Abigail's POV
As the car rolls to a stop in front of the school gates, my stomach twists into a tight knot.
I sit in the backseat, clunching my bag like it's my lifeline.
The driver turns to me with a polite nod. "We've arrived, Miss Abigail."
"Thank you," I mumble, my voice barely above a whisper.
My fingers fumble with the door handle. The school looms ahead, an imposing building with a croud of students mingling around the entrance. They all seem so comfortable, chatting and laughing like they've known each other forever.
I step out of the car and feel a wave of anxiety wash over me.
The morning's events replay in my mind-Nathan's cutting words at the breakfast table, his refusal to drive me, and that last reminder, his threat.
My cheeks burn as I imagine him sneering,
"Twenty days. Don't forget."
I swallow hard and force myself to walk towards the building, my shoes clicking against the pavement.
***
Inside, the noise of chattering students fills the hallway, springing off the lockers and tiled floor.
I keep my head down, tightening my hold on my bag against my chest.
I don't talk to anyone, and no one talks to me. It's always been that way. I've never been the type to make friends easily-not in my old school, and definitely not here.
As I make my way to my locker, a familiar figure comes into view. My heart skips a beat. Nathan.
He's leaning casually against the wall, surrounded by his friends.
His black hoodie is pulled halfway over his head, and his signature scowl is firmly in place.
The sight of him sends a shiver down my spine, but I can't look away.
He notices me.
His sharp green eyes lock onto mine for a split second, and my feet freeze.
The memory of his drunken smirk from last night flashes in my mind.
"How long have you had sexual fantasies about me?" His voice echoes in my head, making my cheeks flush.
I quickly divert my gaze and force myself to keep walking.
My steps feel heavy with each passing second, and my chest tightens.
As I pass him, I swear I feel his eyes on me, watching me like I'm some sort of puzzle he's determined to solve-maybe destroy.
I finally reach my locker and let out a shaky breath.
My hands tremble as I spin the lock combination. My mind races, replaying every moment of our interactions.
His insults at breakfast, his threat to expose my secrets, his mocking tone last night-they're all stuck on repeat.
Why does he have to be so mean? I don't understand how someone so... attractive can also be so harsh.
There's something about him, though, something that pulls me in even when I know it shouldn't.
I shake my head and focus on the present. Get it together, Abigail.
***
Class is a welcome distraction. As I settle into my seat, I breathe a sigh of relief when I dawns on me that, Nathan isn't in the same class as me.
I'm not sure I could handle sitting near him all day. Seeing him in the hallway is bad enough.
But even with him out of sight, he's not out of mind. My thoughts keep drifting back to him. I hate that he is getting under my skin like this.
It's like he's there, taking up space in my head, whether I want him to or not.
I glance out the window, trying to push him out of my thoughts. Instead, my mind goes to the crush I've secretly had for him since the first time I saw him.
Even then, I knew it was hopeless.
He's nothing like the sweet, understanding guy I'd dreamed of.
Nathan is sharp-edged, cold, and unpredictable.
But there's a part of me that wonders what's underneath all that.
Does he even have a softer side? I want to know, but I don't think he'd ever let me get close enough to find out.
***
The bell rings, snapping me out of my thoughts. I grab my books and head out of the classroom. My next stop is the library. It's the one place I feel comfortable in this school-a quiet haven where I can escape all the noise and chaos of the hallways.
As I turn a corner, I bump with someone. My books tumble to the floor, and I stumble back, muttering an apology.
"Sorry, I didn't see-oh."
It's Luca.
Luca is in most of my classes, and he's one of the most brilliant students in school.
He's tall and lean, with dark curly hair and brown eyes that always seem to be observing everything around him.
He bends down to pick up my books before I can. "Don't worry about it," he says, handing them back to me with a small smile.
"Thanks," I mumble, my cheeks heating up.
"You're Abigail, right?" he asks, adjusting the strap of his backpack.
"Yeah," I reply, surprised he even knows my name.
"I think we sit near each other in history class," he says.
"Oh, right," I say, nodding. "I've seen you there."
He smiles again, and for a moment, I forget all about Nathan.
Luca's energy is the exact opposite-warm, approachable, and easygoing.
"You heading to the library?" he asks.
"Yeah," I say. "I like how quiet it is there."
"Same," he says. "It's a good place to focus. Well, see you around, Abigail."
"See you," I reply, watching as he walks away.
I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding. It's the first real interaction I've had with anyone at this school.
As I make my way to the library, I can't help but feel excited out of hope. Maybe I don't have to be invisible here. Maybe, just maybe, I could find a place to fit in for myself.
***
The library is as quiet and comforting as ever. I find my usual corner and settle in with a book. But no matter how hard I try to focus, my thoughts go back to Nathan.
I think about the way he looked at me in the hallway earlier-cold, calculating, and slightly amused, like he was enjoying my discomfort.
I think about his threat, his mocking words, and the way he grabs all the attention in the room without even trying.
And then I think about Luca. His smile, his easygoing nature, and the way he made me feel seen, even for just a moment.
I let out a sigh and close my book.
My life has become a whirlwind of tension, secrets, and unanswered questions.
Nathan is at the center of it all, a storm I can't seem to escape.
For now, though, I focus on taking things one step at a time.