Rumors had a way of sticking. No matter how careful Alex tried to be, whispers followed her like shadows, growing louder with each passing year. By the time she reached her final year, everyone in the school already knew the "story": Alex Owolabi, the quiet, studious girl with the soft smile, and Ryan Hale, the golden boy adored by teachers and students alike, were practically dating.
They had never actually dated. Not officially. Not even unofficially. But Ryan never denied the rumors, and Alex never corrected them. It was easier that way. Safer. Until today.
A new transfer student had arrived, and everything Alex had carefully maintained was about to crumble.
From the moment the girl walked into the classroom, Ryan's attention shifted. No longer were his teasing comments and warm smiles directed at Alex. They went to her—the transfer student with flawless hair, effortless charm, and an air of confidence that seemed to draw people in without effort. Alex had seen this before in movies, in stories, but never thought it would happen to her own life.
"Alex!" Ryan called across the classroom, and at first, she hoped it was his usual playful tone. She glanced up, expecting a friendly smile, maybe one of their inside jokes. But instead, his eyes sparkled with something sharp, almost cruel. "I need you to handle something for me."
Alex's stomach sank. She had a bad feeling about this.
"What is it?" she asked cautiously, approaching his desk.
"There's this scholarship competition coming up," he said, his voice calm but cold. "I thought it'd be perfect for the transfer student. She needs it more than you do."
Alex froze. Her mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water. "Excuse me?"
"You heard me," Ryan said, leaning back with a casual smirk that made her blood boil. "You're already set. She's… new. She doesn't have the advantages you've had. Give it to her. Consider it a favor."
The classroom seemed to shrink around her. Whispers erupted from nearby students. Some stifled laughter, some exchanged knowing looks. Alex's hands trembled as she gripped her notebook.
"Why… why would I—?" she started, but Ryan waved her off, as if she were nothing more than an inconvenient fly buzzing in his presence.
Before she could say another word, a sharp laugh cut through the tension. From the back of the room, Max Donovan leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, a cocky grin tugging at his lips. He was notorious around the school: bad boy, rule-breaker, and the kind of guy who didn't care what anyone thought.
"Well, well," Max said, his voice low but audible enough for everyone to hear. "If it isn't the golden boy throwing a poor girl to the wolves."
The room went silent. Ryan's smirk faltered, replaced with a flicker of irritation. Max pushed off the wall and walked toward Alex, his movements deliberate and confident.
"Alex," he said softly, close enough that she could feel his warmth, "don't let him humiliate you."
Her heart skipped. Not because of the attention—she wasn't used to it—but because of him. Max's reputation preceded him, but right now, he seemed… protective. Almost gentle.
Ryan noticed the shift immediately, his golden-boy charm failing him for the first time that day. "And who are you supposed to be?" he asked, voice sharp.
Max smirked. "The guy who doesn't let assholes play with girls like they're chess pieces. Now, move aside."
Alex's cheeks burned, a mix of embarrassment, relief, and… something else. She had spent years quietly tolerating Ryan's teasing, the rumors, the unspoken attention she had never wanted to admit she enjoyed. But now, facing the school's notorious bad boy, she realized she didn't have to.
The transfer girl, who had been standing smugly nearby, glanced at Max with surprise. Clearly, she hadn't expected anyone to intervene. Ryan, on the other hand, took a step back, suddenly unsure.
"You… you can't just—" he started, but Max cut him off with a look that could freeze fire.
"I already did," Max said simply. "And trust me, if you try anything else, you'll regret it."
For the first time that day, Alex felt something stir inside her: empowerment. The fear and humiliation that Ryan had tried to heap on her melted away, replaced with a strange sense of exhilaration. She looked at Max, whose grin had softened just slightly.
"Thanks," she whispered, her voice barely audible.
Max leaned closer, lowering his voice so only she could hear. "Don't thank me yet. Just… watch your back. I've got a feeling today's just the start."
The bell rang, signaling the end of the period, but Alex barely noticed. Around her, students buzzed with excitement and curiosity, whispering about the tension between the golden boy and the bad boy. She could feel eyes on her, some filled with envy, some with amusement. But for the first time in years, she didn't care.
As she gathered her things, she felt Max's gaze on her. It was hard to read—part challenge, part promise—but one thing was clear: from this moment forward, nothing would be the same.
Ryan, for all his charm and popularity, had underestimated her—and he had underestimated Max. Alex didn't know exactly what was coming next, but one thing she did know: she wouldn't be standing silently while anyone tried to control her. Not today. Not ever.
And somewhere in the chaos of the school, a rumor was beginning to spread—if the golden boy didn't want the school belle, the notorious bad boy would gladly claim her instead.