5

LUNA

AS CHEER PRACTICE ENDED, I let out a sigh of relief. Every muscle in my body ached with exhaustion. I wiped the sweat from my brow and stretched, grateful for the chance to rest. My gaze wandered across the field, and I locked eyes with Austin. It had been a few days since we'd spoken, and our tension was thick with unresolved conflict. However, as he approached me with a sheepish smile, I felt a glimmer of hope.

"Hey," he said, his hazel eyes meeting mine with a mix of apology and longing. "I'm sorry for being a jerk."

My heart softened at his words, as my anger melted away in the face of his sincerity.

"It's okay," I replied, my voice gentle. "I forgive you."

We shared a quiet moment. The tension between us eased as we embraced. He pressed a tender kiss to my lips, a silent promise of reconciliation. But his teammates interrupted our romantic moment, calling for him to start practice. With a regretful smile, he gave me one last kiss before turning to join them.

I felt a pang of disappointment at the abrupt end to our reunion. But before I could dwell on it, a voice called out from the bleachers.

"You both look so cute together." I picked up on the condescending tone. "It's what we all aspire to have."

I rolled my eyes at the intruding peace. I could never have one moment without Hudson being there to kill the mood.

"Don't you have anything better to do?"

I folded my arms across my chest and exhaled through my nostrils.

"I'm avoiding Stacy."

He leaned his head back and squinted against the harsh sun rays.

"Then why don't you go home?"

"I have detention."

Typical. I didn't respond, knowing it would lead to an unnecessary back-and-forth dispute between Hudson and myself. I would get riled up, allowing my impulsive anger to take control. Leaning forward in his seat, he reached into his pockets. He pulled out a pack of cigarettes and a lighter. He removed one from the box and held it between his lips before his piercing emerald eyes locked with mine.

"Want one?"

He used the side of his lips that weren't holding the cigarette to talk, extending the nicotine pack toward me, and I wrinkled my nose. I could smell it before he even lit it.

"No, thank you." I said. "I care about my lungs."

"If it's not your lungs, something else is going to kill you," he said. "Keep dating jockstrap and you might just die of boredom."

"I don't find you funny."

"I wasn't trying to be." He leaned forward with a satisfied grin before lighting the cigarette. He inhaled with ease. "You need to learn to relax, Snow ."

"I only get like that when I'm around you."

My snide reply did not affect him, and he moved forward with a crooked grin as if he was having the time of his life.

"Yet you're still here talking to me."

I groaned, hating that he was right, but I played it stoic and squared my shoulders.

"That's my cue to leave."

I held my head high and distanced myself from him, but he always had to have the last word.

"It was great catching up with you, Snow. " He called. "We should do it again sometime."

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As the winter morning cast its pale light over the sleepy neighborhood, I stepped out of my house, pulling my coat tighter to ward off the cold. A thin layer of frost coated the ground, crunching under my boots as I made my way to the driveway. However, the roaring engine across the street shattered my peaceful morning. Hudson was revving his motorbike, the noise echoing through the quiet street like a thunderclap. I groaned, my hands flying to my temples as the noise worsened my pounding migraine.

"Hudson!" I said, my voice traveling across the street. "Can you cut that out?"

He gazed at me with a sickening grin and revved the engine louder. There was a roguish glint in his eyes.

"I can't hear you!" he mouthed back, his lips curling into a taunting grin.

I rolled my eyes in frustration, my patience wearing thin. With an exasperated sigh, I turned away from the jerk and headed for my car. The throbbing in my head intensified with each passing second. I climbed into the driver's seat and started the engine, eager to put some distance between myself and Hudson's noise. I pulled out of the driveway and sped past him as if I was about to complete the last lap of a Grand Prix.

?

As the school hallway buzzed with the usual hustle and bustle, I navigated through the throng of students, a stack of textbooks balanced in my arms. With each passing moment, the weight of my responsibilities pressed down on my shoulders like a heavy burden. I had a mountain of schoolwork to tackle, and deadlines loomed like dark clouds on the horizon. My mind raced with thoughts of essays, exams, and assignments, each demanding my attention.

As I reached my locker, I caught my breath, my arms straining under the weight of books. Before I could gather my thoughts, Maya appeared beside me. Her concerned expression caught my eye.

"Rough night?" she asked, her voice filled with genuine concern as she noticed the stress etched on my face.

I managed to smile, but it did little to mask the tension in my features.

"Something like that."

"Don't you think you're stressing yourself out too much?" She asked. "There are other colleges."

My stomach churned. Maya always attempted to persuade me to choose anywhere other than Stanford - other than Austin.

"We've spoken about this."

She sighed. I knew she had more to say, but I appreciated her holding back.

"Fine, I'll keep the Austin bashing to a minimum." She said. "See you in physics."

Mr. Morrison was yet to arrive, and I took advantage of the opportunity to gather my thoughts before diving into the theme of revenge in Hamlet. I settled into my seat and let out a contented sigh as I gazed out the window. The snow-covered landscape stretched out. Trees stood like silent sentinels, their branches heavy with a fresh blanket of snow, while the sky above was a pale canvas of muted hues. Lost in tranquility, I never noticed Hudson sitting beside me.

"Penny for your thoughts?"

Startled, I turned to face him.

"Go away." I said, not in the mood for his company.

But he just chuckled, undeterred by my stiff demeanor. Leaning closer, he flashed me a charming smile. His emerald eyes sparkled with mischief.

"Come on, Snow." He said. "I knew you were going to get bored with Austin Chambers. I just never knew he was sucking the life out of you this much."

I turned so fast that I got whiplash. He seemed smug as he leaned back with his hands behind his head. His lanky legs slouched under his desk.

"I am not in the mood for your annoying attitude today."

He couldn't take a hint.

"Just admit you like it." He said. "I keep you on your toes. Something your jockstrap boyfriend never could do."

I don't know if it was the self-approving grin or the condescending wink, but I leaped out of my seat and tackled him.

Surprised, Hudson stumbled to the ground, his laughter mingling with my cries of outrage. The rest of the classroom turned to watch. Their eyes widened in shock as we grappled with each other.

"What is going on here?" Mr. Morrison yelled over the encouraging roars, and the cheers dissipated. Everyone stepped back to allow him space to investigate. "Ms. Delgato, I expected better of you."

Hudson loosened his grip, and I ripped my arms away from him. I got up to create as much distance from him as possible.

"Get up Mr. Wilder."

"I'm wounded, sir." I rolled my eyes at his dramatics. His grin ruined his charade. He lifted himself from the ground and fixed his tattered black and white plaid shirt. He glanced at me with a glimmer in his eyes. "Nice right hook."

I stepped forward to charge him again, but Mr. Morrison blocked the way.

"Principal's office. Now."

I marched out of the classroom, and my angered footsteps echoed through the hallway.

"Don't even come near me." I said when I heard Hudson trailing.

"But we're going the same way." I quickened my steps, but his black Converse appeared at my side. "I knew you still had it in you."

"Had what? "

"That insatiable fire." He said. "I thought you'd gone soft." He tucked his hands in his front pockets. "What's jockstrap going to say about you getting sent to the principal's office?"

I ignored him.

"The silent treatment." He said. "I must be in your head, then."

The heavy wooden door to the principal's office shut behind us. I found myself seated in a row of uncomfortable chairs. My heart hammered in my chest, my palms slick with nervous sweat as I waited for the confrontation. This would be the first time I'd ever gotten into trouble.

I glanced at Hudson from the corner of my eye, taking in his relaxed posture and carefree grin. His devil-may-care attitude grated on my nerves, especially given the circumstances that landed us in this predicament.

I drummed my fingers against my thigh as I glanced around the office, taking in the sterile white walls and organized shelves. The air was heavy with anticipation.

Minutes stretched into eternity as we waited, the silence punctuated by the unabating ticking of the clock on the wall. My mind raced with a million different scenarios. Would they suspend us? Expelled? Either way, this would ruin my chances at Stanford .

Hudson nudged me with his elbow, snapping me out of my spiral of anxious thoughts.

"Relax, Snow." He said. "It's not a big deal."

I groaned and rubbed my temples. He doesn't get it.

"It might not be for you, Hudson," I said. "But this could ruin my chances of getting into Stanford."

His eyes widened in shock, his initial surprise giving way to anger.

"Since when was Stanford part of your plan?" He asked. "What happened to Parsons ?"

The principal's office creaked open, interrupting our conversation. My heart leaped into my throat as I rose from my seat, my legs trembled with nerves.

"Take a seat."

Principal Quinn didn't waste time with formalities. Hudson slouched in his seat, but I sat alert and tense. Principal Quinn removed his glasses and rubbed his temples with closed eyes. He released a shaky exhale.

"I expected to see Mr. Wilder today, but not you, Ms. Delgato."

"In my defense," I said. "I feel he's gotten more annoying over the summer."

Hudson snickered and raised his hands in mock surrender.

"Sir, I am a victim." He said. "She attacked me unprovoked."

"Knowing you, Mr. Wilder, there is more to the story." I snorted. Hudson just got schooled by the principal. "And you, Ms. Delgato, you wouldn't want Stanford to hear about these incessant indiscretions."

My smile fell.

"Of course not, sir."

"I'm going to let you both off with detention." He said, folding his arms across his chest. "This is your last chance . Do I make myself clear?"

"Crystal." Hudson said with a careless shrug.

I nodded, relieved that this wouldn't get back to Stanford.

"You're both excused. Be in the detention room straight after school."

I tossed my backpack strap over my shoulder and pushed past Hudson, resisting the urge to punch him in the jaw. Again.

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