EIGHT : OLIVIA

OLIVIA

First day of school. I woke up that morning feeling strangely energetic. Not nervous—well, maybe a little—but mostly excited. It wasn’t often you got to start fresh somewhere new, somewhere that didn’t have the shadow of your old life hanging over you.

I stretched, letting the sunlight spill across my room, and took a deep breath. Today was the first day at Beacon Hills. My new school. My new start. My new life.

After a quick shower and choosing something simple yet cute—a pastel blouse with skinny jeans—I did my hair loosely, just enough to look like I cared without trying too hard. I kept my makeup minimal; I wanted to feel like me, not a version I was performing for anyone else.

I packed a jotter, few pens, my headphones and power bank into my bag, a new bag also and left the room. On my way down the stairs, Adrian joined me.

"Good morning. Ready for your first day?" he asked. "Well, yes. I'm excited and a little too eager." I replied. "That's better than being nervous at least. Come on, let's have breakfast." he said.

We walked together to the dining room, the morning light streaming through the tall windows and bouncing off the polished floors. The smell of fresh bread and brewed coffee greeted us, and the table was already set with an array of pastries, fruits, and a few simple breakfast options.

Adrian pulled out a chair for me, smiling lightly. "Eat well. You’ll need energy for the first day," he said, sitting across from me with his usual calm composure. I poured myself a cup of juice and picked at a croissant, though my mind kept drifting to the day ahead—and to him.

We talked quietly, just small things: the weather, the house, what I thought of my new room. Every glance he threw my way made my chest tighten in a way I still didn’t understand. I could still remember the kiss he gave me that night.

I just concentrated on the breakfast and made sure that I ate enough.

Finally, Adrian stood. "Are you ready?" he asked. I took the glass of juice and drank the remaining in the cup, then nodded.

"I will drive behind you, help you get settled at the administration office." he told me.

"Okay." he said and we left the dining room. Our cars were already parked out front for us. We got in and drove out, Adrian right behind me.

Twenty minutes later, we arrived at the school premises and parked our cars. The whole place was busy, everyone there standing beside their equally expensive cars.

I picked my bag from the seat beside me and got out, locking it. Adrian came up to me. "Let's go in." he said. We walked, not saying anything to anyone.

Adrian knew his way around, of course he did. He graduated from the school.

The closer we got to the main building, the more aware I became of my surroundings.

Beacon Hills was… intimidating. Beautiful, but intimidating. Sleek glass buildings, manicured lawns, students walking around like they belonged here—confident, polished, untouchable. I suddenly felt very aware of my clothes, my posture, the way I held my bag.

Adrian walked beside me like this place was second nature. His stride was unhurried, his shoulders relaxed, like he’d never once doubted he belonged here. And somehow, just being next to him steadied me.

“You okay?” he asked quietly, glancing down at me.

I nodded. “Yeah. Just… a lot.”

He gave a small smile. “You’ll get used to it faster than you think.”

As we entered the administration building, a few heads turned. Some curious. Some assessing. A few openly interested—mostly in Adrian. I noticed the looks immediately, the subtle glances, the whispers that followed him like an echo.

Something twisted in my chest.

I told myself it was nothing. Just observation. Just nerves.

The receptionist looked up and smiled politely. “Good morning. How can I help you?”

“She’s a new student,” Adrian said smoothly. “Here to complete registration.”

The woman nodded, her eyes flicking briefly between us before turning back to her screen. “Name?”

“Olivia,” I said. “Olivia Fannings. "

She typed, then smiled again. “Yes, we’ve been expecting you. Please have a seat. Someone will attend to you shortly.”

We sat. The chairs were sleek and uncomfortable, the silence buzzing with distant chatter and clicking keyboards. Adrian leaned back, arms crossed loosely, completely at ease. I fiddled with the strap of my bag.

“Everyone’s staring,” I murmured.

“They stare at everyone new,” he replied. Then, after a beat, “They’ll get bored.”

I glanced at him. “They stare at you too.”

He smirked faintly. “That’s not new.”

I rolled my eyes despite myself, and he chuckled—soft, low, and brief. It did something dangerous to me.

A woman soon called my name, and Adrian stood with me. “I’ll wait,” he said.

“You don’t have to,” I told him quickly. “I don’t want to—”

“I want to,” he said simply.

That shut me up.

The registration process took longer than I expected—papers, signatures, schedules, locker assignments. Adrian stayed silent beside me the whole time, occasionally stepping in when someone asked a question I didn’t know how to answer yet.

When it was finally done, the woman handed me a printed schedule. “Your classes are all listed here. A student guide will meet you shortly.”

I looked down at the paper, nerves creeping back in. “Okay.”

We stepped back outside, and the sun felt brighter somehow. Louder. Students passed by in groups now, laughter spilling through the air.

“This is where we split,” Adrian said.

I stopped walking.

“Oh,” I said, hating how small my voice sounded.

He turned to face me fully, his expression softening. “You’ll be fine.”

“I know,” I said quickly. “I just—yeah. I know.”

He hesitated, then reached out, adjusting the strap of my bag where it had slipped. The touch was brief. Innocent.

It still sent a rush through me.

“Text me if you need anything,” he said quietly. “Anything at all.”

I nodded. “I will.”

For a moment, we just stood there, surrounded by people yet somehow in our own bubble. I wondered if anyone could see it—the pull, the tension, the way my heart reacted to him like it already knew something I refused to admit.

Then a voice called my name.

I turned, and when I looked back, Adrian was already stepping away.

“Have a good day, Olivia,” he said over his shoulder.

“You too,” I replied.