Chapter 3 The Mystery Girl

ZACH POV

I hated being ignored. Especially by her. My phone vibrated again beneath the desk, but it wasn’t the message I wanted. Just another useless notification. Not Star Girl.

I clenched my jaw and opened our chat for what felt like the hundredth time.

Zach: Are you ignoring me?

Seen yet no reply. My irritation deepened. Three dots never appeared like she was typing or even attempting to reply me. Nothing.

But I knew she was reading every single message and still choosing not to answer me. I felt insulted because no girl had ever done that to me before.

Around me, the classroom buzzed with noise as the teacher continued explaining something on the board, but I wasn’t paying attention. I hadn’t heard a single word since class started.

Because all I could think about was her. That freaky night. The kiss. The way her body melted against mine like she felt it too.

I leaned back lazily in my seat, staring at the masked photo on Star Girl’s profile again.

The comments under her latest post moved so fast it was almost ridiculous.

Marry me.

She’s unreal.

I'm so obsessed with you star girl.

I want you to be mine.

I scoffed quietly.

They didn’t know anything. None of them knew what it felt like standing inches away from her while she danced like she owned the entire room.

None of them knew what her lips tasted like or her soft touch.

My fingers tapped against the screen impatiently before I typed another message.

Zach: Where are you?

Seen. Still nothing.

“Dude.”

I ignored Ash.

Another message.

Zach: I just want to talk. Okay, at least tell me your name.

Seen, yet no reply.

My mood darkened instantly.

Was she seriously doing this on purpose?

Ash kicked my chair lightly from behind.

“You’ve been staring at your phone for an hour.”

“Mind your business.”

He laughed softly. “You’re whipped already.”

“I don’t even know her.”

“That’s the problem.”

I exited the chat and opened another video of Star Girl performing. The camera quality was terrible, but I still found myself staring too hard like she was few inches away from me.

The mask hid most of her face. Gold glittering under neon lights.

The memory of her fingers against my neck flashed through my mind again, followed by the shaky breath she made when I kissed her. Something unfamiliar twisted inside my chest.

It was annoying.

I’d dated enough girls to know this wasn’t normal. Usually, I got bored fast. Very fast and uninterested.

But her? I couldn’t stop thinking about her.

Did she think about me too?

Or was I just another random guy to her?

The thought irritated me more than it should have.

“Zach.”

This time Lisa’s voice dragged me out of my thoughts.

I looked up slowly. She sat beside me with one brow raised. “Are you even listening to anything I’ve been saying?”

I slipped my phone into my pocket. “Probably not.”

Lisa rolled her eyes dramatically. “Wow. So rude.”

“Sorry.”

“You’ve been acting weird all day. Are you okay?”

“I’m fine.”

“Mhm.” Her gaze dropped toward my phone knowingly. “Still stalking Star Girl?”

“I’m not stalking anyone.”

“You literally watched the same video five times.”

I shrugged carelessly.

Lisa leaned closer with a teasing smile.

“Wait…” she gasped dramatically. “Are you actually obsessed with her?”

I laughed immediately.

The idea sounded ridiculous.

“Obsessed?” I repeated mockingly.

“With a masked girl you met once?” Lisa smirked.

“Relax. I fall for no one.”

“Confident answer.”

“Because it’s true.”

I leaned back arrogantly.

“I’m Zach Reed. I don’t chase girls. They chase me.”

Lisa laughed softly. “Sure doesn’t look that way.”

Before I could respond, the bell rang loudly through the classroom. Everyone immediately started packing their bags.

I stood up slowly, grabbing my jacket while checking my phone again. Still no reply.

Unbelievable.

Ash noticed my expression and burst out laughing. “She’s really humbling you.”

“Shut up.”

“She left you on seen again?”

I shot him a glare and that only made him laugh harder. For the rest of the day, the irritation stayed with me.

Through lunch, practice and dinner. Even hours later, I still found myself checking my phone every few minutes like an idiot.

Nothing. No message. No explanation. Just silence. Leaving me in complete suspense

By evening, I was officially pissed. I stood near the window inside my room, staring at the glowing city lights of Los Angeles while replaying that night over and over in my head.

Why run away if she felt it too? Unless she regretted it or was scared of falling for a handsome guy like me.

I smiled, trying to make myself feel better but it didn't work. So, I grabbed my car keys instantly. Maybe seeing her again would clear this whole thing out of my head.

Or make it worse.

Either way, I needed answers. Less than an hour later, I stepped into the underground club again. The music hit immediately. Loud bass. Flashing lights. Sweaty bodies moving everywhere.

But my eyes searched for only one person.

Her.

The crowd suddenly erupted into screams as the stage lights dimmed. Then she appeared like an angel.

The entire room lost its mind instantly. And somehow… she looked even more beautiful than I remembered. My chest tightened slightly as she stepped beneath the spotlight confidently with her gold mask and black short gown.

Her energy was dangerous. She owned every inch of the stage without even trying.

I couldn’t look away. For one brief second, her eyes scanned the crowd and landed directly on me. Recognition flashed instantly. I saw it. She knew exactly who I was.

But then something unexpected happened. Her expression changed.

The warmth from that night disappeared completely and was replaced with coldness.

And just like that…

She look

ed away.

Like I meant absolutely nothing. My jaw tightened. Interesting. Very interesting.

Because now?

I wanted her even more so I decided to play a little trick on her.