"You've been walking around like you own this place," she said, smirking. "But nobody even knows your name."
Alex shoved his hands in his pockets, smirking back. "Maybe I like it that way."
Maddy's laugh was sharp, amused. She stood, brushing imaginary dust off her thighs, and stepped closer. "Everyone here tries too hard. You don't. It's... interesting."
He let the silence hang just long enough, then replied, calm: "Or maybe I'm just better at hiding it."
Her eyes narrowed, studying him like she was trying to peel away layers. She thrived on attention, on boys tripping over themselves to impress her. Alex gave her nothing — and that made her curious.
Finally, she smiled, almost begrudgingly. "Fine. Stay mysterious. But don't think I won't figure you out."
She turned on her heel, walking back toward her friends, her perfume lingering in the warm air.
Alex watched her go, smirk tugging at his lips. You'll try, Maddy. But you're not the one I'm here for.
Cassie was easier.
He spotted her in the hallway between classes, arms stacked with books, phone wedged between her cheek and shoulder as she tried to text and walk at the same time. Inevitably, she dropped half of it.
Alex was already kneeling before anyone else had moved, scooping the books up and holding them out with a smile.
"Thanks," Cassie whispered, cheeks pink.
"No problem," Alex said softly, his tone warm but not flirty — not yet. "Careful, though. Not everyone here's as nice as me."
Cassie laughed nervously, brushing a strand of blonde hair behind her ear. Her eyes darted to his, lingered, then fell again. She clutched the books tighter against her chest like a shield.
"You're new, right?" she asked, voice timid.
"Guess so," Alex said. "Doesn't feel that way already?"
Cassie shook her head, lips tugging into a small smile. "No... you kind of stand out."
Alex let his grin sharpen just slightly. "Good. That's the point."
She blushed harder, biting her lip before hurrying away, mumbling another thank you.
And in that moment, Alex saw it — the hunger to be noticed, to be wanted. Cassie was a flower bending toward any light.
He gave her just enough.
Finally, Kat.
She was harder to crack. Sarcastic, defensive, always ready to dismiss anything that felt like judgment. Her armor was thick, even if Alex knew what was coming later.
So he didn't chase.
Instead, he passed her group in the cafeteria, her friends laughing too loudly at something she said. As he walked by, he let his eyes flick down once, casual, then said, "Cool glasses."
Simple. Direct. Genuine.
Kat blinked, thrown off, her eyeliner making her stare look sharper than she intended. "Uh... thanks," she muttered, as if she wasn't sure whether it was sarcasm or not.
Alex just smiled faintly and kept walking, sliding his tray onto an empty table. He didn't linger, didn't look back.
And that bothered her more than if he had.
A minute later, when she thought no one was watching, Kat glanced toward him. Just once. Quick.
But Alex caught it.
The small flush on her cheeks told him everything — Kat wasn't used to casual compliments that weren't loaded with meaning. She wasn't used to being seen without being judged.
Another thread pulled.
By the end of the day, Alex felt it working. Subtle shifts. Rue's suspicion softening. Maddy's curiosity sharpening. Cassie's blush deepening. Kat's guard cracking.
They didn't know it yet, but he was weaving himself into their lives, one careful move at a time.
And in the background, always, Nate watched.
Alex could feel his gaze like heat on the back of his neck, sharper now, more focused. Nate was noticing how easily Alex slid between groups, how people bent toward him without realizing it.
Good.
Because Alex wasn't just another player in East Highland anymore.
He was the one rewriting the script.
End of Chapter Six
Chapter Six - Pulling Strings
Start from the beginning
