CAMI'S APARTMENT
The house was dim. Only the kitchen light was on.
Cami tiptoed in and set her books down.
In the kitchen, her mother quietly picked at her food.
"Mom?"
"Did you eat?" Lexi asked without looking up.
"I'm fine," Cami whispered.
Lexi pushed her plate toward her.
"Eat."
Cami obeyed instantly. She dared not disobey.
"Did your father come home?"
"Haven't seen him in two days," she replied quietly.
Lexi watched her from across the table, eyes lingering on the bruise forming on Cami's cheek.
Guilt flickered in her expression—but it vanished fast.
She stood abruptly and left without another word.
"Eat and go to bed before nine!" she called out from the stairs.
Cami blinked in confusion, unsure what just happened.
She stared at her food... and forced herself to eat.
AT GENESIS' HOUSE
Genesis wiped off her makeup, laughing with her friends Maggie and Cat.
"Be careful or Mama Bear will come swinging," Genesis teased.
Just as they stepped inside, the lights flicked on.
Grandma.
Whip in hand.
Waiting.
"Where are you girls coming from?" she asked, dead serious.
"We—we were in night class!" Genesis chirped.
"Lies!" Grandma snapped—and the whip cracked across Genesis' back.
"Ahhhh! Daddy!!" she screamed.
Maggie and Cat each got a taste of the whip too.
"Out! OUT!" Grandma bellowed.
Maggie and Cat scrambled out the window like fugitives.
Grandma turned to Genesis and held up a bottle of olive oil.
"Repeat after me: 'I'll repent in Jesus' name.'"
"Grandma, please—"
Whip!
"I'LL REPENT IN JESUS' NAME!!" Genesis cried, bolting upstairs.
7AM – OUTSIDE CAMI'S HOUSE
Cami stepped outside, her face bright and clear again.
Jordan stood by his bike, holding a helmet.
"You forgot your book," he said.
"Oh shoot! I didn't even finish the assignment!" she groaned.
"Maybe open it first."
She flipped through it—every page completed.
Her eyes widened. "You did this? And you copied my handwriting?"
"Yeah. One of my weird talents."
Cami hugged him tightly.
"You're amazing."
"Need a ride?"
"On a bike?" Her heart jumped.
Without waiting, he placed the helmet on her head.
"Hop on."
"The helmet's heavier than me!" she laughed, climbing up.
"Hug me. Or the wind will take you."
"Nah, I'm good."
The engine roared—
And she immediately clutched his shirt like her life depended on it.
He grinned and sped off, her screams echoing through the streets.
MEL'S TASTY CAFE
Momo gazed dreamily at Jordan's photo.
"He's so unreal... I miss him already," she sighed.
Melody stormed in and slammed her office door.
Momo peeked through the keyhole.
"I said I want him at all costs!!" Melody shouted over the phone, hurling it at the wall.
Momo blinked. "Three years with this woman and I still don't understand her obsession..."
IN THE SCHOOL CAR
Clover scrolled on his phone as Kai drove like a maniac.
"Porn again?" Kai teased.
"Focus on driving!"
They arrived at school just as a bike zoomed past—splattering dirt on Clover's sneakers.
"Who the hell—?"
Then he saw her.
Cami.
Getting off Jordan's bike.
"Cami?" He marched over and yanked her helmet off, tossing it in the trash.
"What are you doing with him?!"
Jordan calmly picked up the trashed helmet and slung his bag over his shoulder.
"You can have her. But don't hurt her," he said before walking off.
Clover burned with rage.
He turned to Cami.
"You want secrets revealed? Fine. The whole school will know."
"Wait!" she cried. "Please—I'll do anything. I'm ready... for the kiss."
He narrowed his eyes.
"Meet me at the cafeteria at lunch. And stay away from him."
Cami nodded and stumbled away in tears.HALLWAY
Jordan was led into the building. All eyes turned.
👥 "Who is he?!"
👥 "I'd study every night if he just looked at me!"
Genesis and her friends froze mid-walk.
"Who's that?!" Cat gushed.
"Forget Clover. I'm switching teams," Genesis grinned, tossing Clover's photo and scribbling on a fresh note.
She threw it at Jordan—who didn't even blink.
"Hey, I wrote that!" she said, annoyed.
"Sorry," Jordan replied without turning. "I don't date failed lab experiments."
Genesis gasped.
Laughter exploded in the hallway.
2PM – CAFETERIA
Cami spotted Clover and rushed over.
"You're late," he muttered.
"Class ran long."
He cupped her face gently. "Let's make that goat jealous, babe."
She froze.
Jordan was watching.
She couldn't breathe.
As Clover leaned in, her nerves exploded—
And she shoved him backwards into a table.
Food flew. Gasps echoed.
She hurled a plate at him, covering his face in mush.
Laughter roared.
Jordan dashed forward and pulled her aside, holding her tightly against the wall.
"Shhh... I've got you," he whispered. "You're safe with me."
Her tears soaked into his shirt.
The whole cafeteria watched in stunned silence.