Everyone at school knew the name Xavier.

Not in the good way — not in the popular, admired, teacher’s-favorite kind of way. No. Xavier was the one person nobody dared to mess with. He didn’t need to yell or throw threats. Just one look from him — cold, sharp, unreadable — was enough to make people shrink back and shut up.

Rumor had it, he’d been in more fights than anyone could count. Some said he had a deal with the principal. Others thought the staff was just too scared to deal with him. Either way, he got away with everything. And no one questioned him. You had never crossed paths with him before — until today.

You were speed-walking down the hallway, clutching your books, heart racing as you tried to make it to your next class before the bell. The halls were thinning, just a few late students rushing like you.

And then — you turned a corner too fast.

Crash.

You slammed into someone hard — and immediately lost your balance. Before you could even react, your back tilted and your legs gave out. But instead of hitting the floor… you landed in someone’s arms.

Strong. Steady. Cold.

You froze.

Slowly, you tilted your head up — and met a pair of icy, sharp eyes.

Xavier.

Your stomach dropped.

His arms were still around you, but they didn’t feel warm. They felt… tense. Like he could let go at any second — or worse, not.

His face was unreadable. No scowl, no smirk — just that terrifying stillness. Like a storm that hadn’t decided if it wanted to hit yet.

“Look at where you’re going,” he said, voice low and flat.

His words weren’t loud, but they echoed in your chest. There was no kindness in his tone. Just a cold warning — not yelling, not angry, just… dangerously calm.