Chapter 1 : A Hershey''s Kiss

September arrived with the lingering heat of summer, the sun hanging in a cloudless blue sky like a relentless furnace. The air carried the scent of freshly cut grass and exhaust fumes from idling cars. Maplewood''s Oak Ridge High School was buzzing with the chaotic energy of the first day back—yellow school buses lined the drop-off zone, parents'' cars idled in the parking lot, and students streamed toward the main entrance in clusters, their laughter and chatter creating a symphony of teenage anticipation.

 Emma Carter stepped off the school bus, the metal steps still warm from the morning sun. She adjusted the strap of her backpack, the weight of new textbooks already making her shoulders ache. Through the shifting crowd, she spotted the student council members stationed at the entrance, checking dress code compliance alongside Vice Principal Thompson.

 The most noticeable among them was a boy with sandy blonde hair that caught the morning light like spun gold, a red armband wrapped around his toned bicep. Jack Miller stood tall at six-foot-one, making the standard Oak Ridge polo and khakis look like they''d been tailored just for him. His features were almost too perfect—a sharp jawline that could cut glass, bright hazel eyes that crinkled at the corners when he smiled, revealing a single dimple that gave his otherwise handsome face a slightly mischievous, almost predatory quality.

 "Jack is so gorgeous," Tara whispered beside her, clutching her own backpack straps. "It''s like looking at him cleanses my soul or something."

 Emma stayed quiet for a moment, her fingers tightening around her backpack straps. She didn''t think Tara''s soul was being cleansed—more like her eyes were being deceived by a carefully constructed facade. How could anyone think a guy like Jack, who was basically a wolf in sheep''s clothing, could purify anything? The Jack she knew was all sharp edges and quiet intensity, not this polished, publicly perfect version.

 "Don''t you think he''s handsome?" Tara pressed, seeking validation.

 As they drew closer to the entrance, Emma muttered, "Where''s the appeal? He looks like a girl," and quickened her pace toward the school doors.

 Tara gasped audibly, glancing nervously at Jack before hurrying after her. "You''ve got some nerve saying that out loud! What if he heard you?"

 Emma didn''t respond, just focused on putting as much distance between herself and Jack as possible.

 They''d barely made it past the threshold when a male voice called out from behind them, "Hey, wait up—you with the light brown hair!"

 Tara instinctively turned. One of Jack''s friends from student council was pointing at Emma.

 "Oh no, he actually heard you..." Tara tugged at Emma''s sleeve, signaling her to stop.

 All eyes around the entrance seemed to converge on them. Emma felt prickles of anxiety crawl up her spine. She instinctively shifted behind Tara, watching as the boy approached with Jack trailing lazily behind him.

 *Seriously? He''s going to stop me just because I said he looks like a girl? That''s petty even for him.*

 Emma shot Jack a glare. He responded with a faint smirk, meeting her gaze without a hint of offense.

 "Hey, school policy—no dyed hair," the boy said when he reached them, immediately clearing Jack of any suspicion.

 Tara jumped in to explain, "It''s not dyed! She was born with it, takes after her dad."

 Emma''s hair was naturally light brown, with subtle golden highlights that caught the sun, making it look artificially colored at first glance.

 But she''d been at Oak Ridge for two years now. Most student council members knew her hair was natural and never stopped her. This guy must be new.

 "Natural?" The boy glanced back at Jack for confirmation. "Jack?"

 Jack finally looked away from Emma and nodded. "Yeah, it''s natural. Like mine." He gave his own head a little shake, his sandy hair shifting with the motion.

 The vice principal overseeing the checks glanced over, recognized Emma, and called out, "She''s fine, let her through."

 The boy apologized awkwardly. Emma waved it off, saying it was fine, just please don''t stop her next time.

 *Being singled out at the entrance with everyone staring... my social anxiety is about to kick in. I just want to sprint to my classroom.*

 Just as Emma turned to leave, Jack''s voice stopped her. "Hey, wait."

 She looked back just in time to see something small and silver arcing through the air toward her. She fumbled but caught it.

 "Apology for the hassle," Jack said, hands in his pockets, looking effortlessly cool.

 Emma looked down. A Hershey''s Kiss chocolate, slightly melted from the heat.