Lila
The hum of chatter filled the classroom, desks scraping, pages turning. It was just another Monday morning—until Mr. Pierce cleared his throat.
"Settle down, everyone. We have a new student joining us today."
I looked up from doodling half-hearted plays in my notebook, not expecting much. New kids showed up every year. Most kept their heads down, shuffled through their schedule, and vanished into the crowd.
But then he walked in.
Noah Lawson.
Black T-shirt, hands shoved into his pockets, that same smug, self-satisfied air like the world belonged to him. His gaze skimmed the class casually—until it landed on me.
And then he smirked.
My stomach dropped. Heat rushed to my face. He wasn't supposed to be here. He was supposed to stay across the yard, behind his fence, where I could ignore him.
Beside me, Maya's elbow dug into my ribs. "Oh my God," she hissed. "Do you know him?"
Jess leaned closer, her eyes wide. "Why is he smirking at you?"
I forced my expression into blank indifference, even though my pulse betrayed me. "I'll explain later," I muttered.
"Mr. Lawson," Mr. Pierce said, "you'll sit behind Lila Evan's."
Of course. Of course he would.
He strolled down the aisle and slid into the empty seat behind me, moving with that lazy confidence that made my skin prickle. For the rest of class, I pretended to take notes while very much aware of him behind me, lounging like he owned the place.
When the bell rang, Maya practically dragged me by the wrist to the cafeteria, Jen trailing close behind. We collapsed at our usual table, the smell of fries and pizza clinging to the air.
"Okay," Maya said, her voice urgent. "Spill. How do you know the transfer student and why do you look like you want to murder him?"
I sighed, stabbing at my fries. "He's my new neighbor."
Jen 's eyes widened. "No way. That's him?"and he's also the driveway boy?"
"Yup." I shoved a fry in my mouth. "And before you say anything—he's rude, arrogant, and full of himself.
Maya leaned forward, practically bouncing. "What happened?"
"He blocked my driveway. Then acted like it was no big deal. Called me spoiled."I didn't think he'd come here.
Jess gasped. "He did not."
"He did," I said flatly. "So yeah. Neighbor boy is officially the worst."
Maya grinned wickedly. "But he's hot, right?"
I groaned, dropping my head into my hands. "That is not the point."
She sing-songed, "You so noticed though."
I threw a fry at her. She ducked, laughing.
Later that afternoon, we hit the basketball court. The gym echoed with squeaks of sneakers and the rhythmic thud of bouncing balls. Practice was supposed to be my escape, my focus—except fate had other plans.
Because Noah was there.
Leaning against the bleachers, ball spinning lazily on his fingertip, watching like he had every right to invade my space.
"You lost?" I called out, dribbling toward him.
"Nope." He caught the ball neatly, dribbled once, then spun it back. "Just checking out the competition."
"Competition?" I scoffed, catching it. "Please. You wouldn't last five minutes against me."
His smirk deepened. "Big words, princess."
"Don't call me that."
"What, princess? Why not? Fits you."
I dribbled harder, trying to drown out the irritation in my veins. "If you're going to hang around, at least try not to be annoying."
He stepped closer, voice low enough only I could hear. "No promises."
For a second, our eyes locked. Tension sizzled in the air, the kind that made it hard to breathe.
Then Maya shouted from across the court, breaking the spell. "Lila, quit flirting and pass already!"
I groaned, spinning away from Noah, cheeks burning. He chuckled under his breath, the sound infuriatingly smug.
This was going to be a long school year.
Noah
The ball left my hand with that perfect spin I'd practiced a thousand times before, hitting the rim once before dropping clean through the net. The sound of the swish carried across the court, followed by a chorus of giggles from the bleachers.
Yeah. The girls' team had gathered. Figures. Some pretended to stretch, others leaned against the railing, all of them whispering like I couldn't hear. Back home, it was the same thing. New guy, decent-looking, decent game—suddenly I'm a circus act.
I didn't mind. I even tossed them a smirk for good measure. The reaction was predictable—squeals, giggles, flushed cheeks. Easy.
But then my eyes landed on her.
Lila Evans. Arms crossed, chin tilted, eyes narrowed in a glare sharp enough to cut through steel. She looked at me like I was the most irritating thing she'd seen all week. Maybe all year.
I smirked again, just for her. Watching her roll her eyes was more satisfying than hearing all the girls squeal put together.
I didn't know she went here, but the eyes she's been giving me ever since is funny.
Still thinks I'm smug, I thought. Good. She's not wrong.
After practice, I ducked into the locker room, pulling my shirt over my head when a voice drawled behind me.
" Hi, I'm Tasha. It's nice to meet you.
I didn't want to have a conversation with anyone so I just turned around and gave her an uninterested look. She gave off the vibe of Loud, polished, confident. The type that needed an audience.
I pulled the shirt the rest of the way off and gave her a slow once-over. I'm Noah.
"You're not bad on the court," she said, smiling like it was both compliment and challenge.
I smirked. "You're not bad at stating the obvious."
Her lips pressed into a thin line before she plastered on another smile. "Cocky. Figures." She flipped her hair and walked off, heels clicking against the floor even though sneakers were required in here. I didn't bother watching. Not my type.
The guys started filing out, a few clapping me on the shoulder. "Hey, Lawson, we're hitting the diner after school. Come with us—initiation for the new guy."
I shook my head. "Pass."
They exchanged looks—surprised—but shrugged it off. Their laughter and jokes faded as the door slammed shut, leaving me with nothing but the hum of the fluorescent lights.
By lunch, I knew the cafeteria wasn't for me. Too loud. Too crowded. Too many questions I didn't feel like answering. I grabbed a water and a sandwich, found the emptiest table I could, and settled near the window.
Silence. That was better. Silence didn't expect anything from me.
Still, my eyes drifted across the room.
Lila sat with her friends, laughing at something one of them said. She looked comfortable, like she belonged, like her world was full. I wondered—just for a second,what it would feel like to sit at that table, to be part of that noise.
Then I shook the thought off. Noise wasn't for me.
Not anymore.