When The Puppet Falls For The Puppeteer

Hero in the Light, Monster in the Dark

Myra

Ash didn't show up to the gym, which was odd. She didn't answer my calls either. So here I am, wandering through the too-big-for-its-own-good school building, scanning hallways like a detective with no leads.

Assuming she might be in the cafeteria, I pushed through the double doors. The usual chaos greeted me—laughter, chatter, trays clattering. Cliques clustered like magnetic poles: jocks, cheerleaders, drama kids, and loners orbiting each other in social purgatory.

I weaved through the noise, eyes darting for any sign of Ash. I didn't realize how far I'd walked until I nearly crashed into a table—his table.

Marcus Clayton.

Our eyes locked. He'd been watching me. That I was sure of.

I turned on my heel.

"Stop."

One word. No volume, just command. And yet, my feet froze.

I turned slowly.

"Sit." He nudged the chair in front of him with his boot, eyes never leaving mine.

"You're kidding, right? We hate her." Jessica Hales. Perched like a prize on Marcus's lap, her sneer practically dripping venom. Of course she'd staked her claim already. Rumors said she bewitched him, but if Marcus could be bewitched, it'd take more than a Barbie with a bite.

"If you have a problem, Jess, go sit elsewhere," he said without blinking.

I hovered, paralyzed. His gaze flicked to the chair, then back. Resigned, I stepped forward and sat, making sure my face spelled out every ounce of reluctance I felt.

All eyes at the table were suddenly interested in me. Jocks. Cheerleaders. Wolves in team jackets.

"Who were you looking for?" Marcus asked.

"N-No one," I replied, too quickly.

Jessica snorted. I don't stutter—not usually. But Marcus? He short-circuits something in me. Always has.

"Is that a lie?"

"No," I lied.

He leaned back slowly, his smile sharp. "We'll see."

I sighed. "Ash."

His smirk returned, triumphant, like he'd just won another game only he was playing.

"So, Myra." Jessica's voice slithered into my ears. "How does it feel knowing Marcus is back? I'm sure he's got lots of unfinished business with you."

I didn't flinch. "If he's too busy using you, I doubt he'll have time for anyone else."

That earned a few muffled chuckles. Jessica's face turned a fiery red.

I pulled out my phone and texted Ash again. Where the hell are you?

When I looked back up, Jessica was still glaring at me.

"Didn't you and Adam Hughes have a thing last year?" she said, loudly enough to hush the table. "Cute guy. Shame you couldn't keep him."

My heart dropped. Marcus's gaze snapped to mine, cold and unreadable—but deadly.

I could feel the air thin.

"I-It wasn't—like that-" My voice cracked.

Suddenly, a fight broke out across the cafeteria—chairs scraped, trays fell, voices screamed. A blur of limbs and sound pulled everyone's attention away.

And through the chaos, I saw Ash enter.

Her eyes locked onto me, wide with panic. "Myra-bear! I leave you alone for five seconds and you try to get yourself killed?"