Chapter 2: Queen Bee, Bitter Stings

His protest is half-serious, half-joking, but everyone laughs. Madison just shrugs, a mischievous glint in her eye.

After chugging another glass, Caleb turns to Carter with mock tears, “Dude, help me out here, I’m about to drink myself under the table.”

He leans on Carter’s shoulder, playing up his misery for laughs. Carter barely glances at him, unimpressed.

Carter doesn’t even look up from his phone, his tone flat. “Not interested. Don’t wanna play.”

He sounds bored, but there’s a hint of a smile on his lips. It’s clear he enjoys watching Caleb squirm.

Caleb turns to me. “Then Lily, help me out, will you?”

His eyes are pleading, but there’s a playful edge. He knows I’m out of my depth, but he’s trying to pull me in.

Caught off guard, I choke on my juice and quickly wave my hand.

My cheeks flush, and I shake my head, hoping he’ll let me off the hook. The whole table is watching, waiting for my answer.

“I—I don’t know how. I probably can’t help you.”

I stammer, feeling the pressure mount. I’m not used to being the center of attention, and my nerves are getting the best of me.

“It’s cool, I’ll teach you!”

Caleb’s grin is infectious, but I’m still hesitant. I don’t want to embarrass myself in front of everyone.

I look worried. “But…”

I trail off, unsure how to say no without sounding rude. My hands fidget with the edge of my glass.

Caleb puts on his most pitiful face. “C’mon, Lily, help a guy out.”

He pouts, making everyone laugh. It’s hard to resist his charm, but I’m still not convinced.

In my mind, I hear what Dad’s said a hundred times: “Lily, we just moved back to Maple Heights. I don’t have connections here. When you go out with Carter, don’t just stay quiet. Try to get along with them—it’ll be good for you.”

His words echo in my head, a reminder of how important this is. I know he means well, but it’s not that easy for me.

But I’m awkward and shy. I’m not the kind of person who can just blend in with them.

It’s always been hard for me to jump into conversations, to laugh at the right moments. I envy how easily everyone else seems to fit in.

I know my parents mean well. The kids Carter hangs with are all from top families in Maple Heights.

They’ve grown up together, gone to the same summer camps, spent holidays at each other’s houses. I’m the outsider, trying to find my place.

With Carter leading the way, I can get to know them faster.

He’s my ticket into this world, whether I like it or not. If he vouches for me, maybe the others will accept me, too.

But now, everyone’s eyes are on me. I can feel my face heating up.

I wish I could disappear. My palms are sweaty, and I can barely meet anyone’s gaze.

Carter glances at Caleb, clicks his tongue, and grabs my wrist. “Let’s go.” I barely have time to react.

His grip is firm but gentle, pulling me out of the spotlight. I’m grateful, even if I don’t show it.

The others haven’t even processed it. “Carter, leaving so early?”

Their voices are a mix of surprise and disappointment. No one expected Carter to bail before midnight.

Madison’s eyes darken a bit. “Carter, aren’t you racing later? Skipping out isn’t like you.”

She leans forward, trying to catch his eye. There’s a challenge in her voice, like she’s daring him to stay.

Carter doesn’t stop. “Yeah, I’m tired.”

He doesn’t look back, just keeps walking. His tone leaves no room for argument.

Everyone watches as Carter and I leave, and the room suddenly feels awkward.

There’s a hush, like everyone’s waiting for someone to break the silence. I can feel the weight of their stares as we walk out the door.

Anyone can tell—Carter’s acting weird tonight, and he seems in a bad mood.

It’s not like him to leave a party early, especially not with me. I wonder if I did something wrong.

“No way, is Carter into the goody-two-shoes?”

Someone whispers, their voice dripping with disbelief. The words sting, even though I try not to let them.

Someone scoffs. “No chance. That girl’s so dull—how could Carter stand her?”

The laughter that follows is sharp, mean. I bite my lip, trying not to let it get to me.

Another pipes up. “Yeah, let’s bet—how long before Carter gets bored of Lily? I say a week, ten grand!”

The stakes are high, but it’s all just a game to them. I’m the punchline to their jokes.

“A month. I’ll put down twenty. But Lily really does look pure. If it were me, I’d wanna have some fun with her too…”

His words trail off, and the mood shifts. There’s a line, and he’s just crossed it.

Before he can finish, the table gets kicked over, sending drinks flying.

The crash is sudden, shocking everyone into silence. Glass shatters, and someone yelps as liquid splashes across the floor.

Caleb, who was just joking, now has a deadly serious face.

His expression is hard, jaw clenched. The easygoing guy from before is gone, replaced by someone you don’t want to mess with.

He lights a cigarette, letting it hang loosely from his lips. “Carter’s mom and Lily’s mom are best friends. Their families are tighter than any of you clinging to the Hayes.”

The smoke curls around his head, giving him a dangerous edge. He’s not just defending me—he’s laying down the law.

Caleb grabs the guy by the collar and flicks his ash. “Who do you think you are? You think you can mess with Lily? Next time, watch your mouth.”

His voice is cold, and the threat is clear. The room is silent, everyone watching to see what happens next.

The guy shivers. “Y-yeah, got it, man.”

He backs down immediately, hands raised in surrender. No one dares say another word.

In the car, I quietly watch Carter’s expression.

The streetlights cast shadows across his face, making him look older, more serious. I wonder what he’s thinking, but I’m too afraid to ask.

My family’s only been in Maple Heights for a month. I’m not familiar with the rich kids’ circle, but I know how famous Carter is here.

Everywhere we go, people recognize him. It’s like he owns the place, and I’m just along for the ride.

Now he’s forced to take me everywhere, even left early tonight to look after me.

I can’t help but feel guilty. He didn’t have to do that, but he did. Maybe he’s just being polite, or maybe he really cares.

He must be annoyed, too.

I fidget with the hem of my sleeve, afraid to meet his eyes. The silence in the car is heavy.

I start picking at my palm. “Sorry.”

My voice is barely above a whisper, but he hears me. I keep my eyes fixed on my hands, waiting for his response.

Carter pauses and looks at me with those dark eyes. “Why are you apologizing?”

His tone is softer than I expect, almost gentle. It throws me off, and I hesitate before answering.

“I feel like I’m bothering you.”

The words slip out before I can stop them. I brace myself for a sarcastic reply, but it doesn’t come.

He raises an eyebrow, then suddenly leans over and fastens my seatbelt for me.

His movements are smooth, practiced. I catch a whiff of his cologne—clean, with a hint of something spicy. My heart skips a beat.

I catch a whiff of his cologne and clench my hand. “I—I can do it myself!”

I try to sound confident, but my voice wavers. Carter just smirks, not moving away.

Carter doesn’t move away; instead, he leans in even closer.

His face is just inches from mine, and I can feel his breath on my cheek. My pulse quickens, and I swallow hard.

Without realizing it, I start to tremble just a bit.

It’s not fear, exactly—more like anticipation. I don’t know what he’s going to do next.

Carter’s eyes are beautiful—gentle, but with a cold edge from his bad-boy vibe.

There’s a softness there, hidden beneath the surface. For a moment, I forget to be afraid.

“You scared of me?”

His voice is low, almost a whisper. The question hangs between us, heavy with meaning.

His big hand slides under my shirt, brushing my waist.

The touch is electric, sending shivers up my spine. I tense, unsure how to react.

A tingling runs up the back of my neck.

My breath catches, and I grip the edge of my seat, trying to steady myself.

“Carter, what are you doing?”

My voice is shaky, but I try to sound firm. I don’t want to give him the satisfaction of seeing me flustered.

He doesn’t stop, his tone lazy. “If you’re so scared, why do you keep following me?”

He says it like it’s the most obvious thing in the world, but I can’t find the words to answer.

I bite my lip. “If I’m with you… I won’t get picked on.”

It’s the truth, even if it makes me sound weak. I’d rather be safe than sorry.

Mom and Dad would feel better, too, but who would’ve thought…

I trail off, embarrassed. I don’t want him to think I’m using him, even if it’s partly true.

Carter freezes for a second, then smirks, voice low.

His expression softens, just a little. I wonder if he understands what I’m trying to say.

“Fair enough.”

He leans back, giving me space. For a moment, the tension eases.

I breathe a sigh of relief, thinking he’ll let me go, but instead, the hand on my waist just moves lower.

My heart jumps into my throat. I don’t know whether to push him away or just freeze.

My eyes fly open and my cheeks burn.

I can feel the heat creeping up my neck, and I look away, hoping he doesn’t notice.

I push Carter away with both hands, my voice suddenly louder. “What are you doing? I don’t like this!”

My hands shake, but I manage to put some distance between us. I’m surprised by my own boldness.

He leans back, not angry at all, propping his head on his hand as he looks at me.

There’s a hint of amusement in his eyes, like he’s testing me. He doesn’t seem offended, just curious.

My voice drops, but I’m still prickly, refusing to give in. “I said I don’t like this.”

I cross my arms, trying to look tougher than I feel. Carter just raises an eyebrow, clearly entertained.

He raises an eyebrow. “So you do know how to say no.”

His words are teasing, but there’s a hint of approval in his tone. It’s like he’s proud of me for standing up for myself.

“Huh?”

I blink, confused. I didn’t expect that response.

“Lily, if you don’t like something, say so. Got it?”

His gaze is steady, serious. For once, he’s not joking around.

I’m confused, but I nod. “Okay.”

It feels like a lesson. I tuck it away, promising myself I’ll remember it next time.