Chapter 8: A Deal with the Devil

The next day during break, Natalie came to our class, still dressed in a white shirt and ultra-short skirt. The hallway went silent as she strutted in, the football guys elbowing each other, someone dropping a pencil in shock.

As soon as she appeared, she attracted countless lecherous stares. Some of the younger boys nudged each other, whispering behind their hands.

But unlike before, she held her head high, as if she enjoyed the attention. Her walk was defiant, chin up, like she was daring anyone to say something.

Natalie walked straight up to me. Seeing me working on an English reading, she leaned over from behind. Her hair brushed my cheek, the scent of her shampoo suddenly overwhelming.

She got very close and praised me, “Hmm, you’ve improved a lot.” Her voice was soft, almost tender—a strange contrast to her bold appearance.

Her soft touch was on my shoulder, but I was no longer the naive boy I once was. I felt the weight of history between us, every mistake and memory pressing down.

My deskmate happened to be away, so I immediately got up and sat in his seat, putting distance between us. The scraping of my chair echoed, and a few classmates looked up, surprised.

Natalie parted her lips slightly, looking a bit disappointed. Her bravado faltered for just a second.

“I only took that photo to make him jealous, Caleb. Don’t be mad.”

She held my wrist, pouting and blinking her eyes, acting pitiful. Her grip was gentle, but her words felt rehearsed.

She seemed sure I wouldn’t blame her. Maybe she thought I was still the boy who’d do anything for her.

“I’ll explain to him. He won’t bother you again.”

I pulled my hand back and nodded. My face was calm, but inside, I was exhausted.

Only then did she smile, teasing, “Then you can’t tell my mom about me and Derek.”

As she spoke, she leaned in, her breath warm in my ear.

“As long as you listen to me, you can ask me to do anything.” The words hung in the air between us, heavy with old promises and new regrets. The bell rang, and the hallway snapped back to life, but for a moment, it felt like we were the only two people left in the world. And I couldn’t decide if that was a blessing—or a curse.