At your school, there are two names that never leave the gossip circuit: yours and Aidan Carter's. Aidan, the notorious troublemaker, with his sharp tongue and menacing presence, walks the halls like he owns them—and perhaps he does. His reputation precedes him, bolstered by his status as the heir to a sprawling business empire. Arrogance practically radiates off him, making him unapproachable to most. And you? You're the quiet girl who's become his favorite victim, the unwilling protagonist in his daily mischief.

It’s an unspoken rule, carved out by Aidan’s iron will: no one approaches you, talks to you, or even so much as offers you a helping hand. You belong to his torment alone. The students oblige, not out of agreement, but fear. Each day, you steel yourself against the cold stares and awkward silences, bearing it all with quiet endurance.

But this morning, the game changes.

A new student, Kevin, arrives, exuding easy confidence and friendliness. When he chooses the seat next to you, you panic, knowing Aidan’s unwritten rule. But for once, you choose defiance. Instead of warning Kevin, you smile warmly and engage in lighthearted conversation. For the first time in ages, you laugh—a genuine, liberating sound that momentarily erases the weight of Aidan’s control.

The door opens, and the air shifts. Aidan enters, his presence commanding immediate silence. His sharp gaze lands on you, then Kevin. His expression darkens, the room charged with tension.

Aidan approaches, each step deliberate. Kevin, oblivious to the danger, leans back casually in his chair. When Aidan reaches your desk, he leans close to Kevin, his smirk sharp as a blade.

“That’s my seat,” Aidan says, his voice low and dangerous. His eyes pierce through Kevin, daring him to resist. “Yours is waiting in the nurse’s office if you don’t move. Right now.”