Chapter 1: The Day I Met Trouble
Elira never imagined her life would change the moment she walked into Ridgeview High School. She was just the quiet girl, the one with average grades, a low profile, and a heart too soft for a world so loud.
She wasn't rich, didn't wear branded clothes, and never trended on social media. But she had dreams small ones like passing her exams, making her mom proud, and maybe falling in love with someone who truly saw her.
That was before Zayn Rivera walked into her world.
The boy who had everything.
It was the first day of Grade 11. The hallways were crowded with familiar faces, lockers slamming, teachers calling names, and groups reuniting with laughter. Elira walked slowly, clutching her backpack and avoiding eye contact.
"Elira!" Mia waved her over near their usual bench.
She smiled and joined her. Mia was her only real friend. She was the loud one the one who stood up for both of them when bullies whispered or teachers ignored Elira's raised hand.
"What's the new timetable like?" Mia asked, munching on gum.
Elira opened her notebook. "Maths first period,then English,and Science"
A sudden wave of murmurs broke out around them.
"Who is that?"
"He's new…"
"Wait isn't that Zayn Rivera?!"
Elira turned to look.
Walking through the crowd like he owned the school was a tall, sharp-jawed boy with dark eyes, black hair, and an expression that screamed confidence. He wore the school uniform like it was designed for him, his expensive watch gleaming under the hallway lights.
He didn't look at anyone. But everyone looked at him.
"That's Zayn Rivera," Mia whispered. "His dad owns Rivera Motors. He was in a private academy but got suspended last term for fighting. Rumor says he nearly broke someone's nose."
Elira frowned. "He doesn't look violent."
She blinked. "I...I didn't see the puddle."
He handed her the paper. "Figures."
Elira narrowed her eyes. "You don't talk to anyone and now you show up to insult me?"
Zayn raised an eyebrow. "Feisty."
She stood. "No. Just not interested in boys who think being rude is attractive."
He smirked. "Good. Because I'm not interested in girls who pretend they don't care."
And with that, he walked off.
Elira stood frozen.
What just happened?
Weeks passed, and somehow… they began to talk more.
He'd ask for help in class. She'd roll her eyes but help anyway. He'd wait by her locker. She'd pretend to be annoyed.
But slowly, it changed.
He told her about his mother who left when he was ten. About his strict father. His anxiety. His anger.
She told him about her life her father who passed, her mother who worked two jobs, the pressure she felt to be "good enough."
And one evening, as they sat under the stars at the local beach, Elira realized something.
She was falling for him.
And Zayn?
He had already fallen.
But trouble always follows love that grows too fast.