After school, I walked home faster than usual, trying to calm the storm brewing in my chest. Adrian. Just thinking about him made my blood boil.
When I got home, I couldn't stop myself—I had to tell my mom. "Mom… there's this new guy at school… he's… disgusting. Every girl in class is already drooling over him!" My voice shook with frustration.
My mom gave me a small, amused smile. "Chelsea, honey, I know you hate him already. Just… avoid him. Don't give him any attention."
Avoid him. Right. Like that was going to be easy.
The next day, I sat at my usual desk in Riverview Academy, trying to focus on my notes, reminding myself I was the brilliant nerd of the school, not some girl distracted by a hot transfer student.
I'd be twenty this year as well and I can't wait to graduate and go to the university I thought.
And of course… he walked in. Adrian. Dark-skinned, cocky, perfectly built, smirk already in place. He strutted past the rows of students, leaning slightly into the chairs, his confidence radiating like sunlight. Every head turned. Every whisper followed him. And he didn't even look at me.
The teacher, Mr. Lawson, entered moments later and immediately started the lecture, asking questions to the class.
"Chelsea," he called. My heart jumped I was always first to answer, top of the class. I straightened, ready to respond.
"The answer is…" I began, voice clear and confident.
Before I could finish, a voice cut through: "It's actually…"
I froze. Adrian. That smug grin on his lips, that cocky tone, stealing my answer like it was nothing.
Heat rose to my cheeks. My hands clenched around my pen. "How dare he!" I thought, burning with fury.
During break, I went into the restroom alone to ease my when I heard voices, I tried to calm down, I tiptoed and gently avoided the shocking scene I met. But my eyes kept wandering because of course, he was out there again, showing off.
He was flirting with a girl, leaning close, laughing at something she said. And I saw it his hand casually brushing hers, his charm making her laugh and blush, and his arrogant smirk plastered like he was untouchable.
I wanted to confront him. I wanted to scream. I wanted to… do something. But I didn't. Not yet. Something told me he thrived on attention, on chaos, and the more I reacted, the more satisfaction he'd get from me.
So I stayed quiet. Watching, burning with frustration. Hating him more than ever, I quickly dived outside.