The Wildest Dream

I should've ignored her. That's what I always do. That's what keeps things simple.

But the moment I spot Lara sitting alone on the bleachers after school, kicking the dirt with her shoe like she's lost in thought, something stops me from walking away.

She's never quiet. Never still.

And yet, here she is, looking like she has the weight of the world on her shoulders.

I lean against the railing, arms crossed. "What, no snarky remark today?"

Her head snaps up, and for a second, I swear I see relief in her eyes. But then she rolls them. "Go away, Jack."

I don't.

Instead, I walk over and drop down on the bleacher beside her, stretching my legs out. "What's wrong? Did someone finally tell you that you're annoying?"

She glares at me. "Oh, look, you do have a sense of humor. Thought you lost it years ago."

I smirk. "I lost it around the time I realized you were impossible to deal with."

She huffs but doesn't argue. That's when I know something's actually wrong.

I nudge her shoulder. "Seriously. What's up?"

She hesitates. Like she doesn't want to tell me. Like she's debating whether it's worth it.

Then, finally, she exhales. "It's stupid."

"I'll be the judge of that."

She bites her lip, staring down at her hands. "I didn't get picked for the student leadership team."

Oh.

Lara—the one who's always in the center of everything, who always has something to say—got rejected?

I don't know why, but the idea bothers me.

"They're idiots," I say simply.

She glances at me, surprised. "That's it?"

"What, you want me to make fun of you?"

"Well… yeah. That's what you do."

I shrug. "Nah. You deserved it. If they didn't pick you, they're idiots."

For the first time since I sat down, she actually smiles. "Wow. Jack Reed, actually being nice to me? I must be dreaming."

"Don't get used to it," I say, standing up. "Come on, I'll walk you home."

She blinks. "What?"

I smirk. "You heard me."

And for once, she doesn't argue.

As soon as we step outside the school gates, I spot him.

Steve.

Lara's crush.

Tall, effortlessly charming, and with that annoying golden-boy smile that makes half the girls in school swoon. I've known for months that she likes him . To be exact 5 months. Not that she ever shuts up about it.

I'm about to say something, maybe tease her about sulking earlier, when Steve strolls right up to us.

"Hey, Lara," he says, flashing that perfect grin. "I was just heading your way. Want me to walk you home?"

Lara blinks, caught off guard, before tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "Oh! Uh, yeah, sure. That'd be nice."

I don't say a word.

I don't have to.

Because I get it. Loud and clear.

I stuff my hands into my pockets, stepping back as she hesitates for a second—like she just remembered I was there. But then she smiles at him, and just like that, they start walking away.

I watch them go.

And then I exhale, shaking my head at myself.

Yeah, yeah. What am I even doing?

This is the reality.

She's Lara.

I'm Jack.

And there's a reason we've spent years pretending we don't care about each other.

Right?

The afternoon sun slants through my window, warm and annoyingly bright. I blink awake, groggy from the nap I didn't even mean to take. My phone buzzes on the nightstand, but when I glance at the screen, it's just a missed call from Lara.

I stare at it for a second. Then lock my phone.

Not dealing with that right now.

Pushing off the bed, I stretch and grab my keys. My stomach grumbles—I need food. Preferably something that doesn't involve me cooking.

I head out, shoving my hands into my pockets as I walk down the street, still half-asleep. The café on the corner sounds good. Quiet. No unnecessary distractions.

And then—

"BOO!"

I jolt back as Lara suddenly jumps out of freaking nowhere, landing right in front of me with the biggest grin on her face.

"What the hell?" I snap, my heart nearly punching out of my chest. "Are you insane?"

She just laughs, unbothered. "Took you long enough to wake up, Sleeping Beauty."

I scowl. "What are you even doing here?"

Lara shrugs like it's the most obvious thing in the world. "You know our moms are best friends. I can come here whenever I want."

I run a hand down my face. "Right. Of course, you can."

She tilts her head, studying me. "Did you see my call?"

"Missed it," I say flatly. Not exactly a lie.

She hums, eyes narrowing slightly. "You ignored it."

I sigh. "Lara—"

Before I can say anything else, she loops her arm through mine like it's the most natural thing in the world.

"Well, whatever. I found you now," she announces. "Let's go eat."

I blink. "Excuse me?"

She starts dragging me toward the café like I have zero say in the matter. "Come on, I know you're hungry. Let's go."

I let out a dry laugh, half-amused, half-exasperated. "You planned this, didn't you?"

She grins up at me. "Jack, please. I always have a plan."

The café is quieter than usual, the warm scent of coffee and fresh bread filling the air as we step inside. Lara practically bounces toward the counter, already talking a mile a minute about how I should buy her food because she "graciously" decided to spend her time with me today.

I roll my eyes but end up paying anyway.

We settle into a booth by the window, and Lara sips her drink with a weirdly sweet smile—too sweet. I narrow my eyes.

"What?" I say flatly.

She bats her lashes. "What do you mean?"

"You're being suspicious."

She gasps, clutching her chest. "Wow, Jack. Can't a girl just enjoy her drink in peace?"

I stare. "Lara."

She huffs, setting her cup down. "Okay, fine. I do need something."

I lean back. "Knew it."

She gives me a sheepish smile, tracing patterns on the table. "So, uh… Steve—"

Steve.

I don't move, but I feel my jaw tighten. "What about him?"

"He asked me to play soccer with him," she says, looking everywhere except at me. "And I said yes."

I raise a brow. "Since when do you play soccer?"

She winces. "I don't."

I wait.

She sighs. "That's why I need your help. Teach me. Just the basics, so I don't look like a total loser in front of him."

I don't even have to think about it. "No."

Lara blinks. "Wait, what?"

I cross my arms. "You heard me. No."

She gapes at me like I just told her the sky isn't real. "Jack, come on!"

"Not happening." I pick up my drink, calm as ever. "Find someone else."

Lara groans, throwing herself against the booth dramatically. "You are so selfish."

I snort. "I just have standards."

"Jack," she whines. "Please?"

I shake my head. No way in hell.