chapter two

I woke up early, took a quick shower, and packed my things for school. Before leaving my room, I glanced at myself one last time in the mirror. Next to it hung our family photo. My chest tightened a little. I missed Lucy, my older sister. We were always closer than Jackie. Lucy and I used to have our late-night talks, game nights, and so much more. Things just... felt different without her.

A soft knock on the door pulled me out of my thoughts. It was Jackie. She had texted me earlier, saying she didn't want to go downstairs alone and wanted us to go together.

"I'm coming," I called out, grabbing my bag.

We headed downstairs, where Katherine greeted us with her usual warm smile.

"Good morning, honey! How'd you sleep?" she asked.

"Fine," we both replied in unison.

"Good," she said, placing two plates on the counter. "I made your breakfast. The boys are gonna take you two to school. I'll see you later and I can't wait to hear all about your first day!"

Katherine hurried off, and Jackie and I just grabbed apples before heading out to the car.

Cole leaned against it, smirking. "Come on, New Yorks. Get in."

The car was already full of boys, great. Alex got out to make space for us, and I ended up sitting in the back, squeezed between Isaac and Lee.

"So, first day at a new high school, huh?" Lee asked, glancing at me.

"Uh... yeah," I replied awkwardly.

When we finally arrived, Cole parked and called out, "Hey, we've got a full car today, which means, Isaac, no offering rides to random cheerleaders, alright? We're leaving sharp at 3:30. Don't be late!"

Everyone climbed out. Jackie was the last one, and two of the Walter boys started showing her around the classrooms. Meanwhile, I was left alone in the crowded hallway.

I was trying to figure out where to go when someone bumped into me.

"Uh, hey, I'm sorry," the guy said quickly.

"It's fine," I answered, looking up.

"You new here?" he asked, his tone easy, his smile... kind of charming.

"Yeah," I nodded.

"You need some help?"

He was nice towards me and I already, I hope, made a friend.

"Uh, yes... if you're willing to."

"I'm Marcus," he said, holding out a hand.

"Evelyn."

"Beautiful name," he said smoothly, making me blush a little.

Marcus walked me to my classroom.

"Thank you," I said as we stopped by the door.

"No problem. I have another class, I'm a year above you, but maybe we'll see each other around."

"Yeah... maybe."

He walked off, and I couldn't help but glance back at him. When he turned and flashed a smile, it was so sweet it made my stomach flutter.

Inside the classroom, I spotted an empty seat. As I sat down, a girl approached me.

"May I sit here?" she asked softly.

"Uh... yes, of course."

I felt her gaze on me for a while, and finally, I looked at her.

"Is something wrong?" I asked.

"You... talked to Marcus," she said, almost suspiciously.

"Yeah. Why?"

"Just... be careful."

"Uh... why?"

"It's just... unusual. He doesn't normally make the first move or, you know, talk to random new girls." She extended her hand. "I'm Grace, by the way."

"Evelyn."

Classes passed quickly, and soon it was lunchtime. I sat with Grace and a boy named Skylar. They were both nice. Across the cafeteria, I noticed Cole helping Jackie with something.

"Did you see that?" she asked, leaning closer.

I said nothing and just kept eating.

School flew by, and before I knew it, the time was 3:35. Crap. They'd already left without me. I saw Jackie getting a ride from one of her friends, but I was stuck here. Alone.

"Everything okay?" a familiar voice asked.

I turned and saw Marcus.

"Uh... actually, no," I admitted.

"What's wrong, Miss Perfect?" he teased lightly.

"They drove off without me."

He grinned a little. "I can give you a ride home, if you want."

"Uh... yes. Please."

Marcus opened the passenger door for me, and I slid in. His car smelled like freshly washed clothes and a hint of leather, kind of nice, actually. He walked around the hood and climbed in behind the wheel.

"Buckle up, Miss Perfect," he said with a grin as he started the engine.

I snorted. "Stop calling me that."

"Why? Fits perfectly," he glanced at me briefly before focusing on the road. "New city, new school, new rules... and yet, you somehow look like you've got it all under control."

I laughed softly and shook my head. "Trust me, I got lost at least ten times today."

"Then you're lucky you ran into me," he said, shifting into second gear.

I raised an eyebrow. "Oh yeah? So now you're my personal lifesaver?"

"Maybe," he said, still smiling without looking at me. "But beware... I charge high fees."

"And those would be?" I asked, teasing.

He finally gave me a longer look, his lips curling into a slightly crooked smile. "One smile. At least one per day."

I felt my cheeks heat up and quickly turned to the window. "Fair enough," I murmured.

"See," he said softly, "I'm fair."

For a moment, there was silence, only the soft music playing from the radio. I watched the sunlight hit his jawline, highlighting it in a way that made my heart skip. He was... way too attractive, and I hated that I noticed.

"So," he finally broke the silence, "how's it been so far? High school, I mean."

I shrugged. "It's... different. Loud. I have no idea where I fit in."

"You'll find your place," he said firmly. "Maybe faster than you think."

I turned toward him. "Do you say that to every new girl you help?"

He smirked, his eyes locking on mine. "Only the ones worth smiling for."

"So... you live with the Walter boys?" he asked, glancing at me.

"Yeah. Why?" I replied.

"Nothing... just Isaac," he said, his tone a little sharp, like the name alone carried some weight.

I tilted my head. "Oh... and what about Isaac?"

Marcus shrugged, his jaw tight. "We... don't really get along. Long story. Let's just say he and I once liked the same girl."

I blinked, a little surprised. "Oh... wow. Awkward."

He smirked slightly, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Yeah. You could say that."

I stayed quiet for a moment, sensing the tension, then decided to lighten it. "Well... at least you're not living in the same room as him."

Marcus chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Lucky me. But honestly... I'm more worried about driving a new girl home than dealing with him right now."

I couldn't help the small laugh that escaped. "Good to know I'm your bigger problem than Isaac."

"Exactly," he said with a small grin, eyes briefly meeting mine. "For now, anyway."

When we pulled up in front of my house, I grabbed my bag.

"Thank you," I said, smiling.

"No problem," Marcus replied with a grin. "See you tomorrow."

I nodded, a little flutter in my chest, and watched as he drove off.

I went inside and headed to the living room, where everyone was lounging and watching TV. Lee sidled up next to me, looking annoyingly clingy, and I shot him a sharp look.

"Umm... hello?" I said, making them all turn toward me. They burst out laughing.

"You guys left me alone at school! How was I supposed to get there?" I demanded, crossing my arms.

"Well... you are here" Cole said with a teasing smirk.

"Yeah, thanks, Marcus," I added, rolling my eyes.

"Marcus?" Danny asked, glancing between me and Isaac.

I caught Isaac's face, and it was tense, guarded. "Yeah... why?" I said, shrugging.

I ignored the lingering tension and went upstairs to change into clean clothes. When I came back down, Jackie was already chatting with Katherine in the kitchen.

"Hi, Evelyn! Dinner's ready," Katherine said cheerfully.

I sat down at the table, relieved for a moment, until something weird brushed against my feet. My heart jumped. I looked down and froze.

It was a snake.

I screamed, flinging my fork, and somehow managed to send my plate flying. Food splattered everywhere, some even landing on me. Panic took over, and I bolted upstairs, slipping a little on the mess I'd left behind.

After I had a shower, I went back to my room, drying my hair with a towel. When I opened the door, Isaac was standing there, leaning casually against the frame.

"Dinner," he said simply.

I nodded, giving him a small smile. "Thanks."

As I walked past him, he spoke again, his voice lower this time. "So... you okay?"

"Yeah," I said, meeting his gaze for a second. "I'm fine."

But he didn't move. He just kept looking at me, his expression unreadable. Then he said it:

"About Marcus."

I froze halfway across the room and turned to face him. "...What?"

Isaac crossed his arms, leaning against the doorframe a little harder. "You don't know him. Just... be careful, alright?"

I raised an eyebrow. "Why? Because you don't like him?"

"It's not about liking him," he said quickly, his jaw tightening. "It's about knowing the type of guy he is."

I frowned. "You sound like you're warning me."

"Maybe I am." His eyes locked with mine, steady and serious. "Just... don't get too close to him."

For a second, neither of us spoke. The tension between us felt heavier than before. I wanted to ask why he cared so much, but before I could, he pushed off the doorframe and muttered, "Dinner's getting cold," before walking away.

I stood there, my heart pounding. Why does it feel like there's more to this than he's telling me?

After Isaac left, I just sat there, staring at my plate, completely losing my appetite. My mind kept replaying the way he said Marcus's name — like it tasted bitter in his mouth.

I poked at the food half-heartedly, but eventually, I pushed the plate aside and grabbed my phone instead.

A message from Jackie popped up:

Jackie: "You okay? Thought you'd come down."

Me: "Yeah, I'm fine. Just... tired."

I wasn't fine, though. Not even close.

I lay back on my bed, staring at the ceiling, trying to make sense of Isaac's warning. Be careful with him. What did that even mean? Was Marcus dangerous? Or was this just Isaac being... Isaac? Overprotective, bossy, and annoyingly cryptic.

And why did I even care so much about what he thought?

I pulled the blanket over my head, hoping sleep would shut my brain off. But the last thing I thought of before drifting off was Isaac, standing in my doorway, warning me about Marcus like it wasn't just casual advice, like it was personal.