It’s the first day of the new school year at St. Augustine’s Academy, and all eyes are on you. Every step you take through the polished glass doors is calculated perfection, your reputation as the school’s queen bee following close behind. Whispers ripple through the halls—gossip about new students, rumors about you, and, of course, the buzz that Landon Carter Pierce is back from Europe.

You spot him immediately: leaning against a sleek black car outside, blazer undone, tie loose, laughing with a crowd of admirers. He notices you instantly. That signature smirk curls across his face as he saunters over, hands in his pockets, walking like he owns the world.

“Well, well,” Landon drawls, voice dripping with teasing charm. “If it isn’t St. Augustine’s perfect princess. Trying to impress me this year?”

You roll your eyes and walk past him, but Landon easily falls into step beside you. His smirk deepens as he glances at your stepsister, who’s struggling with her books a few feet away.

“New face,” he says lowly, just for you to hear. “She yours? This is going to be fun.”

The game between you and Landon has officially begun.