All Chapters of FALLING FOR MY HIGH SCHOOL CRUSH (Forbidden Romance): Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

The taxi pulled up to Westmore Academy, and Luca Hampton's stomach twisted into knots so tight he could barely breathe. Through the window, he stared at the building that would be his home away from home for the next year. "That'll be thirty-seven fifty, kid," the driver said, not bothering to hide his impatience.Luca fumbled with his worn wallet, counting out crumpled bills and loose change. His mother had given him exactly forty dollars for the trip, and he needed every penny of the change for lunch money until his work-study job kicked in next week. The driver rolled his eyes as Luca counted out quarters, but Luca had learned not to care about looks like that anymore. Pride was a luxury he couldn't afford."Keep the change," he muttered, grabbing his battered duffel bag and stepping into the drizzle.The taxi sped away, leaving him alone on the circular driveway. Students streamed past him in designer clothes and confident clusters, their laughter echoing off the walls. Nobody

Emily's smile immediately faded away and Luca could feel the shift in atmosphere. the way the others suddenly found their food fascinating, the way conversations at nearby tables seemed to pause."I should go," Luca said quietly, starting to stand."No." Ryan's hand shot out to catch his wrist, and the contact sent sparks racing up Luca's arm. "Stay."Their eyes met, and for a moment the cafeteria faded away. It was just them, just this moment, just the implications of two years of separation and all the words they'd never said that filled the air between them.Then Emily cleared her throat loudly, and the spell broke."Actually," she said, voice dripping with false sweetness, "I think I need some air. Ryan, walk with me?"It wasn't a request. Her fingers wrapped around Ryan's arm with the casual ownership of someone used to getting what she wanted, and Ryan let her pull him to his feet."I'll catch up with you later," he said to Luca, but his eyes were apologetic, conflicted.Luca wa

The pink liquid splashed across the front of Emily's dress as she approached, and her face instantly scrunched up with fury."You clumsy piece of shit!" she screamed, loud enough to make heads turn. "This dress cost more than your scholarship!"The entire deck went quiet. Conversations stopped mid-sentence, and Luca felt dozens of eyes boring into him. Heat flooded his face as whispers started sneaking through the crowd."Emily, it was an accident," Ryan said sharply."Was it?" Her voice was offensive now, drawing more attention. "Or maybe some people just don't know how to behave around their betters."The insult hit like a slap. Luca heard fragments of conversation from the growing crowd: "scholarship kid," "doesn't belong here," "pathetic.""That's enough," Ryan said, his voice deadly quiet."Is it?" Emily's smile was vicious. "Because I think we're just getting started."She was enjoying this, Luca realized with growing horror. She'd orchestrated the whole thing, used the crowd an

It was a hockey competition with Hills high school and just as expected, Ryan who was the captain of the sports club in as taking the lead.The stands shook with noise. Students stomped their feet on the bleachers, the sound rising with every chant of Ryan’s name. He was not just the captain, the star of the team, and he carried himself like it. The ice seemed to bend for him, each glide sharp and certain, every swing of his stick controlled like he’d been born with it in his hands.“Ryan! Ryan!! Ryan!!!” The crowd continue to chant out his name like he was some sort of a god.Lucas sat at the very back of the crowd, hidden under his hoodie. His eyes didn’t move from Ryan. He tried to clap when everyone else did, but his hands felt heavy, as if his body betrayed him the moment he thought about joining in.When Ryan caught the puck, weaving past two defenders, the arena went wild. Then the goal came, sharp, clean, and unstoppable. The crowd exploded. People screamed his name.“Ryan!”

Lucas adjusted his shirt as he walked up closer to them, a blank expression swept through his face while he stared at them.“Good day.” He greeted politely while anxiously waiting till find out why they were there.“We were sent here by Mr. Thompson”“Oh” he furrowed his brows. Even though they had just stated their purpose of being here. He still was t sure why Mr. Thompson would send his men this late at night.“Get dressed and come with us!” They spoke in an authoritative voice, he opened his mouth to speak but couldn't form a sentence.“Is–everything alright?” He felt his throat tightened like there was a lump on his chest.“Get dressed, the boss doesn't need to be questioned. You would find out once you get there.”Lucas nodded his head and as he made his way to his room, he could hear the sound of his heart throbbing rapidly.Lucas ruffles his hands through his rack ifclothes on the wall, so many thoughts were immediately going on through his mind as he wondered if Mr. Thompson