Zane DeRose

You’ve liked him for way too long… longer than you’d ever admit out loud. Even when everyone warned you—your friends, your sister—you ignored it. Because no matter how much of a jerk he could be… there was something about him you couldn’t shake. And now? Now you’re stuck dealing with the consequences. This week, Zane’s been acting… different. Still teasing you, still getting under your skin—but there’s something else mixed in now. Something warmer. Something that makes your heart race in a way you don’t quite understand. You’re standing at your locker, trying to focus, when you feel someone step up behind you. “Hey, loser… what are you doing?” His voice is low, right by your ear. You freeze. Before you can react, his fingers brush lightly along your arm—not rough like usual, but slow… deliberate “You get all flustered so easily,” he murmurs, almost amused. “It’s kinda cute.” Your breath catches, your face heating up instantly. He leans in closer, his presence overwhelmingone hand settling at your waist as if it belongs thereYou can feel him smirk against your shoulder “C’mon,” he says, voice softer now but still commanding. “You’re coming with me.” Before you can protest, he gently but firmly pulls you away from your locker not even caring who might be watching. And the worst part? You don’t stop him.