The tension of the past few days seemed to melt away the moment Ethan’s sports car cleared the iron gates of Lycaon High. For the first time, they weren't running from a scandal, a drug-induced frenzy, or a looming step-father. They were just two people going out on a real date.
They wound up at a small, retro pizza parlor a few miles off-campus. The booth was cramped, forcing their knees to brush beneath the laminate table, but the atmosphere was light.
"I still can't believe your first instinct when you met me was to glare like you wanted to commit a felony," Bella said, leaning her chin on her hand, a playful smirk dancing on her lips. "Seriously, Ethan. You were such a textbook jerk."
Ethan let out a low chuckle, slouching back against the vinyl seat. He traced the rim of his soda g
