Dear Diary, The Cross Brothers are After Me

Date: August 28th

Time: 11:30 PM

Dear Diary,

New town, new school, new nightmare. I wanted a fresh start, but apparently, the universe has other plans. Dinner with the neighbors should’ve been uneventful, right? Wrong. Enter the Cross brothers—Aiden, Asher, and Grayson—three boys who make trouble look like an art form. One dinner, and I’m already their new target.

Tomorrow, I’ll face Ridgemont High. If tonight’s any indication, I’m stepping into the lion’s den. Wish me luck. Or better yet, pray for me.

-Lila

***

Moving was supposed to be a fresh start, at least according to my parents. For me, it felt like exile. Our new house stood in a neighborhood straight out of a luxury magazine—manicured lawns, pristine sidewalks, and houses so big they could have their own zip codes. It was a world I didn’t belong in, and I wasn’t about to pretend I did.

I was still unpacking my room when my mom poked her head in. “Lila, sweetie, put something nice on. The neighbors are coming over for dinner.”

I groaned, sinking onto the bed. “Do I have to?”

“Yes,” she said, her tone final. “They’re your father’s new colleagues, and we want to make a good impression.”

Reluctantly, I threw on a plain sweater and jeans. It wasn’t like I was trying to impress anyone.

The Cross family arrived promptly at seven. The moment the front door opened, I was hit with a wave of energy that was equal parts charm and danger. Three boys stepped inside, each so stunning it felt almost surreal.

The first one, with messy brown hair and a grin that could only be described as trouble, was the first to notice me. His sharp eyes raked over me, his smirk widening.

“New girl alert,” he said, his tone dripping with mockery. “This is gonna be fun.”

The second boy, standing slightly behind him, was more composed but no less intimidating. His features were sharp, his posture relaxed, and his gaze piercing.

“Careful, Aiden,” he said smoothly. “You might scare her off before we even start.”

So that was Aiden. And this one… Asher.

Before I could process their words, the third boy entered. Taller, broader, and with an air of silent authority. He didn’t smile. Didn’t even seem to care that I was standing there awkwardly, clutching the edge of the counter.

He looked me up and down, his cold eyes lingering just long enough to make me uncomfortable. “She doesn’t look like she’ll last long.” His voice was flat, dismissive, like I was already a waste of time.

Dinner was worse.

My parents were all smiles, chatting with Mr. and Mrs. Cross about work and local schools, oblivious to the tension at the table. Meanwhile, the brothers had decided I was their new favorite pastime.

It started with Aiden “accidentally” knocking over my water glass.

“Oops,” he said, grinning as I scrambled to grab napkins. “Didn’t see that there.”

“Sure, you didn’t,” I muttered, glaring at him.

“Careful, sunshine,” he teased. “That glare might burn a hole in the table.”

Next came Asher, who watched me like a hawk every time my parents asked me a question. When I stuttered over an answer about my future plans, his smirk grew.

“Don’t worry, Lila,” he said, leaning back in his chair. “You’ll figure it out eventually. Probably.”

I felt my cheeks flush with embarrassment and frustration. “Thanks for the vote of confidence.”

And then there was Grayson. He didn’t say much, but his presence was impossible to ignore. He sat at the far end of the table, watching me like I was some kind of experiment he was studying. Finally, he spoke, his voice cutting through the chatter.

“Let me guess,” he said, his tone devoid of emotion. “You’re one of those girls who thinks she can handle anything?”

I stiffened, meeting his gaze. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

He shrugged, taking a sip of his water. “Exactly what it sounds like.”