CHAPTER 51Caleb ran into Coach Harris as soon as he stepped out of Mrs Wilkins' office."Caleb! "There you are!"The familiar voice shook Caleb out of his reverie, and he turned to see Coach Harris approaching him, a clipboard tucked under his arm and a severe scowl engraved on his weathered features."Coach," Caleb said, his sneer fading as he took in the man's no-nonsense demeanor. "What's up?"Coach Harris drew to a standstill before him, his gaze tightening as he looked at his star player. "I heard you were called into Mrs Wilkins' office. Is everything okay?Caleb shrugged, his arrogance reinforcing itself like a well-worn mask. "It's nothing, coach. Just some nonsense about my being too 'rowdy' or something."Coach Harris furrowed his brow and let out a gruff groan. "Caleb, don't give me that attitude. "You know I don't put up with that crap."Caleb clenched his jaw and gave a curt nod. "Yes, sir."Coach Harris looked at him for a long time, his eyes probing Caleb's face for an

CHAPTER 53*** NEXT DAY AT THE THERAPIST OFFICE ***Caleb entered the therapist's office with a deliberately constructed attitude of indifference and squared shoulders. The room was small and ill-furnished, and there was a strong smell of desperation and old books. Caleb allowed his eyes to roam, taking in the disorganized piles of files on the shelves and the faded inspirational posters as he sank into the worn recliner opposite the therapist's desk. It was a pitiful little room, a reflection of the school's clumsy attempts to deal with the issues that sullied inside its walls.Dr. Lyra, the therapist, gave him a polished smile that stopped short of her eyes. With wispy grey hair and a permanent frown carved on her brow, she was a mousy woman in her late fifties who had long since given up on truly improving the lives of problematic teenagers like him.She said, "Welcome, Caleb," with a false smile that made him uncomfortable. "I'm glad you could make it to our first session."With

CHAPTER 55Caleb walked down the corridor with his shoulders set and a cold disdain on his face. He felt impelled to duck inside the familiar "Men's Restroom" sign as he approached the corner, if only for a brief respite from the never-ending chaos of the school day.As soon as he pulled open the door, he was struck by the stench of cheap air freshener combined with stale urine, which made him nauseous. He braced himself and moved over to the sinks, his footfall echoing on the tile floor with each step.He then noticed Yuria relaxing against the row of sinks, her cheeks bursting with a wad of bubblegum. Her tight shirt was undone just enough to offer a tantalizing glimpse of the lacy black bra that hugged her contours, and her skirt was a little too high.Caleb's heartbeat quickened as he saw her, and a familiar heat stirred in his lower abdomen. Yuria could attract a priest and leave him pleading for more, causing her significant difficulties. Nonetheless, there was something attract

CHAPTER 57Caleb's eyes were heavy, and the weight of tiredness pressed down on him like a physical force as he stumbled through the school's front doors. The fluorescent lights were unusually intense, piercing his skull with a constant throbbing that made it difficult to concentrate.He hadn't slept a wink since his wild night at Haze with Yuria, his body still reverberating with the echoes of their illicit encounter. Every nerve ending felt burnt and frazzled from the wonderful intensity of their desire and the intoxicating surge of rebellion that had possessed him.As he made his way down the busy hallway, he noticed Miranda leaning against his locker, her arms crossed over her chest and an amused smirk playing on her nicely painted lips."Look who finally decided to grace us with his presence," she purred, her voice tinged with both humor and love.Caleb felt a familiar warmth rise in his chest at the sight of her, a reminder of the unbreakable tie they shared - forged in the fire

CHAPTER 59As Caleb approached Miranda's house, his car tires crunched on the gravel driveway. He killed the engine but did not make an immediate exit, instead turning to face his queen with an intense smolder."You're gonna be watching me every second out there, right babe?" His voice was low and filled with anticipation. "Cheering for your champion?"Miranda's red-lacquered nails touched the edge of his jaw as she looked back at him with heavy-lidded eyes. "Try to stop me. I'll be the loudest person in the stands when you rip down those nets."Caleb's lips collided with hers, claiming her in a branding kiss that made it clear who owned her. When they eventually parted ways, he was breathing heavily and the beast was yanking at its chain."Get some rest, my Queen." His fingers moved delicately across the majestic curve of her neck. "You'll need it for the celebrations tomorrow night." Miranda exited the truck and walked towards her house, her hips bouncing tantalizingly. Caleb watch