chapter 10

Diana's pov

The morning light filtered through the massive windows, casting a soft glow over the mansion’s living room. The world outside was waking up—but I was still comfortably lost in sleep, warm and tucked against something solid.

Something… breathing.

Wait.

I blinked awake, my mind groggy, my body pressed against warmth. I shifted slightly—and that’s when I noticed it.

Fabric.

Not my own shirt.

Not my shirt at all.

I was inside Abby’s shirt.

Not just cuddling her. Inside the oversized fabric, my arms wrapped around her waist, my face half-buried against her stomach, her arms loosely draped around me like this was the most normal thing in the world.

I froze.

Panic hit me like a freight train.

How? When?!

Before I could even process the situation—

A loud, piercing scream filled the room.

“Oh. MY. GOD!”

I jerked so hard I nearly rolled off the couch.

Chloe and Nora stood a few feet away, wide-eyed, their phones already out.

“NO,” I croaked, my voice still hoarse from sleep. “ABSOLUTELY NOT.”

Chloe wheezed. “YOU’RE—INSIDE—HER—SHIRT—”

Nora clutched her chest dramatically. “This is the most insane thing I’ve ever seen.”

Abby, still half-asleep, groaned beneath me. “What’s their problem?”

I turned my head up to glare at her—only to realize she was still fully unbothered.

“ABBY.” I gestured wildly. “I’M INSIDE YOUR SHIRT.”

She finally blinked awake, looking down at me. There was a pause. A slow realization. Then—

“…Huh.”

HUH?!

I shoved at her. “HOW IS THAT YOUR REACTION?!”

She smirked, stretching slightly. “I mean, you’re warm. I’m not complaining.”

Chloe collapsed onto the floor in laughter.

Nora was near tears. “I CAN’T—HOW DID THIS EVEN HAPPEN?!”

I had no idea.

Somewhere in the middle of the night, I must have moved closer, maybe trying to steal warmth, and Abby—being the human furnace that she was—probably just let me burrow into her like some kind of overgrown cat.

I groaned, yanking myself out of her shirt and flopping onto the couch beside her, my face burning hotter than the sun.

“This is a setup,” I muttered. “This is my villain origin story.”

Abby chuckled, sitting up and running a hand through her messy hair. “Not a bad way to wake up, though.”

"Very bad way to wake up" I correct her

After the absolute disaster that was waking up inside Abby’s shirt, I had one goal for the morning: survive.

Unfortunately, Chloe and Nora had very different plans.

“You snuggled inside her shirt,” Chloe reminded me for the fifth time as we walked downstairs to get ready.

I groaned. “I know. I was there.”

Nora grinned, practically bouncing with energy. “No, but do you really get it? Like, do you understand the magnitude of what happened?”

“I don’t think you do,” Chloe said, shoving open my bedroom door. “Let me paint a picture. You, entirely tucked inside Abby’s shirt, like a little koala—”

“I get it!” I cut her off, dragging a hand down my face. “Can we please focus on getting ready for school?”

Nora collapsed onto my bed dramatically. “Ugh. Fine. But just know this is the greatest thing that’s ever happened to me.”

Chloe sat cross-legged beside her. “Same.”

I grabbed some clothes from my closet, aggressively ignoring their smug grins. “You two are the worst friends.”

Chloe gasped. “Excuse me? We are documenting history.”

“Exactly,” Nora added. “You’re welcome.”

I turned to glare at them, but before I could argue, my bedroom door swung open again.

Abby stood in the doorway, leaning casually against the frame, looking annoyingly cool for someone who had just woken up. Her oversized shirt—not the one I had been trapped in—was still slightly wrinkled, and her hair was an absolute mess, but somehow, she still managed to look effortlessly good.

My brain short-circuited for a second.

“Y’all ready?” she asked, raising an eyebrow.

Chloe and Nora immediately turned their wide, mischievous gazes to me.

I could feel the chaos brewing before they even opened their mouths.

Chloe clasped her hands together. “Oh, Abby. I didn’t realize you were into sharing clothes.”

Nora gasped dramatically. “Yeah, Diana looked so cozy in your shirt this morning.”

I launched a pillow at them. “SHUT UP.”

Abby, to my horror, just smirked. “She was warm. Didn’t mind.”

Chloe squealed. Nora fake-fainted.

I groaned, grabbing my clothes and practically running into the bathroom to change.

This was going to be the longest school day of my life.

Walking to school through the chilly New York morning should have been normal.

But of course, nothing was ever normal with my friends.

Chloe and Nora were still riding the high of The Shirt Incident, and Abby? Abby was acting completely unfazed, hands in her pockets, walking beside me like I hadn’t practically used her as a human blanket last night.

“So,” Nora said, grinning as she glanced at me. “Are we ever gonna talk about how Diana and Ms. Collins are clearly in a thriller movie stalker situation?”

I groaned. “Not you too.”

Chloe gasped dramatically, stepping ahead so she could turn and walk backward in front of us. “Oh please, this is serious. You have a grown woman obsessed with you.”

Abby hummed. “Yeah. It’s weird.”

I sighed. “Okay, fine. Yes. It’s creepy. But what am I supposed to do? Go to the principal and say, ‘Hey, my chemistry teacher is way too into me’?”

Chloe threw her hands up. “YES?”

Nora nodded. “Honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if she followed you home at this point.”

I hated how possible that sounded.

Abby, next to me, tensed slightly. “If she does, I’ll handle it.”

There was something serious in her tone—casual, but firm.

Chloe wiggled her eyebrows. “Oooh. Protective.”

I ignored her.

Nora, however, did not. She narrowed her eyes at me. “You know, speaking of stalkers, Abby is also weirdly attached to you.”

Chloe gasped. “You’re right.”

I rolled my eyes. “Don’t start.”

“Oh, I’m starting.” Chloe smirked. “You fell asleep inside her shirt, Diana.”

Abby chuckled. “Technically, she climbed in there herself.”

I kicked her. “YOU’RE NOT HELPING.”

Nora cackled. “Oh my God, this is the best timeline.”

Chloe nodded sagely. “Abby’s just waiting for the right moment to sweep Diana off her feet.”

Abby shrugged. “She’s not wrong.”

I choked.

Chloe screamed.

Abby, completely unfazed, just kept walking like she hadn’t just ruined my life.

“Oh my God,” Chloe wheezed, gripping Nora’s shoulder. “They’re actually in love.”

“I AM NOT—” I turned to Abby, who was now smirking at me. “You are the worst.”

Abby grinned. “You love it.”

Nora pointed. “SEE? SHE DIDN’T DENY IT.”

I hated everything.

And school hadn’t even started yet.

The massive doors of the school loomed ahead as we stepped onto campus, the usual chaotic morning rush unfolding around us—students hurrying to their lockers, teachers trying (and failing) to wrangle everyone inside, and the occasional skateboarder nearly wiping out on the sidewalk.

As we entered the hallways, my mind was still reeling from Chloe and Nora’s nonstop teasing. They were relentless. Abby, of course, was having way too much fun with it, sending me these little amused glances every time Chloe brought up The Shirt Incident again.

I was never going to live that down.

We finally made it to math class, stepping inside just as the warning bell rang. The usual routine—students claiming their usual seats, the faint chatter of people still waking up, someone arguing about their missing homework.

But something was off.

I slid into my seat and frowned. “Where’s Mr. Reed?”

Our math teacher was always here before the bell, setting up his lesson and grumbling about students not understanding basic algebra. But today, the front of the classroom was empty.

“Maybe he’s out sick?” Nora whispered, pulling out her notebook.

Chloe nodded. “Yeah, but wouldn’t we have a sub?”

As if on cue, the door creaked open.

And in walked Ms. Collins.

The room went silent.

Every nerve in my body froze.

Her sharp eyes wandering around the classroom as she strode in, her perfectly pressed blouse and slightly loose black jeans with a belt making her look way too intense for a math classroom. She carried a folder in one hand, a red pen in the other, her gaze scanning the room.

Then, her eyes landed on me.

And stayed there.

My stomach dropped.

The corner of her lips lifted in a small, knowing smile. “Good morning, class.”

I hated this.

Nora leaned toward me, whispering under her breath, “What the hell is she doing here?”

I had no idea.

Ms. Collins set her folder down on the desk, tilting her head slightly as she continued to look at me. “Mr. Reed had an emergency, so I’ll be filling in for today.”

My blood ran cold.

Of course she would.

Chloe’s knee subtly bumped mine under the desk, her way of saying are you seeing this?!

I forced myself to sit up straighter, pretending like my chemistry teacher—who was very much obsessed with me—wasn’t standing at the front of the room, looking at me like I was the only student here.

Ms. Collins smiled. “Now,” she said smoothly, “let’s begin.”

This was going to be hell.

The second Ms. Collins started teaching, it became painfully obvious that she had absolutely no interest in math.

Her explanations were vague, her handwriting was too neat for someone pretending to care about equations, and she didn’t even look at most of the class.

Because her real focus?

Was me.

It started subtle. A glance. A lingering stare. Her eyes trailing over me for way too long whenever she asked a question—never mind that she was supposed to be talking to the entire class.

Then it got worse.

“Diana,” she called out, her voice smooth as silk, “why don’t you come up and solve this?”

My stomach sank.

I felt three different pairs of eyes snap toward me—Chloe, Nora, and Abby, all of them watching closely.

I cleared my throat, standing up and walking to the board, very aware of how Ms. Collins followed my every move.

“Go ahead,” she said, stepping way too close to me. “Take your time.”

I swallowed hard, gripping the marker and focusing only on the numbers. I could feel her standing behind me, her presence too close, like she was deliberately trying to invade my space.

When I finished the problem, I prayed she would just nod and let me sit down.

But instead, she leaned in.

Literally leaned in, her voice just above a whisper. “Excellent work, Diana.”

I froze.

My entire body tensed, and I knew—I knew—the entire class was watching this unfold.

Then came the final nail in the coffin.

She reached forward and lightly touched my waist, just for a second, before pulling away like nothing happened.

The whole class gasped.

Not loudly. But enough that I felt it. Enough that I knew people were noticing.

Oh my God.

I quickly stepped back, gripping the marker so hard my fingers ached. “Can I—can I sit down now?”

Ms. Collins just smiled. “Of course.”

I practically bolted back to my seat, my heart pounding.

The second I sat down, Chloe whisper-screamed next to me. “WHAT THE ACTUAL HELL WAS THAT?!”

Nora, on my other side, looked shocked. “She—she touched you.”

Abby’s jaw was tight, her fists clenched. She hadn’t said a word, but I could feel the tension radiating off her.

The rest of the class was definitely noticing.

And Ms. Collins?

She just kept teaching. Like nothing happened.

Like she hadn’t just made it crystal clear that this wasn’t just in my head.

The second the bell rang, I was ready to get out of there.

I shoved my notebook into my bag, avoiding eye contact with literally everyone. Chloe and Nora were already whispering about what had just happened, and Abby? Abby looked one second away from flipping a desk.

I was not sticking around for more of this nightmare.

But then—

“Diana,” Ms. Collins’ voice rang out smoothly over the noise of the class packing up.

I froze.

Slowly, I looked up.

She was standing at her desk, her usual poised smile in place, but her eyes—her eyes—were locked on me like I was the only person in the room.

“Stay after class for a moment,” she said, like it wasn’t a big deal. Like she hadn’t just spent the past hour making it painfully obvious that she was obsessed with me.

The classroom fell silent.

Everyone was still moving, still pretending to gather their things, but I could feel them listening.

Chloe and Nora exchanged a look—one of those silent, oh hell no conversations.

Abby’s jaw tightened. Her hands curled into fists at her sides.

For a second, I thought she might actually argue with Ms. Collins, step in and say something. But instead, she just gave me a long, hard look.

“You good?” she muttered under her breath.

No. No, I was not good.

But I forced a nod. “Yeah.”

Her eyes lingered for a second longer before she sighed and turned to leave with the others.

One by one, the rest of the class filtered out, throwing me quick glances before disappearing into the hallway.

The door shut behind them.

And suddenly, it was just me and her.

Alone.

I swallowed hard, gripping the strap of my bag like it was a lifeline. “Uh… what did you need?”

Ms. Collins smiled, stepping around her desk. “Relax, Diana. I just need a little help with something.”

I didn’t move. I wasn’t stupid. This was weird. She was weird. But after everything—the way she always watched me, the way she treated me differently than everyone else—I wasn’t exactly in a position to say no.

She walked to the cabinet at the back of the room, effortlessly unlocking it and opening it wide. “I need to reorganize some of these lab supplies. It won’t take long.”

I frowned. That’s it?

It seemed… harmless.

Suspicious, sure, but compared to everything else? Fine.

“Uh… okay,” I muttered, stepping forward.

Ms. Collins moved aside, letting me see the mess inside the cabinet—glass beakers stacked haphazardly, old chemistry books shoved against a pile of vials, some random pieces of lab equipment I didn’t even recognize.

I sighed. “Yeah, this is a disaster.”

She chuckled, crossing her arms as she leaned against the desk. “That’s why I need you.”

I felt something stir in my chest at that. Something I immediately shoved down.

I got to work, carefully moving things around, sorting test tubes into proper containers, fixing the crooked stacks of books.

Ms. Collins didn’t hover exactly, but she stayed close. Watching.

Her voice was smooth when she finally spoke again. “You’re very meticulous, you know that?”

I shrugged, focusing on the vials. “I just like when things make sense.”

She hummed. “I’ve noticed.”

There it was again—that attention. That feeling like she saw more than she was supposed to.

And yet…

I liked the feeling of putting things in order, of carefully placing items where they belonged. There was something weirdly satisfying about it.

And, despite everything, I didn’t hate that she noticed.

I pushed that thought away fast.

“Almost done,” I muttered, stacking the last few books neatly.

“Good,” Ms. Collins said, and when I turned to look at her, she was smiling—not her usual smug smirk, but something almost… impressed.

I should have been creeped out. I should have hated this.

But for some reason, I didn’t. I didn't hate it because she wasn't being a creep.

The cabinet was done, but somehow, I was still here.

Ms. Collins had moved on to sorting through a stack of papers at her desk, muttering under her breath about how disorganized everything was. I should’ve left. I could’ve left.

But instead, I found myself stacking extra worksheets into neat piles, adjusting the scattered beakers on the counter, and—against my better judgment—helping her.

“This school needs better storage,” I said, tucking some stray lab notebooks into a drawer. “Why is everything just shoved wherever?”

Ms. Collins sighed dramatically. “Because no one respects organization, Diana.”

I smirked. “That’s tragic.”

She gave me a look—not the weird, lingering ones from class, but an amused one. “Finally, someone who understands my suffering.”

I rolled my eyes but couldn’t help the small smile forming on my lips.

Then she sighed again, more exaggerated this time, dropping into her chair. “I swear, some of these students act like I’m their personal enemy just because I make them follow directions.”

I snorted. “Probably because you’re strict as hell.”

She gasped, pressing a hand to her chest in fake offense. “I am firm, Diana. Firm and fair.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Oh, yeah? Fair? Really?”

Her lips twitched, fighting a smile. “To most people.”

Yeah, no kidding.

I shook my head, shuffling some loose worksheets together. “Maybe if you weren’t so terrifying, they wouldn’t hate you.”

She leaned forward slightly, smirking. “Do you find me terrifying?”

I hesitated.

The answer should’ve been yes. Ms. Collins was objectively weird, way too fixated on me, and an all-around walking red flag.

But terrifying?

I sighed. “You’re more of a… weirdo.”

She actually laughed at that. Not her usual quiet, controlled chuckle, but an actual, lighthearted laugh.

I stared.

What the hell was happening?

“You’re lucky you’re my favorite,” she said, smirking as she grabbed her red pen and tapped it against the desk.

I definitely should’ve left.

Because somehow, against all logic, I was starting to see it—under all the creepy stares and overly firm teaching, Ms. Collins was actually… kind of funny. Maybe even a little sweet.

Still a total weirdo. But a weirdly charming one.

And that?

That was dangerous.

I left the classroom fast.

The second I stepped into the hallway, I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding.

That had been… weird.

Really weird.

But not for the reasons it should have been.

Ms. Collins was obsessed with me. That was a fact. She stared too much, treated me differently, and definitely crossed too many lines. And yet—somehow—helping her organize had been… kind of nice?

No. Nope. Not thinking about that.

I spotted Chloe, Nora, and Abby near our lockers, all three of them looking like they were waiting for me.

Chloe was the first to speak. “Okay, what the hell happened in there?”

Abby was watching me closely, her arms crossed, while Nora just raised an eyebrow, silently demanding an answer.

I adjusted my bag and shrugged. “Nothing. She just needed help with some lab stuff.”

They stared at me.

“That’s it?” Nora asked skeptically.

“Yeah.” I nodded, way too fast. “It was just weird.”

It was weird.

Just… not for the reason they thought.

Chloe narrowed her eyes. “Diana.”

I avoided her gaze. “What?”

“You’re lying.”

I scoffed. “No, I’m not.”

Nora crossed her arms. “You’re acting weird.”

I know.

Abby was quiet, just watching me. Her gaze was heavier than the others', like she could see the thoughts I was trying to shove away.

I cleared my throat. “Look, she just made me organize some stuff. That’s all.”

Chloe narrowed her eyes. “And?”

“And… I don’t know. She was less weird than usual?”

Chloe gasped. “Oh my God.”

Nora’s jaw dropped. “Did you—did you actually have fun?”

“No!” I said way too fast.

Abby’s eyes narrowed. “Diana.”

I groaned, rubbing my face. “Okay, look. She’s still a total weirdo, but she was also kind of… funny? And like… I get why she’s a strict teacher now?”

Chloe grabbed my shoulders. “Oh no. She got you.”

Nora gasped. “Are you defending her?”

“No! I—” I sighed. “I don’t know, okay? It was just… weird.”

Abby finally spoke. “Weird how?”

I hesitated.

Because the truth was, for the first time, Ms. Collins hadn’t just been some creepy stalker teacher. She had been… a person.

A weird, confusing, slightly charming person.

And I hated that.

I shrugged, avoiding Abby’s eyes. “I don’t know. Just… weird.”

Abby didn’t say anything, but she didn’t look away either.

And for some reason, that made my stomach flip worse than anything Ms. Collins had done.

✂✂✂✂✂✂

The first time I helped Ms. Collins, it was weird. The second time? Still weird. But by the third time, I had officially lost control of my life.

Somehow, without meaning to, it became a thing.

It started small—after class, she’d ask if I could help move some lab equipment, or sort some papers, or double-check the supply closet inventory. Little things. Things I could’ve easily said no to.

But I didn’t.

And I had no idea why.

Maybe it was because I hated messes, and her organization system was tragic. Maybe it was because, despite everything, she was actually kind of funny when she wasn’t being a total weirdo.

Or maybe, deep down, I liked the way she always looked pleased when I helped. Like I was the only one she trusted to get things done right.

God, that was dangerous.

The rest of the week passed in a blur.

Every day, I told myself this is the last time, and every day, I somehow ended up staying after class again.

At first, my friends didn’t notice.

Then they did.

“Are you serious right now?” Chloe deadpanned as we stood by our lockers on Friday. “You’re voluntarily spending extra time with your stalker teacher?”

“It’s not like that,” I muttered, shoving books into my bag.

Nora raised an eyebrow. “Oh, it’s not? Because last time I checked, she’s still obsessed with you.”

Abby, leaning against the locker next to mine, was quiet. But she was watching me.

Too closely.

I sighed. “It’s just organizing stuff. That’s it.”

Chloe crossed her arms. “Uh-huh. And you like it?”

I hesitated.

Because the truth was—yeah. I kind of did.

It was stupid. But helping her put things in order, listening to her ramble about how students never followed proper lab procedures, even just hearing her sarcastic little comments—it was weirdly nice.

She wasn’t just some strict, mysterious stalker. She was awkward and particular and a total control freak, but she also had this dry sense of humor that I hated admitting I found entertaining.

I rolled my eyes. “It’s fine. You guys are overreacting.”

Chloe looked betrayed. “She’s corrupting you.”

Nora nodded dramatically. “This is brainwashing.”

I sighed. “It’s not that deep.”

Abby finally spoke. “You sure about that?”

I glanced at her. There was something unreadable in her expression, something careful.

I ignored the way my stomach flipped at that.

“I’m sure,” I said, closing my locker.

But even as I said it, I wasn’t.

But that wasn't all. Time passed by too quickly.

It started subtly.

A quick glance. A barely-there smirk. A quiet comment under her breath that only I could hear.

And I hated that I understood them.

Ms. Collins would be going over a lesson, explaining some complicated chemical equation, when she’d suddenly pause, roll her eyes at the board, and mutter, “If only my storage closet were this organized.”

And without thinking, I’d smirk and mutter back, “Maybe if you labeled things correctly, it would be.”

And just like that—inside joke.

It kept happening.

At first, my friends didn’t notice.

Then they did.

On Wednesday, we were in the middle of a lab experiment when Ms. Collins walked by my station. She glanced at my setup, nodded approvingly, and murmured, “At least someone in this class follows instructions.”

I rolled my eyes. “I’m just trying to keep my head down, like a proper student.”

Her lips twitched—her almost-smile that I was starting to recognize.

But then I felt it—eyes on me.

I turned, and there they were.

Chloe, Nora, and Abby. Staring.

Chloe was gaping. “What was that?”

Nora’s jaw had dropped. “Did you—did you just have a moment?”

Abby, next to them, had her arms crossed. She wasn’t as dramatic as the other two, but her gaze was sharp.

I froze.

Oh. Oh no.

I cleared my throat. “What? No. We were just—”

Chloe pointed an accusing finger. “That was an inside joke.”

Nora nodded aggressively. “You and Ms. Collins have inside jokes?”

I scoffed. “No, we don’t.”

Chloe gasped. “OH MY GOD. YOU DO.”

Abby’s eyes narrowed. “Diana.”

I refused to meet her gaze.

Nora leaned in dramatically. “Blink twice if you need help.”

Chloe nodded. “Yeah, we can save you.”

I rolled my eyes. “You guys are so annoying.”

Abby, still quiet, just watched me. And somehow, that was worse than all of Chloe and Nora’s dramatics combined.

Because her look said everything.

She was noticing.

They all were.

And that?

That was very bad.

The bell rang, and like clockwork, I didn’t leave.

Chloe and Nora sent me identical 'we’ll interrogate you later' looks as they walked out. Abby lingered, shooting me one last glance before sighing and leaving with them.

Then it was just me and Ms. Collins.

Again.

I leaned against a desk, crossing my arms. “So, what ridiculous task do you have for me today? Sorting test tubes? Alphabetizing chemical labels?”

Ms. Collins smirked as she flipped through a stack of papers. “Tempting, but no. Today, I just need help grading these quizzes.”

I groaned. “Grading? You’re really making me do your job now?”

She gasped in mock offense. “I am giving you a learning opportunity, Diana.”

I snorted. “Yeah, sure. A learning opportunity in unpaid labor.”

She just smirked and slid a red pen across the desk toward me.

I sighed, grabbing it and sitting down. “Fine. But if I see one too many dumb mistakes, I’m walking out.”

She chuckled. “Noted.”

We settled into a rhythm, flipping through quizzes, marking the obviously wrong answers. At some point, she reached for a paper at the same time I did, and our hands brushed.

I froze.

She didn’t move right away either. But when I glanced up, she was already watching me, an amused look in her eyes.

“What?” I muttered, pulling my hand back.

Ms. Collins leaned on the desk slightly, smirking. “You tell me.”

I rolled my eyes, ignoring the way my face felt warmer than it should.

She went back to grading, and for a few minutes, it was just the sound of pens scratching against paper.

Then she sighed dramatically. “You know, I thought you were going to be one of those students who hated me.”

I scoffed. “Who says I don’t?”

She smirked. “Oh, please. You wouldn’t keep coming back if you did.”

I opened my mouth to argue—then closed it.

Because, yeah. She had a point.

I groaned, slumping back in my chair. “This is actually terrible. I’ve let this happen.”

Ms. Collins chuckled. “Don’t worry, Diana. I won’t hold it against you.”

I threw a crumpled piece of scrap paper at her. She dodged, laughing.

Then, out of nowhere, I did something.

The words were out before I could stop them.

“Why have you been stalking me?”

Ms. Collins froze.

The red pen in her hand hovered over the quiz she was grading, and for the first time since I’d started helping her, she actually looked caught off guard.

I wasn’t sure what had made me ask. Maybe it was how much time I’d been spending with her, how weirdly comfortable this had all started feeling. Maybe it was the way she acted like she had me figured out when she was the real mystery here.

Either way, I wasn’t taking it back.

I leaned forward, resting my arms on the desk. “Well? You’re weirdly obsessed with me, and I wanna know why.”

Ms. Collins blinked, then set her pen down carefully. “That’s a very strong accusation, Diana.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Is it, though?”

She sighed, leaning back in her chair. “I wouldn’t call it stalking.”

I scoffed. “Oh, really? So you just accidentally keep showing up everywhere I go?”

She smirked. “Coincidence?”

I stared at her. “Ms. Collins.”

She held my gaze, amused but also… something else. Calculating.

Then she sighed, tilting her head slightly. “Alright. I’ll admit I pay attention to you more than most students.”

I rolled my eyes. “Yeah, no kidding.”

“But not for the reason you think.”

I frowned. “Then what is the reason?”

She was quiet for a second, like she was deciding how much to say.

Then, finally, she leaned forward, resting her chin on her hand. “You intrigue me.”

I blinked. “That’s it?”

She smirked. “That’s enough.”

I huffed. “That’s not an answer.”

She tilted her head. “Would you rather I lie?”

I stared at her, trying to figure out if she was messing with me or not.

She wasn’t acting guilty. She wasn’t even denying it. If anything, she looked amused.

I crossed my arms. “You’re the weirdest teacher I’ve ever met.”

She chuckled. “And yet, here you are.”

I groaned, dragging a hand down my face.

I should’ve known she wouldn’t give me a straight answer. But somehow, that only made me want to figure her out more.

I left the classroom fast.

Not quite running, but definitely walking like I had just committed a crime and needed to flee the scene.

Because what the hell had that conversation been?

"You intrigue me."

Who says that? Who says that like it’s a normal thing?

By the time I reached my friends, I was still trying to process everything.

Chloe, Nora, and Abby were waiting for me near our lockers, all three of them looking like they were ready to pounce.

Chloe was the first to notice my expression. She immediately narrowed her eyes. “Okay, what happened? You look traumatized.”

I stopped in front of them, exhaling sharply. “She admitted it.”

Nora blinked. “Wait. What?”

Abby frowned. “Admitted what?”

I threw my hands up. “That she pays attention to me more than other students!”

Chloe gasped. “So she is obsessed with you!”

I groaned. “Not in those exact words, but yeah.”

Nora leaned in. “What else did she say?”

I hesitated. Because that was the weird part.

I crossed my arms. “She said I… intrigue her.”

Dead silence.

Then—

Chloe groaned

“WHAT DOES THAT EVEN MEAN?!”

Nora looked horrified. “That is the creepiest thing I’ve ever heard.”

Abby, who had been quiet this whole time, was just watching me again.

And for some reason, that made me more nervous than the other two freaking out.

I sighed, leaning against my locker. “I don’t know what it means.”

Chloe grabbed my shoulders. “Diana, you have to stop going back in there.”

“I tried!” I groaned. “But every time I tell myself I’m done, I just—” I paused, trying to find the words. “I don’t know. I keep going back.”

Chloe looked betrayed. “She got to you.”

Nora shook her head. “She’s using psychological warfare.”

I groaned. “I know. It’s awful.”

Abby finally spoke. “Then why do you keep helping her?”

I hesitated.

Because, deep down, I knew why.

And I really didn’t want to say it.

I sighed. “Because… she’s actually kind of funny? And, like, not the worst person ever?”

Chloe gasped. “STOCKHOLM SYNDROME.”

Nora clutched her chest. “This is a crisis.”

Abby, however, just stared at me with that unreadable expression.

Like she was thinking.

Like she was noticing more and more.

The chaos from earlier had died down. Chloe and Nora were still whispering about Ms. Collins being my mysterious stalker nemesis, but I could tell they were losing steam.

Abby, though?

Abby was quiet.

Too quiet.

Which was why I wasn’t surprised when, after a while, she nudged my arm and murmured, “Can we talk?”

Something in her tone made my stomach tighten.

I nodded, letting her lead me down an empty hallway.

Once we were alone, she turned to face me, crossing her arms. “Diana.”

Oh no. Full serious mode.

I leaned against the wall, trying to play it cool. “What’s up?”

She huffed. “You know what.”

I looked away. “If this is about Ms. Collins—”

“It’s not.”

I blinked. “It’s… not?”

She sighed, running a hand through her hair. “It’s about us.”

My heart skipped. “Us?”

Abby gave me a look. “Don’t act like you don’t know what I mean.”

I swallowed. “I mean… maybe clarify?”

She exhaled sharply. “Diana, we keep almost kissing. We cuddle, we touch, we flirt. And I need to know—” She hesitated, then met my eyes. “What are we doing?”

I felt my pulse in my throat.

Because, yeah. That was the question, wasn’t it?

What were we doing?

I bit my lip. “I… don’t know.”

Abby studied me, searching for something.

Then, softer, she asked, “Do you want to know?”

I sucked in a breath.

Because, deep down, I did.

I really, really did.

I didn’t answer right away.

Because how was I supposed to answer?

Abby was standing there, arms crossed, eyes locked onto mine, waiting for something—anything.

And I had nothing.

I swallowed. “I mean… yeah. I guess?”

Abby raised an eyebrow. “‘You guess?’”

I groaned, dragging a hand down my face. “I don’t know.”

She sighed, shifting her weight. “Diana.”

That was all she said, but the way she said my name made my stomach flip.

I chewed my lip. “I just—I didn’t plan for this, okay?”

Abby tilted her head. “Plan for what?”

I gestured vaguely between us. “This! The flirting, the touching, the—you know—everything.”

She let out a breath, nodding slowly. “Okay. That’s fair.”

I blinked. “Wait, really?”

She almost smiled. “Yeah, really.” Then she hesitated. “But I still need to know… is this just messing around for you? Or is it more?”

I felt my heart do something stupid in my chest.

Because I knew.

I knew I liked her, but I wasn't sure if I liked her romantically. Maybe?

But saying it out loud? That was terrifying.

Abby must’ve seen my hesitation because she softened. “Look, I don’t need an answer right now. I just—” She exhaled, looking down for a second before meeting my eyes again. “I like you, Diana. I think you know that.”

My throat felt dry. “I—yeah.”

Her voice was quieter now. “I just need to know if I’m waiting for something real, or if I should stop hoping.”

And damn.

That hit.

I felt something tighten in my chest—something messy and confusing and real.

I exhaled shakily. “I don’t want you to stop.”

Abby’s lips parted slightly, like she hadn’t expected me to say that.

I took a breath, heart pounding. “I don’t have it all figured out yet. But I don’t want this to stop.”

Her expression softened, and for the first time since we started talking, she smiled.

“Okay,” she said quietly.

And just like that, something between us shifted.

The air between us felt different now.

Something unspoken had settled between me and Abby—something heavy and real.

She was still looking at me, her expression softer than I’d ever seen it. And for once, I didn’t want to look away.

Not from her.

I swallowed, suddenly hyper aware of how close we were standing.

Her voice was quiet. “Diana…”

My breath hitched.

Because I knew what was about to happen.

I could feel it in the way she was watching me, the way her fingers twitched like she was stopping herself from reaching for me.

I wasn’t sure who moved first.

Maybe it was her. Maybe it was me. But one second we were just standing there, and the next—

We were so close.

Close enough that I could feel her breath, close enough that all I’d have to do was lean in just a little more.

Her eyes flickered to my lips.

My pulse exploded.

Everything in me screamed to just go for it, to close the tiny gap between us, to stop dancing around this.

But then—

“DIANA!”

We jumped apart. Again.

I whipped around to see Chloe and Nora practically sprinting down the hallway toward us. It's always them who interrupt us. It's like they have something against us.

Abby groaned, pressing a hand over her face. “Oh my God.”

Chloe skidded to a stop in front of us, panting dramatically. “We lost you—oh my God, were you guys about to kiss? AGAIN?"

I choked. “What?! No!”

Nora grinned. “You so were.”

Chloe gasped. “I knew it! You guys are, like, one second away from being a thing.”

Abby cleared her throat, shifting uncomfortably. “Did you two need something, or…?”

Chloe waved a hand. “Oh, yeah, totally. But I love this more.”

Nora smirked. “Carry on. Pretend we’re not here.”

I groaned, covering my face. “I hate both of you.”

Abby just sighed. “Me too.”

And just like that, the moment was gone.

The second the final bell rang, I didn’t even think.

I just found Abby, grabbed her wrist, and pulled her out of the school.

She barely had time to react before we were weaving through students, pushing past the doors and stepping into the crisp New York air.

Once we were outside, she finally managed, “Uh, where exactly are we going?”

I shrugged. “Somewhere that isn’t full of nosy best friends who ruin moments.”

Abby smirked. “So you admit it was a moment.”

I groaned, dragging a hand down my face. “Not the point.”

She just chuckled, letting me pull her down the sidewalk.

We walked without a real plan, blending into the city crowd. The sky was starting to dim, the sunset casting everything in soft golden hues. The sound of honking taxis and distant chatter surrounded us, but none of it mattered.

Because for once, it was just me and Abby.

No school. No weird teachers. No Chloe and Nora screaming in the background.

Just us.

At some point, we wandered near the waterfront, where the city lights reflected off the river, shimmering like something out of a dream. The spot was quieter than the busy streets, just the occasional passerby and the sound of water lapping against the docks.

I stopped near the railing, leaning against it as I looked out over the water.

Abby stood beside me, hands in her pockets. “You picked a pretty good spot.”

I smirked. “Told you.”

She glanced at me. “So. Are we gonna talk about earlier?”

I stiffened. “Uh. Define ‘earlier.’”

She chuckled. “You know what I mean.”

I sighed, looking at the water instead of her. “I mean… yeah. I guess we almost kissed.”

Abby hummed. “Would you have?”

I swallowed. “I—I don’t know.”

She tilted her head. “Liar.”

I turned to protest but—oh.

She was close.

The streetlights illuminated her face, highlighting the way she was watching me—calm, patient, like she was waiting for me to figure something out.

And maybe I was.

I let out a slow breath. “Okay. Maybe I do know.”

Abby’s lips twitched. “That’s what I thought.”

I rolled my eyes but didn’t move away.

Because somehow, standing there, under the city lights with her, it felt like we had all the time in the world.

The city stretched out around us, alive with the hum of distant traffic and the soft rush of the river. The lights reflected on the water, flickering like they were waiting for something to happen.

For us to happen.

Abby was still watching me, that little smirk playing on her lips. Like she knew something I didn’t. Like she was waiting for me to finally admit it.

I took a breath, feeling my heart slam against my ribs. “You’re really not gonna let this go, huh?”

She tilted her head, eyes glinting. “Diana, we almost kissed. That’s kind of a big deal.”

I huffed. “Yeah, well… it’s your fault for getting all—” I gestured vaguely at her. “You.”

She chuckled. “Oh, so I made you want to kiss me?”

My face burned. “That’s not what I—”

“Because that definitely sounds like what you’re saying.”

I groaned, covering my face with my hands. “Why are you like this?”

She gently pulled my hands away, and suddenly, everything slowed down.

Because God, she was so close.

Her fingers were still wrapped around mine, warm and steady, like she wasn’t afraid of this at all. Like she wasn’t afraid of me.

Abby’s voice was quieter now. “Tell me if I’m wrong.”

I swallowed hard. “You’re not.”

Something flickered across her face—something soft, something almost relieved.

I barely had time to process it before she leaned in, slow and careful, giving me every chance to pull away.

But I didn’t.

I couldn’t.

So I closed the distance.

The second our lips touched, my heart exploded.

Everything else—the city, the river, the world—just faded away.

It was gentle at first, almost hesitant. But then Abby sighed against my lips, like she had been waiting for this, and something inside me just melted.

I reached up, gripping the front of her hoodie, and she pulled me closer, deepening the kiss like she never wanted to let go.

And, honestly?

Neither did I.

Her lips were warm and soft, moving against mine with this careful certainty, like she knew exactly what she was doing. Like she had been waiting for this.

And maybe I had, too.

My hands gripped the front of her hoodie again, pulling her in even closer without even thinking. Abby responded instantly, one hand resting against my waist while the other came up to cup my face, her thumb grazing my cheek in a way that sent a shiver through me.

She kissed me slow at first—like she was memorizing the moment, like she didn’t want to rush, and something between us shifted.

The hesitation melted.

The space between us disappeared.

Abby pressed in closer, tilting her head to deepen the kiss, and my breath hitched at the way she moved—confident, sure, like she had no doubt in her mind that this was exactly where she wanted to be.

And God, it felt so good.

Like something I hadn’t even realized I needed.

Her fingers slid up my back, sending warmth trailing down my spine. I felt her smile against my lips, like she knew she was making my heart pound, like she knew I wasn’t pulling away anytime soon.

I didn’t want to.

I never wanted to.

We finally broke apart, but only barely, our breaths mixing in the cool night air.

Abby let out a soft chuckle, her forehead resting against mine. “Wow.”

I swallowed, my heart still racing. “Yeah.”

She grinned, voice a little breathless. “We really should’ve done that sooner.”

I laughed, still trying to catch my breath. “Yeah. We really should have.”

Abby pulled back just enough to look at me, her eyes still shining. “Can I kiss you again?”

I didn’t even hesitate.

“Yes.”

And so she did.

A/N

I have been publishing these chapters every day recently because I finally got motivation lol. I was thinking if I should make Abby and Diana a real thing for a while but I'm not sure yet. Ideas for the future chapters are welcome 🤞I have already made the next few chapters and I can promise there will be some drama😬 I think I update every day around 17-19 (France, CET)

~Lucía🎸