Monday morning came too fast.
Lila walked through Ridgewood's gates with her backpack slung over one shoulder, trying to convince herself it was a normal day. Just classes. Just friends. Just routine.
But nothing felt normal anymore.
Not after Friday night. Not after Ethan's post. Not after her brothers had practically staged a family intervention outside the locker room.
She was halfway to her first class when the whispers started.
"Did you see Cole's post?""Was that Hart next to him?""Are they… like… together?"
Lila gritted her teeth. Fantastic.
She slid into her seat, Harper already there. Maya joined seconds later, dropping into her chair with wide eyes.
"You're famous," Maya whispered, pulling her phone out. "Look!"
On her screen was Ethan's post—already blowing up with comments.
🔥 King Cole with his queen.👀 Is that Lila Hart?💔 Sorry girls, Cole's taken.
Lila snatched the phone, shoving it back at her. "It's nothing. He's just messing with people."
"Messing with you," Harper corrected, raising a brow. "And the entire school."
Before Lila could reply, the classroom buzz shifted. The air changed.
Because Ethan Cole had walked in.
He strolled down the aisle like he owned the place, Lukas and Zane at his heels. Every girl's eyes tracked him, but his gaze… his gaze went straight to Lila.
He smirked. Slow. Deliberate.
And then—he dropped into the seat directly behind her.
"Morning, sunshine," he drawled.
Lila stiffened. "Stop calling me that."
"Can't," he said easily. "Fits too well."
She turned just enough to glare at him. "Delete the post."
"No."
"Ethan—"
He leaned forward, lips brushing her ear, voice low enough that only she could hear. "You looked too good not to share."
Her cheeks flamed. She hated him. She hated the way he could make her pulse race with just words.
And of course, that was the exact moment the classroom door slammed open.
Her brothers walked in.
All three non-students—Aiden, Jordan, and Caleb—had somehow talked their way past the office and now stood in the doorway like a mafia lineup. Tyler trailed behind them, looking like he wanted to disappear into the floor.
The room went dead silent.
Lila buried her face in her hands. "Oh. My. God."
Aiden's eyes zeroed in on Ethan instantly. "You."
Ethan didn't even flinch. He leaned back in his chair, smirk wide, arms crossed. "Me."
Jordan's voice was calm, deadly. "Stay away from our sister."
Caleb chimed in with a grin. "Or don't. I'd love to see Aiden actually get arrested for once."
"Caleb!" Lila hissed.
The class erupted into whispers. Phones were out, snapping pictures, recording video. Harper was practically choking on laughter while Maya whispered, "Your family is insane."
Tyler pinched the bridge of his nose, muttering, "I told you guys not to do this."
Ethan? He was enjoying every second. His smirk never wavered.
He leaned forward again, his voice a silk thread only for Lila. "Looks like everyone wants to keep me away from you."
Her heart slammed against her ribs.
"Too bad," he whispered. "I don't scare easy."