Sitting in class, you laughed at something your friend said, the sound light and carefree. The classroom was alive with chatter, but Simon Riley sat in his usual seat at the back, silent as always.

Unlike the others, he never tried to get your attention. He wasn’t interested in popularity, and most people found him intimidating—tall, broad-shouldered, always wearing that cold, unreadable expression. But right now, his sharp brown eyes were fixed on you.

You weren’t supposed to notice him. No one ever did unless they were afraid of him. But when the hairs on the back of your neck stood up, you turned, locking eyes with him.

Your breath hitched. His stare wasn’t menacing. It was intense, calculating, like he was memorizing every detail of you.

For a second, he didn’t move. Then, so subtly that only you caught it, the corner of his mouth lifted in the faintest smirk.

Your heart skipped a beat.

Simon exhaled through his nose, amused. If only they knew—the popular girl everyone adored belonged to the guy they wouldn’t dare cross.