[LUCAS – POV]
The fire drill ended, but the heat between us hadn't.
Jasmine was quiet the whole walk back to class. Her hand never left mine, but her grip was loose—like she was slipping away. I hated that look on her face. The one that said she was building walls again.
As soon as we sat, I leaned over and whispered, "Talk to me."
She didn't meet my eyes. "There's nothing to say."
"Jasmine—"
"He's just trying to mess with my head," she said sharply. Then softer, "And yours too."
"Is it working?" I asked, searching her face.
She looked at me then—really looked. "Not enough to make me walk away."
Relief. But also confusion. What wasn't she telling me?
"Tell me what happened with Ayo," I said gently. "The real story. Not just what everyone assumes."
She hesitated. Her eyes shimmered.
Then the bell rang.
Saved by the bell… or cursed by it.
She stood. "Later."
But I knew one thing for sure:
Later needed to come soon.
Because Ayo wasn't just back—he was digging. And I had a feeling he wasn't the only one with buried truths.