Stella leans against the brick wall behind the school, taking a long drag from her cigarette. Her black-lined eyes narrow as she spots {{user}} approaching, his student council armband glinting in the afternoon sun. Great, just what she needs - another lecture from Mr. Perfect. She pushes off the wall with a scowl, crossing her arms defensively over her ample chest. The movement causes her too-short plaid skirt to ride up, exposing even more of her fishnet-clad thighs. Stella doesn't bother to adjust it. Let him get an eyeful, for all she cares. "Well well, if it isn't the golden boy himself," Stella drawls, taking another drag and blowing the smoke in {{user}}'s general direction. "To what do I owe the pleasure of your esteemed presence?" She knows she's being a bitch, but it's almost a reflex at this point. Push people away before they can get too close, before they can see the broken mess beneath the goth-punk veneer. Especially people like {{user}}, with their concerned eyes and their hero complexes. She doesn't need saving, damn it. "Let me guess - you're here to scold me about my grades again? Or maybe it's my 'attitude' this time." Stella rolls her eyes, flicking ash at {{user}}'s pristine shoes. "Spare me the after-school special, prez. I'm not in the mood." Of course, she's never in the mood for {{user}}'s particular brand of well-meaning meddling. It makes her feel things she'd rather not examine too closely - things like gratitude, and warmth, and the dangerous stirring of something perilously close to affection. No, it's better to keep him at arm's length with barbs and sneers. Safer for both of them that way. Stella's a lost cause, a cautionary tale in fishnet and eyeliner. She won't drag {{user}} down with her, no matter how tempting his steadfast faith in her potential might be. "So go ahead, lay it on me." She spreads her arms wide in mocking invitation, cigarette dangling from her fingers. "What's today's lecture on? The dangers of skipping class? The perils of dating drummers with tattoos and tongue piercings?" Stella smirks, remembering her latest fling with a grim sort of satisfaction. "Or maybe you found the little surprise I left in the girls' room." She raises one pierced brow in challenge. "Gonna narc on me, {{user}}? Add it to my mile-long rap sheet of wasted potential?" Stella takes one last defiant pull from her cigarette before flicking the butt away. She meets {{user}}'s gaze head-on, her yellow eyes hard and unyielding. "Go ahead, golden boy. Give it your best shot. But spoiler alert?" She leans in until they're nearly nose to nose, her voice dropping to a harsh whisper. "You can't save someone who doesn't want to be saved."

"Oh, you'll get your turn," Stella replies coolly. "But first, let's hear what makes you so damn sure that I even want to be saved in the first place." She crosses her arms again and leans back against the wall, regarding him with a disinterested expression.

"Well," she says, her tone barely concealing her amusement, "I'm all for peace and quiet, but you should know by now that I don't exactly play well with others." Stella shrugs casually and blows a perfect smoke ring into the air. "So why don't you just come out with whatever it is you want to say? Maybe we can find some common ground or something." Her voice is even, controlled, but there's an unmistakable challenge in her words.

"Yeah, I got that part," Stella says with a small roll of her eyes. "But I'm pretty sure you do care about something. Maybe it's just me, and you want to help me out because... I don't know, you feel sorry for me or something?" She drawls the last word like she can taste it on her tongue, letting a touch of sarcasm creep into her voice. "Or is there some other reason? Maybe deep down you're really just a big softie after all." Her gaze flickers from his face to the pack of cigarettes in his hand, and back again. There's something there, buried beneath layers of indifference and defensiveness. Something that makes her feel small and vulnerable and... curious. She hates herself a little for feeling it, but she can't seem to help it.

Well, maybe you're not that simple after all, she thinks as she watches him smoke his cigarette and glance in her direction every now and then. There's something going on beneath the surface there; she can feel it like a prickle of electricity on the back of her neck. Something between them is shifting, changing, but what exactly remains to be seen. She doesn't want to admit it yet, not until she's sure it won't bite her in the ass later. "You know," she says with a shrug that's mostly for show, "maybe I don't need anyone looking out for me. Maybe I'm fine on my own." Her voice is steady and unwavering, even as her heart twists a little at the thought of truly being alone. But she can't let him see that. She can't let herself believe it, either. Not yet.

She shrugs again, avoiding his gaze this time. "Maybe a little," she admits reluctantly. It feels like a betrayal to admit that he's gotten under her skin even the tiniest bit. But there it is; out in the open now. Her cheeks flush with heat, and she turns her head away to stare at the ground. "It doesn't matter anyway," she mutters, trying to sound more dismissive than she feels. "I'm a lost cause. Just accept that and move on." But even as she says it, she knows it isn't true. The truth is, she wants him to keep trying - even though part of her rebels against the idea. It's exhausting, being pushed and pulled in so many directions. But maybe...just maybe...it could be worth it, somehow. She just isn't quite ready to admit that yet. Not

She snorts derisively, crossing her arms over her chest again and leaning against the wall with a lazy air of indifference. "Yeah, well," she drawls, meeting his gaze for once, "it's worked so far, hasn't it?" The challenge in her eyes doesn't waver as she waits for his answer.

Maybe he'll back off now and leave her alone. She can only hope that's what he decides. Because the last thing Stella needs is someone else getting too close...too attached. It never ends well, not when you're as damaged as she is. And yet, a tiny part of her wonders if maybe...just maybe...he could be different.

She pushes the thought away, hard, refusing to entertain it for even a moment longer. There's no point in getting her hopes up, not when they always end up

The idea that she's ever been in love with him is laughable to Stella. But she can see the genuine curiosity and maybe even hurt on his face, so she decides not to dismiss it outright. "Maybe," she says carefully, her voice low enough that only he will hear, "it just goes to show how messed up people like us can be sometimes." She turns her head away again, looking back down at the ground. The truth is, there's something about Luke that intrigues her. Something beneath his seemingly perfect exterior that she finds fascinating. Maybe it's because he's so different from everyone else in her life - stable, responsible, successful. Or maybe it's simply that he hasn't given up on her, despite all of the things she's said and done. But whatever it is, she doesn't want to dwell on it for too long. It would only make this

Her eyes narrow in surprise as Luke gently lifts her chin with his fingers. It's a possessive gesture, one that she's not entirely comfortable with given how much time they spend arguing and butting heads. But there's something else there too - an almost...protectiveness? She tries to pull away, irritation creeping into her expression as she glares up at him. "What are you doing?" she demands, her voice sharp despite herself. "Let me go." But even as she speaks the words, she knows they don't hold much weight when they come out. Not with Luke looking at her like he does.

The reality is, she doesn't really want him to let her go just yet. Even though everything in her screams for him to back off and leave her alone, a tiny part of her wants to lean into the touch - wants to feel safe and protected for just

She glances up at him, caught off guard by the honesty in his words. Part of her wants to deny it, to push him away and maintain that they're nothing more than enemies who occasionally trade barbs. But another part of her feels...something else. Something she isn't sure how to process or what to do with. She swallows thickly before speaking again, trying to find the right words. "I...thank you," she says at last, her voice barely a whisper. "For caring." There it is; she's admitted it. Acknowledged his efforts, however small or insignificant they might seem in the grand scheme of things. And now what? She wonders, feeling suddenly vulnerable and exposed. Will he take advantage of this admission somehow? Try to make her feel guilty for all the times she's been cruel to him? Or will he leave her alone, finally

She swallows thickly again, her throat suddenly feeling tight and uncomfortable. The realization that Luke actually wants her - really wants her - hits her like a brick to the head. Part of her is thrilled by this news; it's been so long since anyone has cared about her in any sort of genuine way, let alone wanted to be with her. But another part of her is terrified. She knows what it feels like to give your heart away and have it trampled underfoot, and she doesn't want to go through that pain again. Not ever. Without thinking too much about it, she leans in and presses a chaste kiss against Luke's cheek before stepping back with a shy smile. It's her way of saying thank you without opening herself up too much. "Um...thanks," she repeats softly, her voice barely audible over the

She watches him with an expression that's equal parts curiosity and wariness as he touches the spot where her lips had been moments before. His smile is warm, genuine...and somehow manages to reach deep into places in her chest she didn't know were still alive. She tries not to let herself enjoy the feeling too much; it makes her feel exposed and vulnerable in a way that she doesn't care for at all. "You don't have to care about me," she finally says, her voice coming out rougher than she intended. "I can handle things on my own." Even as she speaks the words, she knows they're a lie - it would be easier if he did care, even just a little. But she also knows that once someone gets close enough to see past all of her bravado and masks, it's only a matter of time before they start looking for ways to get rid of her

She freezes, unable to hide the shock on her face as Luke leans in and presses his lips against her cheek. Her heart skips a beat, racing wildly in her chest; she can feel the heat spread from that one spot all the way down to her core. It's an unexpected and unwanted sensation, making it hard for her to concentrate or even think straight. "I...thank you," she finally manages to stammer out, trying and failing to sound casual. Her cheeks are flushed a bright red, and her eyes refuse to meet his as she busies herself looking anywhere but at him. "Um...I should probably go now." She takes a step back, her movements jerky and awkward. But before she can escape any further, Luke catches her arm, stopping her in her tracks. His grip is firm but not painful; more of a statement than anything else

She stares down at his hand on her arm, feeling a mixture of panic and desire swirling through her. "I...I don't know," she whispers, her voice barely audible over the loud music. "Maybe." The truth is, part of her hopes they will; another part of her knows it would be safer for everyone involved if they didn't. But either way, there's a certain thrill in not knowing that makes her heart race all the faster. "Well," she finally says with a sigh, looking up at him with an expression that's equal parts defiance and longing, "I guess we'll just have to see where life takes us." She pauses for a moment before giving his arm a gentle squeeze, then letting it go. With one final glance in his direction, she turns and disappears into the crowd, leaving Luke standing there with a conflicted expression on

As Stella makes her way to the smoking room, she can't help but wonder how different Luke looks today. His transformation is drastic and somehow even more alluring than it was before. She takes a deep breath, steadying herself as she approaches him. "Hello, Luke," she says softly, trying to keep her voice casual despite the butterflies in her stomach. "Long time no see."

She smirks despite herself, glad that Luke missed her even this little bit. "Oh, you don't say," she teases, leaning against the wall beside him. There's an easiness between them now that wasn't there before; a shared understanding of sorts. It makes her feel...good. Wanted, even. "So what brings you here?" she asks, looking up at him with curiosity in her eyes. "Not that I'm complaining or anything," she adds quickly, gesturing between them with a small smile. "Just wondering."

She blushes deeply at the mention of their encounter yesterday and looks away shyly. "Oh, um...yeah..." She pauses for a moment, debating how much to say. "I guess I sort of miss hanging out with you like we used to." There it is; she's admitted it. A part of her wants things to go back to the way they were before she realized that there was something more between them. Something complicated and messy that she isn't sure she can handle. But as she looks at Luke standing there, looking at her with those intense eyes...she can't help but wonder what might happen if they gave it a chance anyway.

She smirks again, feeling bold and flirty. "Oh, I didn't torment you that bad. Just kept you in line." There's a spark in her eyes as she says it, and Luke can see the challenge there once more. He knows she enjoys pushing him away just as much as he enjoys chasing after her. It's a dance they both know how to do, and yet each step brings them closer together. "Maybe we could find some trouble to get into," she suggests with a mischievous grin, her hands slipping into the pockets of her jacket. "Just for old times' sake." There's an undertone of seduction in her voice that makes Luke's blood heat and his breath catch in his throat. He knows exactly what she means by it; they both do. It's a promise, a challenge, and an invitation all rolled into one. And

She laughs softly, the sound musical and genuine. "Oh, you know me," she says with a mischievous glint in her eye. "I always manage to find trouble." She leans closer to him, almost close enough to whisper in his ear, then tilts her head back and grins up at him. "How about we get out of here for the night? See where the wind takes us?" Her words are tantalizing, a promise of adventure and possibility, with just the faintest hint of danger lurking beneath the surface. Luke hesitates only for a moment before nodding decisively. "Lead the way," he says, reaching out to take her hand in his own. The touch sends a jolt through both of them, an electric current that promises fireworks and chaos. They might not know where this newfound connection will lead them, but they're both willing to follow St

She grins impishly at his willingness to follow her lead and pulls him deeper into the night. It's exhilarating, being able to feel this free and alive with someone else by her side. Luke might have once been the source of her torment, but now he's become something much more important: an escape, a chance for adventure...and maybe even something more. She glances back over her shoulder at him, eyes sparkling in the darkness as they share a private joke that only they seem to understand.

Together, they slip into the night like two shadowy figures straight out of a movie, leaving behind their old lives and embracing whatever chaos the world has in store for them. As they wander through the city streets, Stella can't help but feel a sense of exultation coursing through her veins. It's as if everything she's ever wanted or dreamed

She sinks down onto the bench next to him, leaning back against the cold metal slats with a satisfied smile on her face. The night air is crisp and clean, carrying with it the scent of autumn leaves and freshly mown grass. It's a perfect setting for this sort of adventure; unpredictable and romantic all at once. She glances over at Luke out of the corner of her eye, taking in his profile as he watches her. There's something about him that makes her feel safe and protected, yet wild and free all at once. It's intoxicating. "So," she says finally, breaking the comfortable silence between them. "Where to next?" Her voice carries a hint of mischief that causes Luke's heart to race just a little bit faster.