Tera's voice cut through the night like a blade.
"Alex! There you are." She appeared at the end of the dock, arms crossed, smile razor-thin. "We're doing shots inside. You promised you'd judge the flip-cup tournament."
Alexander didn't move. His eyes stayed on Mira.
"In a minute," he said.
Tera's gaze flicked to Mira, cold and assessing. "Didn't realize you were busy."
Mira felt the tension crackle. She pushed off the railing. "I was just leaving."
"No," Alexander said quickly. "Stay."
Tera's laugh was sharp. "Wow. Desperate much?"
Mira's temper flared. "I'm not the one chasing someone who clearly isn't interested."
Tera stepped forward, heels clicking on the wood. "Careful, scholarship girl. You don't know who you're talking to."
Alexander moved between them instinctively. "Tera, back off."
But Tera wasn't done. She pulled out her phone, thumbs flying. "Fine. Enjoy your little dock moment. I'm sure the whole school will love hearing about it by morning."
She turned and stalked away.
Mira exhaled shakily. "Your girlfriend's intense."
"She's not my girlfriend," Alexander said firmly. Then quieter, "And you don't deserve that crap."
Before Mira could respond, a shout echoed from the house.
"Cops!"
The party exploded into chaos.
Red and blue lights flashed through the trees. Someone had called in a noise complaint—probably a neighbor, or worse, someone inside looking to stir drama.
Kids poured out the back doors, scattering into the woods or jumping into cars.
Alexander grabbed Mira's hand. "Come on!"
They ran.
Adrenaline surged as they sprinted across the lawn, dodging fleeing partiers. A flashlight beam swept the dock just as they dove into the tree line.
Alexander knew the property—led her through a hidden path to an old boathouse half a mile down the shore.
They burst inside, slamming the door behind them.
Panting, soaked from the mist rolling off the lake, they leaned against the wall.
Mira laughed first—breathless, incredulous.
Alexander joined her, the sound low and genuine.
"That was insane," she gasped.
He grinned in the dim moonlight filtering through cracked windows. "Welcome to Elite Crest parties."
Their laughter faded. The space between them shrank.
His hand was still holding hers.
Mira's pulse thundered—not just from the run.
Alexander's eyes dropped to her lips.
For a second, she thought he might kiss her.
Then headlights swept the boathouse.
A police cruiser idled on the service road outside.
They froze.
Alexander pulled her down behind a stack of old kayaks.
The flashlight beam cut through the windows, inches from their hiding spot.
Mira's heart slammed against her ribs.
Alexander's arm wrapped around her waist, steadying her. Protective.
The light passed.
The cruiser moved on.
They stayed crouched for a long minute, breathing hard.
When it was clear, Alexander whispered, "We should wait a bit. Make sure they're gone."
Mira nodded.
In the silence, the air shifted.
She became hyper-aware of his arm around her. The warmth of his body. The way his thumb unconsciously brushed her side.
She looked up.
He was already watching her.
"I don't think you're arrogant," he said quietly.
Mira swallowed. "I don't think you're shallow."
The corner of his mouth lifted.
Then his phone buzzed.
He checked it—and his face darkened.
Text from Tera: Everyone's talking about how you ran off with the new girl. Cute. But careful—some interesting info just came my way about why she really transferred here. Want me to share?
Alexander's grip tightened on the phone.
Mira saw the screen. "What does she mean?"
"I don't know," he said, voice hard. "But I'm going to find out."
He stood, offering his hand. "Come on. I'll get you back to campus safely."
Mira took it.
As they slipped out into the night, heading for his car hidden on a back road, she realized two things:
One—she was in deeper than she wanted to admit.
Two—someone was digging into her past.
And whatever they found could destroy everything she'd worked for.
End of Chapter 3