MARKED BY THE ENEMY

A DIFFERENT SIDE OF HIM

Chapter 8: A Different Side Of Him

The following week, tutoring didn’t feel like tutoring anymore. Ashley found herself laughing more than scolding, their conversations slipping from equations to jokes and back again. But it wasn’t until one afternoon at school that Devin surprised her with something completely new.

“Come with me after class,” he said casually, slinging his bag over his shoulder.

Ashley blinked. “Where?”

“You’ll see.”

---

She followed him reluctantly, nerves buzzing in her chest. He led her behind the gym, where two boys were leaning against a wall, tossing a basketball between them.

When they spotted Devin, they both grinned.

“Yo, Park! About time you showed,” one called. He was tall, with broad shoulders and an easy smile that made him instantly likable.

The other was leaner, sharper, with mischievous eyes that hinted at trouble.

Devin smirked. “Ashley, meet my guys. That’s Jace”—he nodded at the tall one—“and that’s Kai.”

Jace gave a friendly wave. “So this is the tutor we’ve been hearing about.”

Kai grinned. “She doesn’t look like someone who’d willingly hang out with you, man.”

Ashley flushed, caught between embarrassment and amusement. “It’s… nice to meet you.”

Before she could say more, Devin casually draped an arm over her shoulder. “Relax, shorty. They don’t bite.”

Ashley’s eyes widened. “S-shorty?!”

Jace and Kai immediately burst into laughter.

“Oh, that’s sticking,” Kai said, smirking. “Shorty it is.”

Ashley swatted Devin’s arm, her face burning. “Don’t call me that!”

Devin only chuckled, clearly enjoying her reaction. “Too late. It suits you.”

---

Despite her initial embarrassment, Ashley quickly realized that Jace and Kai weren’t like the rumors she’d heard about Devin’s so-called “g**g ties.” They were loud, goofy, and teasing — but protective of Devin in a way that felt almost brotherly.

As the four of them talked, Ashley caught something she hadn’t before: Devin looked… happy. Relaxed. With his friends, he wasn’t the cold, untouchable boy everyone whispered about. He laughed freely, even nudged Kai when he made a bad joke, his walls lowered completely.

And for the first time, Ashley felt like she was seeing a version of him that no one else at school ever got to.

Of course, she also realized something else — stepping into Devin’s world meant she was no longer invisible. If people saw her here, with him, it was only a matter of time before word spread.

And some people — one person in particular — wouldn’t take it lightly.