Iced Hearts And Half Time Kisses

Unwelcome Company

At home…

Outside the compound in the corridor, Skye sat with her back pressed against the cinderblock wall, her sketchbook placed on the table in front of her. She’d been staring blankly at the same sketch for ten minutes, it’s a smudged outline of a face, half-drawn, mirroring the unease churning in her gut as unknown smiles curved out her lips. Her thoughts are occupied by Knox touches and how her body felt and how embarrassed she felt when he touched her down there.

This feeling is all new to her. As a virgin who read r18 novels, she’s always wished to experience what it feels like and now she did, all she could do was smile at the thought. Even the sound of Maya's laughter coming from the inside, floated from the living room barely registered in her mind.

But the smiling moment didn’t last long. Skye’s thoughts suddenly drifted back to the shadow at the art room window in Stonebridge. She told herself it was nothing, probably just a janitor, but Knox’s reactions and words, on how his jaw tightened, his eyes scanning the darkness made it feel like something more she should be afraid of.

Shortly, her phone buzzed in her pocket, the vibration jolted her out of her thoughts. She fumbled for it and glanced at the screen. It was a text from a strange number not saved on her phone. “Did you make it home?” She read as her pulse quickened, a blush creeping up her neck at the thought that the person who sent her this message must be Knox.

She hesitated, thumb hovering over the keyboard, then typed a quick reply. “Yes. You?” She hit send as she waited for a response but none came.

Skye shoved the phone back into her pocket and pushed open the door to the living room, where Maya was perched on a stepladder, wrestling with a string of heart-shaped fairy lights. The room was cluttered with fundraiser supplies, glitter-dusted cardstock, spools of ribbon, and a box of half-melted candles that gave off a faint pine scent. Marya was preparing the things her team would be needing for the Valentine’s Fundraiser as she turned, her lips curling into a smile the moment her eyes fell on Skye.

“Skye, you gonna stand there moping all night or help me with these?” Maya called, holding up the tangled lights. One bulb flickered weakly, like it was barely catching up. “My team’s fundraiser presentation is gonna be a mess if you don’t help me get these done. I need help” Maya says.

Skye forced a smile, setting her sketchbook on the couch. “Sorry, just… distracted.” She approached Maya and grabbed the other end of the light string.

Maya raised an eyebrow, pausing mid-knot.

“Distracted, huh? You’ve been weird since you got home. What’s going on? Spill.” She stepped down from the ladder, wiping her hands on her jeans, her eyes filling with that cousinly knack for seeing right through Skye’s defenses.

“It’s nothing,” Skye said, too fast. She turned away, busying herself with untangling a knot in the lights. Her cheeks warmed, and she hoped the dim glow of the room hid it. “Just tired. Long day.”

“Bull,” Maya shot back, crossing her arms. She leaned against the wall. “You’ve got that deer-in-headlights look. Did something happen with Knox? ‘Cause I heard you two were practically glued together in the art room.” Her tone was teasing, but her eyes held a flicker of concern.

“Listen, you need to stay away from him. He’s not a nice person. You know I care.” Maya says.

Skye’s stomach twisted, her fingers fumbling the lights. A bulb popped on. “Who told you that?” she asked. She crouched to pick it up, avoiding Maya’s gaze, her heart pounding like she’d been caught doing the abominable.

Maya smirked, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “Small town, Skye. People talk. Especially when it’s Knox Callahan.” She softened her tone, stepping closer. “I’m not judging, okay? But if he’s messing with your head, you need to tell me. I’ll kick his ass.”

Skye let out a shaky laugh, standing and brushing her hands on her sweater. “You? Kick Knox’s ass? I’d pay to see that.” The humor felt forced, fading fast as her mind flashed to Knox’s lips on hers, the heat of his hands under her thighs, and then that shadow, watching. Always watching.

“I think I’m loving him,” Skye admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. “Well I don’t know.” She added.

Maya’s smirk vanished, her brows knitting together. “What? You must be out of your mind. You love Knox? That’s an abomination Skye. You need to get him off your head.”

Skye says nothing. She took a few steps as she held up another light, trying to put it into the bag.

“Skye, you need to listen to me. You are my sister and I love you. You need to unlove him. I mean right away.” Maya says but Skye snaps.

“That’s enough. Are you jealous that he spends more time with me and not you because I know you want him too.”

“What?” Maya couldn’t believe it. “That’s not true.” Maya added. “Don’t misunderstand me. I won’t deceive you. Loving Knox is destruction and not just that, every eye will be on you. Don’t you get it?”

“Maybe I’m overreacting.” Skye says.

Maya tilted her head, studying her. “You’re not overreacting. You’re spooked, and that’s valid. But you need to be careful with Knox. He’s got a reputation, Skye. You know that.” She hesitated, then added, “And if someone’s watching you two, that’s not random. I don’t want you to get hurt. Laurel is evil. She won’t spare you.”

Skye’s jaw tightened at the mention of Laurel, Knox’s girlfriend, whose jealous glares were practically a school legend. “I don’t think so. I don’t know. It’s probably nothing. Let’s not talk about this anymore.” Skye says.

Maya didn’t look convinced, but she nodded. “Okay. Just… keep your eyes open. And if you see anything creepy, you tell me. Deal?”

Skye says nothing managing a small focus. She turned back to the lights, trying to focus.

An hour later, they were both done with the work. Skye’s nerves were still frayed. She volunteered to take out the cardboard unwanted boxes from the decorations to trash them, needing a moment alone.

She stepped outside, the recycling bin at the edge of the compound glinting under the streetlights as she pulled the boxes across the frost-dusted grass. Her breath puffed out in white clouds, and she shivered, wishing she’d grabbed a heavier coat to wear before stepping outside.

As she dumped the boxes into the bin, a low car sound caught her attention. Across the street, opposite the house. a car parked with its headlights on. Skye froze, every nerve on edge. The car blurred slightly in the snowy haze. She squinted, trying to make out the driver, her heart daring to hope it was Knox. The car inched forward, the headlights catching her in their beam, and for a moment, she thought she saw him until the driver’s silhouette convinced her it wasn’t Knox.

Her breath hitched, and she turned toward the door. Suddenly, Maya’s casual voice cut through the night as she poked her head out the door. “Skye! You okay out there?”

Skye spun back, her eyes darting to the car. It was already pulling away, taillights fading into the snow. Her phone buzzed in her pocket again, and she yanked it out. Another text. “We need to talk. Keep it a secret.”

Her fingers hovered over the keys, torn between to type an answer as she realised that stepping deeper into Knox’s world might be the worst choice of her life. Since she’d gotten close to him, she had gotten no peace of mind.