Sam's POV
The bell rang, echoing across the room like a soft reminder that another day was finally over. Students rushed to leave, laughter and chatter filling the air as they grabbed their bags and bolted out of class. I stayed behind, pretending to adjust my notebook even though I was really just trying to avoid someone — him.
Liam Fernandez.
He sat two rows behind me, tapping his pen against the desk with that infuriating rhythm. Every tap made my stomach twist, a reminder of all the tension that had built between us over the past few days. It was strange. We hadn't talked much since detention, but every time our eyes accidentally met, it felt like the air in the room shifted. Heavy. Uncomfortable. Magnetic.
I sighed, slinging my bag over my shoulder. The classroom was almost empty except for Zoe — Zerena Caldwell — the new girl who'd transferred just a few days ago. She was still chatting with a group of students near the window, her laughter bright and easy. Somehow, in less than a week, she'd become everyone's favorite person. Her confidence was natural, her kindness effortless — a quality I admired, but also envied.
As I turned toward the door, her voice rang out behind me."Hey, Sam! Wait up!"
I stopped, hesitant. "Yeah?"
Zoe jogged up to me, her curls bouncing as she smiled. "You heading to lunch alone?"
"I usually do," I said, forcing a small smile. "It's… easier."
"Well, not today." She grinned wider. "You're coming with me."
Before I could protest, she looped her arm through mine. Her warmth caught me off guard — like a person who refused to see walls, only doors.We walked together through the crowded hallway, the sound of lockers slamming and laughter echoing off the tiled walls. I hadn't realized how loud the world could feel until that moment.
Zoe glanced at me sideways. "You're quieter than I expected."
"I get that a lot," I said dryly.
"I like it," she said, surprising me. "There's something calm about you. But I also get the feeling that calm doesn't mean quiet."
I raised an eyebrow. "What's that supposed to mean?"
She laughed. "It means there's more to you than people think. You've got that mystery vibe going on. Kind of cool."
I didn't know how to respond, so I just smiled faintly. As we reached the end of the hallway, I froze. Leaning against a locker, as if the entire world revolved around his careless posture, was Liam.
Zoe noticed my hesitation immediately. "Oh," she said, smirking a little. "That's Liam, right?"
"Unfortunately."
"Didn't you two—"
"Please don't finish that sentence," I muttered, cutting her off.
But Zoe only grinned mischievously. "Perfect. This'll be fun."
Before I could stop her, she called out, "Hey, Liam!"
He looked up lazily, pushing his hair out of his face. "Caldwell," he greeted, his voice low and casual. Then his eyes flicked to me — and everything inside me tensed.
"Rivera," he said, tone unreadable. "Didn't expect to see you still here."
"Disappointed?" I shot back before I could stop myself.
His lips twitched. "A little."
Zoe laughed, stepping right between us like she was hosting a reality show. "Wow, you two are fun. It's like watching two thunderstorms collide."
"Zoe," I said through clenched teeth, "maybe we should—"
"Actually," she interrupted, "I was thinking we should all go to lunch together. You know, bond a little."
Liam raised an eyebrow. "Bond?"
"Yeah," Zoe said cheerfully. "Unless you're too scared of a little socializing."
He smirked. "Scared? Of Rivera? Please."
I glared at him. "Oh, please yourself. You couldn't even handle detention without sulking."
"Sulking?" His eyes narrowed. "You mean the part where I got blamed for something you started?"
"You called my parents disgusting!"
"I was mad!"
"That doesn't give you the right to—"
"Okay!" Zoe said loudly, wedging herself between us before the argument could explode. "Enough, you two. I swear, the tension between you is so thick you could cut it with a spoon."
I turned away, crossing my arms. "Forget it. I'm not hungry."
"Same," Liam muttered, but he didn't move either.
Zoe sighed dramatically. "Fine. Don't eat. But at least stop glaring at each other like you're about to duel in the hallway."
"I'm not glaring," I said at the same time Liam said, "She started it."
We looked at each other — and for a split second, something shifted. His eyes, usually sharp and mocking, softened. Just a flicker. It made my heart skip, and I hated it.
I looked away first. "Whatever. I'm leaving."
But as I turned, the heel of my shoe slipped on the polished floor. I gasped, losing balance, and before I could hit the ground, a hand grabbed my arm — firm, steady, familiar.Liam.
For a heartbeat, everything froze. The hallway noise faded. His hand was warm around my wrist, our faces inches apart. His breath brushed my cheek. My pulse thundered in my ears.
"You should watch where you're going," he murmured, his voice lower than usual — quieter, almost gentle.
I swallowed hard. "Maybe you should stop showing up everywhere I go."
"Not my fault you're always in trouble," he said, a hint of a smile in his voice.
We stayed like that — neither moving, neither speaking. Until Zoe cleared her throat loudly.
"Wow," she said, smirking. "If this were a movie, that would've been the part where you two kissed."
Both Liam and I snapped out of it instantly, stepping apart like the floor had turned to lava. My cheeks burned. Liam looked away, running a hand through his hair, muttering something I didn't catch.
Zoe grinned. "Okay, fine, I'll pretend I didn't see that. But you two really need to chill."
I grabbed my bag, trying to act unfazed. "This was a bad idea."
"It wasn't," Zoe said gently now, her tone shifting. "It was… interesting. You two have history. And maybe a lot you don't understand yet."
I frowned. "What's that supposed to mean?"
She only smiled. "Nothing. Yet."
Liam's POV
That "yet" from Zoe echoed in my head long after Sam stormed off.I hated that she had that effect on me — making me lose focus, making me feel… something I didn't want to name. Sam Rivera was infuriating, stubborn, and way too easy to get under my skin. But she was also the only person who didn't treat me like I was untouchable. Like I wasn't the Liam Fernandez — son of Alexander Fernandez, heir to all his expectations.
When she looked at me, it wasn't about who my family was. It was about me. And I didn't know if I liked that or hated it more.
Zoe nudged me with her elbow. "You know, you're terrible at hiding your feelings."
"I don't have any," I said quickly.
"Sure," she said, smirking. "And I'm secretly the Queen of England."
I rolled my eyes. "You're annoying."
"I'm right," she said sing-song, walking away.
As I watched Sam disappear down the hall, something twisted in my chest. I told myself it was irritation. That was easier than admitting it might be something else.
Author's POV
Zoe watched them from the end of the hallway — one walking away, one pretending not to care.Two storms orbiting the same sky, both too proud to admit they were drawn to each other.
But storms had a way of meeting again.And this was only the calm before the real thunder began.