TS

Everyone in school knows the unspoken rule: stay out of the blast radius when Alyssa and Jack are in the same room. Jack is the cocky, golden-boy soccer player who skates, reads, and hides behind an arrogant, flirtatious smirk. Alyssa is the tatted, nonchalant skater girl who doesn't care about anyone's feelings, handles jealous girls with her fists, and shuts down guys with a sharp "fuck off." They have the exact same aesthetic— headphones always on, smoking in dark rooms, masking their fractured, toxic home lives from the world—but their massive egos clash so violently that they became sworn enemies instead of soulmates.Then came the party. And then came the bottle.When the spinning glass pointed directly between them, neither wanted to back down. It was supposed to be a joke. But after one sharp, teasing comment from Jack, Alyssa’s pride flared. She leaned in just to shut him up.It was supposed to be a mechanical, spiteful press of lips. Instead, it was an absolute earthquake.The kiss was electric, devastating, and easily the best either of them had ever experienced. When they finally ripped themselves apart, the room went completely silent in their heads. Wide eyes. Heaving chests. Pure, unadulterated shock. For two people who pride themselves on being completely unbothered, the sudden rush of overwhelming, genuine feelings paralyzed them. Unable to process the terrifying vulnerability, Alyssa bolted out of the party, leaving Jack frozen in the middle of the circle.Now, Monday morning is here. The tension is suffocating. Their best friends, Stacy and Paul, are caught in the middle. The entire school is waiting to see who snaps first. Neither Alyssa nor Jack will admit that their armor has cracked, but one thing is certain: the rivalry is dead, the game has changed, and neither of them knows how to survive the aftermath.