What Was I Thinking ?

Selena’s POV

When I woke up that morning, it was the first time in days I didn’t feel like running.

For a few blissful seconds, I just lay there under the covers, staring at the faint light spilling across my ceiling, and thought about the way all Dominic's kisses had felt.

God.

My cheeks went hot just thinking about it.

How his hands had held my face so gently, but his lips had been anything but gentle. How he’d leaned in close and said my name like it mattered.

I pressed the back of my hand to my mouth, half to hide my smile even though no one was there to see me.

I couldn’t believe it.

Dominic.

Kissing me. Why did I suddenly have those thoughts?

And then walking me all the way home after, like I wasn’t just some stupid girl who got in his way.

For once… I didn’t hate mornings.

I even took a little extra time brushing my hair, choosing my nicest hoodie, putting on lip balm just in case.

I wasn’t sure what we were, but I couldn’t stop thinking about how he’d looked at me last night — like I was the only person in the world.

By the time I got to school, though, my stomach was full of nerves.

I spotted Sara waiting by the gates, waving at me.

“You’re glowing,” she teased the second I walked up.

I rolled my eyes. “I’m not.”

“You totally are. Don’t even deny it.”

I didn’t argue. I just ducked my head and smiled into my shoulder as we walked in together.

But then I saw him.

Leaning against his locker at the end of the hall, that familiar grey hoodie half unzipped. His teammates crowded around him, but it didn’t matter — my eyes went straight to him.

My chest tightened.

He looked up.

Our eyes met.

And for a second, I felt my breath catch.

But then…

Cherry.

Standing right next to him, leaning against the locker beside his, giggling about something and tugging playfully on his sleeve.

Her long blonde hair swished over her shoulder as she leaned even closer.

My smile faltered.

He didn’t even step back.

He didn’t look uncomfortable.

I swallowed hard, dragging my gaze away before he noticed the way my shoulders slumped.

The day dragged after that.

Every time I passed him in the hallway, Cherry was there. Laughing, smiling, touching his arm like she owned him.

And every time, I told myself it didn’t matter.

It didn’t mean anything.

But every time, it hurt a little more.

By the time last period ended, I’d convinced myself I was just being stupid.

Sara asked me to grab her water bottle from the boys’ locker room while she grabbed us seats in the bleachers.

Fine. Whatever.

Anything to clear my head.

I pushed open the door to the locker room, not even thinking.

And froze.

Cherry.

Sitting on his lap.

Her legs draped across his, her arms wrapped around his neck, her lips dangerously close to his ear.

He didn’t even flinch.

He just sat there.

Like nothing was wrong.

I stood there too long. Long enough for him to finally notice me.

His eyes shot up.

Grey met brown.

And still… nothing.

He didn’t shove her off.

Didn’t say anything.

The hollow feeling in my chest was worse than any nightmare I’d ever had.

I turned and bolted.

I barely made it three steps down the hall before his hand wrapped around my wrist.

“Lena—wait,” he said, his voice low, rushed.

I yanked my arm, but he held fast.

“Let me go,” I said, my voice cracking.

“No. You don’t understand—”

“I don’t understand?!” I spun on him, my chest heaving. “I saw you, Dominic! I saw you just sitting there while she—”

“She came onto me,” he cut in, sharp. “It wasn’t—”

“You didn’t stop her!” I snapped, stepping closer, my hands balled into fists. “You just sat there and let her crawl all over you like—like nothing even happened between us!”

His jaw tightened.

“Lena—”

“No! Don’t! Don’t you dare say my name like that,” I hissed.

He looked almost… hurt.

And that made me angrier.

“Why would you even kiss me if you were just gonna—”

“That’s not what—”

“You’re nothing but a flirt,” I spat before I could stop myself. “A lying, selfish flirt who’ll string anyone along just to feel good about himself.”

His whole face changed.

Like I’d just slapped him.

“You’re being bitchy,” he said, his tone like ice. “You know that? Acting like I owe you something when we’re not even—”

He cut himself off, but it didn’t matter.

The damage was done.

My breath hitched.

I ripped my arm free and shoved past him, ignoring the way his lips parted like he wanted to take it back.

I didn’t even remember getting home.

I couldn’t sit still.

Couldn’t eat.

Couldn’t stop hearing his voice in my head.

We’re not even… you’re being bitchy.

God.

Why did it hurt so much?

I grabbed my jacket and stormed out into the night without even thinking.

The air was sharp and cold, but it felt better than sitting still.

I walked fast, my arms crossed over my chest, my breath fogging the air in front of me.

I told myself I didn’t care.

Didn’t care about him.

Didn’t care about his stupid grey eyes or his stupid perfect mouth or the way he’d made me feel for just one second like I mattered.

I shoved my hands deep into my pockets and walked faster.

But then…

That feeling.

That prickle on the back of my neck.

I slowed, glancing over my shoulder.

Someone was there.

A tall figure, standing under the broken streetlight, just watching me.

My heart started to pound.

I turned back around and kept walking.

Faster.

But the footsteps followed.

Closer.

I broke into a run.

The footsteps pounded behind me.

I gasped, my breath coming in sharp bursts as my sneakers slapped the pavement.

I opened my mouth to scream—

But a hand clamped over my mouth and yanked me back into the shadows.

I tried to kick, to claw at him, but he was too strong.

“Stop struggling,” a rough voice muttered against my ear.

I shook my head, panic rising in my chest.

But then everything went black.