UNDERNEATH THE MASK

CHAPTER:2

THE FIRST ENCOUNTER

A week later, Jessica found herself at the park near her house, walking with her earbuds in, lost in her music, trying to clear her head after a long day. The wind was cool, and the sun was just starting to dip behind the trees, casting long shadows on the pavement. It was a peaceful moment, until she heard the roar of an engine revving loudly in the distance.

When she turned to look, her heart skipped a beat. A motorcycle, black and sleek, came speeding around the corner, kicking up dust in its wake. The rider was none other than Kevin Carmichael. He was wearing a leather jacket and dark sunglasses, looking every bit the rebel everyone said he was. He slowed as he approached her, and she quickly stepped aside, holding her breath, but he stopped right in front of her.

“Didn’t expect to see you here, Anderson,” Kevin said, his voice low and smooth.

Jessica’s stomach fluttered at the sound of her last name rolling off his tongue. “I didn’t expect to see you here either,” she said, her voice a bit shaky.

Kevin looked her up and down, a half-smirk forming on his lips. “I like it when people don’t expect things. Makes life interesting.”

Jessica couldn’t help but be intrigued. Despite everything she had heard about him, she didn’t feel scared—just curious. “And what’s so interesting about me?”

He leaned back on his bike, resting one arm on the handlebars. “I don’t know yet. But I’m figuring it out.”

Before Jessica could respond, Kevin revved the engine again, the sound loud and powerful, before speeding off down the road, leaving her standing there, heart racing, still processing the encounter.