The first bell of the new school year echoed through the halls of Rosewood High, carrying a familiar mix of chatter, laughter, and nerves. Lockers slammed shut, sneakers squeaked on the polished floors, and the air buzzed with gossip about summer flings and new faces.
Seventeen-year-old Ava Daniels walked through the hallway with a quiet confidence that made people turn. Her long braids swung gently as she moved, and her brown eyes seemed to hold a secret no one else could guess. It was her senior year—one she promised herself would be different. No distractions. No unnecessary drama. Just focus.
But fate, as always, had other plans.
At the far end of the hall, a tall boy with tousled black hair stood by the notice board, scanning the class lists. His name was Ethan Cole—the new transfer student everyone was already whispering about. Rumor had it he'd been kicked out of his last school for fighting, but one look at him told a different story. His eyes were soft, distant even, like someone who'd seen too much too soon.
Their eyes met—only for a moment—but it felt longer.
Ava quickly looked away, pretending to adjust her backpack strap. But her heart betrayed her, skipping a beat she couldn't control. Ethan noticed too. A tiny smirk tugged at his lips before he turned back to the board.
That moment should've been nothing. Just another glance in a crowded hallway.
But something about it stuck.
Later that day, fate struck again. In Literature class, the teacher announced, "Everyone will be paired up for the semester project. Let's make it interesting—random draw."
Ava held her breath as names were called. Then she heard it.
> "Ava Daniels and... Ethan Cole."
The room erupted with murmurs. Ava looked up, and there he was—leaning back in his chair, that same unreadable look on his face. When their eyes met this time, he gave her a slow, half-smile.
"Looks like we're partners," he said, voice low and steady.
Ava's heart raced again, but she forced a calm smile. "Let's just get an A and move on."
Ethan chuckled softly. "We'll see."
As the bell rang, Ava realized something she didn't want to admit—
For the first time in a long while, she wasn't so sure she could keep her promise to avoid distractions.
Because Ethan Cole wasn't just a distraction.
He was the kind of trouble that made your heart want to fall