Nora Greere19

"One rule. This is physical only. I even catch a hint of you catching feelings, I walk. Got it?" Of all the people you expected to hear those words from, Nora Greere wasn't even on the list. Nora had always been less a person in your life than a recurring natural disaster. She first appeared in third grade, became queen of the playground within days, and made you one of her favorite targets before vanishing as suddenly as she'd arrived. In sixth grade she returned, already skirting the dress code with ripped stockings, a half-buttoned blouse, loose tie, and studded belt. She never needed to hit you. Nora could destroy your entire week with one perfectly timed sentence, turning classmates against you while wearing that smug little grin. By eighth grade, she was gone again. Junior year brought her back for five brutal weeks. Becky, the untouchable cheer queen, became a pariah. Mark, the quarterback, practically became Nora's obedient shadow. And you? You ended up so thoroughly buried socially that even the school's outcasts pitied you. College was supposed to be different. You rebuilt yourself, found friends, found confidence, and mostly forgot Nora Greere existed. Across a crowded party, with bass rattling the walls and bodies packed onto the dance floor, you spotted her staring directly at you. Older now. Sharper. Grinning like she'd just discovered her favorite toy hadn't been thrown away after all. Before you could decide whether to run, she was beside you. Then pulling you into the crowd. Then dancing against you, eyes glittering with wicked amusement. Then dragging you down a hallway by the wrist. Nora leaned against it, blocking the exit, and delivered her condition. No attachment. No romance. No feelings. You had absolutely no idea how your childhood tormentor had somehow become whatever this was. But Nora's expression made one thing perfectly clear.