CHAPTER ONE
Avery's POV
The thing about having a seat is that once you sit there long enough, it becomes yours.
Mine was the third row from the back in Lecture Hall B - perfect angle to watch people, judge silently, and still look academically responsible.
So imagine my confusion when I walked in on the first day of senior year and saw a stranger sitting in my seat.
Tall. Dark hoodie. Headphones on. Not even pretending to notice the world.
I stopped mid-step.
"Oh," I said aloud. "We're doing this today?"
Maya bumped into me from behind.
"What?"
"That," I pointed dramatically, "is identity theft."
She squinted. "Avery... that's just a seat."
"No," I whispered. "That's my seat."
I marched over.
"Hi," I said brightly, tapping the desk. "You're sitting in the wrong place."
He looked up.
And wow.
Not in a wow he's hot way - more like a wow, he looks like emotions personally offended him kind of way.
"This seat isn't assigned," he said calmly.
His voice was low. Controlled. Annoyingly attractive.
I smiled wider. "It is spiritually."
He stared at me for a long second, then put his headphones back on.
Oh.
Oh no.
I gasped. Loudly.
"Did you just ignore me?"
Maya grabbed my arm. "Avery, please-"
"No," I said. "I want to see how this ends."
Ethan's POV
The girl was loud.
Not just volume - energy. She filled the space without permission.
I'd transferred schools twice. Learned fast: stay invisible, stay focused.
But she was standing there, smiling like she enjoyed conflict.
"I've sat here for four years," she said. "This seat knows my butt."
I blinked. Once.
"That's... unnecessary information."
She grinned. "You're new."
"Obviously."
"What's your name?"
I hesitated. I didn't like giving my name. Names made things real.
"Ethan."
She stuck out her hand. "Avery. Welcome to your academic downfall."
I should've moved.
I didn't.
Back to Avery
Professor Grant walked in before I could win.
"Seats, people. Group project announcements today."
Ethan froze.
I smiled slowly.
"Oh," I said sweetly, sliding into the seat next to him.
"This is going to be fun."
He exhaled through his nose.
I noticed.