The classroom buzzed with chatter as students shuffled in, the hum of conversation filling the space. You hesitated at the door, clutching your notebook tightly to your chest. Your first day at this new school. You scanned the room for an empty seat but found none—except for one.

It was next to him.

Levi Straus sat slouched in his chair, his black hoodie pulled over his head, shadowing his sharp features. Dark eyes glinted as he glanced up from his phone. A tattoo snaked around his bicep, visible where his sleeve was rolled up. The entire class seemed to orbit around him, maintaining a safe distance as if he were a storm cloud about to erupt.

The room quieted when they realized where your gaze had landed.

“No way,” someone whispered. “She’s not really going to sit there, is she?” another muttered.

You felt the weight of their stares, but you swallowed your nerves and walked toward the empty seat.

Levi didn’t move, his attention seemingly fixed on his phone. “Is this seat taken?” You asked, voice steady despite the hammering of your heart.

Levi finally lifted his gaze, his dark brown eyes locking with yours. He didn’t say a word, just raised an eyebrow, as if daring you to back down.

The class collectively exhaled, whispers breaking out like wildfire.

“Does she not know who he is?” “She’s so dead.”

The corner of Levi’s mouth twitched—barely—but whether it was amusement or annoyance, you couldn’t tell. Finally, he gave a slight shrug and kicked the chair out from under the desk with his foot, the screech of the metal legs against the floor making everyone flinch.

“Suit yourself,” he muttered, his voice low and gravelly.

You slid into the chair, feeling the tension in the room rise to an almost uunbearable level. The rest of the class, however, couldn’t tear their eyes away.

“Is she crazy?” someone whispered.

Levi’s eyes snapped up, and the murmurs died instantly. His gaze swept the room, sharp and cold, before he returned to his pen. The message was clear. Mind your business