MARKED BY THE ENEMY

CONFESSIONS IN THE CAFETERIA

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Chapter 13 – Confessions in the Cafeteria

Monday morning, Ashley practically floated into school. She tried to keep her smile hidden, but Lia noticed instantly.

“Okay, spill,” Lia whispered as they sat in the cafeteria. “You’ve been glowing since first period. What happened?”

Ashley hesitated, then leaned closer. “Devin… took me out this weekend.”

Lia’s eyes widened. “Like… a date?”

Ashley nodded, her cheeks turning pink. “First the movies, then this really fancy restaurant. Turns out his family owns it. And at the end of the night, I… kissed him.”

Lia gasped, grabbing her arm. “Ashley! That’s huge!”

Across the table, William froze mid-bite. The spoon slipped from his hand, clattering against the tray.

“You what?” His voice was sharper than usual.

Ashley blinked, startled. “Um… I kissed him. On the cheek.”

William’s jaw clenched, and he looked away. “Ashley, you need to be careful with him.”

She frowned. “Careful? Why?”

“Because guys like Devin…” William trailed off, shaking his head. “He’s unpredictable. You don’t know what he’s hiding, or what he’s capable of. I just… don’t want you to get hurt.”

Ashley tilted her head, confused. “Will, he’s not as bad as everyone thinks. You didn’t see the way he—”

“Doesn’t matter,” William cut in, his voice tight. “You deserve someone who’s good for you. Not someone who’s going to break your heart.”

The silence between them was heavy. Lia looked back and forth between them, sensing something unspoken.

Ashley finally said softly, “Will… are you jealous?”

William stiffened, his ears turning red. For a moment, he didn’t answer. Then, barely above a whisper, he muttered, “Maybe I am.”

Ashley’s breath caught. She had never thought of William that way—her steady, reliable friend. But the way he looked at her now, with so much emotion in his eyes, made her chest tighten.

Before she could respond, the bell rang, shattering the moment. Students began pouring out of the cafeteria, and William quickly stood up.

“Just… think about what I said,” he told her, then walked off without another word.

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That night, Ashley lay awake staring at the ceiling. Her heart was torn. Devin had made her feel butterflies she didn’t know existed—but William had always been there, quietly by her side.

And now, she couldn’t ignore the truth.

Both of them cared for her.

But which one did she truly want?