Chapter 1

_Raven's POV_

The car slowed down in front of the school gates and my heart sank a little as I looked at the building. It was big, loud and full of people. The holidays were over and reality was back.

“You’ll be fine,” my mom said softly as if she could read my thoughts.

I nodded even though I didn’t fully believe it.

After my dad died of cancer a few years ago, things had changed. It was just me and my mom now. We had learned how to live quietly together. We didn’t talk about the pain much but it was always there. Sitting between us. Breathing with us.

“Text me later,” she said while reaching out to squeeze my hand. “Tell me how your day goes.”

“I will,” I said.

I grabbed my bag and stepped out of the car. The cold air hit my face. I closed the door and waved as she drove away.

For a moment, I stood there alone.

Then I turned and walked inside.

The noise swallowed me whole.

Students filled the hallways. Voices bounced off the walls. Laughter echoed. Lockers slammed shut. Everyone seemed to know where they were going, who they were meeting, what they were doing.

I didn’t.

I needed to check the general board to find my first class.

I followed the signs until I reached the main hallway. That was when my steps slowed.

The board was completely blocked.

A large crowd of students stood in front of it, shoulder to shoulder. Some were laughing. Some were complaining. Some were shoving their way through.

My chest tightened.

I hated crowds. I hated pushing. I hated feeling like I took up too much space just by existing.

I stopped a few feet away and stared at the floor.

Scarlett would have already dragged me forward by now, I thought.

The thought made me smile sadly.

Scarlett was my best friend. My only real friend. She was loud where I was quiet. Brave where I hesitated. But she wasn’t coming today. She had gone on a skiing trip during the holidays and had broken her foot. It was a stupid accident. She would be out for a few days or maybe weeks.

The thought of going through the day alone made my stomach twist.

I waited.

Slowly, the crowd began to thin. Students walked away, satisfied with their schedules. I lifted my head and took a step forward. Just a few more people now.

I was almost there.

Suddenly, someone rushed past me.

Hard.

A shoulder slammed into my side. I stumbled and almost fell.

“Hey!” I snapped, grabbing the wall to steady myself. “Can’t you watch where you’re going?”

I looked up.

The words froze in my throat.

The boy standing in front of me was… unfairly handsome.

He was tall...really tall. He had broad shoulders and a relaxed posture, like nothing in the world could bother him. His hair was blond and messy like he had run his fingers through it one too many times. His eyes were a sharp blue. They were bright and intense.

He smirked.

“Well,” he said, his lips curling into a lazy smile. “That’s not a very nice way to greet someone.”

“You pushed me,” I shot back.

He glanced down at my shoulder. “You seem fine.”

“That’s not the point.”

He leaned closer and lowered his voice. “Then what is the point, Raven?”

My breath caught.

“How do you know my name?” I demanded.

His smile widened. “It was on the board. I can read.”

I frowned. “You don’t have to be rude.”

“I don’t have to be anything,” he replied easily. “Yet here we are.”

I crossed my arms. “You could at least say sorry.”

He tilted his head and studied me. “You want an apology?”

“Yes.”

He took another step closer. “For bumping into you?”

“Yes.”

He smiled slowly. “No.”

My jaw dropped. “Excuse me?”

“See, if I say sorry, this conversation ends. And I’m enjoying it.”

“You enjoy annoying people?”

“Only the interesting ones.”

I rolled my eyes. “You’re unbelievable.”

“And you’re very expressive,” he said. “Your face gives everything away.”

“That’s because you’re irritating.”

He chuckled. “I get that a lot.”

I stepped around him. “I don’t have time for this.”

As I walked away, I heard him call out, “Careful, Raven. Wouldn’t want you to fall again.”

I didn’t turn back.

I found my name on the board and quickly memorized my classroom. Room 2B.

I walked away. My mood was already ruined.

The classroom was quiet when I entered. I spotted an empty seat by the window and immediately took it. The sunlight made the room feel calmer and safer.

I had just started to relax when the bell rang.

Mrs. Parrish walked in with her usual gentle smile.

“Good morning, everyone.”

“Good morning,” the class replied.

She was one of my favorite teachers. She was kind, patient and warm.

“I hope you all enjoyed your holidays,” she said. “Now, before we begin, we have a new student joining us this year.”

My stomach tightened.

The door opened.

I froze.

It was him.

The blond boy walked in like he belonged there. Like he owned the room. His eyes swept across the class and landed on me.

His lips curved.

He winked.

My heart dropped.

“Please introduce yourself,” Mrs. Parrish said.

“My name is Cassian,” he said smoothly. “I just transferred here.”

Mrs. Parrish nodded. “Take any empty seat.”

There were many.

He ignored them all.

He walked straight toward me.

And sat down directly behind my chair.

“You have got to be kidding me,” I muttered.

He leaned forward. “Miss me already?”

I stiffened. “I didn’t invite you.”

“Lucky for me,” he whispered, “I don’t need invitations.”

Mrs. Parrish started the lesson. I tried to focus. I really did.

Tap.

Something hit the back of my chair.

I ignored it.

Tap. Tap.

I turned slightly. “Stop it.”

He leaned back. “Stop what?”

“You know exactly what.”

He smiled. “I like your tone. Very commanding.”

I faced forward again.

Tap.

My fingers tightened around my pen.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

I turned fully this time. “Do you have a problem?”

He rested his chin on his hand. “Depends. Do you?”

Mrs. Parrish glanced our way. “Is there a problem?”

“No, ma’am,” Cassian said quickly.

I opened my mouth. “He...”

“Raven,” Mrs. Parrish said gently but firmly. “Please pay attention.”

I bit my lip and nodded.

Tap.

Something snapped inside me.

Tap.

That was it.

I stood up so fast my chair screeched. “What is wrong with you?” I shouted, my voice echoing in the room. “Do you get pleasure from annoying people?”

The room went silent.

Mrs. Parrish’s face hardened. “Raven. That is enough.”

“But he....”

Cassian raised his hands. “Wow. All this over a little tapping?”

Mrs. Parrish frowned. “Raven.”

“He won’t leave me alone,” I snapped.

“I was just trying to be friendly,” Cassian said innocently.

Mrs. Parrish sighed. “Raven, step outside.”

“What?” I stared at her. “But he....”

“I don’t want to hear it,” she said firmly. “Outside. Now!"

My hands shook as I grabbed my bag.

As I walked past Cassian, he leaned close and whispered, “Guess I got under your skin.”

I stopped. “I can’t stand you.”

His smile was slow and dangerous. “That makes two of us.”

I stood in the hallway, my heart pounding. Tears burned my eyes but I refused to let them fall.

Why was he doing this to me?

What did I ever do to him?

I skipped the rest of my classes and went home.

When I reached the house, I took a deep breath and opened the door.

My mom was in the kitchen.

“You’re home early,” she said, surprised.

“School finished early,” I lied.

She nodded. “I didn’t go to work today. Can you help me with dinner?”

“Sure,” I said quietly.

As I helped her chop vegetables, I noticed the number of dishes on the counter.

“Is there a special occasion?” I asked.

She smiled. “Don’t you remember? We have guests tonight.”

My heart skipped. “Guests?”

“Lucas is coming. He’s bringing his son too.”

Oh.

I had forgotten.

Lucas was my mom’s boyfriend. He was also her boss at work.

At first, she never planned to date him.

She used to tell me how he asked her out once.... maybe twice and she said no every time. She believed it was better to keep things professional. She was a single mother. She had lost her husband. She didn’t want rumors. She didn’t want complications.

She also didn’t believe in second chances easily.

But Lucas didn’t give up.

One night, my mom’s car broke down on a lonely road. It was late. It was dark. And I was at home with a high fever. I remember shaking under the blankets and crying because my chest hurt so badly.

My mom had panicked.

She called Lucas.

He didn’t hesitate.

He came right away. He fixed the car. Then he drove us straight to the hospital. He stayed the whole night. He bought her coffee. He didn’t complain. He didn’t leave.

When I finally fell asleep, I remember seeing him sitting beside my mom, speaking softly to her, like he was afraid to break something fragile.

After that night, things changed.

Their dinners started slowly. One meal...then another. Long talks. Mom seemed to be happy with him. Lucas never rushed her. He never pushed. He waited patiently.

And somehow, my mom let him in.

A year later, he proposed.

She said yes. They were now engaged and would be getting married soon.

Night fell quickly.

My mom changed into a beautiful dress and put on makeup. She looked so excited.

The doorbell rang.

“Raven, can you get that?” she called.

I walked to the door and opened it.

And froze.

Cassian stood there.

“What are you doing here?” I demanded.

Before he could answer, Lucas stepped forward.

“Raven,” he said warmly. “This is my son, Cassian. Your future stepbrother.”

The world tilted.

My heart dropped.

This couldn’t be happening.

This jerk… was going to be my stepbrother.

No.

This was impossible.

And the way Cassian smiled told me he knew exactly how trapped I was.

He leaned closer and whispered,

“Looks like we’re stuck together.”

And at that moment, I knew that my life was about to become a nightmare.