They always moved when he walked.
Like shadows parting for light—or maybe the other way around. Xavier didn't care to think too deeply about it. All he knew was that the hallways of Regal Heights belonged to him.
He didn't need to ask twice.
Didn't need to look twice.
People just... obeyed.
That was the unspoken law.
The license of power.
He was Blake.
And that meant control.
So when she didn't move—when she collided into him like she didn't recognize the crown on his head—that's when things shifted.
Xavier stared at the back of the girl now seated in his class. The same girl who had the nerve to stand her ground and walk away from him like he was just another guy in a hallway.
He scoffed quietly to himself.
Unreal.
She wasn't from here. That much was obvious from the way she clutched her books like they were a shield. Her uniform was standard issue, not tailored like everyone else's. Her shoes weren't expensive. Her hair was tied up in a quick, no-fuss ponytail.
And yet she had an attitude like she ruled something.
> "Maybe you should watch where you're going next time."
Her voice echoed in his head more times than he was willing to admit.
He wasn't used to being spoken to like that—especially not by a girl who didn't even know who he was. That part had almost made him laugh. Almost.
"Xavier," Zayn murmured beside him, one of the Vipers. "That's the transfer girl, right? The one you bumped into?"
Xavier didn't respond. His eyes stayed on her.
Interesting.
That was the word that kept circling in his mind. She wasn't like the others. She didn't flutter her lashes or whisper his name like a prayer. She didn't look at him like he was untouchable. She looked at him like he was… irritating.
And for some reason, that made him want to bother her even more.
"Let her be," Zayn added with a grin. "You'll scare her off before the week's over."
Xavier leaned back in his chair. "Who said I wanted her gone?"
He didn't miss the way Bianca leaned close to the girl—Liana, was it?—and whispered something. He saw her eyes widen in surprise, her lips mouth the name: Xavier Blake.
Finally, recognition.
But instead of shrinking, she turned her head toward the window, calm as ever. Like it didn't matter.
Xavier smiled to himself.
He could see it now: she was the type who didn't break easily.
That just made the game more fun.