Two pages of the same book

Just when Rose thought things couldn't get worse, her ex returned, her enemy got slapped, and her heart got caught in the crossfire.

---

Kalix went home, completely unaware of the chaos about to unfold.

At school, Jessie frowned as she noticed Rose's tense expression. She had been quiet all day, lost in her own thoughts.

Jessie nudged her. "What's wrong with you? You look like you just saw a ghost."

Rose hesitated, biting her lip. For a moment, she considered staying silent, but the words slipped out before she could stop them.

"Nick is back."

Jessie blinked. "Who?"

"Nick... my ex."

Jessie's jaw dropped. "Wait, what? Since when?"

"He showed up today." Rose sighed, running a hand through her hair. "He came back from California... and he said he's here to win me over."

Jessie scoffed. "You're joking, right? What kind of dramatic movie moment is this?"

Rose gave a weak smile. "That's what I thought too."

Jessie watched her closely. "Okay, but why do you look like you're about to pass out? You're actually scared."

Rose didn't answer.

Before Jessie could press further, the school bell rang.

Jessie sighed, grabbing her bag. "This conversation isn't over, Rose."

Rose swallowed, pushing her emotions down as they headed to class. But one thing was clear-Nick's return was only the beginning of a much bigger storm.

As Rose and Jessie walked out of class, the last thing Rose wanted was more drama. But fate had other plans.

Standing near the school gate, leaning casually against his car, was Nick.

Her stomach twisted. He was really here.

Jessie, still unaware, kept talking about their upcoming assignments, but Rose had already stopped listening.

Nick's eyes locked onto hers. In an instant, he pushed off his car and made his way toward her.

"We need to talk, babe."

Before Rose could even react, another voice cut through the air-sharp and mocking.

"Babe? My foot."

Rose turned to see Kalix.

He had his arms crossed, his usual cocky smirk in place, but there was something different in his eyes. Something cold.

Nick frowned. "And who the hell are you?"

Kalix let out a dry laugh. "Funny, I was about to ask you the same thing."

Jessie, now completely confused, whispered, "Okay, what the actual hell is happening?And why the hell Kalix knows him?

Rose inhaled sharply, gripping Jessie's arm as if to steady herself.

Nick, unfazed, looked back at Rose. "I drove all the way back from California for you. We need to talk. Alone."

Kalix scoffed. "Wow. What a great love story. Too bad no one's interested."

Nick shot him a glare. "Stay out of this."

Kalix raised an eyebrow, stepping closer. "Make me."

Tension crackled in the air.

Jessie's eyes darted between the two, completely lost. Rose, meanwhile, felt her heart pounding in her chest.

She wasn't ready for this.

Not for Nick's return.
Not for Kalix's reaction.
And definitely not for the storm that was about to follow.

Jessie froze, startled by what Kalix had just said.

Kalix, Jessie, and Rose walked together, heading home. The silence between them was thick, but Kalix casually reached for Rose's hand, intertwining his fingers with hers as they walked.

Jessie narrowed her eyes. "Why the hell are you so close to him?" she snapped, stopping in her tracks. "I literally warned you about him, Rose!"

Rose sighed, pulling her hand away from Kalix. "It's nothing, okay? You're overreacting."

Jessie scoffed. "Overreacting? Oh, really? Then explain to me how you suddenly became besties with Kalix?"

Kalix smirked, stepping in before Rose could answer. "Oh, come on, Jessie. Are you jealous?" His voice was teasing, laced with amusement.

Jessie clenched her fists. "Jealous?!"

"Yeah, because you lost your best friend to me." Kalix tilted his head, eyes gleaming with mischief. "You should get used to it, though. You're always losing to me-whether it's grades, competitions, or sports. Always second place."

Jessie's breath hitched. A mix of anger, frustration, and pain flashed across her face before she slapped Kalix across the cheek.

The sound echoed in the air, leaving Rose in shock.

Jessie's hands trembled as she turned on her heels and stormed away, her shoulders stiff with emotion.

Kalix stood frozen for a second, his jaw tightening.

Rose shot him a glare. "Was that really necessary?" she muttered before running after Jessie.

Kalix exhaled, looking up at the sky with a frown.

For the first time, he actually felt bad.

---

A Silent Apology

The next day, Jessie walked into school, still visibly upset. She ignored both Kalix and Rose, brushing past them without a glance.

When she reached her locker, she froze.

Sitting on top was a bouquet of white lilies with a small note.

"For the girl who always fought to be first."

Jessie's breath hitched. Her fingers traced the petals gently as memories of childhood flooded her mind.

Lilies.

He still remembered?

Even though Kalix had been her rival-her enemy for so long-he still remembered her favorite flowers?

Rose, who had been watching from a distance, felt something twist in her chest.

She had never seen Jessie look so speechless.

Kalix, standing off to the side, ran a hand through his hair before shoving his hands into his pockets.

He wasn't good with words.

But maybe... this was enough.

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