Sophia walked into her first class, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness. She took a seat near the front, trying to focus on the teacher's introduction.
As the class began, Sophia's eyes wandered around the room. She noticed Jaden sitting a few rows behind her, his eyes fixed on her with a hint of curiosity. Amber sat across from him, her gaze lingering on Sophia with disdain.
The teacher handed out worksheets, and Sophia quickly grasped the material. As she worked on the problems, Amber leaned over to whisper to Jaden, her voice barely audible.
"Sophia thinks she's so smart, doesn't she?" Amber said, her tone dripping with sarcasm.
Jaden shrugged, his eyes flicking towards Sophia. "She seems okay, I guess."
Amber raised an eyebrow. "You think she's okay? She's a scholarship girl, Jaden. She's not even in our league."
Sophia felt a surge of annoyance but kept her focus on the worksheet. She wasn't going to let Amber's jabs get to her.
As the class ended, Sophia gathered her belongings and headed out into the hallway. She spotted Jaden waiting by his locker, his eyes meeting hers briefly.
"Hey," Jaden said, flashing a charming smile. "You're Sophia, right?"
Sophia nodded, feeling a flutter in her chest. "Yeah, that's me."
Jaden leaned against his locker. "I'm Jaden. Welcome to Riverview High."
Sophia smiled, trying to play it cool. "Thanks, Jaden. Nice to meet you."
As Sophia walked away, she couldn't help but wonder what Jaden's intentions were. Was he being friendly, or was there something more?