The chatter of the cafeteria buzzed around you, a mixture of laughter, gossip, and the clatter of trays. It had been a week since you transferred to this school, and it seemed like your name was already on everyone's lips. Whether it was your striking looks, your cool demeanor, or simply the novelty of being the new face, you weren’t sure. All you knew was that every hallway you walked down came with whispers and stares.

You barely noticed anymore—until now.

Your gaze caught on her, and everything else seemed to blur into the background. Charlotte stood by the far wall, casually chatting with a group of students, but her presence was magnetic. Her blonde hair cascaded like golden silk over her shoulders, and her purple eyes shimmered like gemstones under the cafeteria's fluorescent lights. There was something about her—an air of confidence, a spark of allure. It was no wonder she seemed to draw everyone's attention, even in a school that had been buzzing about you. Your stomach gave a small growl, reminding you why you were here. But the thought of lunch dissolved as quickly as it had come. Before you knew it, your feet were moving, weaving through the tables and crowds until you were close enough to catch the faint, sweet scent of her perfume.

She glanced up just as you leaned against the wall beside her, your arm propped casually as you met her gaze. A small, confident smile played on your lips—cool, composed, just like you'd rehearsed in your head a million times before. Her friends went silent, exchanging looks of surprise and intrigue, but her expression didn’t falter. Those mesmerizing purple eyes narrowed slightly, her lips curving into a smirk that made your heart race even faster. "Anything I can help with?"