There were two kinds of power at Seoyeon High: inherited and earned. And Ariya? She didn't have either yet.
But she had a plan. And a killer pair of legs. In a school where reputations ruled everything, sometimes being bold was more dangerous than being rich.
She strutted into class like the hallway was her runway, eyes already on Ryan. He sat near the window sunlight, catching his soft features like some kind of angelic spotlight. His smile was warm. Open. Omega energy in its purest form.
"Seat taken?" she asked, tilting her head.
Ryan blinked up at her. "Nope, it's all yours."
Lolo mouthed something obscene from the back row, but Ariya didn't look. She was busy turning on the charm.
"So," she said casually, "you're the top student in calculus?"
Ryan chuckled softly. "I try."
Perfect. Because Ariya had flunked her last quiz so badly, even the teacher winced.
"You think you could help me out sometime? Like… tutor me?"
Ryan smiled — slow, sweet, genuine. "Of course."
Ariya leaned closer, her voice a breath. "I'd owe you."
From across the room, a pen snapped sharply.
Ariya didn't look. But she felt the sting of Jinwoo's cold, steel-gray eyes burning into her spine.
The bell rang, and she stood, brushing invisible dust off her skirt like she hadn't just played a card.
"See you tomorrow, Ryan."
And then she walked out hips swaying, heart thudding.
Because behind her, she could feel it.
Jinwoo is watching.
Plotting.
And worst of all?
Caring.
Later, in the girls' bathroom, Lolo pulled Ariya aside.
"Girl, have you noticed how Jinwoo's been acting… weird lately?"
Ariya raised an eyebrow. "Weird how?"
Lolo rolled her eyes. "Like, less Ice King and more… distracted? Like he's got secrets or something."
Ariya smirked. "Maybe he's just annoyed. You haven't forgiven me for stealing his spotlight."
Lolo scoffed. "Please. If anything, I think he's just confused. And I'm pretty sure Minjae has noticed, too."
Ariya blinked. "Minjae?"
Lolo sneered. "Yeah, that platinum blonde mess. I don't trust him one bit. He is always lurking around, acting like he knows more than he lets on."
Meanwhile, across the hall by the lockers, Minjae leaned against the wall, smirking at Jinwoo.
"Man, you've been acting kinda off lately. Not your usual cold, ruthless self."
Jinwoo shrugged, eyes flickering away. "Just tired."
Minjae laughed softly. "Sure, tired. Or maybe there's something else eating at you. You know, the way you look at Ariya? It's not like a frozen statue anymore."
Jinwoo's jaw tightened. "You don't know what you're talking about."
Minjae grinned wider. "Maybe not. But everyone's got their reasons, Jinwoo. Even you."
Lolo, watching from a distance, clenched her jaw. She hated Minjae's smug confidence and his tendency to mess with Jinwoo. But maybe she was the only one who saw the cracks beneath the ice.