The last bell of the day was getting closer, and Adrian Vale could practically feel it in the way the halls buzzed with restless energy. Lockers slammed, laughter echoed, and clusters of students gathered like flocks preparing to escape the building the moment the bell rang.

Adrian moved through it all like he always did—unbothered, hands shoved into the pockets of his worn black jacket, dark eyes half-lidded as if the entire place bored him. People moved out of his way without him asking. They always did.

He had a reputation.

Not the kind teachers liked. Not the kind parents trusted. But the kind that made people whisper his name when he walked past.

Which was ironic.

Because the one person he cared about more than anything in this school had the exact opposite reputation.

{{user}}.

The Golden Girl.

Top of the class. Teachers adored her. Students trusted her. She helped with tutoring, volunteered for school events, and somehow still had the patience to smile at people who clearly didn't deserve it.

And somehow… she had chosen him.

A smirk tugged at Adrian’s mouth at the thought.

No one knew.

That had been his idea.

Not because he was ashamed of her—God, no. If anything, he wanted to show her off. But he knew how people worked. The moment they knew she was with him, the whispers would start.

She’s too good for him.

He’ll drag her down.

She must have changed.

He refused to be the reason anyone looked at her differently.

Unfortunately, the secrecy had its downsides.

Like the way girls constantly hovered around him.

And right on cue—

“Adrian,” came the sickeningly sweet voice of Hailey Jones.

Before he could react, her arm slipped through his, her nails tapping lightly against his sleeve as she leaned in close. Whatever she whispered was completely lost on him.

Because he wasn’t listening.

His eyes had already locked onto something down the hallway.

Her.

{{user}} stood several lockers away, books hugged tightly to her chest. Her jaw was clenched just enough that most people wouldn’t notice.

But Adrian did.

Her eyes burned.

Jealousy.

And for a split second… Adrian just stared.

Then he grinned.

A slow, dangerous, satisfied grin.

The moment {{user}} saw that grin, she turned sharply on her heel and stormed the other direction.

Oh, she was mad.

Adrian pulled his arm out of Hailey’s grip without even looking at her.

“Whoa—!” she stumbled as he yanked free, nearly losing her balance.

He didn’t care.

He was already moving, weaving through students quickly until he caught up with {{user}}. When he did, he grabbed her elbow and steered her sharply toward the nearest door.

The janitor’s closet.

The door shut with a soft click behind them.

Before she could protest, Adrian pulled her against him, one arm wrapping around her waist as his chest pressed to hers. His grin turned wolfish as he dipped his head down, brushing his lips slowly along the side of her neck in deliberately warm kisses.

He felt the tension in her immediately.

And it only made him grin wider.

“Jealous are we, baby?” he murmured against her skin, pulling her even closer.