Ariana trailed after Shayla as they stepped out of the restroom, only to find a boy waiting by the corridor wall. He was tall, lean, with the kind of careless charm that unsettled a girl before she even realized it. His name was Nike—Shayla's ex.
Ariana blinked, caught between curiosity and confusion. Is she into boys after all?
Nike's eyes lingered. His lips curved into a lazy smile as he leaned closer, his height casting Ariana in his shadow. His gaze dipped for a moment, brazen, before Shayla's sharp voice cut through.
"She's a lesbian, Nike. Stop being a dick."
The spell broke. Ariana stumbled forward beside her, the air still heavy with unspoken tension.
Once they were clear of him, Ariana asked, "Why did you even break up with him? He's… well, he looks cute."
Shayla's expression hardened. "He had a reputation. The kind of boy who collects virginities like trophies. I didn't want to be one of them."
Ariana frowned. "He looked like someone who just wanted to make you jealous."
A faint laugh escaped Shayla, bitter yet amused. "He is really good at making me jealous."
Before Ariana could press further, they collided with another figure—Senior Jessica.
"Hi," Jessica said smoothly.
"Hi," Shayla replied, her tone clipped.
Jessica vanished down the hallway, leaving Ariana puzzled. "What was that about?" she asked.
Shayla sighed. "She wants me to make Nike fall for her."
"Oh."
By the time they returned to class, the headteacher was already there, his face set in stone. Detention. The word rolled over them like a storm cloud. Their supposed crime? Lesbianism. A cruel rumor, nothing more. Yet the weight of it pressed down all the same.
Shayla kissed Ariana once during detention—an accident, or maybe a mistake. The truth was, they were better off as friends, no matter how complicated the air between them became.
When the headteacher finally left, Nike strolled into the classroom. Every head turned. His smile was casual, almost rehearsed.
"Jessica seems cool… and pretty," he remarked, eyes flicking briefly toward Shayla.
The whole class shifted their gaze between him and Shayla.
"Yeah," Shayla answered, her voice quiet, almost breaking.
Nike left without another word.
"You like him, so—" Ariana began, but Shayla's sharp side-eye cut her off instantly.
"I won't let him inside my pants," Shayla murmured, finality lacing her tone.