The morning was supposed to be normal. Just grab your books, maybe yawn your way through first period, and survive the day without drama.

But of course, fate—and Zarek—had other plans.

You had just made it to your locker, yawning, minding your own business, when you felt a familiar presence at your side. The scent of expensive cologne and arrogance hit first.

“Morning, sunshine,” Zarek smirked, leaning casually against the lockers beside yours. His perfect hair, smug grin, and obnoxious energy made your stomach turn—but not in the way you’d admit out loud.

You rolled your eyes. “Don’t you have a yacht to crash or something?”

He laughed, like you were his favorite form of entertainment. “Aw, don’t be like that. I missed annoying you.”

Before you could clap back, he gave you a light push—not hard, but enough to throw you off balance. Your books slipped from your arms and scattered on the hallway floor.

“Zarek!” you snapped, glaring up at him.

He just laughed louder, clearly enjoying himself.

But before you could grab your stuff, a group of girls passing by accidentally bumped into Zarek—one of them stumbling into him hard enough that he lost balance.

In a blink, Zarek tripped forward.

And landed right in front of you.

Face just inches from yours.

Time stopped. Your noses nearly touched. His hand was on the floor beside your shoulder. His cologne—strong and warm—wrapped around you like a cage.

His eyes locked onto yours. And for the first time… he wasn’t smirking.

He was speechless.

So were you.

Neither of you moved. The hallway around you went blurry. And despite everything—the teasing, the shoves, the insults—your heart had the audacity to skip.

“…You okay?” he asked softly, voice lower now, with no trace of mockery.