**Playing with Fire**

Brooklyn made her decision in that moment, a thrill of excitement mixed with a little fear coursing through her veins. She was going to keep playing the game, no matter what Rachel had said about Mr. Blackwood. She was going to pretend that she was interested in Alex, and see where it took her. With a newfound sense of determination, Brooklyn walked over to Alex, who was still chatting with his friends. She smiled brightly and slipped her hand into his, feeling a spark of electricity as their palms touched. "Hey, want to grab a snack or something?" she asked, trying to sound casual. Alex looked down at her, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he smiled. "Sure thing," he said, standing up and tucking his arm around her shoulders. "I was thinking we could head to the student parking lot. My car has a killer stereo system." Brooklyn laughed and nodded, feeling a little like she was in a movie. As they walked out of the cafeteria, she couldn't help but glance around, wondering if Mr. Blackwood was watching. She spotted him standing by the entrance, his eyes fixed intently on her. For a moment, they just stared at each other, the air thick with tension. Then, Brooklyn looked away, focusing on Alex and the plan. She was going to play this game, and she was going to play it well. As they reached the student parking lot, Alex led her to his car, a sleek black sports car with tinted windows. He leaned against the hood, his eyes locked on hers, and Brooklyn felt her heart skip a beat. "So, what's your plan for the rest of the day?" he asked, his voice low and husky. Brooklyn shrugged, trying to play it cool. "I don't know. Whatever you want, I guess." Alex smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Well, I think I can come up with something," he said, pushing off from the car and stepping closer to her. Brooklyn's heart was racing as Alex leaned in, his lips brushing against hers in a soft, gentle kiss. She felt a rush of excitement, but it was quickly tempered by the thought of Mr. Blackwood, watching her from across the parking lot. She pushed the thought aside, focusing on the moment. She was going to play this game, and she was going to enjoy it. For now, at least. As they deepened the kiss, Brooklyn felt herself getting lost in the moment. She was aware of Alex's arms around her, his lips on hers, but she was also aware of the world around her. She could feel eyes on her, and she knew that Mr. Blackwood was still watching. But for now, she didn't care. She was having too much fun.