The hallways of Rosehill Academy buzzed like a swarm of bees, bright sunlight spilling through the tall windows and reflecting off the polished floors. But for her, the noise, the laughter, the whispers it all felt deafening. Every step she took echoed against the lockers, drawing eyes like magnets. Every glance felt like a judgment. Every whisper felt like a knife.
Did you see Adrian and her today?
I heard she's giving up her scholarship.
No way! After everything she worked for?
She's with Kai Reyes now!
She pressed her lips together and tightened her grip on her backpack straps. Ignore them. Just ignore them. She had practiced this countless times: move fast, act normal, disappear into the crowd. But today, the whispers were sharper, the stares heavier.
And then he appeared.
Adrian Park.
Golden boy. Star student. School legend. The one everyone adored and envied, and the one who had been her "rumor boyfriend" since freshman year. He didn't have to try, and the world would bend around him anyway. His hair caught the sunlight perfectly, his blazer was flawless, and the small, almost imperceptible curl of his smile could melt anyone's defenses.
But today, there was no smile.
Her stomach dropped. His usual warmth had vanished, replaced by something cold, sharp, unfamiliar.
She doesn't need that scholarship, he said, voice cutting through the chatter like a knife.
She's already privileged enough. Hana needs it more. Right?
Hana Kim—the new transfer student. She had only been at Rosehill for a few days, but apparently, Adrian was already bending over backward for her. She, who had earned every achievement with sweat and sleepless nights, was being pushed aside.
Her chest tightened. Adrian… that scholarship is merit-based. I earned it.
Then give it up, he snapped, loud enough for the passing students to hear.
Laughter erupted from the crowd, sharp and cruel. Snickers. Phone cameras snapping. Whispered comments echoing in her ears. The heat of embarrassment burned hotter than the afternoon sun.
Why is he doing this? she thought, anger and hurt mingling into a bitter knot in her chest. Why does he care about her and not me?
Her fingers trembled as she gripped her backpack. She wanted to nod, wanted to walk away, wanted to disappear. But before she could take another step, a hand grabbed her wrist.
Hold up.
The voice was lazy, low, but commanding. The hallway went silent. Every student froze, watching the drama unfold.
Kai Reyes.
The infamous bad boy of Rosehill Academy. Tattoos hidden under his uniform jacket, messy black hair falling over sharp, dangerous eyes, tie crooked, blazer half undone. He was everything she had been told to fear. And yet… there was something magnetic about him.
Adrian's jaw clenched. Kai. Stay out of this.
Kai smirked, pushing off the lockers he had been leaning against. Can't.
He stepped in front of her, gripping her wrist gently, yet firmly enough to make a statement.
You're really giving her up? Kai asked, eyes flicking to Adrian. Just like that?
What I do is none of your business,Adrian snapped, voice tight with anger.
Kai tilted his head, smile teasing and dangerous. Oh, it is now."
Her heart thumped painfully. W-what? Kai
He didn't look at her. He looked at Adrian. And for the first time in years, she noticed just how sharp and dangerous he could be.
If he doesn't want the school belle, Kai said smoothly, voice low and intoxicating,
I'll take her.
A gasp ran through the crowd. Some students dropped books, others pulled out phones to record the scene.
Adrian's face darkened. Don't joke.
I'm not joking,Kai said, his thumb brushing her wrist ever so lightly. She shivered. The touch was electric, sending heat curling up her arm and into her chest.
He tilted his head, smirk widening. New rumor starts today. She's mine.
Her breath caught. Whispers multiplied, bouncing off the walls.
Did he just say that?No way,She's… with him?
Adrian's hands clenched into fists. You don't own her.
Kai's smile grew sharp, dangerous. Funny. Because you acted like you did.
Her stomach twisted painfully. Why does this feel so… thrilling?
Adrian's voice softened, almost pleading, but still laced with anger. Is this really what you want?
She wanted to run. She wanted to hide. But she couldn't move because Kai was standing there, blocking Adrian's gaze, protecting her in the most infuriating, electrifying way.
Class is starting, Kai murmured softly,Leave.
Adrian's jaw flexed. He gave her one last look, a storm of anger, frustration, and something else flickering in his eyes. Then he turned and stalked away.
The moment he disappeared, the weight of the hallway seemed to lift slightly. But the air in her lungs still felt thick. Her heart raced. Her hands trembled.
Kai leaned down slightly, voice a whisper against her ear.
Don't worry. This is only the beginning."
Her pulse quickened. "What do you mean?"
He straightened, hands in pockets, eyes dark and dangerous, smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "It means… I'm not done with you yet."
Her stomach dropped. Her mind raced. The hallway, the whispers, Adrian, Kai everything felt surreal, like she had stepped into a different world.
Even the walls of Rosehill Academy seemed to hum with tension. Students stared from every corner, but she barely noticed. Her eyes were glued to Kai, whose smirk promised trouble, danger… and something else she didn't dare name.
She tried to speak, tried to push away the confusing mix of fear and attraction, but no words came out. She only knew that something in her had shifted. Something irreversibly.
Kai's smirk softened, just slightly, and his voice dropped lower, almost a growl.
"You'll get used to it… to me."
Her pulse raced. Get used to him? she thought, unable to look away. Or am I already too late?
The bell rang, piercing the tension, and students began filing to their classes, whispering and pointing, already spreading the story. But she didn't move. She couldn't.
Kai finally released her wrist, stepping back, still watching her like a predator sizing up his prey.
And in that moment, she realized Rosehill Academy would never be the same. For her, for Adrian, and certainly for Kai Reyes.Because a single rumor had just exploded and nothing would ever be simple again.