Chapter 04

MONICA

I didn't even realize I'd been staring until his blue eyes caught mine and held them. They were steady and bright like clear water under the sun, and suddenly I couldn't look away.

My fingers tightened around my pen and was that butterflies at the pit of my stomach? He raised a brow playfully, the corner of his lips curling into an easy smile that looked effortless but also scary, the kind of smile that could make a girl forget herself.

"Uhm, yeah, sure," I managed, tugging a strand of hair behind my ear just to keep my hands busy so he wouldn't notice how much they trembled.

Heat rushed up my neck into my cheeks and I bit my lower lip without thinking, immediately regretting it when his gaze briefly noticed the movement.

God, why did another hot boy have to sit next to me? Havenstone was already a warzone with Damian and Zoey, this would only set off another round of gossips I wasn't ready to survive.

I dropped my gaze to my notebook, pretending to write while stealing small, careful glances at him. Even from the corner of my eye, I could see the gleam of his watch caught the fluorescent light.

It was an expensive brand I couldn't name but somehow knew cost more than my dad's yearly paycheck. His hair was perfectly cut, neat but a little messy in a way that made it look natural and intentional at the same time.

His skin was smooth, like he didn't know what it meant to break out before a test or stress over bills. And that cologne...

What are you doing Monica? Snap out of it!

He shifted closer to the desk, and I felt the edge of his sleeve brush lightly against mine. My breath hitched, and I told myself to focus on the teacher's voice.

"So," he said suddenly, leaning slightly closer now. "What's your name, seat partner?"

His low deep tone made my throat dry. I opened my mouth, but nothing came out at first. My own name, the simplest thing I could say, got stuck somewhere between my chest and lips.

"I-I'm Monica," I stuttered finally, forcing the words out.

"Hmm. Monica." He repeated it slowly, like he was trying it out, testing how it felt on his tongue. "That's a nice name." he smiled

I looked down quickly, my pen suddenly very interesting, but my cheeks betrayed me, heating again. I could feel him watching me still.

"I don't bite, Monica," he whispered.

I tried to steady my breathing, focusing on the teacher's monotone lecture about equations I wasn't hearing.

Gabriel didn't try to speak again. He just settled into his seat, scribbling notes with a kind of effortless confidence, while literally everyone in class kept glancing back at him.

I stole another glance at him, hoping he wouldn't notice. He did. His lips curved in the faintest smirk and I snapped my gaze back to the board so fast my neck hurt.

After what felt like years, the bell rang at last, jolting me from my thoughts. I took my time packing my books while everyone basically dashed out of class in a barbaric way.

Gabriel stacked his own books neatly and slid his bag onto one shoulder. A few girls hovered near the front of the class, glancing back at him, clearly working up the courage to talk to him.

I could hear snippets of their whispers, "He's so cute."

"Did you see his watch?"

"Anderson money is next level," but Gabriel didn't even glance their way.

I slid my last book into my bag, tugging the zipper closed just as a familiar voice broke through the noise behind me.

"Hey, cousin, how are you doing?"

The sound froze me in place. My breath caught when I saw Damian standing there, his hands shoved casually into his pockets. He was talking to Gabriel.

Wait that means... Gabriel is Damian's cousin?!!!

It felt like air had been snuffed out of my lungs. Cousins. Of course, the universe wasn't done humiliating me.

I have to keep as much distance as possible. Gabriel Anderson could be another universe entirely for all I cared, I am so not going to give Havenstone more ammo against me.

I slung my bag over my shoulder and headed for the door when...

"Hey, Monica." I froze and turned slightly.

It was Gabriel, and he was staring intently at me.

"Did we have any homework for this class?" he asked, like it was the most casual question in the world.

"Check the board," I replied flatly, jerking my chin toward the front of the room. His smile faltered just a fraction, but he nodded lightly, stepping aside so I could pass. "Alright, seat partner," he said.

I didn't answer. I pushed through the door and into the hallway.

The rest of the day dragged in its usual exhausting way, though it felt like every corner of the school hummed with Gabriel's name.

I mean I loved that everyone had forgotten my scandal but can I use the bathroom without someone guessing his favorite sex positions?

Everywhere I turned, girls were gossiping nonstop. By second period, I overheard one say, "He's hotter than Damian, no contest." Another chimed in, "And he's farrr richer. Like, old money richer."

Between classes, a group of cheerleaders squealed near the lockers, one of them clutching her phone. "Turns out they're cousins," she gushed.

"Can you imagine? Flawless beauty must run in their bloodline." The others dissolved into giggles.

I rolled my eyes and shoved my books tighter against my chest. By lunchtime, I was ready to bury my head in a textbook just to drown it all out.

Julian was already waiting at our usual cafeteria spot by the window, waving dramatically when he saw me. "Queen Monica," he announced as I approached, his voice just loud enough to make a few nearby kids glance over.

"The phoenix returns. Sit, sit, sit, I've been dying for some sanity."

I slid into the seat across from him, dropping my tray on the table. He immediately leaned in, his Stanley cup perched between his hands like a microphone. "So... this new guy everyone's drooling over... Gabriel Anderson?"

I poked at my lunch, refusing to look up. "Yeah, he's in my class."

Julian's eyes widened. "In your class? Babe, that's fate knocking. And he's apparently taking almost all the same classes as you. People are saying he's hotter than Damian, like that's even possible but I searched his family up and He. Is. Richer. Like billionaire rich."

"Julian, I don't really want to talk about him." I whined.

He ignored my whining. "Oh, come on. I'm hearing some of these girls already planning their weddings. Disgusting filth, seriously, the fantasies flying around in here could probably be arrested. Spill. Did he talk to you? Sit next to you? Did he—"

"Julian," I warned again, stabbing a piece of chicken with my fork.

He made a face. "You're killing me. The entire cafeteria is chaotic, and you're just sitting here eating like a normal person?" He gestured toward the other tables where girls were squealing into their phones.

"They're literally inventing children for him already. Give me something, babe." I sighed, my fingers tightening around my fork. "He is–"

"Can I sit with you guys?" I was about to tell him about Gabriel and Damian being cousins when a familiar voice rang out too close to me

My heart dropped straight into my stomach as I turned and found Gabriel standing there, tray in hand.

"Seat partner," he added with a grin, tilting his head toward me.

I opened my mouth to refuse, to tell him no, to tell him to go back to the people who would actually welcome him but Julian's gasp was louder.

"Absolutely!" Julian said before I could speak, waving him over like an excited child. "Sit. Please. This table just became a lot prettier."

Gabriel slid into the seat next to me, the legs of his chair scraping against the floor. His cologne hit me again, woodsy and expensive, and my throat went dry.

He glanced at me with a smile, but I didn't smile back. I focused on my tray, stabbing at my lunch like it was suddenly fascinating.

Julian, of course, was already leaning toward him. "So, Gabriel Anderson," he started. "Tell me, are all Anderson men built in a lab or is that just you?"

Gabriel laughed quietly as he scratched the back of his head. "It's just good genes, I guess."

"Uh-huh," Julian said, grinning. "The whole school is losing its mind over you, in case you hadn't noticed."

Gabriel glanced around briefly. "Yeah, I picked up on that." Then his eyes flicked back to me. "But not everyone seems excited."

I kept my face neutral, picking up a fry and biting into it. Julian's brows arched. "Ooooh, drama already?"

"Nothing dramatic," I said quickly, still not looking up.

Gabriel studied me for a second longer, a small crease forming between his brows. He opened his mouth to ask something else, but before the words could form, Zoey's voice rang out across the cafeteria.

"Why's our hot new guy sitting with that cheap bitch?"

I turned to find her and her cliche crew standing there, she had her hands hooked on Damian who had his gaze fixated on me.

Fantastic. Freaking Fantastic.