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ARKs POV
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The morning light filtered weakly through my curtains, casting pale shadows across my room. My scarf lay folded neatly on my desk, a familiar weight I hadn't yet draped over my face today. My phone buzzed silently on the bed, screen lighting up. I grabbed and checked last night's message from an unknown number. I stared at it long enough to feel the pulse in my temples rise. Who could it be?
My mind flickered to Jade, of course. Who else would have my number? But the thought was sharp, like a blade cutting through doubt. It didn't feel like him. Not really.
I sat up, pulling the scarf to cover my cheeks and chin as usual. The fabric felt like armor, and for a moment, I wondered what it would be like to peel it off, to face the world without hiding. But I couldn't. Not yet.
I went downstairs after bathing, and grabbed some snacks. Helping myself on my way to school.
∆
I waved my mom goodbye when she left.
Lost in my thoughts, I didn't hear the soft footsteps behind me until my forehead collided with a hard surface.
"Ow!" I gasped, stumbling back, heart thundering in shock.
Jade stood there, grinning like he'd just won some invisible game. His eyes glittered with mischief under the low hood of his jacket.
"You're not very careful, are you?" His voice was low, amused. "Morning."
My cheeks flamed hotter beneath the scarf. I opened my mouth to say something but closed it again. Instead, I just nodded and turned toward the classroom.
He followed behind, easy and deliberate, like he owned the space.
I sat down quietly, fingers clutching my notebook, pretending to write but not really seeing the words. Jade's presence was like a weight pressing down on me, a smirk hovering just behind his lips.
Without a word, he dropped into the seat beside me. Close enough to feel the warmth radiating from his skin.
His silence spoke louder than any words.
I glanced at him once, catching that sly look he gave me- half challenge, half amusement. The kind that made my heart twist and my mind spin.
I pulled my scarf tighter.
I wasn't ready for whatever game he was playing.
I kept my head down, pretending to copy the notes on the board, even though the words were dancing in a blur. Jade hadn't said a single thing since he sat down, but I didn't need him to. His energy was loud. The way he leaned back in his chair like he had all the time in the world. The way he stretched his legs just enough that his knee brushed mine under the desk- not too much, just enough to remind me he was there. Watching. Always watching.
I shifted slightly, putting more space between us.
He didn't move.
A quiet hum left his throat. Amused again.
Why was he like this?
I wasn't imagining it. The looks, the way he lingered around me, the quiet games that only we seemed to be playing. But at the same time, he hadn't defended me. He let Melissa laugh at me. He let those whispers crawl under my skin like parasites.
So what did he want?
Me? Or just the reaction?
The bell rang, and students shuffled out for break. I waited a few seconds longer before slipping out of my seat, making sure I didn't bump into him again. I couldn't handle that smug look twice in one morning. But I still felt it-;his gaze, sliding across my back as I walked out the door.
I didn't go to the quad.
I didn't go near the trees.
Instead, I ducked behind the far building near the locked-up art room- a place few students bothered with. There was an old wooden bench, faded and chipped, half-swallowed by tall grass. I sat there, breathing in the quiet, hoping for some peace.
And then I felt it.
That pull again.
Like someone was watching me.
I looked up.
And there she was.
A figure at the edge of the building, half-hidden behind a wall. Hoodie up. Head tilted slightly, as if she were studying me.
I couldn't see her face.
My breath hitched.
I blinked.
She was gone.
I stood quickly, heart kicking up a beat. Maybe it was nothing. Maybe I was imagining things again- wouldn't be the first time. But something about the way she watched me… it wasn't curiosity.
It was intentional.
It was personal.
Was it one of Jade's admirers? Was this her twisted way of scaring me off? Of warning me?
I circled the building, trying to find her.
Nothing.
The rest of lunch passed in a fog. I barely ate. The hoodie. The silence. The breathless feeling of being prey. I didn't know what was going on, but it was circling me- tightening.
Back in class, I didn't even notice Jade at first. Not until he leaned over and whispered, "You missed a spot."
I jumped.
He was pointing at my notebook.
My hand had been drawing loops over a margin, again and again, darkening the page until the paper had nearly torn.
I closed it.
"You okay," he asked, still close, voice low enough that no one else could hear.
I didn't answer.
Because the truth was too complicated.
Too heavy.
Too loud for words.
And his nearness- his voice- only made the confusion worse.
The last bell of the day rang, sharp and final.
Everyone began to rise.
But I didn't.
Because something wasn't right.
Jade didn't move either.
And before I could stand, his hand reached under the desk- and wrapped around my wrist.
Firm.
Intentional.
I froze.
My breath caught in my throat as I looked down at his fingers, warm and strong against my skin. I tried to pull away, but he didn't let go.
Instead, he leaned in- his breath ghosting against my ear.
"You keep running like I'm the problem," he said softly. "But you're the one acting like you've got secrets to hide."
I jerked back, eyes wide, but he was already straightening up. Still holding my wrist.
Still watching me.
"L-Let me g-go," I whispered.
He tilted his head. "Why? Afraid of what I'll do?"
"Afraid of what impression people will get," I shot back, the words slipping before I could stop them.
He blinked.
Something flickered in his eyes. Surprise. Amusement. Something darker.
And then, with quiet precision, he pulled my hand closer- lifted it just a little off the desk- and kissed the inside of my wrist.
Not playful.
Not soft.
Spicy.
Intimate.
Burning.
My pulse rioted under his lips.
"Then I'll give them what they want," he said like what I said wasn't serious.
"You always flinch," he murmured. "But you never pull away."
I yanked my hand back then, skin on fire, heart louder than the traffic outside.
"Get away from me," I said. But my voice broke on the last word.
He looked at me for a long time- too long- then stood slowly, shouldering his backpack.
"Sure," he said, dryly. "Whatever helps you sleep."
He walked out.
Just like that.
Left me sitting there in the ruins of my thoughts.
I stayed behind until the hallways emptied. Then slipped out, scarf high, eyes lower.
The sky was soft and gray again. Not quite raining, not quite bright. Perfectly in between.
On my way to the gate, I checked my phone.
No new messages.
But the old one was still there.
"Hey, I saw what happened today. If you ever wanna talk, I'm here."
I stared at it for a moment.
Then something clicked.
The tone. The softness. The way it was written.
That wasn't Jade's style.
Not even close.
Everything felt like a lie now. Everything except the weight in my chest.
I reached home, numb.
Went straight to my room and locked the door.
Threw my scarf on the bed.
Tired eyes.
Frayed voice.
Shaking hands.
But I didn't cry.
Then.
My phone buzzed again.
Unknown Number: "Did you get home safe?"
I didn't answer.
I couldn't.
My mind then grasped on it.
It was Jade.
My heart felt heavy.
Did he really care about me. Just that he acts cold and cool because of people.
Maybe he doesn't want people to know his soft side.
A smile creeped on my lips.
Maybe I was wrong about Jade.
Wednesday.
Three days since the message.
Since the call.
And not a single step closer to answers.
But somehow, everything around me had shifted- tilted- like the ground beneath my feet wasn't solid anymore.
I couldn't stop thinking about the message. The tone. The way it felt… familiar. Too soft to be Jade. Too kind. And yet, my stupid heart still flinched whenever he got too close. Still skipped a beat when he looked at me too long.
I hated myself for it.
Because today? He was different.
Flirtatious. Bold. Unapologetic.
It started the moment I stepped into class.
He was already there, feet up on the desk, hood down, earbuds hanging from around his neck. And when he saw me- really saw me- his lips curved in that smug, lazy way that made my chest tighten.
"Morning, stalker," he said softly, just for me.
I froze.
The blood drained from my face.
He… was joking.
But also not.
I didn't reply. Just walked stiffly to my seat.
He sat beside me as usual- but today, he leaned closer than he needed to. His knee tapped mine under the desk, and he didn't move it. His arm brushed against mine when he shifted. He made no effort to pretend it was an accident.
At one point, I glanced his way, and he was already looking- eyes lowered, lashes casting shadows over his cheekbones, mouth tilted with just enough suggestion to make me want to scream.
Or melt.
"W-what?" I muttered, flustered.
He didn't answer.
He just smiled wider.
Like he knew.
Like he saw right through me.
I tried to focus on the lesson, but it was hopeless. I could feel his stare- not hungry, not even curious- playful. Like this was just another game to him.
When the teacher turned around to write on the board, he leaned in and whispered, "You ever think about that kiss?"
My pen slipped.
I dropped it with a soft curse, the tip smudging across the page.
"I—" My voice came out shaky. "No."
He chuckled.
"You're a terrible liar."
He leaned back again, arms folded, completely satisfied with himself.
I stared down at my notes, trying to hold myself together.
What was happening?
Why was he doing this now?
Was it guilt? Power? Boredom?
Or worse… was he testing me?
At break, I didn't go to my usual hiding spot. I figured it wasn't safe anymore. Not with the hooded girl still burned into my memory. I hadn't seen her since Monday- but that didn't mean she wasn't watching.
Instead, I sat near the library steps. Not too far. Not too crowded.
And then- footsteps.
Jade.
Of course.
He didn't ask before sitting beside me. Just dropped his bag and sat, elbows on his knees like we were old friends.
"You keep hiding," he said, not looking at me.
"I'm not hiding," I said too quickly.
He tilted his head.
"Then why do you keep looking over your shoulder?"
I paused.
Because I was.
"None of your business," I muttered.
"You think one of my fans is following you or something?" he asked, teasing.
I blinked.
How did he—?
"You looked scared Monday," he said. "After lunch. I saw it in your eyes. I've seen it before."
My lips parted, but I had nothing to say.
Nothing I wanted to say.
He leaned closer again. Always closer.
"You ever consider it's not about me?"
I swallowed hard.
"Then who is it about?"
His smile faded, just slightly. "I don't know. But it's not me. I don't have time to stalk girls."
"You what? Play with their feelings and then act like nothing happened."
He paused.
"Touché," he said softly. Then, "You think I'm a villain, don't you?"
I turned to him slowly.
"I think you like attention."
He smirked. "From you? Always."
My stomach flipped.
"Actually this is the first time I have heard you talk without stammering. I thought you were a stummer."
My stomach dropped. He noticed.
He stood up then, stretching like a cat, easy and unbothered.
Before he left, he leaned in one last time, voice low in my ear.
"By the way… I do think about that kiss. A lot."
He walked off without waiting for a reply.
I sat frozen, heart in my throat, thoughts in chaos.
By last period, I was unraveling.
I didn't know if I was angry or flattered. If I wanted to punch him or kiss him. If I was being toyed with or… chosen.
The teacher's voice faded into the background as I caught myself doodling spirals into the corners of my notes again.
And then, as if summoned by my thoughts, a figure passed outside the classroom window.
Hooded.
Still.
Watching.
Again.
I stood up so fast the teacher called my name.
But I ignored it.
I bolted from the room, heart thundering, feet slamming the floor.
I turned the corner- nothing.
I ran outside- no one.
Gone.
Again.
Like smoke.
Like she'd never existed.
I stood in the hall, chest heaving, eyes burning.
What was happening to me?
Why was this girl- this ghost- always one step ahead?
And more importantly… why did I feel like I knew her?
After school, I stayed behind.
Not by choice.
By force.
Jade again.
He waited until the classroom cleared. Waited until I began to stand- then reached out, under the desk, and gripped my wrist.
The same way he had Monday.
"Don't," I said, voice trembling. "L-let me go."
But this time, his face wasn't playful.
It was serious.
Quiet.
Dangerous.
He stood slowly, still holding my wrist.
"You run every time I get close," he said. "And then you look at me like you want to be chased."
I said nothing.
He pulled me closer.
I could feel the heat of his skin- the way his body towered over mine. He was tall. Hell tall.
"You're not scared of me." he said softly. "You're scared of what I make you feel."
My knees nearly buckled.
"Let me go," I whispered again, weaker this time.
He didn't.
Not until he leaned down, lips grazing my forehead, through the scarf.
He kissed me there- gently.
Almost tender.
But there was fire in it. Hidden heat.
Then he stepped back, finally letting go.
I stumbled slightly from the release.
"See you tomorrow," he said.
And then he was gone.
Like nothing happened.
But everything had.
I stood there, frozen, pulse in my throat, emotions a tangled mess.
I didn't know what scared me more- that kiss, or how much I wanted another.