Finally, the bell rang, signalling the end of class. I could practically feel the relief flood over me as I packed up my things, eager to leave this place behind until tomorrow. All I wanted was to get home, make myself a coffee, and curl up on the couch with my cat, Marley, while I indulged in The Vampire Diaries.

But then it hit me—I still had to meet West, Callum, and Jace. Guess Damon Salvatore would have to wait a little longer.

My thoughts were interrupted when Caleb's voice sliced through the air.

"Hey, you wanna grab some ice cream or something?"

I turned my head to meet his gaze, giving him a quick once-over before replying.

"Sorry, I can't. I actually have to meet your brother and his two friends outside the college."

Caleb stared at me for a moment, his eyes wide in surprise, before he shrugged with a grin. "Alright then. Well, if you're meeting up with them, I might just end up seeing you at my house later. See you, beautiful."

He shot me a wink that was far from subtle before turning and walking off in the opposite direction.

As I watched him go, I couldn't help but giggle to myself, my mind racing with all the possible reasons why West, Callum, and Jace might want to talk to me. What was it about today that had them all so eager to pull me aside?

I didn't even realize what was happening until I was suddenly yanked away from the crowd and shoved into an empty hallway. Before I could react, I was slammed against the cold, unforgiving wall, my wrists pinned above my head by a force I couldn't break free from.

"What the fuck?!" I yelped, panic rising in my chest.

"Quiet, princess," a voice growled, his breath hot against my ear. "We don't want anyone hearing us."

The moment I was shoved into the hallway, I knew exactly who it was. The one who'd given me that damn nickname two years ago, and still insisted on calling me it, even now.

His lips pressed against my neck, kissing and nibbling slowly as his breath tickled my skin. "God, I've missed you, Hope," he whispered, his voice low and husky. "Your skin, your lips... and most of all, your body." His words were almost a growl, sending a wave of discomfort and confusion through me as his grip tightened.

His hands slowly trailed up my thighs towards my waist. He lifted my top slightly, his fingers brushing over my skin in a way that made me uncomfortable. As he kissed my neck, I realized exactly what was happening. My body tensed, and a surge of anger filled me.

I tried to push him away, but he had a firm hold on my waist, pressing his body closer to mine. I could feel my pulse racing, the situation making my skin crawl.

"Stop struggling princess, be both know you like it" he purred into my ear and then kissed me.

Here's a cleaner, action-packed version:

That was the breaking point. I didn't hesitate. I bit down hard on his lip, causing him to lose his grip on me. Seizing the opportunity, I raised my leg and kicked him with everything I had, landing the blow where no guy ever wanted to feel pain.

Mason finally released me, collapsing to the floor with a soft, pained whimper. I quickly pulled my top down and knelt in front of him, meeting his eyes to make sure he understood the weight of my words.

"Don't ever think about doing that again," I said, my voice cold and unwavering. "I won't warn you a second time."

He looked up at me with watery eyes, still clutching himself in pain.

"What the hell, Hope? I love you. Why can't you just give me another chance?"

I shook my head, my voice cold and firm. "You don't deserve it. After everything you did... You promised my brother, before he died, that you'd never hurt me. And you broke that promise."

Standing tall, I looked down at the boy I once loved with my whole heart, the boy I would have done anything for. But now, all I felt was anger and betrayal.

"You were his best friend, Mason... but you let him down. You broke your promise to him, and to me. I will never, ever want you again," I said, my voice trembling with a mix of anger and sorrow.

I wiped the tears from my cheeks, but they kept coming. The weight of everything was crushing me, and I needed to get away. Without another word, I turned and ran out of the room, but in my haste, I wasn't looking where I was going. I slammed into a hard chest, my breath catching in my throat.

"Well, well, freckles... I finally found you. Guess I can call off the search party," Callum said, his voice light with amusement.

He chuckled to himself, his gaze drifting around the empty hallway. The buzz of the day had faded, and now, with college over, the halls were eerily quiet. The lights were dim, casting long shadows, and all that could be heard was the sound of our shallow breaths in the stillness.

I looked up to find Callum staring down at me with an expression of genuine concern. I couldn't help but smile at the thought of needing a new neck just to keep up with their tall frames compared to my petite stature.

"Your eyes are beautiful," he said, his voice soft and sincere. I blinked, taken aback, unsure of how to respond. I realized I still had my hands resting against his chest, while his arms were wrapped snugly around my back.

His leather jacket was cool against my tanned skin, adding an unexpected contrast to the warmth radiating between us. Taking a moment, I examined his face properly — the rugged angles, the faint stubble along his jawline, the mischievous glint in his dark eyes. It was disarmingly handsome, and I felt my cheeks grow warm.

His dark chocolate brown eyes locked onto mine, intense and unwavering. For a moment, I noticed the subtle dimple that appeared on his cheek when he gave me that small, playful smirk. My heart skipped a beat. Then, I saw his gaze flicker down to my lips before returning to my eyes, and I couldn't help but wonder if he'd noticed the sudden heat rising in my face.

He moved closer, and without even thinking, I mirrored his movements. It was as if the distance between us had evaporated.

But before anything could happen, a loud cough broke through the tension, coming from behind me. I quickly pulled away from Callum and spun around, heart pounding in my chest.

"Well, well, well... looks like we're getting cozy," Mason's voice dripped with sarcasm as he stuffed his hands into the front pockets of his jeans.

I froze as he slowly stalked towards us, every step deliberate and unsettling. I'd never seen him look like this before — his face twisted into something dark, almost... malicious.

My breath caught in my throat, and for a moment, I couldn't move. The usual cocky arrogance was gone, replaced by something far more dangerous. I had never seen him like this, and it left a cold knot of fear twisting in my stomach.

Even when Mason was dealing with the people he used to make drug deals with, or when he was setting up meetings with his rivals, I had never seen that kind of cold, dangerous look on his face. It was like he'd become a stranger, someone I didn't recognize.

Without thinking, a large figure stepped in front of me, effectively shielding me from Mason's piercing gaze. I let out a breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding, my chest loosening slightly in relief.

It wasn't hard for them to block me, though — all these guys were over 6 feet tall, and here I was, a small, curvy frame barely scraping 5'3". I always felt like a little shadow beside them.

Callum's voice was colder than I'd ever heard it, a low growl that sent a chill down my spine.

"Don't even think about it, Chambers. I'm warning you."

I instinctively gripped the collar of Callum's jacket, my fingers trembling as I scanned the hallway, looking for any sign that someone might walk in. The tension in the air was thick, and I knew one wrong move would make this situation spiral out of control.

Mason's laugh echoed, dark and mocking, sending a rush of anger and unease through me. My heart pounded as I couldn't stop myself from peeking around Callum, just enough to see what Mason was doing. The smirk on his face only made the situation feel even more dangerous, and my stomach churned with a mix of fear and frustration.

Mason's voice dropped into a dangerous growl, his eyes narrowing with fury.

"Don't even think about telling me what to do, or better yet, don't touch things that don't belong to you, Reed."

The moment he spoke, I felt Callum's body tense beside me, a quiet tremor running through him. His breathing became shallow, his muscles tight with barely contained anger.

I didn't hesitate. I intertwined our fingers and stepped forward, positioning myself slightly ahead of Callum and placing myself between him and Mason. My heart was pounding, but my voice remained steady.

"Quit it, Mason. I don't belong to you, and I never will again."

I felt Callum's hand gently squeeze mine, a quiet gesture that gave me a surge of strength. His touch, so simple yet so reassuring, helped me find the courage to stand my ground.

"Unless you want me to make sure you can never use your dick again, I suggest you walk away and leave us both alone," I said, my voice firm and laced with an edge I didn't even know I had.

I could feel Callum's presence behind me, and when I turned my head slightly, I saw a smirk tug at the corner of his lips. His tone was sharp and unwavering as he spoke.

"You heard her," Callum snapped. "I'd get moving if I were you before West and Jace show up."

I couldn't help but feel a surge of confidence. Callum's protective stance made me feel invincible, and I knew Mason could feel it too. I definitely wouldn't want to be on the receiving end of that cold tone.

Mason's lips curled into a sneer, but the growl that rumbled from his chest made my skin crawl.

"This isn't over, Hope," he spat, his voice low and dangerous. "You will be mine again, even if it's the last thing I do."

Mason's eyes linger on me for a moment, the tension thick in the air, before he finally turns and walks down the dark corridor. His footsteps echo until they fade, leaving me with a silence that feels louder than anything.

I turn the other way, only to realize that Callum is much closer to me now, his presence a steady comfort in the aftermath of the confrontation.

"You alright, freckles?" His voice is softer now, concern lacing his words.

I blink, taken aback. "Freckles?" I raise an eyebrow, my confusion evident. No one had ever called me that before. I was used to hearing "princess"—but that was a nickname I could do without. Freckles, though... It was new, unexpected.

I frowned slightly, still trying to process it. "No one's ever called me that before," I mutter, feeling a strange warmth creep up my neck, even as I try to ignore it.

"Yeah, you've got these cute little freckles running across your nose and cheeks. I think they suit you." Callum's voice was softer now like he was genuinely complimenting me, and the warmth in his words made me feel unexpectedly self-conscious.

I quickly ducked my head, the heat rising in my cheeks as his words sank in. I wasn't used to compliments like that—especially from someone like him.

But before I could retreat into myself completely, I felt two fingers gently slide under my chin, lifting my face back up.

"Don't look away," Callum said quietly, his tone serious. "Like I said before, your eyes are beautiful."

I felt my breath hitch as I met his gaze, and I noticed his eyes flicker down to my lips for a moment, holding the look a little longer this time. The air between us thickened, my heart racing as I tried to figure out what to say—or if I should say anything at all.

"Your whole face is beautiful, Hope," Callum whispered, his voice low and sincere. The words seemed to hang in the air between us, making my heart beat faster. I wasn't sure how to respond. No one had ever looked at me the way he was looking at me now, like he was truly seeing me for the first time.

Before I could even find the words, we were interrupted.

"Finally, you found her." West's voice broke through the moment, his tone brisk as he hurried toward us. "We can finally get going and discuss what we had planned."

Without giving us a chance to respond, West reached out, gently but firmly pushing us both toward the exit of the college. His urgency snapped me back to reality, the heat in my cheeks still lingering as I followed his lead.

Why did I feel this strange sense of disappointment that West and Jace had ruined the moment between us? Was I upset that it didn't go the way I'd imagined? I couldn't help but wonder what might have happened if they hadn't interrupted us.

Had Callum been about to kiss me? He'd called me beautiful, given me a nickname—freckles, of all things. My heart skipped at the thought, but then reality kicked in. Come on, Hope. You don't even know them that well. You've only just started spending time with them. Don't get carried away.

I forced myself to shake it off, but the warmth in my chest didn't quite disappear. I didn't even know what I was hoping for. It was too soon, too complicated... yet, why did it feel so right?

I stomped my foot, planting myself firmly to stop myself from being pushed again.

"Will you stop manhandling me? I can move my own legs, thank you very much!" I crossed my arms tightly over my chest, standing my ground. I was done being rushed around. It wasn't like I needed them to drag me everywhere.

I waited, watching as all three of them halted and turned to face me, probably surprised by my sudden defiance. I hated being told what to do, especially when it felt like I was being rushed without any say in the matter.

"Just move your ass, Hope," West snapped, stepping forward with that usual intensity in his voice. "I don't have all day."

I crossed my arms and shot him a glare. "I'm capable of moving my own legs, thanks."

Callum, ever the charmer, softened the tension with that trademark grin of his. "Come on, freckles, just come with us. I'll buy you a coffee." The playful use of my nickname made my heart do a little flip, and I couldn't help the warmth that spread through me. Both West and Jace glanced at us with raised eyebrows before heading toward the sleek black car parked nearby.

I ran a hand through my messy brown hair, trying to calm the rush of thoughts in my head. Then I caught up to Callum, my voice teasing but playful. "I'm holding you to that coffee, Reed. Don't think I'll forget."

He gave me that irresistible grin, shaking his head with amusement. "I wouldn't dream of it, freckles."