You coming to mine?

Mallory

Serena kept giving me that look as we walked to class, the one that said I know something you don't want to admit yet.

"Stop looking at me like that," I muttered, shoving my books into my bag.

"Like what?" she asked innocently.

"Like you're about to say something annoying."

She smirked. "I just think it's funny. You're all 'Kian's not self-destructive' but, babe, the boy literally stole a car from his da."

I sighed. "Borrowed."

She laughed. "Stole."

I rolled my eyes. "Whatever."

We turned the corner, and my stomach flipped when I saw Kian leaning against the lockers outside our English classroom. He was talking to Dean, but the second he spotted me, a smirk pulled at his lips.

"Ah, there she is," he teased, pushing off the lockers.

"Don't start," I warned.

Kian ignored me, slipping an arm around my waist like it was nothing. "Miss me, princess?"

I felt Serena's eyes burning into me, waiting to see how I'd react.

"You wish," I said, shoving him lightly.

He just laughed, his fingers curling slightly against my hip. "Don't have to wish. I know you did."

Serena let out a dramatic sigh. "God, you two are sickening."

Dean grinned. "Aye, I give it a month before they're unbearable."

"Bold of you to assume they're not already unbearable." Serena nudged me. "Text me later. I need the full play-by-play of whatever this is."

She and Dean disappeared into the classroom, leaving me and Kian standing outside.

He was still watching me, amusement flickering in his eyes.

I raised an eyebrow. "What?"

"Nothing," he said, shaking his head. "Just—you're cute when you're flustered."

I scoffed. "I'm not flustered."

His smirk deepened. "Sure you're not."

I rolled my eyes, stepping into class before he could tease me any more, but I couldn't stop the smile pulling at my lips.

I barely made it to my seat before Kian slid into the desk beside me, stretching out like he had all the time in the world. His smirk hadn't budged.

"I know you missed me, baby?" he teased, propping his chin on his hand as he turned to face me.

"You're so annoying," I muttered, flipping open my notebook.

He just chuckled, completely unfazed. "And yet, you love having me around."

I refused to give him the satisfaction of a reaction, keeping my eyes on the front of the room as our teacher walked in.

Kian didn't let up, though. He stretched his legs out, his knee brushing mine under the desk. A deliberate move.

I shot him a quick glare, but he just gave me an innocent look, as if he wasn't doing it on purpose.

The boy was so full of himself.

As the lesson started, I tried to focus, but Kian clearly had other ideas. Every so often, I'd feel his fingers graze my arm, barely there, like he was testing how much he could get away with.

Then, a small folded-up note landed on my pencil case.

I shot him a look, but he was pretending to be completely invested in the lesson, tapping his pen against his notebook.

I sighed and unfolded the note.

You looked unreal today, princess. Just thought you should know.

Heat crept up my neck, but I kept my face neutral, writing back quickly before sliding it back onto his side of the desk.

Is this your way of distracting me?

A moment later, another note appeared.

Is it working?

I bit the inside of my cheek, shaking my head. Absolute menace.

I scribbled my response.

Nope. Try harder.

I expected another flirty remark, but instead, Kian leaned in, his breath warm against my ear.

"Careful what you wish for, Mal."

I sucked in a breath, refusing to give him the reaction he wanted. Instead, I reached over and flicked his pen off his desk, watching it clatter to the floor.

"Oops," I said, deadpan.

His eyes darkened with amusement. "Oh, you're gonna regret that."

I just smirked, facing the front again, but my heart was hammering.

Kian didn't get his revenge right away. No, he was waiting, biding his time like the smug bastard he was.

Class ended, and I had barely gathered my things before he was beside me, walking in step like he had every right to.

"You coming to mine? Mam's at work..Da's who knows where." he asked casually, like it was a given.

I raised a brow. "Are you inviting me, or just assuming I have no life outside of you?"

He grinned. "Bit of both."

I rolled my eyes, but before I could answer, Conor and Serena came up beside us.

"You two are disgustingly couple-y already," Serena teased, nudging my shoulder. "I almost puked watching that whole note-passing thing."

"Didn't even try to be sneaky about it either," Conor added. "Mad how you're dating a fella who writes notes like a twelve-year-old girl, Mal."

Kian just shrugged, completely unbothered. "And yet, here she is. With me."

Conor groaned, rubbing his temples. "Christ, this is gonna be hard to watch."

Serena laughed, but I just smirked. "You don't have to watch, Con."

"Hard to miss when you lot act like a walking rom-com."

I flipped him off, and he just shook his head, muttering something under his breath.

Kian, still grinning, threw an arm around my shoulders as we headed out of the gates. "So? You coming over?"

I sighed dramatically. "I suppose."

"Suppose?" he repeated, feigning offense. "You suppose?"

I shrugged, playing along. "Yeah. I mean, I could be doing something else. Living my life. Hanging out with other people."

He scoffed. "You love spending time with me."

"I tolerate it."

Kian pulled me closer, lips brushing my ear. "Keep lying to yourself, princess."

My stomach flipped, but I shoved him off, scowling. "You are insufferable."

"And yet, you love it."

Serena made a gagging noise. "Nope. I'm done. I can't listen to this anymore."

Conor nodded. "Agreed. We're leaving."

I laughed as they both walked off, shaking their heads.

Kian smirked, nudging my hip. "So, girlfriend—"

I cut him off with a groan. "Jesus, don't start calling me that."

"But you are my girlfriend," he pointed out. "And I quite like saying it."

I rolled my eyes, but I couldn't fight the smile creeping onto my face.

I was so screwed with this boy.