SAVANNAH
His lips were on mine.
Warm, demanding, completely reckless. One second I was fuming with rage, standing there soaked and speechless, and the next, he kissed me.
No warning. No asking. Just lips crashing into mine with a hunger that made my knees weak and my brain forget every ounce of logic.
I wanted to pull away. But for a moment, I didn’t.
His mouth moved against mine like he had something to prove. His fingers gripped my waist, pulling me closer, anchoring me to his madness. The taste of chlorine and adrenaline lingered between us, but so did something else, something dangerously intoxicating.
My eyes fluttered shut. My hands clutched at the straps of my bag. My thoughts were a jumbled mess.
Then reality hit me like a slap to the face.
What the hell am I doing?
I gasped and shoved him back with both hands, breathing heavily, heart thudding against my ribs like a war drum. "What the hell was that?!"
Blake didn’t even flinch. His eyes were dark, his jaw clenched, his chest rising and falling like he was barely holding himself together.
"Savannah—"
"No," I snapped. "Don’t 'Savannah' me. What the hell do you think you're doing?!"
He took a step forward, grabbing my wrist gently but firmly.
"This."
Before I could react, he pulled me in again, his lips capturing mine in another heated kiss. My breath caught in my throat as his other hand cradled the back of my head, holding me like he was afraid I’d vanish if he let go. It was deeper this time, rawer, more desperate.
And for a moment, I let it happen.
Until a sharp sound broke through the haze.
Clapping.
Slow, sarcastic, absolutely infuriating clapping.
I ripped myself away from Blake, heart still racing, and turned toward the sound.
Jennifer and Madison.
Jennifer stood smugly at the edge of the pool, her phone raised, recording everything. Madison stood beside her, jaw dropped, eyes wide like she couldn't believe what she was seeing.
"Aww, how romantic," Jennifer drawled, waving her phone. "Was this part of the swimming lesson, Blake? Because I think you forgot to mention it."
My stomach dropped. My hands balled into fists.
I stepped back from Blake and grabbed my bag. "I’m done."
But before I could leave, Jennifer stormed toward me and shoved me hard in the shoulder.
"How dare you kiss Blake?!"
Before I even knew what I was doing, my hand shot out and connected with her cheek.
A loud, echoing smack reverberated across the pool.
Madison gasped. Even Jennifer looked stunned.
"Don’t you ever lay your hand on me ever again!" I shouted, my voice trembling but steady.
Where did that come from?
I didn't know. Maybe it was the rage. Maybe it was the humiliation. Or maybe I was just done being the girl everyone thought they could push around.
Jennifer's face twisted in fury and the next second, she lunged at me, fingers digging into my hair.
I screamed as pain shot through my scalp.
"You crazy bi—"
"HEY!"
Blake was there in a flash. He yanked Jennifer back, placing himself between us like a shield.
He grabbed her by the arms and pushed her away from me.
"What the hell is wrong with you?! Didn't I tell you not to do this ever again?" he barked, voice booming with rage.
Jennifer struggled against him, her chest heaving. "She started it!"
"Delete that video. Now."
Jennifer smirked and tucked her phone into her jacket pocket. "Force me."
With that, she spun on her heel and stormed out, Madison trailing behind her silently.
The second they were gone, I turned to Blake, every nerve in my body sparking with fury.
"Don't," I said, my voice low and dangerous.
"Savannah—"
I shoved him hard in the chest. "Don’t talk to me. Don’t follow me. Don’t touch me."
He tried to reach for me again, but I pulled away and stormed out of the pool area.
My heart was pounding. My hands were shaking. My lips were still tingling from his kiss, and I hated that they were.
I needed to get away. I needed air. Space.
I looked around the hallways, hoping to spot Tyler, but he was nowhere.
Where did he go?
I pulled out my phone, ready to call him. I scrolled to his contact, finger hovering over the dial button, when a message lit up my screen.
From Tyler:
Let’s meet at the gym by 4 PM. There's something I need to tell you. I’ll be waiting for you.