Class celebrity

Not in your dreams," I replied coolly, prying his hand off my waist.

Good response, Nova. Gold star.

Ugh. What a jerk. So much for making a good first impression.

Of course, he didn’t take the hint. Instead, he stepped in closer—close enough that I could smell the mix of gum and peppermint on his breath.

“You sure?” he asked, voice low and lazy, like this was just a game to him. “You looked kinda jealous back there.”

Who exactly was this dude? And why, in the name of bad luck, was no one else in this hallway yet?

I scoffed. “Me?” I pointed to myself. “Jealous of what—watching you suck face like it’s your part-time job? Yeah, I’m totally heartbroken.” My voice dripped with sarcasm.

He had the audacity to chuckle.

“You’ve got bite,” he said. “I like it.”

Kill me now.

“I’m just trying to get to class, goddammit,” I muttered, stepping around him.

He looked like he had another comeback ready when she reappeared—the girl he’d been swapping spit with. She marched over and practically latched herself to his arm like a purse.

“Aiden,” she purred, clinging like she paid rent. “What’s taking you so long?”

Then she spotted me. Her eyes raked me up and down like I was dirt on her designer shoes.

I almost laughed. Who was she trying to intimidate.

“Who’s this?” she asked, finally turning her gaze to him.

So. Aiden. The name matched the attitude. Arrogant. Trouble with a capital T.

“It’s nothing, Chloe,” he replied. “Let’s go—we’ve got to meet Ty and Jace at the entrance.” Just like that, he turned and walked off.

But not before throwing a look over his shoulder and—yep—blowing me a kiss.

What the hell was this guy’s problem?!

I rolled my eyes so hard I nearly saw my brain and i finally ducked into the classroom.

“Victory,” I muttered, sliding into a middle-row seat.

So much for an uneventful first day.

The classroom was still mostly empty, so I let my head rest on the desk. Just for a second. Just one—

Buzz.

Voices. Laughter. Movement.

I jerked awake.

The class was now full, and—because the universe enjoys watching me suffer—every pair of eyes was locked on me like I was Jennie from BLACKPINK.

Seriously?

I stared back, deadpan. If they wanted to gawk, they’d get a show. I locked eyes with every person who didn’t look away fast enough.

I promised myself I’d stay out of trouble.

I never said anything about not becoming a target.

“Ignore them,” a voice said beside me. “They always stare when someone new shows up. You’re not helping by full-on glaring like you’re planning their demise.”

I turned—and holy hell, he was cute. Not in a jock-god kind of way. More like charming, approachable, and slightly mischievous. Dimpled smile and everything.

“Typical high school students,” I muttered.

“Oh, she talks!" he gasped, clutching his chest dramatically. “Forgive me—you were staring so hard, I couldn’t tell if you were struck speechless by my beauty or just couldn't speak.

I laughed. He was ridiculous. But the good kind.

“I’m Eli,” he said, holding out a hand. “Nice to meet you, newbie.”

“Nova,” I said, shaking it. “And please don’t call me that. I have a reputation to protect.”

“You just got here.”

“Exactly. Still flawless.”

He grinned. “You’re weird. I like it. We should totally be friends.”

Honestly? I liked his vibe too.

“And before you panic,” he added quickly, “this isn’t some best friend falls for the straight girl’ storyline. You’re hot, don’t get me wrong, but I’m strictly into hot guys.”

I grinned. “We’re already friends, Eli.”

“Yesss!” he squealed like a Disney princess.

Just like that—I had a friend. One I could already tell would make this place tolerable.

Well… aside from the morning’s drama.

Because, as if summoned by my thoughts, he walked in.

Aiden.

Of course.

Right behind him was Chloe, and two other tall, probably-hot guys with stupidly good hair. The whole group walked in like they were modeling for the Back to School Cool section in a catalog.

I watched them sit a few rows behind us.

“Since when do they show up to morning classes?” Eli whispered.

Before I could answer, the teacher walked in and set her books down.

“Alright, guys, that’s enough chit-chat.”

The room immediately quieted. I sat up straighter.

“Before we begin,” she said, “we have a new student today.”

Cue: every head turning back to me. Again.

Thanks a lot, teach. Flying under the radar? Absolutely obliterated.

“I hope you’ll all help her feel welcome,” she added.

A few lazy responses echoed around.

“Open your workbooks to page thirty.”

The teacher started scribbling something on the board, but I couldn’t focus. Not with him behind me.

You ever get that sixth sense feeling? That tingle that someone’s watching you?

Yeah. It was all over me.

I clenched my pen like I wanted to snap it in half.

This Aiden guy? He was definitely going to be a problem.

And then—because fate has a twisted sense of humor—a paper landed on my desk.

Folded perfectly. Like it had been prepared.

I glanced around. No one looked my way .

I already knew who it was from.

Slowly, I unfolded it.

Four bold words stared back at me:

You're interesting, new girl.

My heart dropped.

I didn’t have to look to know he was smirking again.

Shit.

Welcome to hell, Nova.

Population: you and whoever the hell that Aiden guy is.