Chapter 1: The First Day
The bell rang, sharp and insistent, echoing through the crowded hallways of Crestwood High. Anna clutched her books to her chest, pressing the straps of her bag tightly against her shoulders as she navigated the sea of students. Each step felt heavier than the last, though she tried to keep her pace steady, head bowed slightly, whispering a silent prayer that today would be tolerable.
It wasn't easy being her. Everyone knew Anna was different. She prayed before meals, refused to participate in the endless gossip that floated through the hallways like a thick fog, and had the audacity to stick to her beliefs in a school where bending the rules—and even the truth—was the norm. The whispers followed her like shadows, growing louder, sharper, and more pointed as she walked past.
"Seriously? She's still wearing that scarf?" a girl muttered behind her back.
"Ugh, she's so annoying," another added, giggling.
Anna ignored them. She had learned long ago that ignoring them didn't make them stop, but it did make her stronger. The sneers and stares had been part of her life since freshman year, and by now, she had grown used to the sting. She told herself that their opinions didn't matter—not really. What mattered was faith, integrity, and staying true to herself, no matter how lonely it got.
The lockers rattled and slammed as students pushed past her, shouting over music blasting from earbuds. And then she saw him. Jordan Blake.
He leaned lazily against the lockers at the far end of the hallway, hands stuffed in the pockets of his ripped jeans, hair perfectly messy as if no effort had gone into it, and yet somehow it looked intentional. Jordan Blake. The baddest guy in school. The one every girl whispered about in excitement and every boy respected—or feared—in silence. His crooked grin made everyone around him freeze for a second, even if only unconsciously.
Anna wasn't supposed to notice him. No one noticed her. But as her gaze met his, she felt a flutter she couldn't quite explain. Jordan's amber eyes were sharp, curious, almost challenging, as though he could see straight into her thoughts. And in that instant, she felt herself caught between fear, intrigue, and something far more dangerous: a spark of excitement she hadn't felt in months.
A group of students walked past, and she felt their eyes on her again. Whispers. Glares. Judgments. And yet, when she looked back at Jordan, the corner of his mouth tugged into that familiar, slightly crooked smirk.
"You don't look like you belong here," he said, loud enough for her to hear over the chatter.
Anna stiffened. Her heart raced. Was he mocking her? Or... noticing her? It was impossible to tell with him. The rumor mill surrounding Jordan was endless. He dated without caring, broke rules for fun, and had a charm that drew people in while leaving them tangled in his chaos. She should have turned and walked away, pretended she didn't hear him, but something about the way he said it—the casual tone, the spark in his eyes—made her pause.
"I belong wherever I need to be," she replied, keeping her voice steady despite the sudden warmth in her chest.
Jordan raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. He didn't smile. Not yet. Instead, he tilted his head slightly, as if assessing her, trying to figure out what made her different from every other girl who had caught his eye.
The hallway felt suddenly smaller. The noise of the crowd faded, replaced by a pulse she could feel in her chest, and the weight of everyone's stares didn't matter anymore. She had always been used to standing alone, but now, for the first time in a long time, it felt like standing alone didn't mean being invisible.
Anna forced herself to take a deep breath, smoothing her scarf nervously. She didn't know if what she was feeling was foolish, or dangerous, or something else entirely. She didn't even know if Jordan Blake had ever noticed anyone like her before. But one thing was clear: her life at Crestwood High was about to change. And maybe, just maybe, for the first time, it would be in a way she didn't have to run from.
Because the baddest guy in school had noticed her. And in the quiet, crowded chaos of the hallway, that was enough to make Anna believe that maybe, just maybe, standing firm in her faith wasn't a curse—but a beginning.