Monday mornings at Riverview Academy were usually calm.
But not this Monday.
Chelsea felt the tension the moment she stepped through the school gates. Conversations lowered when she walked past. Students glanced at her and whispered to one another before pretending nothing happened.
Her brows knitted together.
What is going on…?
She adjusted the strap of her bag and walked toward the classroom building. Her best friend Lisa rushed toward her the moment she reached the hallway.
"Chelsea!" Lisa whispered urgently.
Chelsea frowned. "Why are you whispering like a spy?"
Lisa grabbed her arm and pulled her closer.
"Because something weird is happening."
Chelsea sighed. "What now?"
Mia leaned in closer.
"People are saying you and Adrian are… close."
Chelsea nearly choked.
"WHAT?"
Her voice echoed down the hallway and several students turned to stare.
Chelsea quickly lowered her voice.
"That's ridiculous."
Lisa shrugged nervously. "You walked with him at the party. Everyone saw."
Chelsea groaned internally.
Of course they did.
Why wouldn't they?
Meanwhile…
Adrian walked into the classroom like he always did calm, confident, and completely unaffected by the attention around him.
Girls immediately started whispering.
Some smiled.
Some stared.
And some glared.
Especially Vanessa.
Vanessa sat at the front row like royalty on a throne, legs crossed elegantly, expensive perfume filling the air around her. Her gang surrounded her as usual, giggling at every little thing she said.
But when Adrian walked in…
Her eyes locked onto him instantly.
A smile slowly spread across her lips.
"Good morning, Adrian," she said sweetly.
Adrian barely glanced at her.
"Morning."
Then he walked straight past her…
…and sat beside Chelsea.
Chelsea stiffened.
"Why are you sitting here?" she whispered sharply.
Adrian leaned back in his chair casually.
"Because I want to."
Chelsea glared at him.
"You're causing problems."
He smirked.
"I like problems."
Across the room, Vanessa's smile vanished.
Her fingers tightened around the pen in her hand.
Her gang noticed immediately.
"That nerd again," one of them muttered quietly.
Vanessa didn't answer.
But the cold look in her eyes said everything.
The teacher entered the classroom a few minutes later.
"Good morning, class."
"Good morning, sir," the students replied.
The lesson began, and as usual, Chelsea focused completely on her notes.
But halfway through the lecture, the teacher asked a difficult question.
"Can anyone explain this theory?"
The classroom fell silent.
Chelsea raised her hand.
Before the teacher could call on her
Adrian spoke.
"It's because the variable changes under external pressure," he answered smoothly.
The teacher blinked in surprise.
"Correct."
Chelsea slowly turned her head toward Adrian.
He winked at her.
Her eye twitched.
"You did that on purpose," she whispered angrily.
"Maybe."
"You stole my answer."
"I improved your answer."
Chelsea clenched her pen.
"I hate you."
Adrian leaned slightly closer.
"You don't."
Her face turned red.
Across the classroom…
Vanessa watched the entire interaction.
Every look.
Every whisper.
Every smile.
Her nails dug into her palm.
Lunch break came quickly.
Students flooded the cafeteria, laughing and chatting loudly.
Chelsea grabbed her tray and looked around for Mia.
But before she could sit down
Someone blocked her path.
Vanessa.
Her gang stood behind her like silent guards.
Chelsea sighed internally.
Here we go.
Vanessa tilted her head slightly, examining Chelsea from head to toe.
"So," she said calmly.
"You think you're special now?"
Chelsea blinked.
"Excuse me?"
Vanessa's smile sharpened.
"You've been following Adrian around since the party."
Chelsea nearly laughed.
"Following him? That's funny."
Vanessa stepped closer.
"Girls like you should know their place."
Chelsea raised an eyebrow.
"And where exactly is that?"
Vanessa leaned closer, voice icy.
"Far away from things that belong to me."
Chelsea's eyes darkened.
"Oh," she said calmly.
"You mean Adrian?"
Vanessa's gang murmured.
Chelsea crossed her arms.
"You should probably ask him if he belongs to you."
Vanessa's smile vanished completely.
For the first time…
Chelsea saw real anger in her eyes.
"You're brave for someone with no friends," Vanessa said quietly.
Chelsea shrugged.
"I prefer intelligence over a fan club."
Some nearby students snorted with laughter.
Vanessa's face turned red.
Before she could respond
A voice spoke behind Chelsea.
"Problem?"
Adrian.
He stood there casually, hands in his pockets, eyes cold as he looked at Vanessa.
Vanessa instantly softened.
"Oh, Adrian," she said sweetly.
"We were just talking."
Chelsea rolled her eyes.
Adrian looked at Chelsea.
"You okay?"
Chelsea nodded.
"I'm fine."
Vanessa forced a smile.
"See? Everything is fine."
But her eyes were burning with rage.
As Chelsea walked away with Adrian, whispers followed them again.
"Did you see that?"
"Vanessa looked furious."
"They're definitely close."
Chelsea groaned.
"This is your fault."
Adrian chuckled.
"Worth it."
She stopped walking and turned toward him.
"Why are you even doing this?"
For a moment…
Adrian didn't answer.
He simply looked at her.
Really looked at her.
Then he said quietly,
"Because you're interesting."
Chelsea blinked.
Her heart suddenly beat faster.
And that terrified her.
Because the more time she spent around Adrian…
The more complicated everything became.