His little secret

Sterling Prep didn’t do messy. Navy blazers. Gold crests. $2000 tuition and attitudes to match. Jessica Conwood hated all of it. Especially today. Because the first day of senior year was supposed to be hers. Not this. Not the whispers. Not the news vans parked outside the gates because her mom was running for Senate. Not the empty seat at her breakfast table where her dad used to be. _Missing. 6 months. No answers._ “Watch it, Conwood.” Jessica looked up too late. _BAM._ Her books exploded across the marble floor. Her coffee splashed all over her white blouse and navy blazer. Standing in front of her, holding his own books like nothing happened, was him. New kid. Black blazer, tie loosened, hands in pockets. Like he owned the place already. Dark hair. Sharp jaw. And eyes the color of a storm. Gray. Cold. Staring right through her. “Are you blind or just stupid?” Jessica snapped. Her cheeks burned. Everyone was watching. A few kids snickered. The guy didn’t flinch. “You walked into me.” “I did NOT—” “You did.” He crouched and picked up one of her books. Slow. Deliberate. “Jessica Conwood.” He said her last name like it tasted bad. Jessica snatched the book from him. “Don’t say my name.” “Why? Is it cursed now? Since your dad ran off with the money?” The hallway went dead silent. Jessica’s hand was shaking. “Shut up.” “What, too soon?” He tilted his head. “Jim told me all about you.” Jim. Her best friend since 8th grade. Traitor. “Don’t you dare bring Jim into this,” Jessica hissed, stepping closer. “You don’t know me.” “I know enough.” His gray eyes dragged over her coffee-stained uniform. “Careful, Conwood. This place eats girls like you.” He bumped her shoulder as he walked past. On purpose. “Bastard,” she muttered. He stopped. Turned halfway. “What was that?” “You heard me.” For a second she thought he’d actually hit her back. His jaw ticked. Then he smirked. Cold. “Be careful who you start fights with, princess. You might lose.” The bell rang. Jessica stood there, heart pounding, uniform ruined. Jim was across the hall pretending to text. Not even looking at her. Great. New school year. New enemy. --- *Lunch. Courtyard. Sterling Prep.* Jessica was hiding behind the east fountain, trying to scrub coffee out of her blazer, when a shadow fell over her. Zach. Again. Tray in one hand. Apple. Water. Nothing else. He sat down on the bench across from her without asking. “You’re following me,” Jessica said. “I’m sitting down.” “In MY spot.” “It’s a public bench.” He took a bite of the apple. Watched her. “Jim said you cry when people mention your dad.” Jessica dropped the napkin. “Jim talks too much.” “Jim worries about you.” Zach leaned forward. Elbows on knees. “Said you’ve been a mess since he disappeared.” “Don’t.” “Don’t what? Tell the truth?” Jessica stood up. “Stay away from me, Zach.” She didn’t know his last name. She didn’t care. “Or what?” He didn’t stand. Just looked up at her. “You gonna throw more coffee on me?” “I’d love to.” He almost smiled. Almost. “Then try.” --- *3:30 PM. Parking lot.* A black SUV was parked across from the Sterling gates. Tinted windows. Inside, a man lowered his binoculars. “Contact made,” he said into his phone. “He antagonized her. Just like you wanted.” “Good,” came the voice on the other end. “Keep him close to her. We need her talking.” “Yes, sir.” The man watched Zach walk to his car. Alone. “Target’s father is still our best lead,” the man murmured. “But now we have the daughter.” ---