The next morning felt strange.
I barely slept the night before.
Every time I closed my eyes, I saw the same annoying face… Adrian leaning against the hallway wall with that smug smile, casually saying the words "future step-siblings."
It made my stomach twist again.
This had to be some kind of nightmare.
Unfortunately, when I woke up the next morning and walked into the kitchen, reality confirmed it.
Adrian was already there.
Leaning lazily against the counter, eating cereal like he had lived in the house for years.
My mom stood beside him happily, pouring juice into two glasses.
"Good morning, Chelsea!" she said cheerfully.
Adrian slowly looked up.
Our eyes met.
And there it was again.
That smirk.
"Morning, genius," he said.
I ignored him completely and walked straight to the fridge.
My mother looked between us suspiciously.
"You two seem quiet this morning."
"We're fine," Adrian said casually.
I grabbed a bottle of water and turned to leave.
"Chelsea," my mom called.
I stopped.
"You and Adrian go to school together, right? Why don't you go together today?"
I nearly dropped the bottle.
"Together?"
Adrian chuckled softly behind me.
"That sounds convenient."
I turned slowly and glared at him.
"There's no way I'm walking to school with him."
My mom frowned slightly.
"Chelsea, that's not polite."
I sighed.
Of course.
I was always the polite, responsible daughter.
Meanwhile Adrian looked like he was enjoying every second of this.
"Fine," I muttered.
But the moment we stepped outside the house, the silence between us became heavy.
We walked down the street toward Riverview Academy without speaking.
Adrian kept his hands in his pockets, walking casually like he had all the time in the world.
I walked faster.
Trying to get ahead of him.
But suddenly his voice came from behind me.
"You know something interesting?"
I didn't answer.
"That attitude of yours," he continued. "It's even worse outside of school."
I stopped and turned.
"Maybe because you're worse outside of school too."
He raised an eyebrow.
"Oh really?"
"Yes."
I crossed my arms.
"You flirt with every girl in class like it's some kind of hobby."
Adrian smirked.
"Are you jealous?"
My eyes widened.
"Excuse me?"
He shrugged.
"You keep watching me."
"I do not!"
He laughed.
That annoying, confident laugh again.
"Relax," he said. "It's cute when you're angry."
I felt my face heat up again.
"Stop saying things like that!"
"Why?"
"Because it's weird!"
He tilted his head slightly.
"Why is it weird?"
I stared at him.
Was he seriously asking that?
"Because our parents are getting married!"
Adrian didn't look bothered at all.
He simply stepped closer.
His voice lowered slightly.
"No one at school knows that."
My heart skipped.
"And they're not going to," he added.
I frowned.
"What do you mean?"
He leaned a little closer.
"If people find out we live together, things will get messy."
He wasn't wrong.
School rumors spread fast.
And if students at Riverview Academy found out the arrogant new transfer student and the top nerd were living in the same house…
The gossip would never stop.
"So we keep it a secret," Adrian said.
I stared at him for a moment.
Then nodded reluctantly.
"Fine."
"But stay away from me at school."
He smiled again.
"That might be difficult."
"Why?"
His eyes glinted with amusement.
"Because you're fun to tease."
I groaned and turned away, continuing to walk toward school.
Behind me, Adrian laughed again.
When we arrived at Riverview Academy, the usual chaos filled the courtyard.
Students talked loudly, couples walked together, and groups gathered around the benches.
But the moment Adrian entered the school gate…
Everything changed.
Girls immediately noticed him.
"Adrian!" one of them called.
A tall girl from our class walked straight up to him and wrapped her arm around his shoulder.
"Where were you yesterday after school?" she asked playfully.
Adrian smiled at her easily.
"Busy."
I rolled my eyes and walked ahead.
Of course.
Typical Adrian.
Before I reached the classroom door, Lisa ran up beside me.
"Chelsea!" she whispered excitedly.
I sighed.
"What now?"
Her eyes sparkled.
"You won't believe the rumor going around already."
My stomach tightened.
"What rumor?"
Lisa leaned closer.
"People are saying Adrian might have a crush on you."
I nearly choked.
"What?!"
Lisa laughed.
"Well, he keeps talking to you."
I rubbed my forehead in frustration.
This was exactly the problem.
And suddenly, I felt someone standing behind me.
A familiar voice spoke right next to my ear.
"Morning again, genius."
Adrian.
Lisa's eyes widened dramatically.
"Speak of the devil," she whispered.
I slowly turned to face him.
He looked relaxed as always, his bag hanging loosely over one shoulder.
But his eyes were locked on me.
Like he was studying my reaction.
"You better stop following me," I warned quietly.
He leaned slightly closer.
"I'm not following you."
"Then why are you always behind me?"
His smirk returned.
"Maybe it's fate."
Lisa nearly screamed with excitement.
Meanwhile I felt my patience disappearing.
"You're impossible," I muttered.
Adrian straightened and walked past me toward the classroom.
But as he passed, he whispered one last thing.
"See you in class… step-sister."
My heart jumped.
I looked around quickly.
Luckily, no one seemed to hear him.
But Adrian was already sitting at his desk, looking completely innocent.
And smiling.
Like he had just started a game only he understood.