Sophie's mother kissed her cheek that morning as if the gesture could erase the fear in Sophie's chest."It's just school," her mother whispered. "You'll be fine."
The lie tasted sweet, but Sophie knew better. Starting over had never been simple.
Windmere Academy was enormous compared to her old school. The gates loomed like iron teeth, and the hallways buzzed with an energy that felt more like threat than welcome. Students moved in tight groups, their laughter sharp, their eyes quick to land on the outsider walking alone.
Her footsteps echoed as she entered the main building. Lockers slammed, sneakers squeaked, someone shouted across the hall. She kept her chin up, but inside, her stomach curled tighter with each passing second.
In her first class, she chose the seat at the very back. From there, she could observe without being observed — or so she thought.
Four boys sat near the center. They didn't just occupy space; they owned it. Their voices were louder than everyone else's, their movements confident, almost predatory. The others in the room bent around them like gravity.
Sophie recognized them instantly — not their names, but their type. Every school had them: the untouchables, the kings, the boys who made rules by breaking them.
She told herself not to look. Not to notice. But then her eyes caught his.
Dark, steady, and far too aware. Marcus Hale.
He didn't smile. He didn't need to. His gaze lingered long enough to make Sophie's pulse quicken before he turned away, joining the laughter of his friends.
The teacher entered, but Sophie barely heard the lesson. She was too busy pretending not to feel the weight of Marcus's attention, even when he wasn't looking at her.
When the bell rang, she let everyone else leave first. Her hands trembled slightly as she gathered her books. She reminded herself of her vow: Stay invisible. Keep your head down. Survive.
But invisibility was already slipping away. She didn't know it yet, but Marcus Hale had noticed her — and Marcus never noticed anyone unless it mattered.