IX

Danielle pushed open the front door, kicking it shut behind her as she strolled into the house, a to-go bag in one hand and a lukewarm coffee in the other. The house was quiet except for the faint sound of the TV still playing in the living room.

She made her way toward the kitchen, dropping the bag onto the counter before lifting the coffee cup with an amused smirk. "Brought you your coffee, just how you like it."

From the other side of the kitchen, her aunt Izzy turned from where she was leaning against the fridge, arms crossed. She arched an unimpressed brow. "Took you long enough. What, did you go to Paris to get the croissants?"

Danielle smirked, pulling one out of the bag and tossing it onto a plate. "No, but I did have to babysit a couple of lost puppies on the way home."

Izzy grabbed the coffee, taking a sip despite the fact that it was room temperature at best. "Puppies?"

Danielle leaned against the counter, popping a piece of croissant into her mouth as she debated how much to say. Finally, she shrugged. "Freshman. Long story."

Izzy hummed, watching her niece closely. "Huh. You don't usually get involved in... school spirit."

Danielle rolled her eyes. "Yeah, well. It was a moment of weakness. Won't happen again."

Izzy didn't look convinced, but she just smirked. "Sure. And I drink hot coffee."

Danielle ignored her, grabbing another croissant before turning toward the stairs. "I'm showering, then passing out. Don't wake me unless the house is on fire."

Izzy waved her off, still smirking as she sipped her coffee. "No promises, Chiron."

Danielle froze mid-step, turning back with narrowed eyes. "What did you just say?"

Izzy's smirk widened. "Nothing. Have a good night, kid."

Danielle huffed, shaking her head as she stomped up the stairs.

She is never meeting Maya Hart. Ever.

Little did Danielle know that her aunt was in contact with another persons mother.

Danielle pushed open the door to her bedroom and let out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. She tossed her bag onto the chair near her desk and set the remaining croissant on her nightstand before flopping down onto her bed.

The room was dimly lit, the glow from the city outside spilling in through the large windows. Her walls were decorated with a mix of posters—some from concerts she'd been to, others from sports teams she didn't even watch but liked the aesthetic of. A few trophies and medals from cheerleading were lined up on a shelf, a silent reminder of the persona she carried at school.

She lay there for a moment, staring at the ceiling, her mind racing despite how exhausted she felt. Her phone buzzed beside her, and she lazily reached for it, expecting a text from Lilianna or Brooklyn.

But when she saw the name on the screen, her stomach did this weird little flip.

Maya Hart 🐦

She frowned. They weren't even friends. Why was this girl already invading her space—even through a phone screen?

Maya's text was short.

Maya Hart 🐦

Hope your driving skills are better in competition than they are on the road. Almost died back there, Chiron.

Danielle scoffed, rolling onto her side as she typed back.

Chiron

You're alive, aren't you? Stop being dramatic, Hart.

A few seconds later, her phone buzzed again.

Maya Hart 🐦

No promises.

Danielle huffed a small laugh, shaking her head. She set her phone down, rubbing a hand over her face. She had spent years perfecting her reputation—untouchable, cocky, the girl who didn't let people in.

So why did this feel different?

She groaned, pushing herself off the bed and heading toward her bathroom. A shower. That's what she needed—to wash off the day, the lingering thoughts, and whatever the hell this was.

But even as she stepped under the hot water, letting it soothe her muscles, she knew one thing for sure.

Maya Hart was going to be a problem.

Danielle stepped out of the shower, wrapping a towel around herself as steam curled around the bathroom mirror. She wiped a hand across the glass, catching her own reflection—her damp hair falling loosely over her shoulders, her expression unreadable.

She scoffed at herself. Get a grip, Chiron.

Rolling her eyes, she walked back into her bedroom, grabbing a pair of soft shorts and an oversized hoodie from her dresser. She pulled the hoodie over her head, the fabric still carrying the faint scent of her expensive cologne. The familiar comfort of it settled her nerves.

Her phone buzzed again on the nightstand. She ignored it at first, but after a moment, curiosity got the best of her. She grabbed it, unlocking the screen to see yet another message from Maya.

Maya Hart 🐦

If I die in your car, tell Riley she can't have my stuff.

Danielle let out a breathy laugh, shaking her head as she sat down on the edge of her bed. Her fingers hovered over the keyboard before she typed back.

Chiron

Noted. I'll make sure to auction it off instead.

A typing bubble appeared almost immediately.

Maya Hart 🐦

And this is why I don't trust you.

Danielle smirked.

Chiron

You gave me your number. That's a dangerous amount of trust, Hart.

Maya didn't reply right away, and Danielle tossed her phone onto the bed, leaning back against the pillows. She told herself she wasn't waiting for a response, but when her phone buzzed again, she checked it almost immediately.

Maya Hart 🐦

Maybe I just like living on the edge.

Danielle stared at the message for a second longer than necessary before locking her phone and tossing it onto her nightstand.

She had spent the whole day avoiding Maya Hart.

So why did it feel like Maya was the only thing on her mind?