Mysterious new boy

~After a few days~

Derek strolled down the school hallway with his backpack slung over one shoulder. As he passed, students turned to stare, jaws practically hitting the floor.

His striking looks left them wondering where on earth he came from. His warm brown eyes gleamed under the hallway lights, and the girls were already swooning.

While they gawked, Derek stayed focused on the campus map in his hands, trying to locate his classroom. After a few turns, he stopped in front of a room he hoped was the right one.

“Heyyy,” a group of girls cooed, strutting up to him with goofy smiles.

“Hey,” he replied, his voice low and smooth, with a natural rasp that made them melt.

“Oh my God, you look—and sound—so hot,” one of them blurted.

Derek just offered a polite smile. “Thanks,” he said simply, then walked into the classroom.

The moment he stepped through the doorway, every head in the room turned his way. Conversations paused. Eyes locked on him.

“That's the new boy,” someone whispered, not even bothering to lower their voice.

Derek scanned the room quickly, looking for someone—but she wasn’t there. His eyes eventually landed on two empty seats in the middle of the class. One had a bag already placed next to it—Maggie sat in the seat beside it.

He made his way over, dropped his bag on the table, pulled the chair back, and sat down.

That’s when Danielle stood from the corner of the room and approached, a fake smile curling on her lips.

“Hey, newbie,” she said, loud enough for everyone to hear. “Bad choice. That seat belongs to a loser.”

The class erupted in laughter—everyone but Maggie, who rolled her eyes and stayed quiet.

Derek turned to her calmly, not a trace of irritation in his voice.

“I sit where I like. Thanks for the heads up.”

“Ooohhh!” the class chorused, clearly impressed by how effortlessly he handled her.

Maggie smiled to herself, secretly loving how he shut Danielle down without even trying.

Danielle’s smile vanished. She stalked to the back of the class where her seat was, shooting the room a glare that immediately silenced the crowd.

Derek turned to Maggie and offered a small smile.

“Hi. I’m Derek.”

Maggie’s mouth parted in shock. She just stared, speechless—unable to believe this gorgeous guy had just spoken to her.

“Hi, I’m Maggie. Nice to meet you,” she replied with a warm smile.

From across the room, Danielle scowled at her in disgust.

Derek leaned in slightly, lowering his voice.

“Your friend’s not in school today. Is everything okay?”

Maggie’s expression shifted as she narrowed her gaze.

“How do you know Ashley?” she asked, suspicious but curious.

“We’ve met… just once,” he said, his lips still curved in that same calm smile.

“Oh. Well…” Maggie hesitated before whispering, “Ashley was assaulted a few days ago. By some of our classmates.”

Derek’s eyes darkened, his tone serious now.

“Is she alright?”

“She’s doing better,” Maggie nodded. “She promised to come to school today. I’m still waiting on her.”

He leaned in closer, voice barely audible.

“And the people who did it… have they been caught?”

Maggie nodded again. “Yeah. They were arrested. Sent to prison. Danielle was almost exposed too… but she managed to slip through.”

Derek’s gaze slowly drifted toward the back of the classroom. Straight at Danielle.

Across the room, Ariana leaned toward Danielle.

“What’s going on between those two?”

“I don’t know,” Danielle replied coolly, flipping her hair, “and I don’t care.”

Derek’s stare lingered. He’d heard every word.

“He’s looking at Danielle,” Ariana whispered with a little grin.

Danielle’s smirk returned. She shifted in her seat, brushing a hand through her hair seductively.

“Well, he should be. Obviously, I’m prettier than Maggie.”

But just then, Derek sat up straighter, nostrils flaring slightly—as if he could feel something shift in the air.

“She’s here,” he said under his breath, turning to look out the window.

Maggie followed his gaze and lit up.

“There she is,” she said, her voice filled with relief.

Ashley was walking into the school compound, clutching the strap of her backpack to her chest like a frightened child. Her head was bowed, shoulders stiff with tension.

Whispers followed her as she passed through the hallway.

“Slut,” someone muttered cruelly.

She didn’t look. Didn’t react. She just walked faster, shutting everything out.

When she entered the classroom, silence fell for a beat—then came a burst of laughter.

Danielle leaned back in her seat, a satisfied smirk plastered on her face.

Ashley kept her head down and made her way to her seat… only to pause when she noticed the boy sitting beside it. A face she hadn’t seen before.

‘He must be the new student they have been talking about in the hallway,’ she thought.

Their eyes met.

And time… stopped.

Derek stared at her like she was the missing piece to something he hadn’t even known was broken.

‘She’s the one,’ he thought, his heart thudding. ‘I feel it.’

“Your leg’s in the way,” Ashley said quietly, trying to reach her seat. “Could you please move it?”

“Of course,” Derek replied, pulling his leg back. She slid into the chair beside him, offering a small smile to Maggie.

“Hi.”

“Hey,” Maggie greeted, her eyes filled with concern. “How are you feeling now?”

“Much better. Thanks,” Ashley said, then turned slightly to look at Derek.

“I don’t think you want to sit next to me,” she said softly. “You should probably find a better seatmate.”

Derek smiled, calm and unfazed.

“I like this spot. And I don’t see anyone better.”

Ashley blinked, surprised by his warmth.

“Really? Thanks…” she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

Across the room, Ariana narrowed her eyes.

“Why’s he giving her so much attention?” she muttered.

Danielle, sitting stiffly, clenched her jaw in jealousy.

“I’m not letting him fall for that fake innocent act,” she hissed.

She stood up suddenly, heels clicking sharply against the floor as she strutted toward Ashley. The room fell silent instantly—everyone sensing the storm that was coming.

Danielle stopped beside Ashley’s desk and folded her arms, wearing a fake smile.

“Hey Ashley,” she said, voice dripping with mock sweetness. “Feeling any better?”

A few students snickered under their breath.

Ashley lowered her gaze, saying nothing.

“Danielle, can’t you just leave her alone for once?” Maggie snapped.

“Oh, hush, sidekick. Nobody was talking to you,” Ariana barked from the back, setting off a wave of laughter.

Derek’s jaw tightened. His hands clenched into fists under the desk, his skin prickling with heat. He stared straight at Danielle, his eyes dark with anger, but his voice stayed silent.

Then Danielle leaned closer to Ashley, dropping the act completely.

“Did you enjoy that night?” she sneered.

She pulled out her phone and turned the screen toward Ashley.

Ashley gasped.

On the display were grainy images—proof of everything they’d done to her. The color drained from her face.

Derek stood abruptly.

And for the first time, his voice cut through the room like a two-edged sword.

“That’s enough!”

“Back off!” Derek snapped, his teeth clenched and voice shaking with restrained fury.

Danielle turned to him with a mocking smirk.

“What—does it concern you?” she taunted.

Ashley’s face crumpled, her eyes welling up with tears. She started to cry, her hands trembling on her desk.

Derek’s breathing grew heavier, his jaw ticking.

“I said… back off!” he roared suddenly, leaping to his feet.

Before anyone could blink, he grabbed Danielle’s wrist. His skin shimmered for a split second—then claws shot out from his fingers, piercing into her flesh.

“Aah! You’re hurting me!” Danielle screamed, eyes wide in terror.

Ashley gasped and clung to the hem of Derek’s jeans, tears streaming down her face.

“Please… let her go. She’s bleeding!”

For a brief second, Derek didn’t move. His eyes were glowing faintly, chest rising and falling in sharp bursts. Then, with visible effort, he pulled himself back.

He let go.

Danielle stumbled back, clutching her hand where the wounds bled freely. Her face had lost all color.

She stared at Derek, eyes wide with fear.

“Danielle!” Ariana shrieked, rushing to her side and helping her out of the classroom.

The room went dead silent. No one spoke. No one moved.

Every eye was locked on the mysterious new boy.

Who… or what was he?