Hardin shifted at the same moment. Their balance betrayed them both.
With a gasp, Tessa lost footing and fell with him—crashing onto the bed.
Her lips landed on his.
Tessa's eyes flew wide open, shock freezing her in place.
Hardin went still beneath her, his dark gaze locked on hers, the air between them burning with something neither dared name.
Continuation....
Hardin smirked beneath her, his lips still tingling. "Well, well… didn't know you were that desperate for me, sweetheart."
Tessa scrambled up instantly, face flaming. "You're insane! That wasn't— I didn't—" She groaned, pressing her palm to her forehead. "Ugh, I'd rather kiss a frog!"
Hardin chuckled darkly, leaning back on his elbows. "Frogs don't kiss back like I do."
"You didn't kiss back!" she snapped, crossing her arms. "You just laid there like a brick wall!"
He tilted his head, eyes glinting. "That's because I was trying to figure out if you tasted like trouble or regret."
Tessa's jaw dropped. "Excuse me?!"
"Relax." Hardin smirked. "Turns out it's both."
She threw one of his pillows at his face. "You're unbelievable! You act like some big celebrity, but really you're just a spoiled jerk who can't handle pain without fainting like a child."
He caught the pillow with ease, tossing it aside. "Yet you still ran after me, didn't you? What does that say about you?"
"That I have basic human decency!" she shot back.
"Decency, huh?" He stood, stepping closer until she had to tilt her chin up to meet his gaze. "Then why are you still in my room, standing this close, lips still red from that little accident?"
Tessa's breath hitched, but she refused to back down. She jabbed a finger into his chest. "Because someone has to stop you from bleeding to death. Don't flatter yourself."
His smirk softened into something sharper, darker. "Careful, Tessa. Keep pushing me like this, and I might just make that kiss intentional next time."
Her eyes widened, her heart betraying her with its rapid thump. She shoved past him toward the door, muttering furiously. "In your dreams, Hardin."
"Every night, sweetheart," he called after her, his grin wicked.
Tessa slammed the door shut behind her, clutching the bloody cotton tighter in her hand, her mind spiraling.
NEXT DAY ~ CRESTVIEW COLLEGE ★
"Hey, gurl. Hope your mother didn't murder you for coming home late last night," Mulan teased, slinging her arm around Tessa.
"If she murdered me, possibly I wouldn't be here with you right now," Tessa shot back with a grin.
"Yeah, true. And trust me, I didn't even have tears to waste on you," Mulan said dramatically, flipping her hair.
Tessa chuckled. "Guess what, gurl?"
Mulan groaned. "Ugh, you know I'm bad at guessing. Just spill it already."
"Cathryn. From Rock Girls. Started following me on IG!" Tessa squealed, bouncing on her feet.
Mulan blinked. "You're not being serious, right?"
"I am!" Tessa shoved her phone into her face. "Look!"
Mulan's jaw dropped. "Ahh! I'm so happy for you! Finally your role model has finally recognized you."
Before Tessa could say more, Mulan's expression shifted. Her tone dropped. "Uh… Tessa. Turn around. Slowly."
Tessa froze. "What? Why?"
"Just turn!"
When she did, her mouth fell open. Cathryn, Sabrina, and Caroline—the Rock Girls themselves—were walking toward them, every eye on campus following their confident strides.
"They're coming towards us," Tessa whispered, gripping Mulan's hand.
"Breathe, gurl. Breathe," Mulan muttered back.
"Hey." Cathryn's voice was smooth, practiced, dripping with authority as she stopped right in front of them.
"H-hi," Tessa and Mulan said in unison.
"So you're Tessa, right?" Cathryn tilted her head, studying her like she was inspecting a new toy. "I saw you on IG. Didn't know I had such a committed fan."
Tessa's face lit up. "Yeah! I'm a huge fan of Rock Girls. I—I want to be like you. I can't believe I'm actually talking to you right now."
Cathryn smirked. "Cute. So… do you want to be one of us? We can be friends."
Tessa blinked rapidly. "What? Friends? I'm dreaming, right?"
"Nah, you're not." Cathryn slid a small card into Tessa's hand with a devilish little smile. "Here's my number. Call me, and I'll tell you where we're hanging out. We're friends now, right?"
"Y-yeah! Yes! Totally!" Tessa stammered, her hands shaking as she clutched the card.
"Good." Cathryn's grin widened, but her eyes carried something sharper. "Bye, new friend."
She turned, Sabrina and Caroline following, their heels clicking against the pavement like a warning bell.
"MULAN!!" Tessa screamed, spinning and hugging her tightly. "I can't believe this!"
"Girl, low your voice before the whole campus knows my name," Mulan hissed, though she was smiling.
Tessa laughed breathlessly. "This is unreal."
But Mulan's smile faded. She glanced at the trio's retreating figures, her gut twisting. "In as much as I'm happy for you, I don't trust her. Something's… off."
"Please, don't spoil my mood right now," Tessa said, hugging the card to her chest like treasure.
"I'm just saying."
"Don't say anything. Let's go to class."
Mulan shrugged, biting back her words as they headed to the hall block, but her uneasy eyes lingered on the Rock Girls.
ITALY – 12PM
THE RICCO'S MANSION — STUDY ROOM
The afternoon sun filtered through the narrow window, casting golden streaks across the mahogany shelves. Don Ricco sat lazily in his armchair, a thick roll of India hemp burning between his fingers. Smoke curled around him like a crown, his smirk sharpening as the door banged open.
"Dad, what am I hearing?" Tricia stormed in, her heels clicking furiously against the floor.
Ricco raised an eyebrow. "And what exactly are you hearing?"
"That you transferred me to some school in New York City!" she snapped. "Did I ever say I don't like my school?"
Ricco puffed out smoke, his voice low and calm. "Change of environment is good for the mind."
Tricia scoffed, crossing her arms. "Good for who? I'm the queen of Oakridge College. I rule here. I'm not going to some random place where nobody knows my name."
His eyes darkened, a dangerous glint flashing. "I think you're forgetting who your father is—Drago Ricco. That name doesn't just ring in Italy. It shakes the world."
Her jaw tightened. "I don't care. I'm not leaving Italy. I'm not transferring to any damn school, and that's final."
Ricco leaned forward, his voice dropping to a chilling whisper. "I've already made the arrangements, baby girl. Tickets booked. Papers signed. Next week, we leave for New York."
Tricia's eyes widened. "Argh! You better cancel it, Dad!" She spun on her heels and stormed out, slamming the door behind her.
Ricco chuckled darkly, taking another slow drag before exhaling smoke toward the ceiling. His smirk spread into something devilish.
"Elena Cristin…" he murmured, his voice dripping with venom. "I've finally found you. I'm coming for you."
His laughter echoed in the study, deep and menacing.
CRESTVIEW COLLEGE
ICE CREAM STAND
Tessa sat on the molded bench by the ice cream stand, spooning vanilla into her mouth. Just then, Hardin slid in beside her, that cocky smirk glued to his face.
"You've been pestering my life these past few days," Tessa muttered, not even looking at him.
Hardin leaned back lazily. "But you pestered mine last night. You liked the kiss, huh? Your lips are really soft. Should we try it again?" He reached out to turn her face toward him.
Tessa slapped his hand away. "You must be losing your mind. I'm only avoiding slapping you so I won't deafen you. I still don't even understand what happened with your ears bleeding last night."
"Forget about that," Hardin said with a wink. "Except the kiss. Keep that part in mind."
"You irritate me, Hardin Whites," Tessa snapped.
"I don't think so, Miss Tessa," Hardin drawled.
Meanwhile, just a few meters away, Cathryn watched the scene with clenched fists, her jaw tight. I can't allow this. Does he… like her? No. No, no. Cut the crap, Cathryn. Argh, this is messing with my head. I know what to do. She spun around and stormed off.
———
From the other side of the quad, Nikolai stood silently, eyes locked on Tessa. Finally, he started walking toward them.
Tessa caught sight of him and froze. "Wait… I've seen him before." She stood abruptly, leaving Hardin behind, and ran straight up to Nikolai. "Are you not the guy who saved me the other night? Nikolai, right?"
Nikolai didn't answer at first. His gaze lingered on her face, intense, almost… hungry.
"You've really grown into a beautiful woman," he said softly.
"Huh?" Tessa blinked.
He cleared his throat. "I mean—yes. My name's Nikolai."
Tessa smiled warmly. "I didn't get to thank you properly. Do you care for some treat?"
"No," Nikolai said firmly. "I just want to be friends with you. If you don't mind."
"Friends?" Tessa tilted her head. "Sure. After all, you did save me. My name's Tessa Cristin."
"Nice name." His lips curved slightly. "And by the way… you're beautiful."
Before she could respond, Hardin suddenly cut in, sliding an arm around her shoulder. "Oh no, no, no. What's going on here?"
Tessa rolled her eyes. "What's your problem?"
"You're my girlfriend. I have to know what you're discussing with some random guy," Hardin said with a smug smirk.
Nikolai's brows furrowed. "Girlfriend? You two are dating?"
"Yeah," Hardin said smoothly. "She's beautiful, right? Very beautiful. My girlfriend."
"Hardin!" Tessa hissed and pinched his arm.
Nikolai's face darkened. "I should go. Tessa, we'll catch up later." He turned sharply and walked away, fists clenched at his sides.
Tessa glared at Hardin. "What the hell was that?!"
"He was obviously trying to flirt with you. I'm protecting you."
"Protecting me?!" Tessa burst into laughter. "God. Between the two of you, who should I protect myself from? You, obviously. Don't ever pull that stunt again. Now I have to find him and clear the air." She shook her head. "If only I knew where I'd see him again…"
Hardin leaned closer with a smirk. "Girlfriend."
"Shut up, you dumbass!" Tessa yelled, hurling her shoe at him as he dodged, laughing.
TWO DAYS LATER ~ HAMPTON STYLE VILLA(ROCK GIRLS )★
The villa was alive with flashing neon lights reflecting off the rippling pool. Music thumped from the giant speakers, the bass rattling through the tiled floors as laughter and splashes filled the night air. Colored spotlights swept across the crowd, giving the whole party a glamorous, chaotic energy.
Cathryn, dressed in a glittering bikini top and denim shorts, sipped from her cocktail as her eyes darted toward Tessa. She forced a sweet smile and waved her over. Cathryn had invited Tessa over for the pool party.
"You're looking so beautiful tonight, Your shape is damn!" Cathryn purred, tilting her head as if in admiration.
"Thank you," Tessa said softly, a faint blush coloring her cheeks.
"Come on, join us in the pool!" Cathryn gestured toward the girls who were already splashing and laughing under the glowing pool lights.
Tessa hesitated but smiled. "Maybe in a bit. I'll just settle in first."
Cathryn's lips curled. Perfect. She had been waiting for this moment.
"Actually…" Cathryn leaned in conspiratorially, lowering her voice, "can you do me a favor? I left my phone upstairs in the guest room, it has a pink pouch.The guest room is at the left side.Could you please grab it for me?"
"Sure," Tessa nodded politely, unaware of the malice hiding behind Cathryn's sweet tone.
As Tessa turned toward the villa, Cathryn quickly exchanged a glance with Sabrina. A wicked smirk spread across her face. The plan was already in motion.
Inside the villa, the music dimmed, replaced by the soft hum of air-conditioning. The marble staircase gleamed under the lights what Tessa didn't notice was the thin, slick layer of oil glistening faintly across the steps, carefully poured by Cathryn earlier.
Unaware, she started climbing. One step. Two steps. The sole of her sandal met the slick surface.
Her eyes widened. Her body jerked forward as her foot slipped.
She let out a sharp gasp, arms flailing in the air.
And then----