Because in his world, no one avoided his boys. No one ignored him, and absolutely no one made them look stupid on day one. Ariana walked toward her next class, unaware that her single, effortless dodge had just painted a target on her back. But in that one moment, one tiny instinctive movement, her fate locked into the gaze of someone who lived for the thrill of domination. And Logan Pierce decided right then and there that Ariana Brooks would be his next lesson, his next show, his next victim.
And he would begin that lesson in the perfect place during PE class later that afternoon. The locker room of North View High's gym always smelled like sweat, ego, and the kind of arrogance that came from boys who had never been told no in their lives. Metal lockers clanged open and shut, jerseys hung from hooks, and the echo of basketballs bouncing on the court outside seeped faintly through the door. Inside, Logan Pierce, still irritated but masking it with swagger, slammed his locker shut. "Did you see that little stunt she pulled, " he muttered, tossing his towel onto the bench, dodging Mason like she's in some action movie?
Mason scowled, pacing in front of the mirror. "I don't know how she did it. I swear I went straight for her. She shouldn't have been able to move that fast. " Logan smirked.
Well, she did. And now she thinks she's special. He kicked the bench lightly, annoyance simmering beneath his voice. We can't let that slide. In the far corner, sitting half shadowed, was Theo Grant, the quiet one.
The one who rarely spoke unless spoken to. Most people forgot he was even on the team. But those who paid attention knew one thing. Theo watched everything, and he remembered everything. "Logan's right, " Mason said, picking up his phone.
We need to do something. Put her in her place. I can record it. Make it go viral in like 1 hour. Logan's grin grew sharper.
Exactly. North View loves a good humiliation clip. And if the new girl becomes the next meme, even better. He cracked his knuckles, picturing the scene. Ariana flinching, stumbling, maybe even crying.
The students laughing. His name trending in group chats for being savage. Yes, that's what he lived for. But before Logan could outline the plan, a voice cut through the locker room, low, calm, and surprisingly firm. Don't make it subtle.
Both Logan and Mason turned. Theo leaned forward, elbows on his knees, eyes dark with something unreadable. What? Mason frowned. Theo stood up slowly, closing his locker with a deliberate click.
If you want to test her, don't do a weak shove in the hallway. She dodged that. Make it bigger, harder. Something she can't slip out of. He stepped closer, lowering his voice.
Hit her where she won't see it coming. For the first time, Logan blinked in surprise. Theo, quiet, passive. Theo was suggesting escalation. A grin spread across Logan's face, wicked and entertained.
Damn, Theo. Didn't know you had ideas. Theo shrugged. People like her. The quiet ones.
They're either fake tough or they break easy. Let's find out which she is. Mason laughed. Man, I didn't know you cared about this stuff. I don't.