Chapter Six Crossing The Lines.

The walls of my room pressed in on me that night, suffocating, heavy with silence. I sat on the edge of my bed, staring at the floor until my vision blurred. My dad’s words echoed in my ears like a cruel verdict: “I don’t want you going back there.”

Just like that, all the work, all the sacrifices, all the nights I had stayed up studying until my eyes burned—it felt like it was slipping away because of one neighbor’s sharp tongue and my father’s anger. Preston High was supposed to be my chance, my way out. And now? It was gone.

I buried my face in my pillow, hot tears streaming freely. My chest ached, each sob threatening to break me apart. The thought of not returning to that school tomorrow—of letting Chloe, Adrian, and everyone else win—burned worse than anything.

The shrill buzz of my phone startled me. I wiped at my eyes, trying to compose myself before answering.

“Asher,” I whispered, voice thick.

“Ivy?” His voice was low, careful. “You okay?”

I hesitated, forcing a small laugh that sounded nothing like me. “Yeah… just tired. Long day.”

There was a pause, and then his tone shifted, more serious. “Don’t lie to me. I can hear it in your voice.”

The lump in my throat grew. I pressed my palm over my mouth, trying to hold it in, but the words tumbled out broken. “My dad—he doesn’t want me going back. He thinks… he thinks I’m already getting carried away with rich kids. He doesn’t understand.”

Silence hummed on the other end. I could almost picture his face, brows furrowed, jaw tight with frustration. Finally, he said softly, “You belong there, Ivy. Don’t let this be the end. Please… just hold on.”

I closed my eyes, clutching the phone like a lifeline. His voice soothed the ache, but it couldn’t erase the fear gnawing at me.

…

Morning light seeped into my room far too soon. My eyes were swollen, my body heavy, but I forced myself up. Today was supposed to be my second day at Preston, and yet here I was—pleading.

“Dad, please,” I begged at the kitchen table, hands clasped. “Don’t take this from me. I’ll stay away from boys, I’ll come straight home, I’ll do anything. Just… don’t make me quit Preston.”

My father’s expression was hard, unreadable, as he folded the morning newspaper. “I don’t want trouble, Ivy. That school is full of temptation. One day in, and already you’re being dropped off by boys in fancy cars.”

“It’s not like that!” I cried. My voice cracked, desperate. “He was just—he was just helping me. It was late, and—”

“I don’t care,” he cut in sharply. “You will not ruin yourself because of them.”

“Please,” my mother whispered, her voice trembling. “She’s our only hope, don’t you see? Ivy’s education… it’s the only way out. Don’t throw it away because of pride.”

The tension was thick enough to choke on. My dad’s face softened, but only slightly. Before he could respond, a firm knock rattled the front door.

My stomach dropped.

“Who could that be?” my mother muttered, wiping her hands on her apron as she went to check.

When the door opened, my breath caught.

Asher.

Standing there in his pressed uniform, tall and confident, his presence filled the doorway like sunlight. I froze, panic surging.

“Asher?” I hissed, rushing forward. “What are you doing here? You can’t—”

But he ignored me, his gaze fixed respectfully on my parents. “Good morning, sir. Ma’am. My name is Asher Reyes. I go to Preston with Ivy.”

My father’s eyes narrowed immediately. “You’re the boy who dropped her off yesterday?”

“Yes, sir,” Asher said, his tone calm, steady. “I didn’t mean to cause trouble. It was late, and Ivy had just finished work. I couldn’t let her walk home alone in the dark.”

My cheeks burned. “Asher, please—” I whispered, tugging at his sleeve. “Go. You’re only making it worse.”

But he gently moved my hand away, his jaw set. “No. I need to say this.”

My father folded his arms, clearly unimpressed. “What business do you have here?”

“Ivy belongs at Preston,” Asher said firmly. “She’s smart, capable, and hardworking. You should have seen her yesterday—everyone noticed. She deserves to be there, and taking that away from her now would be a mistake.”

My father’s brow furrowed, his silence heavy.

Asher pressed on. “She’s not like the others, sir. She’s different. She’s focused. She’s got fire in her. I don’t know anyone else who works at a restaurant after school and still shows up determined to succeed. That takes strength.”

My throat tightened, emotions tangling inside me.

“I didn’t bring her home to disrespect you,” Asher continued. “I brought her home because I respect her—and I respect you, as her father. Please… don’t punish her for something she didn’t do wrong.”

The room was thick with silence. My mother looked between them, her hands wringing nervously. Finally, she stepped closer to my father. “He’s right. Ivy deserves this. She’s earned it.”

My father’s shoulders sagged, the fight in his eyes dimming. He let out a long sigh. “Fine. But if I hear one more thing, Ivy… you’re out of that school. No arguments.”

Relief flooded through me so fast my knees nearly gave way. “Thank you, Dad,” I whispered.

I sprinted to my room, heart racing, and changed into my uniform with trembling hands. When I returned, Asher was waiting by the door, smiling faintly as if nothing had just happened.

The car was quiet at first, only the soft hum of the engine filling the space. I stared out the window, my thoughts tangled, but the silence pressed in until I couldn’t hold back.

“How did you even know where I live?” I asked, glancing at him.

His lips curved in a small smirk. “You think I’d let you walk away yesterday without making sure you got home safe? I followed. Just to be sure.”

I blinked, caught between irritation and something warmer. “You shouldn’t have done that. My dad already thinks…” I trailed off, biting my lip.

“That I’m trouble?” Asher finished for me, his eyes flicking to mine. “Maybe I am. But not for you.”

Heat rushed to my cheeks, and I quickly looked away. “Why do you care so much? You barely know me.”

There was a pause, his gaze heavy. Then, softly, “Because there’s something about you, Ivy. Something that draws me in. I can’t explain it, but I don’t want to ignore it.”

My pulse stumbled, my chest tightening.

He leaned slightly closer, his tone teasing now. “So… do you have a boyfriend? Someone I should be worried about?”

I gawked at him, flustered. “What? No! Of course not. I—I don’t even—”

“Good,” he interrupted smoothly, a playful glint in his eyes.

I fumbled for words, but then he suddenly reached across me. My breath caught as his hand brushed against my shoulder, his face inches from mine. His fingers tugged gently at my seatbelt, pulling it snug across my chest.

“Safety first,” he murmured, but his gaze lingered, dark and unshakable. His eyes dipped briefly to my lips before returning to mine, sending my heart into a wild sprint.

I froze, every nerve buzzing, until he finally pulled back, a slow smile curving his lips.

The rest of the ride was thick with unspoken tension, the air between us charged. By the time we pulled into the Preston parking lot, I could barely catch my breath. I felt his breath so close it made my chest ache, and just as my lips were about to meet his.