*Ariana's pov*
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We were still locked in a heated kiss, our lips moving in a passionate dance that ignited every nerve in my body. The way he tugged at my lip, demanding access, sent shivers down my spine, leaving me breathless and yearning for more. I couldn't hold back the soft moan that escaped my lips, and it made my legs feel weak, as if they might give way beneath me.
Just when I thought I couldn't take it any longer, he pulled away, only to trail his lips down my neck. The sensation of his warm breath against my skin was intoxicating, and when he began to suck gently, marking me with a hickey, I felt a rush of desire flood through me. I should have pushed him away, but all I wanted was for him to continue, to explore every inch of me with that insatiable hunger.
His hands roamed my body, igniting a fire that drove me wild with frustration and longing. I hated how he had this control over me, how he could make me feel so utterly vulnerable yet exhilarated at the same time.
With every ounce of willpower, I finally stopped him, gasping for breath. "I have to go," I managed to say, my voice barely above a whisper. And just like that, I turned and fled, my heart pounding as I raced home, desperate to cool the flames that he had so expertly stoked within me.
---
I didn't wait for anything else. The moment *that* happened, I ran out of Blaze's room, my heart thundering in my chest like it was about to burst. My thoughts were everywhere.
Why did I let that happen?
Why did I… *reciprocate*?
Now he'll think I actually want him — that I'm some girl who melts the second he gets close.
Ugh.
By the time I got home, I could barely look at my mom. I mumbled something about being tired and rushed upstairs before she could ask questions.
I dropped the dress to the floor like it burned me and went straight into the bathroom.
The bath tub was my escape — I filled it, sank in, and let the water cool me down. My mind kept replaying that moment, over and over, like it refused to let me breathe.
---
As I stepped out of the bath and caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror, my eyes locked on it — a small, dark *hickey* on the side of my neck.
My breath hitched.
"Oh my God…" I whispered, instantly reaching for a towel to rub it off. I scrubbed. Hard. But the stubborn mark wouldn't fade.
Panic rose in my chest.
"I'm cheating… on my boyfriend."
Guilt crashed into me like a wave. Kyro was sweet. Kyro cared. Kyro *liked me*. And yet, here I was — letting Blaze pull me into his twisted mess, again.
I touched the mark again, this time slower… almost confused. Because the truth was, whenever Blaze touched me, *I didn't feel like myself*. Like I didn't own my body. Like my control just… vanished.
I threw on my robe and paced the room, muttering.
"I'll wear a turtleneck tomorrow. No one will see it. I'll cover it."
My heart was racing.
And tomorrow… *the cheer competition*. The one I had to win. The one I've been training for all week.
I exhaled deeply, clutching the robe tighter around me.
I'll get through tomorrow.
I *have* to.
But tonight… tonight I'll try not to think about his lips.
Or how much I let them stay.
---
I didn't have any dream that night — maybe my mind was too full of guilt to even sleep properly.
I did my usual morning routine, making *extra sure* my turtleneck was perfectly in place. It wasn't just about the cold; it was about hiding *him*. Hiding *it*. I paired the top with a free-flowing mini skirt — stylish enough for dance, modest enough to keep eyes away from my neck.
After a quick breakfast, I kissed my mom goodbye. She didn't suspect anything, thankfully.
Kyro's car was already waiting outside.
I hopped in, and he greeted me with a warm smile. "Big day," he said. "I heard you're dancing in the cheer competition today."
"Yeah," I smiled nervously. "You're coming to watch?"
He chuckled. "More than that — I'm one of the student judges. Didn't Naomi tell you?"
My heart *skipped*.
Before I could even react, he dropped another bomb: "And Blaze is too. So please, Ari, just… stay away from him today."
I froze.
My fingers clutched the hem of my skirt.
*Blaze is grading me?* This cannot be happening. I already planned to avoid him, but now this? What if he uses what happened to mess with me again? What if he—?
"Ari?" Kyro's voice snapped me out of my thoughts. "Are you okay?"
I nodded way too quickly. "Yeah, yeah. Just… nerves."
His eyes narrowed slightly. "And what's with the turtleneck? Since when do you *not* show skin for a performance?"
Crap.
I forced a small laugh. "I… just felt like switching it up."
He raised a brow, clearly not buying it. But thankfully, he didn't push.
I tried to steer the conversation. "Why are you guys judging anyway?"
Kyro sighed. "We're basketball captains. Blaze and I are… rivals, so the school wants us involved in the cheer tryouts for visibility and fairness. I wouldn't have signed up if I knew you were performing."
My stomach twisted.
Visibility? Fairness?
I was about to be *judged by Blaze* — the same boy whose lips were on mine just last night.
What the hell have I gotten myself into?
---
We got to school earlier than usual — I had begged Kyro to drop me off in time so I could rehearse before the performance. He didn't mind. In fact, he seemed happy to help.
As I stepped out of the car, mentally going over the routine, a sleek black car rolled into the lot.
My breath hitched.
*Blaze.*
He stepped out like he owned the earth beneath him — shirt slightly unbuttoned, hair styled with zero effort but still perfect, and that usual cocky look on his face that made my stomach twist for all the wrong reasons.
Kyro's smile vanished the second he saw him.
"Well, well," Kyro said loudly, voice full of venom, "if it isn't Mr. Ego himself."
Blaze didn't even flinch. He gave a lazy smirk. "Look who's still pretending to be relevant."
"Oh, I'm relevant. Just not toxic and fake like you."
"Right. Keep telling yourself that while riding around with my leftovers," Blaze nodded toward me, his tone icy.
Kyro took a step forward, fists clenched, but I quickly tugged his arm.
From behind him, I was staring straight at Blaze — and he saw me.
His eyes darkened as they scanned me from head to toe. Then, with a smirk tugging at his lips, he said, *"Turtleneck? On a day like this? Must be hiding something, huh?"*
My heart *dropped*.
He looked directly into my eyes as if he could still feel what happened between us.
Then he turned to Kyro again and added, *"Hope your little girlfriend does well in the competition today. Would be a shame if she choked under pressure."*
With that, he winked and walked off like he didn't just set the entire air on fire.
Kyro cursed under his breath.
I stayed silent… heart pounding like crazy.
He knows exactly what he's doing.
And worst part?
So do I.
---
Love ya 💜