Kael

Kael's POV 

I’d been watching Arian Smith all day. Like I watched him so closely that I know everything he did until now. 

First was when he walked through the campus gate this morning, hugging a book to his chest like it was part of him. Then during lunch in the cafeteria, sitting at the corner table, talking nonstop with his hands all over the place. 

The third time was in History class, raising his hand too often, answering questions nobody asked. The fourth? During the Book Club meeting, where he stood like he ran the whole school. 

Now it was the fifth time. He was on a bench outside the library, legs crossed, talking to that same nerdy friend of his, blabbering, smiling, alive in his own world.

He didn’t look like someone I should be interested in. He was too clumsy for a guy. He had a soft and restless energy. His slender frame, low brown hair that never looked brushed, and eyebrows that were thick and untrimmed matched his nerdy energy. 

His shirt collar was twisted, and his shoes were definitely not the regular kind. Honestly, he didn’t even look like he belonged here at Orleans College. 

And yet he did. He was the top student. The smartest. The only scholarship student. Which meant he had something my father needed. But that was not my business. 

I leaned back in my seat and sighed, gripping the steering wheel. My business is to approach him but for someone who talked so much, Arian Smith was frustratingly hard to approach. Or maybe I was the one making it hard.

Why was I even doing this? Why was I sitting in my expensive car, parked like a stalker, watching some nerdy scholarship kid who looked like he hadn’t slept properly in days?

I'm doing this because I need the award. Because I needed to graduate with my class. Because my father had made it clear I was nothing until I earned my place. And because my mother said this guy… this Arian was my only shot. 

As I say down in my car, I had rehearsed a hundred versions of how to talk to him but none of them sounded right.

‘Hi, Arian, I’m Kael Palmer, and I’ve been secretly watching you all day. Can I join your club?’

That doesn't sound right. 

‘Hi, Arian. I'm Kael Palmer. I need you to give me the most important award in the book club?’ 

That wouldn’t land well either, but I couldn’t sit here all day and stalk him like a weirdo. I have to do something now or I will have to follow him all night too. 

Bracing myself for the encounter, I adjusted my black cap, pulling it low to hide my face, and let my long hair fall to the sides. Maybe if I looked like just another guy on campus, he wouldn’t recognize me as Kael Palmer, the rebellious rich kid, the one everyone gossiped about.

I stepped out of the car and walked toward the bench. He was laughing about something with his pink-haired friend, his voice was too loud for the quiet space around them. If I were to be sitting anywhere around him, I would have told him to shit the fuck up since. 

I was a few steps behind Arian when I heard my name. 

“Kael?”

I froze as my disguise was exposed. Who the fuck was it? Why would the person interrupt me now? Who the hell even recognized me in this disguise?

I turned to see who the intruder was and of course, it was Hazel

Hazel Finn, the daughter of my father’s best friend. A girl who’d decided long ago that I was her future husband. Since the first time she met me, she’s been glued to my shadow. In fact, rumor had it that she chose Orleans College just because I was here.

She was beautiful, I’d give her that. She was tall and curvy. Her expensive hair and high-end makeup are always on point. She is hot for sure. But that spark, that something that makes the chest tighten or the head race was not there. She didn’t have it and she will never have it. 

"Kael!" she squealed, her voice high and breathy like a cartoon bunny. "I’m so happy to see you!"

Well, I wasn’t.

In fact, I was pissed that she recognized me. I’d gone out of my way to disguise myself, and now she was blowing my cover in broad daylight.

My eyes darted toward the bench as I remembered Arian. He talks so much that he didn't even notice me. 

"I’m busy, Hazel," I said flatly.

But Hazel didn’t know the meaning of boundaries. She stepped closer, linking her fingers around mine like we were in some slow-motion romance scene.

“When are you coming over?” she asked, her eyes batting like a dying butterfly. “You know my dad got me that new apartment. I live alone now.”

I looked down at her hand on mine, then pulled it off gently but firmly. "I don’t have any business at your house or your new apartment."

Her lips pouted. “Why are you acting so cold toward me today?”

Because you just ruined my mission, dumb head. I wanted to say that, but Hazel wasn’t the type you could insult without starting World War III. And I didn’t have the energy or time for her drama.

"I’m sorry if I sound rude today," I said instead. "I’m in the middle of something."

Her eyes lit up with curiosity. “What are you up to? I can help!”

“No, Hazel,” I said, biting back a sigh. “I don’t need your help.”

That was when I noticed the bench was empty.

Arian and his pink-haired friend were gone.

Gone.

I clenched my jaw, rage bubbling within me. This dumb girl had ruined plans. I wanted to curse out loud. I wanted to insult her for interrupting my plan. Because of her, I have to start all over again. I have to follow him after school, maybe even trail him home like some lovesick weirdo.

I turned back to her, struggling to keep my frustration under control. Getting her off my back was my priority and I have to use the calm method. 

“I’ll call you or text you,” I lied smoothly.

Her face brightened. “I’ll be waiting,” she said, leaning in to kiss my cheek.

Before she could reach me, I stepped back and turned away.

“Bye,” I said quickly, running back to my car. 

I didn’t have time for her. Arian was my target and I couldn’t afford to lose sight of him again.