The morning after the emotional night, Billy was back to his usual self, as if nothing had happened. His cocky swagger was in full force, but something had changed. He wasn't avoiding Daphne like before—in fact, he was surprisingly kind to her.

Daphne woke up to a quiet house. Jonathan had already left, and both Will and her mom were still sleeping soundly. She grabbed a quick breakfast, snatching an apple from the kitchen counter before heading toward the door. On a whim, she grabbed another apple and tossed it to Billy as he came down the stairs.

"Thanks," Billy said, catching the apple with a grin. "You ready?"

"Yeah, let's go," Daphne replied, not missing the slight warmth in his tone that hadn't been there before. His car was still at his house, so she was driving them to school. They got into her car, and as soon as she started the engine, Billy leaned back, a playful smile on his lips.

"Can we put some music on? How can you drive without it?" Billy asked, looking almost scandalized by the silence in the car.

Daphne chuckled, nodding. "Yeah, I've got a mixtape somewhere. Check the glove compartment."

Billy opened it and pulled out a tape with a smirk. "Daph's Road Rebellion? I would've never expected that name from someone like you."

"Someone like me?" Daphne raised an eyebrow, half-amused, half-offended. "What am I like?"

Billy shrugged, still grinning. "Well, you're the queen of the school. You're popular, and I pictured you as very, you know, preppy."

Daphne rolled her eyes, unable to hide her distaste. "What? Ew, that's disgusting. Just because I'm the queen doesn't mean I'm all about pink and bows. You've been in my room—does it look like that?"

Billy thought for a moment, then nodded in agreement. "You're right. Well, let's listen to your rebellion playlist, then."

Daphne smirked as she popped the tape into the player. As the first notes of Runaway by Bon Jovi filled the car, Billy's eyebrows shot up in surprise.

"Bon Jovi?" he asked, his tone a mix of approval and disbelief.

"Yeah, he's my favorite," Daphne said, her eyes on the road but a smile on her lips.

Billy leaned back, nodding along to the beat. "I like your taste, but you already know that."

They spent the rest of the drive singing along to the songs on the mixtape, laughing at each other's off-key notes and bantering about their favorite bands. For a moment, it felt like they were just two normal teenagers, free from the burdens that usually weighed them down.

When they finally pulled into the school parking lot, the tension from the previous night had all but disappeared. Billy and Daphne were laughing and talking like old friends, their connection deepening in a way neither of them had expected.

As they got out of the car, Billy glanced at Daphne, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Thanks for the ride, Your Highness."

"Anytime, Hargrove," Daphne shot back with a wink, feeling lighter than she had in days.

They walked toward the school, still joking and laughing, unaware of the curious looks they were getting from their classmates. But for once, neither of them cared.

At that moment, all that mattered was the music, the shared laughter, and the small bubble of normalcy they had managed to create together.

The final bell had rung, signaling the end of lessons for the day, and as usual, Daphne and Tina were headed to the gym to watch the boys play basketball.

It had become a routine for them, a way to wind down after a long day, and today was no different—except for the tension that hung in the air between Steve and Billy.

As soon as they stepped into the gym, they spotted Steve and Billy on the court, locked in a one-on-one battle. Billy, of course, was shirtless, his muscles flexing with every move he made. It wasn't hard to see why he drew so much attention, but Daphne tried to keep her focus on the game rather than on Billy himself.

"Here we go again," Tina muttered, rolling her eyes as they took their usual spot on the bleachers.

"Yeah," Daphne replied, her voice lacking its usual enthusiasm. She still couldn't shake the mixed emotions she felt about Billy, especially after everything that had happened between them. But for now, she pushed those thoughts aside and focused on the game.

"Let's go! Pass it up now. Get open!" the coach shouted from the sidelines, his voice echoing through the gym.

Billy caught the ball, dribbling it with ease as he surveyed the court. "All right, all right! King Steve, everyone. I like it, playing tough today!" he called out, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

Steve, visibly annoyed, glared at Billy. "Jesus, do you ever stop talking? Come on!" he shot back, moving in closer to try and steal the ball.

Billy just laughed, a low, mocking sound as he toyed with the ball. "What?" he said, smirking as if he could read Steve's mind.

Steve, ever the strategist, was waiting for the right moment, his eyes locked on the ball, his muscles tensed and ready. Billy seemed to sense this, though, and continued his taunting. "You're afraid the coach is gonna bench you now that I'm here, huh?"

With a quick, brutal shove, Billy sent Steve to the floor and effortlessly made the shot, the ball swishing through the net. The coach blew his whistle, signaling the point, and Billy turned to high-five one of his teammates.

Daphne's stomach tightened as she watched Billy saunter over to Steve, who was still on the ground.

For a moment, it looked like Billy was going to show some sportsmanship. But as soon as Steve took his hand, Billy leaned in close, whispering something in his ear. Then, without warning, Billy shoved him back down to the floor, earning a few laughs from the other players.

"God, what a jerk," Tina muttered, shaking her head. "Why does he have to be such an asshole all the time?"

Daphne, her eyes still on Billy, couldn't help but feel a mix of anger and confusion. She had seen glimpses of a different side of him, a vulnerable side that he hid so well.

But now, watching him humiliate Steve like this, she wondered if that side even mattered. Maybe this was who he really was—a bully who didn't care who he hurt.

"He just loves the attention," Daphne replied, her voice edged with frustration. "And he knows exactly how to get under Steve's skin."

Tina nodded, agreeing. "Still, it's like he's got something to prove, you know? Like he needs to be the best at everything, no matter who he has to push down to get there."

Daphne sighed, biting her lip as she watched the last few minutes of the game play out. Steve managed to get back up and finish strong, but it was clear that Billy had already gotten the best of him, at least for today.

"Whatever it is, it's exhausting to watch," Daphne said finally, her eyes narrowing as Billy made another point. "He's always on, always has to be the center of attention."

"Yeah, but you know what? I think Steve's not gonna let him win that easily." Tina said, a small smile tugging at her lips as the final whistle blew, signaling the end of the game.

"Maybe," Daphne replied, her thoughts drifting as the players began to head off the court. She wasn't sure who she was rooting for anymore—if anyone at all.

As they stood up to leave, Daphne cast one last glance at Billy, who was surrounded by his teammates, basking in the afterglow of his victory.

He caught her eye for a brief moment, his smirk returning, and Daphne quickly turned away, not wanting to give him the satisfaction of knowing she was watching.

Whatever his deal was, she was done trying to figure it out—at least for now.