LEVI
The morning chill hugged the air, and the city hadn't fully woken up yet. My car cruised down the road in silence, music low in the background. Two blocks from school, I spotted a familiar sight. A busted motorcycle parked at the side of the road—and crouched beside it, her figure unmistakable—Zara Carter.
I slowed, pulse steady, calculating.
She looked furious—tugging at something under the frame, her helmet discarded beside her. I couldn't hear her, but the way her lips moved told me she was cursing under her breath.
Perfect.
This was it.
My chance to get in.
I eased the car to the curb and stepped out slowly, deliberately. Didn't want to look too eager.
"Bike trouble?" I asked, voice casual like this was just a coincidence. A friendly hello.
Zara didn't look up right away. "Obviously," she muttered finally, still fiddling with the chain.
There was tension in her voice. Guarded. Rightfully so. She was still angry. Still raw.
I took a few steps closer, then crouched beside her. "Mind if I take a look?"
She didn't move for a moment, then let out a sigh and sat back on her heels, letting me in. "Sure. Not like I'm going anywhere anyway."
I examined the bike, tugging at the throttle cable, pretending to know exactly what I was doing. She watched me, arms crossed, eyes hard.
And then she asked it.
"Why are you helping me?" she said, her tone sharp. "Aren't you one of Liam's friends? I'm not stupid, Levi. This feels like another setup. Another… joke."
I froze for just a second, then gave her the most honest fake expression I could muster.
"I get why you'd think that," I said softly, looking at her like I actually cared. "But… I didn't know what they were planning. Not until the night of prom."
She blinked. "Seriously?"
I nodded, forcing a bitter laugh. "Liam kept it quiet. Most of us thought he actually liked you. I found out right before he pulled that whole stunt… and I swear, I begged him not to go through with it. I told him it was messed up. I've seen the way you looked at him, Zara. You were… real."
Her arms slowly lowered, tension shifting into something softer. Confusion maybe. Hesitation.
I kept going, pouring just enough regret into my voice. "He didn't listen. And by the time I could do anything, it was too late."
She looked down at the bike again, then muttered, "Yeah, well… everyone's good at pretending these days."
"I'm not pretending," I said gently.
She finally met my eyes.
And there it was. The crack.
"Your fuse is probably blown," I added quickly, standing and brushing my hands off. "It won't start without a new one."
"Of course it won't," she muttered, exasperated.
"I can give you a ride," I offered. "You don't need to start your week stranded."
She hesitated. I could see the internal war she was fighting. She didn't trust easily—not anymore. But that's what made this work. She wanted to believe someone was real with her. She needed to.
After a long pause, she sighed. "Fine. Just… don't make it weird."
I smiled. "Wouldn't dream of it."
We got into the car in silence. She clutched her bag close, her posture tense but not as defensive. I drove smoothly, not saying much—just letting the comfort of quiet sink in.
As we neared the school, I decided to push a little further.
"For what it's worth… I'm sorry," I said. "You didn't deserve any of that."
She didn't say anything right away. Her fingers tightened around her bag.
"Thanks," she murmured at last.
When we pulled into the parking lot, she opened the door but lingered.
"Really," I added before she got out, "if you ever need someone who isn't playing a game—I'm around."
She looked at me again. This time her eyes were softer. Doubtful, yes. But there was something else there too—curiosity.
"Thanks for the ride," she said again.
And just like that, she was gone, walking toward the school building with her bag slung over one shoulder.
I waited until she disappeared through the double doors before I let the smug smile stretch across my face.
Phase one?
In motion.
Because if I had my way, she was going to fall for me harder than she ever fell for Liam. And Liam?
He was going to choke on the weight of knowing I took the one thing he actually regretted losing.
Let the game begin