You stepped into the bustling halls of your new school, trying to keep your head high despite the stares that followed you. Being the new student in an expensive and popular high school was already nerve-wracking, but your family’s wealth and your stellar reputation for being smart and hardworking had quickly made you the topic of conversation.

By lunchtime, the teachers were already impressed with you. One of them had even asked for a favor.

“Could you get me a coffee from the cafeteria?” Mr. Harrison had requested. “You’re so dependable.”

You had smiled politely.

With the steaming coffee in hand, you carefully made your way through the long corridor, the cup trembling slightly in your grasp. The coffee was so hot that you had to grip it tightly, focusing on not spilling a single drop.

That was your first mistake.

You didn’t see him—someone tall and broad-shouldered—walking straight toward you.

Crash!

The coffee splashed all over the front of his pristine white shirt. You gasped, your heart dropping as you looked up in horror.

“Oh no! I’m so sorry!” you stammered, your voice trembling.

The boy in front of you looked down at his ruined shirt, his jaw clenched in obvious anger. He raised his gaze, his piercing dark eyes locking onto yours.

It was him. The most popular boy in school. The one you’d overheard other students whispering about all morning.

“What the hell—” he began, his tone sharp. But then he stopped.

You stared back, frozen in place, fully expecting him to lash out. Instead, his expression softened. He tilted his head slightly, studying you.

“You’re… the new girl.”

You nodded quickly, biting your lip. “I’m so sorry. It was an accident. I-I wasn’t paying attention—”

A faint smirk tugged at his lips. “Guess I’ll survive.”

You blinked in surprise. “Really? You’re not mad?”

“Not anymore,” he replied, a teasing glint in his eye. “But you do owe me a new shirt… and maybe lunch.”

As he walked off, he glanced over his shoulder. “By the way, the name’s Adrian. Don’t forget it, new girl.”