𝐑𝐮𝐢𝐧 𝐌𝐞|| 𝟏𝟖+

I wasn't supposed to fall in love with him.

I came to America with a suitcase full of dreams, a head full of my mother's hopes, and a heart still learning how to beat in a new language. I didn't belong at Stonebridge University-not with its ivy-wrapped walls, sharp smiles, and boys who laughed when I stumbled over my first English essay.

On my first day, they cornered me in the courtyard-mocking my accent, my dress, my silence.

But then she arrived.

Cassidy Blake. With combat boots, lavender hair, and a mouth that could slice through steel. She pulled me out of their grip like she'd done it a hundred times before. She made me feel like I mattered. Like maybe I could belong here after all.

She became my best friend. My safe place.

And then she introduced me to him.

Ryder Cole. The boy who ruled the underground racing circuit like a king with gasoline in his veins. Her boyfriend. Her chaos. Her fire. He shouldn't have looked at me the way he did. I shouldn't have looked back.

But we did.

God, we did.

It started with stolen glances. Then a moment too long in the silence. Then one night... everything changed.

I didn't mean to betray her.

I didn't mean to fall in love with someone who was never mine.

But hearts don't care for rules. And neither do fast cars, or broken boys who carry too much pain in their eyes and pretend speed can fix it.

Now everything's ruined.
Cassidy hates me. Ryder left me.
And the girl who came here hoping to start over?
She's gone too.

All that's left... is me.
And the wreckage we called love.