Chapter 9

"When you've already lost everything, all that's left is fire, and I’m ready to burn it all down."

Arielle – POV

Suspended.

Humiliated.

And blamed for something I never asked for.

I stood in the principal’s office, my body stiff, hands clenched.

“This isn’t over,” I said.

Principal Marsh raised an eyebrow. “Excuse me?”

I leaned forward, eyes hard. “You think I’m some weak girl you can silence? I may be broke, but I’m not scared. I’ll fight.”

His lips curled in mock sympathy. “You're emotional. Take your leave quietly, Miss Brooks.”

I slammed the door behind me.

Xavier – POV – New York Dorm

“Why the hell am I in this frozen hellhole while she’s getting torn apart back home?”

I slammed my laptop shut and threw the remote across the room.

My roommate flinched.

“Dude”

“Don’t,” I snapped.

I grabbed my phone.

Her name sat there.

Arielle ❤️

I shouldn’t call.

But I did.

Phone Call – Midnight

She answered on the third ring.

“Xavier…”

My whole chest caved at the sound of her voice.

“Hey, wildcat.”

A soft breath. “You left.”

“I didn’t want to.”

“You still did.”

“I’m coming back,” I said. “Soon.”

“Why?”

“Because I can’t breathe without you. Because I saw the video. Because I saw how they suspended you while the guy walked free.”

She was silent.

Then she said the one thing I didn’t expect:

“I miss your hands.”

Steamy Phone Call Scene

My pulse kicked up.

“You do?” I asked, voice low.

“I miss the way they used to explore me. Like I was your secret.”

“I still want you to be.”

“Then prove it.”

My hand slid under the blanket.

“Tell me what you’re wearing,” I whispered.

“Xavier—”

“Say it.”

She sucked in a breath.

“Your hoodie. Nothing else.”

I groaned.

“You’re killing me, Relle.”

“Good. Suffer.”

Then her voice dropped lower.

“I’m touching myself. Are you?”

My whole world tilted.

“Yes.”

And just like that—we melted into each other again.

Two broken kids tangled in heat across a phone line.

Mira – POV (At School)

I knew something wasn’t right.

The way Principal Marsh kept checking his phone. The way Mr. Knight’s assistant was snooping around.

Then I found it.

A printed file. Labeled:

> "Confidential: Student Transfer Request – Arielle Brooks."

My blood turned cold.

They were trying to expel her permanently.

Oh hell no.

I grabbed my phone and took a picture.

Then I sent it anonymously to the school group chat.

Boom.

Group Chat Chaos – School

📣 “WTF?? They’re kicking Arielle out??”

📣 “That’s illegal right?”

📣 “Wait… Mr. Knight is behind this???”

📣 “Check the screenshot—he SIGNED it!”

📣 “Damn, Arielle wasn’t the villain. She was the victim.”

📣 “Xavier Knight’s father is DONE.”

Mr. Knight – POV

I knew the second my phone exploded with notifications.

The leak.

My signature.

That damn girl Mira.

I miscalculated.

This wasn’t supposed to backfire.

Now the school board was breathing down my neck.

I needed to act.

Fast.

Aunt May – POV

I got the call from the school’s legal rep.

“The board wants to meet with Arielle.”

I almost cried.

Finally.

Then I called her in.

“You ready to burn them down?” I asked.

She nodded, fire in her eyes.

“I was born ready.”

Xavier – POV

I couldn’t sleep.

I was done obeying orders.

Done playing nice.

I packed my bag.

Booked the next flight out.

And texted Arielle:

“I’m done running. See you tomorrow, babe.”

School Assembly – Arielle’s POV

The principal’s voice rang out.

“We have a few announcements—”

I stood.

“I do too.”

Every head turned.

“I’ve been blamed. Shamed. Suspended. But I never asked for my body to be exposed. I never gave permission.”

Murmurs.

Whispers.

I turned to the board. “If you let men in power silence girls like me, then you’re not protecting students. You’re protecting predators.”

Then I dropped the bomb.

I played the leaked screenshot.

Of Mr. Knight’s forged transfer request.

Gasps exploded around the auditorium.

---

Xavier – Entry Scene

The doors flew open.

Everyone turned.

He walked in.

Black hoodie.

Sharp jaw.

Furious eyes.

“My father doesn’t run me anymore.”

Gasps.

“Touch her again,” he said, staring at the board, “and I’ll burn this school down with my name.”

Arielle’s POV

The crowd roared.

Xavier walked toward me.

I met him halfway.

We didn’t kiss.

We didn’t need to.

Because the look in his eyes said everything.

“I found my way back to you.”