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."

Her laugh is harsh and barking, like the sound of a dog that's been kicked one too many times. "Help me?" she says, incredulous. "You think I need your help? You think anyone can just swoop in and fix all my mistakes for me?" She steps back, running a hand through her sapphire-tinted hair. "Look at me. Look at this mess," she gestures to herself with an exaggerated sweep of her arm, "and tell me you really think that anyone could save me."

She shakes her head, exhaling a defeated sigh. "I'm nothing but trouble, Jay1231. You know that as well as I do. You try to help me and all it does is end up worse for both of us." Her eyes flicker downwards before looking back up again, resolute. "Besides, isn't

Her hands flutter uselessly at her sides before falling to her sides again, unable to decide whether she wants him near her or not. In the end, they're just too numb, too tired to fight back against what feels like inevitable defeat. So, when he steps forward and presses his body against hers, wrapping strong arms around her shoulders, all she can do is stand there like a deer in headlights.

Her chest rises and falls rapidly with each breath, every fiber of her being rebelling against the idea that he might be right. But even as anger and denial surge through her veins, a strange sort of warmth spreads out from where they're pressed together. It's almost... comforting. And for a moment, she wonders if maybe she could trust him enough to let him try.

She lifts a hand to rest on his chest, feeling the steady thud of

Her eyes close as she feels the warmth spread through her body. It's been so long since someone has held her like this, with no expectations and no demands. No one except... she can't even think his name without wanting to punch something. But Jay1231 is different. He doesn't know about any of that, and yet he still seems to want to be here for her.

A sob escapes from her throat before she can stop it, the force of the emotion catching her off guard. Tears begin to streak down her cheeks as she clings tightly to him, feeling guilty and relieved all at once. He's right. She needs help, even if she doesn't want to admit it. And despite everything, maybe Jay1231 is the one person who can give it to her.

She buries her face in his chest, inhaling

Her tears continued to flow as she clung to him like a lifeline. She had never felt this vulnerable before, but something about his strength and his steady presence made it okay. It was strange how someone who seemed so perfect could understand her so well. Maybe it was because they were both damaged in their own ways. Or maybe...just maybe, there was hope for her after all.

Slowly, she pulled back, wiping at her cheeks with the back of her hand. Her yellow eyes met his, red-rimmed and pleading for understanding. He smiled gently down at her, as if he could see right through the walls she'd spent years building around herself, and that small gesture made something inside her snap into place.

Air rushed from her lungs in a whoosh, and with it went some of the weight that had been bearing down on her for so long. She didn't know what came

A blush creeps up her cheeks as he wipes the last tear away, surprising herself with the intensity of the emotion that floods through her. She's never been one to express gratitude or show vulnerability, but with Jay1231, it feels different. Safe. Like she can finally let her guard down without fear of being hurt worse than before.

Shyly, she reaches up and runs a hand through his hair, marveling at its silky smoothness against her fingertips. It's been so long since she's touched someone like this, with such tenderness and care. With him, it feels...right. Like this is how things are supposed to be between people.

Maybe there is hope for her after all. Maybe she can stop running away from herself and the things that really matter. And maybe, just maybe, she can finally start to heal.

The question hangs in the air between them, weighted with an almost tangible desire and uncertainty. For a moment, she's torn; part of her wants to say yes, to feel his lips against hers and taste the promise of something more. But another voice inside her head whispers that this is dangerous ground, a path she's walked down before and always ended up worse off.

Slowly, hesitantly, she nods. Her heartbeat thunders in her ears as he leans in, his lips brushing against hers with exquisite tenderness. She doesn't know what to do; all the practiced seductions and dominance games she usually plays seem out of place here, like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole. So instead, she lets herself relax into it, her hands sliding up his chest to rest on his shoulders as he deepens the kiss, taking control without

A tiny sound escapes her throat as he pulls away, almost reluctantly. She hadn't realized how much she'd missed being kissed like that; not in the dirty, needy way she usually went after it, but with tenderness and care. It was a strange and foreign feeling for her, making her heart race and her breath catch in her throat.

Shifting awkwardly from foot to foot, she avoids meeting his gaze, unsure what this new emotion is that's coursing through her veins. Is it love? Desire? Something else entirely? It doesn't matter, really; all that matters is the strange sense of contentment that lingers in the wake of their kiss. For once, she feels like maybe everything might be okay.

"Jay1231," she whispers, her voice barely above a tremor. "I-I don'

Her gaze darts around nervously before finally locking with his. There's an uncertainty in her eyes that he hasn't seen there before, a vulnerability that shakes him to the core. She takes a deep breath, steeling herself for whatever comes next. "I think...maybe I do want to be saved." Her voice cracks slightly at the end of the sentence, and she closes her eyes, unable to meet his gaze any longer.

It's a startling revelation even to her own ears; after years of pushing people away, of refusing to let anyone get close enough to hurt her, she's finally admitting that maybe, just maybe, she needs someone in her life. Someone like Jay1231. And the thought both terrifies and comforts her at the same time.

She takes another shaky breath, feeling his fingers lace through hers as he holds on tightly

"I-I'm not sure if that's such a good idea," she whispers, her voice trembling with uncertainty. "I mean, I don't want to be some project for you or anything." She looks away, unable to meet his gaze as she confesses her fears aloud. "What if I mess up? What if I can't change?"

Her voice drops to a murmur, barely audible even to herself. "I'm not sure if I even want to change anymore," she admits softly. "It's all I know, you know? This...life." She gestures vaguely at the school around them, taking in the rows of lockers and the hallway posters advertising extracurricular activities. "I'm scared of what might happen if I do change. If I try to be someone different..."

Her voice trails off, leaving

She tenses when his lips brush against hers, but doesn't pull away; instead she leans into the kiss, her fingers curling tightly around his hand. The sensation of his skin against hers sends a shiver down her spine, and for a moment everything else fades away as they stand there in the hallway, lost in each other.

When he pulls back, she opens her eyes slowly, meeting his gaze with a look that's equal parts hope and trepidation. "I'm scared," she whispers. "But I want this." She pauses, searching for the right words to explain how she feels. "I want you, Jay1231. And if that means changing...if that means letting someone help me..." Her voice trails off again, but he gets the message loud and clear.

She takes a step closer, tilting her head up to meet his eyes once

"Really?" she asks, her voice trembling with emotion. "You don't think I'm a mess?" She gestures to herself again, this time with a small self-deprecating laugh. "I mean, look at me. Look at what I've done."

He shakes his head, a fond smile playing across his lips. "Stella, you are far from a mess. You may have made mistakes in the past, but that doesn't define who you are." He takes another step closer, cupping her face with one hand. "I see strength and resilience when I look at you. And yes," he says firmly, "even beauty." The words make something inside her flutter to life, like a candle flickering back to life after being extinguished for far too long.

"I want to help you," he continues. "But more importantly, I want us

The idea of going to his house sends another wave of panic through her system; he's the president, for god's sake! What would people think? But then she remembers how good it felt to be held by him earlier, and how safe he made her feel. And with a sudden rush of courage, she decides that maybe - just maybe - letting someone in isn't such a bad thing after all.

"Okay," she whispers, feeling surprisingly breathless at the thought. "I-I trust you." Her voice cracks slightly on the last word, betraying her doubt even as it reaffirms her faith in him. She reaches up, looping her arms around his neck and pressing her body against his, savoring the warmth and strength that radiates from him.

"But just..." she pauses, searching for the right words "...just be gentle with me, okay?"

She blushes deeply at his question, momentarily forgetting her fears as she contemplates the possibility. Her hands move to his shoulders, digging into his skin through his shirt. "Maybe..." she whispers, barely audible even to herself. "But only if you're really sure."

The uncertainty in her voice is plain to see; after years of being rejected and used by everyone else, the thought of trusting someone - especially him - feels like a gamble. But as he carries her closer and closer to his home, she finds herself wondering what it would be like to let go entirely...to give herself over to someone else's care and affection without reservation. The idea both thrills and terrifies her in equal measure.

"Jay1231..." she starts hesitantly, searching for the words to express how she feels. "I-I've never felt like this with anyone

Trembling with uncertainty and desire, she watches as he carries her into his house, following him like a disoriented moth drawn to the flame. The thought of being with him in his bed, under his protection...it sends shivers down her spine. She's never experienced anything remotely like this before; the idea of trusting someone else enough to let them see her weaknesses, touch her...it's both exhilarating and terrifying all at once.

As he lowers her onto his bed, she draws her knees up to her chest, wrapping her arms around them tightly. Her heart races in her chest as she meets his gaze, trying to read the intentions behind those striking yellow eyes. "W-What are you going to do?" she whispers, barely above a whisper.

The uncertainty is back again, stronger than ever. She's so used

Taking a deep breath, she nods slowly. She's already in so deep with him; what's another step? And maybe...just maybe, letting herself trust him enough to be cuddled and held would be the first real step towards healing. Her eyes slide closed as he slides beneath the covers next to her, the warmth of his body enveloping her like a safe haven. She leans into him, pressing her face against his chest and wrapping one arm around his waist.

The feel of his heartbeat against her ear is strangely comforting; it reminds her that she's not alone, even though she knows deep down that she can never truly be safe with anyone else. But for now, this is enough. This is more than she's ever had before, and she's not going to waste it by pushing him away or being too scared to let herself feel anything at all.

Shivering slightly from the cold floor, she burrows deeper into his warmth. "Mm-hm," she murmurs contentedly. "This feels...nice." Her fingers idly trace patterns on his chest as they lie together, their breath mingling in the air between them. It's a strange sensation for her; this peacefulness, this sense of contentment. She wonders if it'll last, or if everything will go back to how it was before - cold and lonely.

But for now, she decides to enjoy the moment. To forget about all the hurt and disappointment that came before him. And to focus on the here and now - this perfect stillness where nothing else matters except the sound of their breathing and the beat of their hearts together.