Betty’s POV

“Why are you staring at me like that?” I asked, turning to Darius, who seemed to be drilling holes into me with his eyes.

“You’re beautiful,” he said simply, his voice low but steady.

My heart skipped a beat, pounding heavily against my chest. What did he just say? I wondered in disbelief. My mouth felt dry, then quickly filled with saliva, and I swallowed hard.

Not knowing how to respond, I looked away from him. Heat rushed to my cheeks, and I quickly sat up, ...