All through last period, I couldn’t focus on a single thing.
My teacher was droning on about molecules or sothing, but my eyes kept flicking to the clock above the whiteboard, counting the seconds until 4 p.m.
Every tick felt like an earthquake in my chest.
3:47.
3:52.
3:59.
God, co on.
The second the bell rang, my body launched out of my seat.
I grabbed my backpack and shot toward the hallway, dodging everyone left and right.
"Whoa, whoa...where’s the fire?" Marcus called after as he and June stepped out of the classroom.
I slowed down, as I jogged backwards. "I gotta go grab Alia from school first. I’ll see you guys later!"
June grinned, tossing glitter out of her hair. "Tell Alia I said hi!"
Marcus called, "And tell her to stop trying to bite people who call her cute!"
I laughed, waved, and spun back around.
More people were spilling into the halls now, buzzing with post-school energy. A few glanced at as I passed, whispering or giving sidelong looks.
If I go over to et Dominic in broad daylight, people would see. People would talk. And I couldn’t handle more rumors swirling around than there already were.
My phone buzzed in my pocket.
I fished it out, hoping for Dominic, but it was just an alert from my bank reminding how broke I was. Perfect.
I stuffed it back into my pocket and pushed outside into the blazing afternoon sun.
The parking lot was half-empty already, parents pulling away in SUVs, car radios blasting pop songs.
I scanned the rows of cars, searching for any of Dominic familiar sleek cars.
Nothing yet.
So I started walking. I an walk-running.
I cut across the sidewalk, heading away from campus. The sun was hot enough to bake my skin, sweat already beading at my hairline.
I was a few blocks away, the school was shrinking behind , when the low purr of an engine caught my ears.
A black Range Rover glided up beside .
The tinted window rolled down slowly.
My breath caught as sunlight slanted across the driver’s face.
It was Dominic.
He sat behind the wheel, one arm resting on the door, hair ssy and eyes hidden behind black sunglasses.
A smirk curled the corner of his lips.
"Rivera!" he called. "I thought we were eting after school?"
I stuffed my hands in my pockets, scowling. "You do realize talking at school where people can see us is a bad idea, right? The last thing I need is more attention. I’ve already got enough rumors going around as it is."
Dominic’s jaw flexed. "Fine. Whatever. Can you get in now? I’ve got sothing to tell you."
I hesitated, shifting my weight. "How about I co over later? I’m supposed to pick up Alia from school."
Then, unexpectedly, he grinned.
"Fine," he said. "Then let’s go pick up your sister together."
My jaw dropped.
"Oh my god. Really?" I sputtered.
He rolled his eyes. "Get in, Ash."
I didn’t need to be told twice. I yanked open the passenger door and practically dove inside.
The AC blasted cool air in my face as I slamd the door shut. The car slled soooo gooooood.
He shifted the gear into drive, one hand casually gripping the wheel, the other resting on the center console.
"Buckle up," he muttered.
I fastened the seatbelt, and held my backpack on my chest.
Dominic shot a sideways look. "So... how’s your day been?"
I snorted. "Oh, you know. Perfectly normal. Just got threatened with death by my best friend and spent the entire day waiting for you to text back. Totally average stuff."
A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. "You’re such a drama queen."
Dominic flicked on his turn signal as we rged into the traffic.
"So... where are we going?" he asked. Then he flashed that grin. "Or should I just keep driving and take you sowhere... fun?"
"No! Estrella’s Middle School," I said, giving him a pointed look. "We’re picking up Alia, rember?"
Dominic sighed, but his grin didn’t fade. "Right. Estrella’s. No kidnapping you for a secret getaway. Duly noted."
He shot a sidelong glance as the city rolled past outside the windows. Sunlight flickered over his face, catching the glint in his eyes.
"So..." he said, leaning back in his seat, one hand still resting close to mine on the center console. "Tell more about Alia."
I blinked. "Alia."
"Yes, Alia. If I’m eting her formally today, she’s gotta love ." He smirked. "I an... everyone does."
I let out a snort, shaking my head. "You’re such a narcissist."
Dominic’s lips curled. "Is it narcissism if it’s true?"
"Cocky, much?" I said, smacking his arm lightly.
He laughed, brushing his arm back against mine for a fleeting second before putting both hands on the wheel again.
"So basically, Alia does love you. After the free lunch and Oreos you snuck her the other day? You’re basically her hero."
Dominic smirked, clearly pleased with himself. "Well... I am a man of many talents."
"Yeah, like bribing middle schoolers with snacks."
Dominic’s eyes widened. "Damn. Gotta say... being idolized by an eight-year-old feels kinda great."
"She also thinks you’re an ani character or a vampire," I laughed.
He burst out laughing. "I knew I liked this kid."
I rolled my eyes again but couldn’t stop smiling.
A mont of silence slipped between us, warm and comfortable.
Dominic’s voice dropped a little.
"I’m serious, though," he said. "Thanks for letting co with you. I... I kinda like this part of you, you know?"
My heart did that weird little flip.
"Yeah, well..." I mumbled, suddenly embarrassed. "Don’t let her scare you off. She’s a lot cooler than . And she’s scary too. Don’t say I didn’t warn you."
"Why would you think a middle schooler would scare ?" he said, glancing over with a cocky grin.
I narrowed my eyes at him. "Because she’s basically a tiny mafia boss with pigtails. Last week she threatened to shank a kid for calling her ’cute.’"
"No way. You’re ssing with ."
"I’m dead serious. She carries a Hello Kitty pencil case like it’s a concealed weapon."
"So what’s the ga plan?" Dominic asked, shifting gears as we hit a red light. "Do I get out and introduce myself, or am I supposed to lurk in the car like your secret sugar daddy?"
My jaw dropped. "Shut up, oh my god."
Dominic smirked. "What? I’m just saying, we gotta clarify the roles here."
"Jesus. Okay, first of all, you are not my sugar daddy."
"I an... I could be."
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