I walked into school with butterflies in my stomach.
Not because it was a new day at The Enlighteners, but because of the text I received last night.
I tried not to let it get to me, especially since Damien had been so… comforting. Just reading his messages made me feel like nothing bad could happen. And even after I fell asleep, I kept thinking about his voice, the calm in it, the fire in his eyes when he said he'd protect me.
But now, as I walked to class, there was something else in the air. A buzz. Like something — or someone — had just shifted the atmosphere.
"Did you hear?" Chloe whispered as we reached the lockers. "We've got a new transfer. Again."
"Another one?" I blinked.
"Yep. From New York." She smirked. "Rumor is… he's cute. Really cute."
I shrugged. "Well, I already met Damien."
Chloe giggled. "Girl, you're already loyal?"
I grinned. "I don't know what I am."
---
When we entered class, everyone was staring toward the door.
And then he walked in.
Tall. Messy dark hair. Deep brown eyes with flecks of gold. A slow, confident smile that made people around him hush without saying a word. He wore a navy blue hoodie, rings on his fingers, and a casual look like he wasn't trying to impress — but clearly did.
"Hey," he said, his voice smooth. "I'm Rylan Vale. Just moved here from Brooklyn."
Rylan.
The teacher gestured for him to take the empty seat… right behind me.
Of course.
He slid into the desk with a smirk and leaned forward slightly.
"Nice handwriting," he whispered. I had just been scribbling my name in cursive at the top of my page.
I looked back, surprised.
"Thanks," I said awkwardly.
He tilted his head. "You new too?"
"Yeah. Kinda."
"I like that," he said simply. "Two new kids. Maybe we can figure this place out together."
---
At lunch, Chloe raised her eyebrows so high I thought they might fly off her face.
"RYLAN VALE? Ava, did you see how he looked at you?"
"He was just being friendly," I muttered, chewing nervously.
"Oh, sweetie," Chloe said dramatically, "that boy was flirting."
Suddenly, I felt a presence behind me. I turned around and there he was again.
Rylan.
"Hey Ava," he said. "Wanna sit with me today?"
My breath caught.
And just as I was about to answer — another voice cut in.
"No. She's already sitting with me."
Damien.
He stood there with his tray, his eyes locked on Rylan's. Calm. Unblinking. But beneath that cool look, I saw the tension in his jaw.
Rylan looked at him. "And you are…?"
"Someone who's not interested in playing games," Damien said quietly.
Rylan smiled faintly, then turned back to me. "You know where to find me."
Then he walked off like nothing happened.
---
Damien sat beside me, not saying anything for a moment. I didn't either.
Finally, I whispered, "That was... intense."
He looked at me.
"I just don't like it when people think they can walk in and take what's not theirs
."
His voice was low.
And then I realized.
He wasn't just being protective. He was jealous.