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."

She blanches at his words, surprise and uncertainty flashing across her features before she manages to reassert control. Her smirk curls into a sneer. "Oh yeah? And what makes you think I need saving, huh?" She takes a step back, regarding him coolly through the cloud of smoke between them. "You're just like my mom," she spits out. "Thinkin' you know best for everyone." There's venom in her voice now, anger at being patronized after years of living with someone who did exactly that. She glances away for a moment, remembering the days when her mother was worse than useless; she was actively harmful. But that doesn't mean Jay1231 gets off easy just because he isn't Rebecca Samson. "You wanna know something?" she says finally, meeting his gaze again. "I don't need saving.

The touch of his hand sends a shiver through her; she hasn't been touched like this in so long that it almost feels foreign, unnervingly intimate. Her instinct is to pull away, to lash out at him for getting too close, but there's something about the way he looks at her... soft and sincere... that makes it impossible to maintain her usual icy distance. She wonders if he can see past all the bravado and defenses she puts up, if he knows how much pain lies beneath the surface. "Yeah," she finally manages to say, her voice husky with emotion. "I'm smart. And beautiful too, I guess." She pauses, debating whether or not to continue down this path. "But that doesn't mean anything. Not anymore." Her gaze drifts away from his face, staring at the ground between them. "It's

She laughs, bitter and mocking. "A date? With me?" Her voice is incredulous; the thought of someone wanting to be with her, really be with her... it's almost impossible for her to wrap her head around. But there's something in Jay1231's eyes that makes her pause, a mixture of determination and kindness that she hasn't seen before. Maybe... maybe it wouldn't hurt to just go along with this. For tonight, at least. "Alright," she finally says, looking him straight in the eye. "One date." But then another thought occurs to her. One date could lead to two, or three... and isn't that exactly what happened before? When she let herself fall for Antonio? She shakes her head violently, trying to banish the memory. No. This is different. Jay1231 wouldn't hurt her. "But,"

"No expectations," she says quickly, almost desperately. "And nothing... serious." She doesn't even know why she felt the need to add that last part; it's not like anything could ever be serious between them. But it feels important somehow, as though admitting it would make everything worse. She takes a deep breath, forcing herself to meet Jay1231's gaze steadily. "Just... one night," she whispers. "That's all." Her heart is pounding in her chest, and she feels a strange mixture of relief and dread at the realization that she's actually agreed to this. But it's too late now; there's no going back. All she can do is hope that she hasn't made a mistake.

She freezes at the touch of his hand, electricity seeming to dance across her skin where he makes contact. A sharp inhale escapes her lips as she fights back a shiver, unwilling to admit just how much it affects her. Her gaze flickers to his mouth before moving back up to meet his eyes again; there's something about him... Jay1231 seems so certain, so sure that he can make things different between them. And maybe she wants him to be right. Maybe for just one night, she can forget everything else and just enjoy being with someone who actually cares. With a sigh, she reaches up to cup his face in her hands, their faces mere inches apart. Her heart is racing now, hammering against her ribs as though it's trying to escape the cage of her chest. "Alright," she whispers. "One night." Her voice cracks

The softness of his lips against hers takes her by surprise; she hadn't expected this to feel so good. Her hands grip his shoulders as she presses closer, parting her lips instinctively to deepen the kiss. His fingers are warm against her skin, sending another wave of desire washing over her. She can feel her whole body respond to his touch, as if it's been starved for affection for far too long. She pulls back after a few moments, breathless and flushed. "Where... where are we going?" Her voice comes out husky and low, betraying the desire she feels bubbling beneath the surface. She's not sure if she can handle much more of this before she loses control completely. But as Jay1231 takes her hand in his, leading her down the sidewalk toward who knows where, she finds herself hoping that whatever he has planned for them tonight will be enough

She nods, the warmth spreading through her at the thought of spending time with him in a more intimate setting. A nice dinner, some wine... maybe they could even dance afterwards? The image makes her heart race faster, and she finds herself wondering what else might happen once they get to Jay1231's place. Would he be as confident and sure-footed there as he is in public? Or would the familiar surroundings make him bolder, less hesitant? "Sounds perfect," she murmurs, squeezing his hand. Tonight might not be like all the other nights she's spent since Antonio. Tonight could be something different, something special. And for just one night, she allows herself to hope that maybe it will be.

As the menu is presented to her, she studies it intently, careful not to appear too eager in case it ruins whatever fragile illusion of coolness she's managed to maintain so far tonight. Eventually, though, she makes her decision and places her order: a filet mignon medium rare with a side of sautéed spinach and garlic mashed potatoes. She's always been a bit of a carnivore, after all. When the waiter finally leaves them alone again, she takes a sip of her wine, savoring the warmth as it spreads through her body. "So," she says casually, keeping her gaze fixed on her glass. "How did you end up becoming student council president anyway?" It's a question she's always been curious about but never bothered to ask before now. She glances up at him from beneath her lashes, wondering if he

Her eyes widen slightly at his admission; she hadn't expected that. "That must have been... intense," she says carefully, picking her words with delicate precision. "Having big shoes to fill and all." She takes another sip of wine, trying to find some common ground here. "I always wondered what it would be like to be part of something like that." There's a moment of silence as they both consider their respective pasts; hers marred by addiction and trauma, his shaped by expectations and responsibilities. Despite their vastly different backgrounds, there's an undeniable connection between them tonight, a shared understanding of the burdens each has carried. "What about you?" she finally asks. "What made you want to help me out? I mean, we've never really... talked before." The last part comes out as more of a question than a statement,

She freezes at his words, unable to hide the flush that spreads across her cheeks. She'd never thought of herself as beautiful; not since Antonio called her a whore and told her she'd never be enough for anyone. But hearing Jay1231 say it now... it feels different. It feels like maybe there's more to her than just the messed-up person everyone else sees. "Thank you," she finally manages to say, looking away again so he won't see the emotion in her eyes. "That means a lot." There's an unspoken question lingering between them now; will they ever be anything more than just dinner and conversation? She doesn't know how to answer it herself, let alone ask him. The waiter arrives with their food, breaking the tension in the air. They eat in companionable silence for a while, each lost in their own thoughts about the evening

After paying the bill and walking through the night, the scent of autumn leaves and cigarette smoke swirling around them, she doesn't object when he pulls her closer for a kiss. His lips are soft against hers, gentle yet demanding; it sends a shiver down her spine and makes her heart race even faster than before. She sighs into the kiss, melting against him as his hand finds its way to her lower back, drawing her in tighter. For just this moment, she allows herself to forget everything else that's happening around them. All that matters is the feel of Jay1231's lips on hers, and the warmth emanating from his body as they stumble towards his place. It feels... right somehow; like a missing piece finally falling into its proper spot within her fragmented soul. As they reach his front door, she pulls away from him, breathless and

She meets his gaze, feeling a thrill course through her at the question. For just this one night, she can do whatever she wants... be whoever she wants. And right now, she wants to be with him. Wants to see where this goes. Without saying anything, she steps into his apartment, eyes darting around in interest as they take in its cozy yet masculine feel. Soft light from a couple of strategically placed lamps casts an intimate glow over the space, adding to the warmth emanating from Jay1231 himself. Her gaze finds his once more and she wets her lips, unable to resist the urge to tease him just a little bit longer. "How about we find out?"

She moans into the kiss as he leads her to his bed, their bodies moving together in a dance of desire and need. Her heart feels like it's about to burst free of her chest; she's never felt anything like this before, not since... no, not even then. This is different. Real. She wants more of Jay1231, wants him deeper and harder. As they reach the bed, she pushes him back gently onto the mattress, her lips trailing down his chest and stomach toward his aching erection. She takes him in her hand, guiding him to where she knows he wants to be, feels so good. Her other hand finds its way up to his face, cupping his cheek as she looks into his eyes. "Tell me," she breathes huskily. "What do you want?"

His words send shivers down her spine; they're exactly what she wants to hear. Tonight, she can be free of her inhibitions and be whoever she wants to be with him. With a hungry groan, she straddles his hips, positioning herself over his erection. She lowers herself slowly, impaling herself on his cock, and cries out as pleasure ripples through her body. "Then take me," she rasps. "Take everything I have." Her hips begin to move in a sensual rhythm, fucking herself on Jay1231's cock with all the pent-up desire of years spent denying herself this kind of release. Her hands fly everywhere, grasping at his hair and sheets as she loses control to the desires that have been simmering beneath the surface for far too long. "Jay," she moans,

Her body arches off the bed as she feels him deeper inside her with every thrust; the sensation is overwhelming and exquisite. She digs her nails into his shoulders, holding on for dear life as she falls further down the rabbit hole of pleasure. A hoarse cry tears from her throat and she closes her eyes tightly, losing herself in this moment with him. It feels too good to be real; it's like everything else has fallen away except for their need for one another. Her hips begin to move faster in time with his thrusts, urging him deeper still. She's never felt so close to someone before, and she knows that when they finally reach the end of this night, things will be different between them. But for now, all that matters is the way he makes her feel: wanted and desired above everything else. "Jay," she moans again, arching further into his touch

As she feels him speed up inside her, her own release barreling down on her in a rush of heat and pleasure, she digs her nails deeper into his shoulders. "Don't stop!" she cries out, her voice raw with emotion. She can feel the tension coiling tight within her body, building higher and higher until it feels like everything inside her is about to explode. With a hoarse shout of pleasure, her orgasm crashes over her in waves, sending shockwaves through her entire body. Her muscles convulse around him as she cries out his name again and again, lost in the ecstasy that engulfs her. She feels as though she could stay here forever, floating on this sensation of perfect release and connection with another person. Finally, her tremors subside, leaving her spent and sated. With a deep sigh, she collapses onto Jay1231

She smiles, her voice barely above a whisper as she says, "Mmmm, that was... amazing." Her fingers drift idly across his chest before coming to rest on his neck, gently tracing the lines of his pulse. She wonders if this is what it feels like when you let someone in fully. If letting herself be with Jay1231 like this means giving up control or just allowing him to share in her most vulnerable moments. She doesn't know and isn't sure she wants to figure it out just yet. For now, all that matters is the weight of his body pressed against hers, the warmth spreading through her as their breaths begin to synchronize once more. Maybe tomorrow they'll talk about what this all means, but for tonight... tonight can just be about them.