” she retorted. “I just need to focus on my studies, so please—”

Hardin cut her off with a low chuckle. “What do you think you are—the most beautiful girl in the academy?” he asked, his eyes glinting.

She met his gaze evenly. “Those are your words, not mine. I won’t deny that I think I’m special. But the ‘beautiful’ part? Let’s leave it aside. Yes, I may be pretty—but that’s just on the outside. Inside, I’m wild.”

“Don’t hide it,” he said, his tone turning soft for a moment. “Not like you—because you have no beauty in your heart. But deep down, you’re more than wild… and you cover it up with that cute smile and your carefully chosen words.”

“Why are you being so sentimental?” she shot back. “Yes, I’m pretty—but I’m not your type, apparently.”

He smirked. “One time, I was in a bet to make a guy fall for me,” she said suddenly. “I lost that bet—because I’ll never let a man have control over me. That’s disrespectful. But because of your pride, Hardin, I’m going to start a bet with you now. Not to date you—no. But I’m going to separate