Jay's POV
"Morning, Mom! I'm skipping breakfast, I'm late!" I yell, half-hopping into my sneakers by the door. I nearly trip over my own feet, but hey, shoes are on — victory.
From the kitchen comes her classic response: nag mode activated. Something about me starving myself. If she catches me, I'll never escape, so I bolt.
It's just me and Mom at home these days. Dad's always on business trips, my brother's off in his dorm, and Mom works late. Which means most of the time, it's just me, my homework, and the fridge.
I snatch my phone from the table and rush out to Amy's car. She's waiting, as always.
"Hi, Amy."
She whips her head around so fast I'm surprised it doesn't fly off.
"Hey, Jay." Her grin is way too cheeky. Creepy, even.
I roll my eyes. She giggles. Of course. That's Amy — my best friend since first grade, the only person insane enough to put up with my clumsiness and my sarcasm. A terrifying mix, apparently. But being me is chaotic fun, so I don't mind.
The drive is the usual: Amy babbling about her break, me pretending to listen while mentally preparing to conquer senior year. Top grades. No distractions. Just me and my plan.
Yeah, right.
We pull into the school lot, head to class, and get our stuff ready. Our substitute teacher, Ms. Marie, walks in… with him.
The most handsome guy I've ever seen.
He does a quick sweep of the room and his expression screams not impressed. Not that I care. Okay, maybe I care a little. Fine, I care a lot because—holy hell.
Amy nudges me. "Stop staring."
I jerk back to reality, glaring at her. "Remind me why we're friends?"
"Because we're soulmates," she says with a smug smile.
I scoff. "Soulmates, my ass."
The truth is, Amy did save me back in first grade — scared the bullies so badly they never touched me again. She's been glued to me ever since. Annoying, terrifying, but yeah… I wouldn't trade her.
Still, I go right back to staring. Because how can I not?
Dream guy checklist:
Over six feet: ✔️
Dreamy eyes: ✔️
Chiseled jawline: ✔️
Abs? Oh, definitely ✔️
Lips? Kill me now, ✔️
And then I see it — a tiny mole by his right ear. Barely noticeable unless you're paying attention. And of course, I am. It's ridiculously cute.
Can he get any more perfect?
Apparently yes, because he's suddenly looking right at me.
Our eyes meet. I flinch, panic, and send my books crashing to the floor. In my scramble, I bang my head on the desk. Smooth, Jay. Real smooth.
Amy? Laughing so hard she's practically choking. Best friend, my ass.
---
Lamia's POV
Life sucks. Parents divorced. Mom's remarried. New stepdad. New school. New everything.
And I hate it.
I scan the classroom, already plotting my escape when I notice him. Hazel eyes, freckles, messy brown hair, glasses slipping down his nose. He's staring at me like I'm some kind of myth.
Then he flinches, drops everything, and smacks his head on the desk.
I almost laugh. Almost.
His blonde friend is howling with laughter beside him while he mutters curses under his breath, red as a tomato. I roll my eyes, but I can't stop staring either.
Ms. Marie drones on about whatever, then tells me to sit by the window. Perfect. Except the seat's right behind him.
As I walk past, he sneaks another glance at me. Our eyes meet again.
He whips his head away so fast I'm honestly concerned for his neck.
Weird kid. Weird… but kind of hard to ignore.
Clumsy,red-faced, awkward as hell.i should be annoyed...so why do I kind of want to keep watching him?.