The cafeteria at Regal Heights was nothing short of intimidating.
Crystal chandeliers, marble floors, and waiters—actual waiters—hovering by the buffet line. It looked more like a hotel restaurant than a school canteen. Liana clutched her tray and moved quietly through the crowd, searching for an empty spot.
Most of the tables were occupied by cliques—fashionistas, athletes, scholarship kids. Everyone had their place. And she? She was just... floating.
"Liana!" Bianca waved from a corner, already halfway through a plate of lasagna. "Over here!"
Relief washed over her. She slid into the seat opposite Bianca.
"Thought I lost you," Liana said, setting down her tray.
Bianca grinned. "I figured you'd get lost. This place is basically a castle."
Liana laughed, but her eyes drifted across the room—and then stopped.
In the far corner sat a group that didn't need an introduction.
The Vipers.
They were dressed in perfect uniforms but carried themselves like they ran the world. Four boys, each distinct in style but equal in ego. And at the center, like a king among knights, sat Xavier Blake.
He wasn't eating. He was watching.
Watching her.
Liana froze for a second. He wasn't even trying to hide it. His chin rested lazily on his hand, eyes steady and unreadable.
Bianca noticed. "Don't look now," she whispered, "but Xavier's totally staring at you."
"I noticed," Liana muttered, stabbing her pasta.
Bianca grinned. "He never does that. Usually, he ignores girls unless they're part of his crowd or... you know, flawless."
Liana rolled her eyes. "Maybe he just wants to pick a fight."
"Or maybe," Bianca teased, "he's interested."
Liana paused mid-bite. "I doubt it. He probably just wants to remind me who he is."
As if on cue, the Vipers stood from their table. Xavier didn't look away as they headed toward the exit. And just before turning the corner, he glanced at her again.
Not with a smirk. Not with arrogance.
Just... a look.
Quick. Sharp. Intrigued.
And then he was gone.
Liana blinked. "Okay... what was that?"
Bianca shrugged. "That, my friend, was Xavier Blake noticing a girl who doesn't worship him."
Liana poked her pasta. "Great. I made myself a target."
Bianca smiled. "Maybe. Or maybe... you just became the most interesting thing in his perfect little world."