Reckless Decisions
The library, the ultimatum, Logan—it was all too much. I needed an escape, and Caleb offered exactly that. His chaos was intoxicating, a whirlwind that let me forget the rest of the world, even if only for a little while.
“You need to loosen up,” he said one evening, smirking as he leaned against his car. “Come with me tonight. I’ll show you what living really looks like.”
I hesitated, but the thought of staying home and letting my thoughts spiral was unbearable. “Where are we going?”
“You’ll see,” he replied with a wink, holding the car door open for me.
***
That night, Caleb took me to an underground party, the kind that existed just outside the rules of normal life. The music was loud, the air thick with smoke and adrenaline. Caleb weaved through the crowd like he owned the place, his hand gripping mine as he introduced me to his circle of rebellious friends.
They were a mix of sharp edges and carefree grins, their laughter loud and unrestrained. I felt out of place at first, but Caleb’s confidence was infectious. He pulled me onto the makeshift dance floor, spinning me until I was dizzy with laughter and adrenaline.
“See?” he said, leaning close so I could hear him over the music. “This is what it feels like to be alive.”
For a while, I let myself believe him.
***
As the weeks went on, Caleb kept pushing boundaries, dragging me further into his world. Late-night rides, sneaking into forbidden places, parties in abandoned buildings—it was reckless and thrilling and completely out of control.
One night, we ended up in an old warehouse on the outskirts of town, the graffiti-covered walls illuminated by the glow of scattered flashlights. The party had dwindled, leaving just the two of us in the echoing space.
“This place is incredible,” Caleb said, his voice bouncing off the walls as he pulled me onto the crumbling stage at the center of the room. “Can you imagine the stories these walls could tell?”
I smiled, shaking my head. “You’re impossible.”
“And you love it,” he said, stepping closer. His hands slid to my waist, his eyes locking onto mine. “Admit it.”
Before I could respond, he kissed me, his lips warm and insistent. The kiss was electric, sending a rush of heat through me. My hands moved to his shoulders, gripping him as he pulled me closer, his confidence overwhelming.
But as the moment deepened, a flicker of doubt crept into my mind. The kiss was different from the ones I’d shared with Logan—less tender, more urgent. Caleb’s hands roamed freely, his touch igniting a fire that burned too hot, too fast.
