It was supposed to be a quiet lunch.
Riley had found a small, shaded bench behind the greenhouse where few students ever wandered. A place to think. To breathe. To maybe escape the gravity that Zayden Adrian seemed to exert every time he walked into a room.
But Crestwood Elite Academy didn't believe in peace.
"Interesting choice of company," a cold voice said behind her.
Riley turned—and instantly regretted it.
Vanessa.
The queen of Crestwood. Blonde, polished, vicious. Zayden's ex. Or maybe not exactly ex—depending on which rumor you believed.
"What do you want, Vanessa?"
Vanessa arched a perfectly shaped brow. "Just wondering what kind of magic spell you cast on Zayden. He used to like refined girls."
Riley smirked, standing up slowly. "Guess he's into girls who don't come with an instruction manual."
Vanessa's eyes narrowed. "Do you really think this little fling will last? People like you don't end up with people like him."
"Why not?"
"Because his life is written in gold and marble. Yours isn't even printed."
Riley stepped closer, refusing to back down. "Then maybe it's time someone rewrote the damn script."
Vanessa's lips twitched, but there was no humor in her smile. "You're brave. Stupid, but brave."
"Thanks," Riley said sweetly. "That's exactly how legends start."
As Vanessa walked away, Riley's heart thundered. She wasn't scared. Not of Vanessa. Not of the whispers. But a seed of doubt had been planted.
And Zayden?
Zayden was watching.
From across the courtyard, he'd seen the whole thing. The way Riley stood her ground, the fire in her eyes.
And the anger rising in him wasn't just at Vanessa.
It was at himself—for not doing more. For letting her face it alone.
He was done watching.
That evening, his father called a family meeting.
Zayden arrived at the Adrian estate's grand dining room, where formality reigned and feelings were smothered by expectations.
His father sat at the head of the table, fingers steepled, eyes cold. "I've heard about the scholarship girl."
Zayden didn't flinch. "Her name is Riley."
His mother sighed dramatically. "Darling, we've always tolerated your... whims. But this? It's beneath you."
"No. What's beneath me is pretending you get to choose who I care about."
"Watch your tone," his father snapped.
Zayden's voice was steel. "No. You watch who you talk about like they're disposable."
Silence.
Then his father spoke, low and final. "You'll end it. Or I'll end things for you."
Zayden rose from his seat. "Try."
And he walked out.
The next day, he showed up at Riley's locker before she could say a word.
He cupped her face, stared into her eyes, and said, "I'm not letting them take you from me."
Riley blinked. "What are you talking about?"
"My family. This school. The world. I'll burn it down before I lose you."
And for the first time, she didn't push him away.
She let him hold her.
Because no matter how different their worlds were, in that moment—they belonged to each other.