Autumn Reynolds gripped the strap of her backpack tightly as she stepped off the bus, her heart pounding. Blackwood Academy stood before her, its massive iron gates opening to a school that looked more like a castle than a place for students.
She had never seen anything this grand in her life.
Everything about this place screamed wealth and power—the tall glass windows, the perfectly trimmed hedges, the students stepping out of sleek black cars, their drivers holding their bags for them.
And then there was her.
She clutched her worn-out backpack a little tighter, suddenly feeling small. Unlike these students, she didn't come from money. She was here on a scholarship, a fact that everyone seemed to know before she had even stepped foot inside.
As she walked through the entrance, whispers followed her.
"That's the new scholarship student, right?"
"Yeah. Poor girl. She won't last a week."
Autumn ignored them, lifting her chin. She wasn't here to impress anyone. She was here to study, get good grades, and survive.
But her plan didn't last long.
A Bad First Impression
She had barely taken a few steps inside when she crashed into someone—hard.
Her backpack slipped from her shoulder and hit the floor with a soft thud.
"Move."
The deep voice was sharp, cold, and completely uninterested in whether or not she had just nearly fallen.
Autumn looked up—and met a pair of striking blue eyes.
The boy standing before her was tall, with black hair that fell slightly over his forehead. His uniform, unlike hers, fit perfectly, the school crest embroidered in gold on his blazer.
He looked like someone who belonged here.
And judging by the way everyone was watching them with wide eyes, he wasn't just anyone.
Autumn took a small step back but refused to look away. "Excuse me?"
The boy raised an eyebrow. "You're in my way, scholarship girl."
Autumn stiffened. So, he knew who she was.
"Pretty sure the hallway is big enough for both of us," she said, crossing her arms.
For a second, something flashed in his expression—amusement? Surprise? But it was gone in an instant, replaced by a smirk.
"You've got a sharp tongue," he said, stepping closer. "Let's see how long that lasts."
Autumn refused to move, meeting his gaze without fear.
After a moment, he let out a soft chuckle, like he had already won whatever game he thought they were playing. Then, without another word, he stepped around her and walked away.
Autumn let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding.
The whispers around her grew louder.
"She actually talked back to Zayden Calloway?"
"She's crazy. He basically runs this school!"
Autumn frowned. Zayden Calloway.
She didn't know much about him yet, but something told her—this was just the beginning.
---
Lunchtime Trouble
By the time lunch rolled around, the entire school seemed to know about her encounter with Zayden Calloway.
Autumn picked an empty table and sat down, hoping to eat in peace. But before she could take a bite, someone sat across from her.
She looked up to find a boy smiling at her.
He had warm brown eyes and tousled brown hair, his uniform slightly wrinkled like he hadn't bothered to fix it after gym class.
"Theo Hartley," he said, resting his arms on the table. "You're Autumn, right?"
She nodded cautiously.
He grinned. "So… you stood up to Zayden Calloway on your first day. That takes guts."
Autumn frowned. "Why does everyone act like he's royalty?"
Theo leaned back in his chair. "Because he kind of is. His father owns the school. He gets away with everything."
"Great," Autumn muttered. "So he's just another rich guy who thinks he's above everyone else."
Theo smirked. "Pretty much."
Autumn glanced around the cafeteria, her eyes landing on Zayden's table. He was sitting with a group of equally rich and arrogant-looking students, completely at ease.
He wasn't looking at her.
But somehow, she knew he was aware of her presence.
She had a sinking feeling.
This wasn't over.
It was just the beginning.