I walked through the gates of Blackthorne High with my head high and my confidence even higher. Fourth school in three years. At this point, switching schools felt as routine as brushing my damn teeth. I wasn't nervous. I never was. I'd always been that girl. The one teachers labeled a "handful." The one whose name echoed in detention halls like a goddamn anthem. Bold. Unapologetic. Untamed. The kind of girl who didn't ask for trouble. I walked with it, hand in hand.
Today was supposed to be a fresh start. Another chance to play the new girl with the don't-mess-with-me vibe. But fate, being the dramatic bitch it is, had other plans.
Lost in a tangle of thoughts, half-dreaming as usual, I didn't see him.
Didn't hear him.
Didn't sense the storm that was about to slam into my perfectly reckless world.
I collided hard into something—or rather, someone—that felt like a wall of concrete. The impact sent a jolt through my chest, and I stumbled backward, catching myself just in time.
"Ouch…" I muttered under my breath, rubbing my shoulder. I looked up, expecting to find some smug jock or annoyed teacher ready to lecture me about watching where I walk.
What I got instead… was him.
Cold, crimson eyes met mine...(damn) icy and sharp, like they could slice right through my spine. He stood tall, wrapped in a black leather jacket like he'd just stepped out of a dystopian novel. Dark hair tousled like he didn't give a damn. Jaw set, expression unreadable.
He looked furious. No, worse—he looked dangerous.
He didn't speak. Didn't blink. Just stared.
And something inside me short-circuited.
My breath caught in my throat. My heart slammed against my ribs like it was trying to escape. For two full minutes—two entire goddamn minutes—I just stood there like a deer in headlights, staring into those soulless red eyes like a goddamn idiot.
What the hell was wrong with me?
"Sorry," I mumbled, finally tearing my gaze away like a shy 8 year old boy. I walked off quickly, needing to get away, needing to breathe.....breathe.....and trying to shake off that weird fluttering in my chest.
That wasn't me. I didn't get flustered. I didn't freeze.
But that boy... He wasn't normal.
I slipped into my assigned class a few minutes later, hoping to mentally reset, shake it off. I chose the seat farthest from the front, near the window. Perfect for zoning out without being noticed. I pulled out my notebook, pretending to be busy.
Then the door opened.
And the air shifted.
The same boy—him—walked in like he owned the fucking room.
He glanced around, and then his eyes locked onto mine again.
I tensed.
He smirked.
And of all the goddamn empty seats, he chose the one right next to mine. Sat down like we were fucking besties.
I stared ahead, eyes wide, spine stiff, screaming internally.
Why? Why next to me?
"Hello," he said, his voice smooth like dark velvet, deep enough to send a chill down my spine. "I'm Kael Dravenhart. And you?"
I opened my mouth.
Nothing came out.
Shit.
"I—I'm L-Lyra Evernight," I stammered, and I swear to god I wanted to die right there. Since when did I stutter? I'd told off cops with more confidence than that.
Kael chuckled, low and dangerous, like he knew exactly the effect he was having on me. He smiled, slow and cocky, then turned his attention to the teacher like I was just another boring piece on his chessboard.
My fists clenched under the desk. Who the fuck was this guy?
I crossed my arms, glaring at the side of his perfect, arrogant face. Just minutes ago, he looked like he was going to murder me in the hallway, and now he was flirting? Or messing with me? Or both?
I hated this.
I hated him.
I hated the way my skin buzzed when he was near. The way my mind kept circling back to that smirk. That voice. Those fucking eyes.
Did I even put on makeup today? God. Did I at least smell good?
What the hell, Lyra?
I didn't care.
I didn't care…
Right?
I sighed heavily, slumping in my chair, arms crossed like a child throwing a tantrum.
Then it hit me.
In my rush to start strong today, to pretend I had it all together…
I had completely forgotten to pack lunch.
Just fucking great.