Love maybe....

At hartwich high school, everyone knew one name: Malakai and Jess. They were the couple people whispered about in hallways, the pair teachers smiled at, the relationship everyone Secretly compared theirs to. Malakai was the golden boy- Captain of the basketball team effortlessly charming, and always laughing with his friends. Jess was just as admired - Smart, beautiful and impossible to ignore. Together, they looked perfect. "Man, I swear, you and Jess are relationship goals", one of Malakai's friends said during lunch. Malakai laughed, " I know, she's amazing". But perfection was a performance. Because behind closed doors, Jess and Malakai argued constantly. Little things became big things. Why didn't you text back? Why were you with her? Why do you always make me feel guilty? It was exhausting. That evening, Jess stood by her bedroom window arms folded, staring at the moving truck pulling into the house next door. New neighbours. She watched as boxes were unloaded, until someone stepped out of the car. A girl. She had dark curls falling over her shoulders, sharp eyes that seemed to notice everything, and the kind of confidence that made people stare without realising it. She looked up. Straight at Jess. And winked. Jess froze. Her heart skipped. Then she quickly pulled the curtain shut " What was that"? She didn't know. But somehow. She wanted to find out.