Chapter 24: The Siren and the Stalker

At Covington High, the social ecosystem was shifting. Ethan Matthews moved through the halls with a predatory grace that he masked as athletic confidence. He was a new flavor of mystery, and for Ashley Bailey, he was an obsession.

Ashley stood by the row of blue lockers, her heart doing a frantic tap-dance in her chest. She watched Ethan through the gaps in the crowd. He was leaning against his locker, his raven-black hair falling over his eyes in a way that looked effortlessly curated. His jawline was a serrated edge, and the way he wore a simple black t-shirt made the local boys look like they were playing dress-up.

You can do this, Ashley told herself, smoothing her hair. You’re the life of the party. You’re the girl who never stops talking. Just don't let him see your hands shaking.

She took a breath and marched forward, her heels clicking on the linoleum. "Hi! I’m Ashley Bailey."

Ethan slowly shut his locker, the metal clanging with a finality that made her jump. He turned to her, his dark brown eyes—so much like a deep, murky forest—locking onto hers. "Hi," he murmured. "Ethan Matthews."

"I heard," Ashley said, blushing furiously. Up close, he was even more devastating. He looked like he’d stepped off a runway in Milan, or perhaps out of a dream. I want him, she thought shamelessly. I don't care what Katherine says about him being 'off.' He’s perfect.

"You're Katherine's best friend, right?" Ethan asked, his voice a low, melodic vibration.

Ashley tilted her head, a flicker of surprise crossing her face. "Yeah. How did you know that? We haven't exactly been introduced."

"I heard rumors," Ethan lied smoothly. He couldn't tell her that he had spent the last three nights perched in the oak tree outside Katherine’s window, watching the two girls talk until the early hours of the morning. "Katherine mentioned you when we met at the pizza place. Said you were the brains of the operation."

Ashley beamed, her chest swelling with pride. "Well, those rumors are one hundred percent accurate. I’m the navigator, she’s the pilot."

"It’s very nice to meet you, Ashley."

"You too," she replied, her voice dropping to a nervous whisper. "You can call me Ash. Everyone does. Unless you don't want to. I mean, whatever works for you."

Ethan leaned in closer, his scent—something like cold iron and old cedar—enveloping her. "I think 'Ashley' suits you best," he whispered flirtatiously. "It’s a classic name. Don't you think?"

Ashley felt her knees go weak. For a second, she forgot how to form words. She was a girl who always had a comeback, but Ethan Matthews was a vacuum that sucked the wit right out of her. "I—I—" she stammered, then gathered her courage. "I was thinking... I should show you around. You know, a tour? This place is a maze if you don't know the shortcuts."

"A tour?" Ethan raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on his lips. "From the most popular girl in school? I’d be honored."

"Great! Let’s start with my favorite class. It’s just down this way."

"Lead the way... Ashley," Ethan said, his grin widening as he followed her. He watched the way her blonde ponytail swung, his mind far away from school tours. Ashley was his ticket. She was the shield he would use to get closer to the heart of Noah’s new life.