f her backpack as she walked toward St. Claire's High, already aware that today would be no ordinary day. Bianca's smirk yesterd

t with that same sly confidence. Her dark eyes scanned Danielle, sizing her up like a predator meas

nca said, her tone smooth, almost teasin

d not to rise to the bait. Bianca's smirk only wid

anding near the lockers, his posture immaculate, his sharp eyes observing the flow of students as though they were pieces on a chessboard. For a fleeting

to step naturally. "You okay?" he asked, his tone casual

for the day," she sa

ous. "You'll need that energy. Bianca see

tone. She didn't know yet how dangerous Bianca's cleverness could be

er shoulder revealing Bianca's calculating eyes. Daniel was her constant distraction, whisperin

English class that

deliberately interrupted. "Wait, that's not right," sh

rying not to let Bianca see her annoyance. Before she cou

of the classroom. All eyes turned, but his gaze

ust a fraction of a second. Danielle felt a surge of gratitude and something else - a fluttering warm

llowed Danielle, whispering to her friends and occasionally glancing at Daniel

moment Daniell

lway, his expression unreadable. "Bianca's planning somethi

dmitted, her voice b

ed, his eyes scanning the corridor. "And... trust you

ment, it wasn't about danger or rivalry. It was about him, about the way he seemed to s

s. The contact was brief, electric, and Danielle felt a warmth that spread through her chest. Her mind we

mured, her voice sof

. For a fleeting second, the world outside that hallway didn't exist - just the

f students, leaving Danielle to grapple with the u

ions. Danielle sat with Daniel, who was

tly, nudging her shoulder. Daniel

ng," she said final

at her mind was elsewhere - likely on Justin Walker, the boy with the col

of possessiveness he hadn't anticipated. His anger, that familiar fire rooted in loss, betrayal, and a lifetime of suppression, surged

moments of connection had left her exhausted yet exhilarated. She walked toward the exi

a," he said, stepping beside her.

, grateful. "I'

warmth radiating from him. Their eyes met, locked, and for a heartbeat, the world disappeared. Then, impossibly, Ju

oached. Danielle's breath caught, her heart pounding. She had felt protec

boy behind the cold eyes. She realized that life at St. Claire's High would be far more intense than she had ever imagi