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Detention with a Side of Guilt (REVISED)

A nervous flutter danced in my stomach, and my hands felt all sweaty. It had been three days since Chandler asked if he could kiss me, and I totally froze up. Just imagining his lips on mine sent chills through me, but instead of saying yes, I freaked out.

"I-I can't," I had stuttered.

Real smooth, Sloane.

It was ridiculous on so many levels. It’s not like I didn’t want to kiss him. It was just... complicated. There was Evan, with his messy brown hair and charming smile, who had been flirting with me like crazy. And then there was Chandler, with his piercing gaze and quiet confidence, who made my heart race every time he looked my way.

I hadn’t seen him since that night, and the waiting was driving me nuts. What if he thought I was strange? What if he never wanted to talk to me again?

I poked at my scrambled eggs, trying to stretch out the time until Stetson finally decided to show up. Bernard rested his head on my foot, sensing my nerves. I reached down to pet his fluffy head, the soft fur providing a little comfort.

"See you later, pumpkin," Dad said, leaning down to kiss my forehead. His square jaw was freshly shaved, and his bright blue eyes crinkled at the corners as he smiled.

"Don’t let your brother drive you nuts," Pops added, his green eyes sparkling. He ruffled my hair, and the scent of his cologne, lingered in the air.

"Love you both! Don’t work too hard," I called out as they headed toward the garage. Pops waved, while Dad pointed at me with a serious look, a silent reminder to keep Stetson in check.

As the garage door let out a low rumble and shut, the front door swung wide open. A figure stepped out from the foyer and into the family room.

Chandler.

My heart raced. He looked incredible, as usual. He wore a simple black t-shirt that highlighted his toned arms, paired with dark jeans that fit him perfectly, and some well-loved Vans. His strawberry blonde hair was tousled, as if he had been running his fingers through it, and the sunlight caught the reddish tones in his hair.

"Come on, Sloane," he said, his voice deep and smooth. "I’m taking you to school."

I looked up in surprise. "What?" I blurted out.

He leaned casually against the kitchen island, his striking blue eyes locked onto mine. "Yeah. I thought we should talk."

Oh no. The talk. I quickly glanced at my outfit. Thank goodness I had actually tried this morning. I was wearing a flowy white babydoll dress with pretty embroidered flowers at the hem, along with my favorite brown ankle boots that had fringe. My long blonde hair was down, and I had even put on a few silver rings and a delicate necklace.

"Okay," I finally managed to say, sliding off the stool. Bernard whined for attention, but I brushed him off. This was way more important than his needs.

As I grabbed my backpack and followed Chandler outside, I couldn’t shake the thoughts racing through my mind. What was he going to say? Was he going to tell me he couldn’t be friends with someone as obviously messed up as me? Maybe he was just being nice by taking me to school, and then he’d disappear from my life. Or maybe... just maybe, he’d ask me why I really turned him down.

I quickly glanced at him as I followed him outside. My mind was racing with possibilities, making me feel a bit lightheaded. He walked confidently, his jaw tight and the muscles in his arms visible under his black T-shirt. The smell of his cologne, a fresh mix of ocean breeze and mint, wafted back to me, waking up my senses.

I couldn't help but notice how his strawberry-blonde hair curled just a bit at the back of his neck, the sunlight highlighting the reddish tones. He had sharp features, from his strong jawline to his high cheekbones, which stood in stark contrast to my softer look.

When we got to his Jeep, I felt small next to it. It was a tough, powerful vehicle with big black tires that seemed ready for adventure. The black grille, with its famous seven slots, almost seemed to challenge me to hop in. He clicked the unlock button, and the scent of his cologne filled the air again, refreshing and energizing.

He opened the passenger door, and I slid into the worn leather seat, surrounded by the smells of pine and leather. The dashboard was a blend of old-school and modern, with a big touchscreen taking center stage. Sunlight poured in through the open windows, warming my skin.

Chandler didn’t head towards school like I expected; instead, he went the other way. "Uh, shouldn't we be going to school?" I asked, my voice a bit unsteady.

He laughed softly, a sound that sent chills through me. "Chill out, Sloane. I know you can't handle mornings without your coffee."

I felt my face heat up. He really knew me too well. "I’m not addicted to caffeine," I shot back, but the slight quiver in my voice gave me away.

He just raised an eyebrow, a teasing grin forming on his lips.

We pulled into the Wendy's drive-thru, and Chandler ordered me a large Pumpkin Spice Frosty and a large Cold Brew Iced Coffee for himself. "I figured you’d want one of these," he said, his eyes sparkling.

After finding a parking spot, he turned to me, his blue eyes serious.

"Sloane," he said, his tone shifting, "I was totally out of line. I shouldn’t have put you in that position. If you really want to go after Evan, I’ll step back." He paused, searching my eyes. "But I can’t promise I’ll stop flirting with you or being protective. That’s just who I am."

My heart raced. "I don’t want you to stop flirting with me," I blurted out, immediately regretting it.

A slow grin spread across his face. "Good. Because I struggle with self-control." His eyes sparkled with mischief. "Especially when it comes to you." He reached out, his fingers lightly grazing my cheek, sending a rush of electricity through me. "You're just too irresistible."

I shivered at his touch, my breath hitching in my throat. "So are you," I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper.

He leaned in closer, his gaze locking onto mine. "I'm glad we sorted that out." His voice was deep and smooth, filled with unspoken promises.

The air buzzed between us, thick with tension. I could feel the warmth of his body radiating toward me, and I found myself leaning in, irresistibly drawn to him like a moth to a flame.

He leaned in even closer, his warm breath tickling my cheek. The mix of ocean air and mint wrapped around me, making me feel dizzy. I shut my eyes, waiting for... something to happen.

But then he pulled away, a playful sparkle in his eyes. "We should probably head to school," he said softly, his voice low and smooth.

I opened my eyes, disappointment flooding over me. "Yeah," I whispered, barely audible.

He turned on the Jeep, the engine roaring to life as we drove out of the parking lot. I glanced at him again, my heart racing. He was focused on the road, his jaw tight, but there was a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

We skidded into the school parking lot just as the bell rang, marking the start of first period. I jumped out of the Jeep, my backpack bouncing against me. Chandler was right behind, his hand brushing against my arm as we hurried toward the entrance.

We rushed through the entrance, panting and looking a bit messy, only to find the intimidating Ms. Troyer, the school secretary, waiting for us. Her lips were tightly pressed together, and her eyebrows were raised in a clear sign of disapproval.

"Well, look who finally decided to show up," she said, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "What a surprise."

Chandler and I exchanged a worried look. "Sorry, Ms. Troyer," I stammered, feeling my face heat up with embarrassment. "We got... caught up."

"Caught up, huh?" she replied, her eyes narrowing suspiciously. "By what exactly? A stampede of snails?"

Chandler tried to hold back a laugh, and I shot him a look that said, "Not now."

Ms. Troyer handed us each a tardy slip and a detention slip. "Detention," she announced, her voice leaving no room for argument. "After school. Both of you."

I sighed internally. This day was definitely not going as I had hoped.

"And do try to be on time next time," Ms. Troyer added, her tone dripping with disdain. "Unless you think being late is a charming trait."

Chandler's lips twitched, and I could see he was fighting to keep a straight face. Meanwhile, I just wanted to disappear.

We hurried down the hall, our footsteps echoing in the quiet space. "Detention," I muttered, shaking my head in disbelief. "Are you kidding me?"

Chandler laughed, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "Hey, at least we’ll get to hang out together." He winked, and I couldn’t help but grin.

I got through first period, then second, third, and fourth. Finally, lunchtime arrived. I was in the lunch line, my stomach rumbling, when someone tapped me on the shoulder. I turned to find Evan standing there, his usual smirk on his face.

"Hey," he said, his voice deep and smooth.

I quickly scanned the area for Tahni. "Where's Tahni?" I asked, trying to sound chill.

Evan laughed softly. "Chill out, she doesn’t control me."

A mix of relief and excitement washed over me. "What do you need, Evan?"

"Your phone," he replied, extending his hand.

I hesitated, looking around to see if anyone was watching. With a reluctant sigh, I handed it over. His fingers brushed mine, sending a jolt through me. He typed something quickly and returned my phone.

"Text me later," he said with a wink before turning to leave.

I stared at my phone, my heart racing. Evan's number was now saved in my contacts. I felt a rush of confusion. What was I supposed to do with that? I liked him, but there was also Chandler... and Tahni. My mind was a whirlwind. I just hoped I wasn’t making a big mistake.

The rest of the school day dragged on painfully. Each class seemed to stretch forever, my thoughts consumed by Evan. His surprise appearance in the lunch line, the way he looked at me, and his words - "Text me sometime" - echoed in my mind. What was he after? Why was he suddenly interested? And what about Chandler? I felt a pang of guilt. Was I giving Chandler mixed signals?

When the final bell finally rang, I felt completely exhausted, weighed down by my confusing feelings. I grabbed my stuff and made my way to Study Hall, where I was supposed to meet Chandler. As I walked through the hallway, it felt like everyone was watching me, their whispers and giggles ringing in my ears.

"Did you hear? Sloane and Chandler got detention!" a girl’s voice sliced through the chatter, full of mockery.

"Yeah, they were late because they were making out in the parking lot," another voice sneered, making me feel a rush of embarrassment.

I picked up my pace, my face burning, eager to escape the judging stares and the whispers that trailed behind me like a bad dream.

Chandler was leaning against the wall outside the Study Hall, his body language tense and uneasy. When I got closer, he looked up at me, forcing a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. Did he know about the rumors too?

"Hey there, Miss Detention," he joked, but there was a hint of doubt in his expression. "Ready for our little punishment session?"

I managed a smile, trying to hide the quiver in my voice and the way I avoided his gaze. "Oh, I can't wait," I replied with a hint of sarcasm. "An hour with Ms. Troyer sounds like a blast."

He laughed, but it didn’t have the usual cheerfulness. He stepped closer, and I instinctively took a step back, widening the space between us.

"Hey," he said gently, concern evident in his tone. "Are you alright? You seem a bit…off."

His question surprised me, and I struggled to find the right words as my carefully built walls began to crumble. "I’m fine," I said quietly, still not looking at him. "Just a little tired."

He didn’t seem convinced. His fingers brushed my arm, sending a shiver through me. Normally, that touch felt comforting, but today it was charged with an awkward tension.

"You know you can talk to me, right?" he whispered, his voice soft.

I nodded, unable to meet his gaze. The burden of my secret and the guilt of my feelings for Evan weighed heavily on me, making it hard to breathe.

As we made our way to the detention room, the harsh fluorescent lights created long, spooky shadows in the empty hallway. With every step, the pressure of my secret felt like it was growing, threatening to shatter the delicate bond I had with Chandler. I had a feeling this detention was going to be anything but normal.

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