The morning sun streamed through the classroom windows, painting the desks with warm light. It should have felt calm, but my stomach was in knots. Somehow, Adrian always managed to make everything tense, even on a regular Monday.
I gripped my books tightly and muttered under my breath, "Just ignore him. Don't react. Don't look."
Easy enough to say… until I opened the classroom door and there he was, leaning casually against the wall, dark skin gleaming, smirk in place, hair perfectly messy, and somehow… impossibly… handsome as ever.
And yes, my chest betrayed me with an involuntary flutter.
"Morning, Chelsea," he drawled, eyes sliding over me like he was admiring a painting.
I glared. "Morning," I muttered, gripping my bag tighter, careful not to meet his gaze.
"Careful," he whispered, leaning just enough so our shoulders brushed. "I might… distract you."
I rolled my eyes and stomped to my desk, muttering, "Distract me? More like annoy me."
A snicker came from behind me. My best friend, Lana, gave me a knowing grin.
"Oh, come on, Chelsea," she whispered. "You know he's enjoying this. Look at him! He's practically dying for your attention."
I glared at her. "Shut up! I am not—" I froze mid-sentence as Adrian suddenly turned his head and winked.
Why do I even care?!
First period was math, and as fate would have it, we were seated side by side. My notebook shielded me like a fortress, but Adrian leaned just close enough to catch my notes.
"What's this?" he murmured, peeking at my work. "Calculus? You're amazing… but also way too smart. How does your brain handle me?"
"I don't handle you," I said sharply, my face heating up. "And I definitely don't want you looking at my notebook."
He chuckled low, eyes sparkling. "You're adorable when you get flustered."
I wanted to punch him. But then he accidentally-on-purpose brushed my hand while reaching for a pencil. My stomach lurched.
Focus, Chelsea. Focus!
By lunch, I had escaped to the cafeteria, determined to eat in peace. Or so I thought.
"Mind if I join you?" Adrian asked, holding a tray with the most ridiculous grin on his face.
I groaned. "I do mind."
He sat anyway. Naturally. Right across from me, giving me that infuriating smirk.
"You know," he said, leaning on one elbow, "it's funny. You try so hard to hate me, but I can see it… every tiny twitch, every glance. You're jealous."
"Jealous?" I said, choking slightly on my juice. "I'm… not… jealous!"
"Sure," he said softly, grinning. "You're definitely not jealous."
I shot him a glare so deadly I swear I could see it shimmer in the sunlight. "You're impossible!"
"And yet," he whispered, leaning just slightly closer, "you can't stop noticing me."
I bit my lip and looked away. I hated that he was right.
After lunch, the two of us ended up in the library, "accidentally" alone. Adrian leaned against the bookshelf, arms crossed, watching me like a predator… or maybe like someone who had far too much fun teasing a very angry nerd.
"Reading again, Chelsea?" he asked, tilting his head. "Don't you ever take a break?"
"I love reading," I said, glaring. "It's not… not like you'd understand."
He smirked. "True. I mostly understand… how to distract people. Like you."
I groaned, closing my book with a dramatic slam. "You are such a—"
"—charmer?" he finished, his voice low, teasing, eyes glinting. "I was going to say nuisance, but charmer works too."
I blinked. Did he just… call me out and compliment himself in the same breath?
"Yes, nuisance!" I snapped. "Now go away!"
Instead, he leaned slightly closer, lowering his voice. "I'll go… if you say please."
I blinked, aghast. "…Excuse me?"
He smirked, watching me squirm. "That's right. I'm a gentleman. But I expect manners."
I can't even with this boy!
After school, I walked home, mentally preparing myself to escape him for the rest of the day. But as I opened the door, my stepdad greeted me with a smile, and… Adrian.
He was casually leaning in the hallway, dark eyes scanning the living room. My heart literally jumped.
"What are you doing here?" I asked, pretending calm but failing spectacularly.
"Looking for my dad," he said easily, glancing around like this was totally normal.
I froze, my mind spinning. He lives here now?
He turned his gaze toward me and smirked.
"I didn't interrupt anything, did I?" he asked innocently, but the way he said it made my stomach do flips.
I wanted to act indifferent. I wanted to glare, stomp, run, hide. Instead, I… froze, cheeks burning, heart racing.
Adrian tilted his head, letting that smug smile linger. "You're cute when you're confused."
I groaned loudly. "I am not confused!"
He laughed softly, walking past me toward the living room. "Sure… keep telling yourself that. It's adorable."
Later that night, lying in my bed, I couldn't stop replaying the day. Every glance, every smirk, every teasing word. My chest was tight, my mind spinning.
And yet, beneath the frustration, beneath the jealousy, there was a small, infuriating… warmth.
I hated it.
I hated him.
And yet… I couldn't stop thinking about him.
This is going to be a very, very long battle.