WILD ON THE INSIDE

CHAPTER TEN

She rummaged through a barely touched makeup kit, styling her hair and lining her lips until they gleamed a shimmering red. She slicked on a dramatic black liner and put on sky-high heels that turned her into a runway model. She was unrecognizable—glamorous, sexy, unstoppable.

“I’ve never looked like this before,” she whispered to her reflection. “Tonight’s going to be a night to remember.”

During lunch, she’d overheard the elite gang talking about their night out at the club in the city. She decided she’d crash it—turn the celebration into a scandal.

As the sky turned dusky and the city lights flickered on, she dashed to her car and sped off. True to the gossip, the club was lit up like a neon wonderland, with the rich kids partying hard, bodies moving to the beat.

Megan walked in unnoticed at first, her dazzling look wasted on the crowded dance floor. She wanted the spotlight—and she’d get it. She reached for her phone, about to text Hardin—until she realized she didn’t have his number.

She needn’t have worried. Hardin slipped away from the crowd and stepped outside for some air. Seizing the moment, Megan followed.

“Hardin,” she called softly.

No sooner had she spoken than inside the club, the DJ queued up Perfect by Ed Sheeran. Hardin turned, his breath caught by the sight of her. He stood frozen, staring at her in that black, body-hugging dress—stunned by her transformation.

For a moment, it was like a movie scene. Megan, her eyes shimmering under the club’s lights, and Hardin, dressed to kill in a dark suit that perfectly complemented his quiet confidence. He took three steps forward and took her hands in his, wordless but captivated.

Megan, for the very first time, smiled broadly at Hardin, revealing her well-aligned teeth and her one dimple. It was a rare sight—few had ever seen Megan in such high spirits. Hardin pulled her into a warm embrace, words failing him, and she hugged him back without hesitation. They were both practically floating on air.

“What are you doing here?” he whispered softly.

“I came to dazzle you,” she replied, her eyes twinkling.

“It’s hard for me to believe… but okay.” He chuckled. “Come on, let’s dance.”

He took her hand and led her back inside, and they walked like they were heading for prom, their presence turning heads. The slow music was starting. He turned to her, hand extended with a small smile.

“Shall we?”

“Maybe,” she teased, placing her hand on his. He pulled her gently close, his hand finding her waist as she slipped her arms around his neck. They stood so close, hearts almost touching, and began to sway to the music. Megan felt as if she were in a movie—this was the first time in her life she had felt such a moment.

They danced in their own world, the music blending with the racing of her heart. As Nikki awaited Hardin, she moved to dance with Jack, and then Tyler, but she found herself searching for Hardin again. Jack, meanwhile, was weaving around the club, searching for Hardin. It wasn’t until he caught a glimpse of Hardin and Megan, locked in a slow dance under the spotlight, that he knew he had found them. They were so lost in each other, they didn’t even notice him snapping photos with his iPhone. With a quiet smirk, he turned away and found Nikki.

“Did you find Hardin?” she asked, eyes scanning the crowd.

“I wouldn’t be dancing with Tyler if I had,” she said with a frown. “Where is he?”

“I think it’s better you don’t do anything rash… it might ruin you,” Jack cautioned. “But see for yourself.” He showed her the photos.

Nikki’s face crumbled as she stared at the images of Hardin and Megan looking perfectly matched, perfectly lost in each other. Tears welled in her eyes, cascading down her cheeks. She tried to stop them, but they wouldn’t stop.

“Why now?” she whispered. “Why her?”

She wiped her tears and, with trembling lips, began moving around the club, scanning for that maroon dress Megan was wearing. She found them at last, Megan’s arms draped around Hardin, their eyes closed as he leaned down, forehead nearly touching hers, lips just an inch away. Nikki’s heart twisted.

“Hey guys, I see you’re having a lot of fun,” she said with a cold, sarcastic smile.

Megan and Hardin both spun around in surprise, faces flushing with guilt and confusion.

“Nikki…,” Hardin stammered.

“I was just leaving,” Megan said with forced calm. “Thank you for a lovely evening, Hardin. I enjoyed our hour together.” She winked and walked away.

Now it was just Hardin and Nikki. Hardin looked at her, but words felt so small.

“Nikki, I’m sorry,” he said, voice low.

She shook her head, smiling sadly. “I don’t mind if you hang out with other girls, Hardin. You can go out with a million girls if you want to. But please, if we’re ever to break up, let it not be because of her. Anyone else… just not her.”

All he could say was, “I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine,” she said softly. “Come on, let’s go dance.”

Hardin felt her insecurities weigh heavily on his shoulders. He wanted to tell her more, but the music was too loud, the club too crowded. He just took her hand and let her lead him away.

The next day dawned like any other, though Megan had almost forgotten she was supposed to meet Dylan. She barely stepped out of her car when she nearly collided with him.

“Dylan?” she gasped.

“You seem surprised to see me,” he said with a playful grin. “Did you have a dream about me?”

“You wish,” she shot back.

“I thought you weren’t coming to school,” she said, relieved to see him safe.

“Dad came home last night,” Dylan said, shrugging. “Oh, and by the way—about the robbery thing—it’s finally cleared up. Turns out it was Hardin and his buddies who broke in.”

“I knew it,” she said, her expression hardening.

“Yeah, and that’s how your little love story with Hardin began, huh?” Dylan teased. “But you’re both troublemakers, you can handle each other.”

She looked away, embarrassed. “Don’t you have anything else to say? Like, maybe an apology for breaking my nose?”

“Okay, fine. I apol—” The words stuck in her throat.

“It’s alright,” Dylan said, cutting her off. “You don’t have to say it. Anyway, you and my brother look good together. And by the way… your pictures from last night? All over social media. I’m surprised you didn’t know.”

Megan’s stomach dropped. She tried to act unfazed, but Dylan just smiled and walked away, leaving her with that final jab: “I’ll be waiting for the drama.”

The morning was grueling, starting with English class under their worst teacher. Megan forced herself to focus, knowing she’d be in trouble if she slacked off. From there, they moved to swimming lessons, where Megan had already decided on her next move.

Hardin was the swimming trainer, the girls giggling and showing off in their tiny bikinis as he instructed them, bare-chested, every muscle rippling under the sun. Megan kept her distance, too shy to face him after the previous night’s events. She didn’t have the courage to meet his eyes. But fate intervened—she was just leaving the locker room when she bumped straight into him.

“Aren’t you going to stop avoiding me?” he asked.

“Hardin, please. I have to get ready for swimming,” she muttered, pushing past him.

“Don’t forget,” he said quietly. “We’re still on that bet.”

She shrugged, heart racing.

Soon the swimming lessons began. Hardin was in the water, gliding through it like a fish, teaching the girls. Megan stepped onto the poolside, wearing a light blue bikini that showed off her small but perfectly shaped frame. Hardin’s eyes found her immediately. He couldn’t look away—she was breathtaking.

She caught his gaze and gave him a small smile, pretending not to notice his stunned expression. But as she turned to sashay away in her practiced catwalk, she misjudged her step—her foot slid, and she fell into the pool with a splash.

The next moments were a blur. Hardin’s instincts kicked in—he dived in, cutting through the water like a bullet. He reached her in seconds, arms wrapping around her limp form. The other students watched in awe, but Hardin didn’t care about the audience. He pulled her to the surface, carefully laid her on the poolside, and tilted her head back.

“Come on, Megan,” he whispered urgently. He pressed his lips to hers, giving her the breath of life. Nothing. He tried again, this time pressing her chest harder, willing her to come back.

Finally, she gasped, eyes fluttering open, coughing out the water. She lay back weakly, head pounding. Charlie appeared beside her, relief written all over his face.

“Ouch,” she moaned.

“Don’t try to move,” Charlie said gently. “Just relax.”