KAI'S POV
I knew Isabella Laurent was dangerous the second she walked into third period.
Not because of her perfect hair or designer clothes. Not even because every guy in the room suddenly sat up straighter. I knew because of the way she looked at Aria—like a snake deciding where to bite.
"Class, please welcome our new student," Mr. Jenkins said, gesturing to Isabella. "Miss Laurent will need a lab partner for our chemistry project."
Isabella's eyes scanned the room. They passed right over the empty seat next to Marcus Wong, the smartest kid in class. Skipped the spot beside Jenny Lin, who always helped new students.
Her gaze landed on the empty stool next to Aria.
"May I sit there?" Isabella asked sweetly, pointing.
Aria looked up, surprised. She smiled—that kind smile she gave everyone, even people who didn't deserve it. "Sure."
I gripped my pencil so hard it almost snapped.
Something was very wrong here.
I'd been watching Aria Chen for two years. Not in a creepy way—in a "I can't look away even when I try" way. I knew her schedule better than my own. First period English, second period calculus, third period chemistry where she always sat in the middle row, three seats from the front.
I knew she brought lunch from home in a blue container because buying cafeteria food was too expensive. I knew she tutored in the library every Tuesday and Thursday. I knew she played violin in the music room during free period, when she thought no one was listening.
And I knew Ethan Park had been slowly killing her light for six years.
But today was different. Today, Isabella Laurent had shown up like a storm, and I could feel the electricity in the air before lightning struck.
"I'm so nervous about American schools," Isabella said, her French accent making everything sound fancy. "In Paris, chemistry was taught differently. Would you mind helping me?"
"Of course," Aria said. "It's not that hard once you—"
"Oh, thank goodness!" Isabella grabbed Aria's hand. "Ethan told me you were the smartest person in school. He said if I needed anything, I should ask you."
Aria's smile faltered. Just for a second. But I saw it.
"Ethan said that?" Aria asked quietly.
"Yes! He's so wonderful, isn't he? So kind and handsome. I feel so lucky he's been showing me around."
I watched Aria's knuckles turn white as she gripped her pen.
Mr. Jenkins started the lesson, but I couldn't focus. I kept seeing the way Isabella touched Aria's arm whenever she asked a question. The way she laughed too loudly at things that weren't funny. The way she mentioned Ethan's name every five minutes like she was planting a flag.
This wasn't a new student asking for help.
This was a hunter marking territory.
The bell rang. Aria packed her bag quickly, like she couldn't wait to escape.
"Aria, wait!" Isabella called out. "Do you have lunch now? Maybe we could sit together? Ethan said—"
"I have to go," Aria interrupted, her voice tight. "Sorry."
She practically ran out of the room.
I gave it thirty seconds, then followed.
The cafeteria was packed. I spotted Ethan immediately—hard to miss him when he was standing on a chair, waving like an idiot.
"Isabella! Over here!"
Isabella waved back, her sad-new-girl act disappearing for just a moment. Her smile turned sharp. Victorious.
She walked toward Ethan's table—the popular table, where all the rich kids sat. The table where Aria used to sit, back when Ethan still pretended she mattered.
I found Aria at a corner table with Maya Torres. Aria was staring at her lunch container like it held all the answers to the universe.
"I'm going to punch him," Maya was saying. "Right in his perfect teeth."
"Don't," Aria whispered.
"He's sitting with her. Right there. Where you used to sit!"
"It's fine."
"It's not fine! Aria, open your eyes! That girl showed up and suddenly Ethan's acting like you don't exist?"
I wanted to walk over. Wanted to tell Aria that Maya was right, that she deserved better, that she should stop waiting for Ethan Park to wake up and realize what he had.
But guys like me don't talk to girls like Aria.
I'm the kid who repeated senior year because I missed too many days visiting my sister in the hospital. The one who wears the same leather jacket every day because it's the only one I own. The one teachers watch closely, waiting for me to mess up.
Aria Chen is perfect grades and scholarship awards and a future at some big fancy college.
We exist in different worlds.
"Kai Winters, right?"
I almost jumped. Maya had appeared next to my table like a ninja.
"What?" I said.
"You're staring at my best friend. Again." Maya crossed her arms. "You've been staring at her for like two years. It's getting weird."
My face got hot. "I don't—"
"Please. Everyone knows. Well, everyone except Aria, because she only has eyes for that idiot." Maya jerked her thumb toward Ethan's table, where he was laughing at something Isabella said.
"I'm not staring," I muttered.
"You are. And honestly? I'm glad someone finally sees her." Maya leaned closer. "But here's the thing—Aria's loyal. Too loyal. She'll let Ethan walk all over her because she thinks that's what love is. So unless you're planning to actually do something about it, stop looking at her like she's the sun. It's making me sad."
Maya walked away before I could respond.
I looked back at Aria. She was still staring at her lunch, not eating. Her shoulders were hunched, like she was trying to make herself smaller.
Something in my chest twisted.
Two years. I'd spent two years watching her give everything to someone who gave nothing back. Two years of wanting to say something, do something, be someone she might actually notice.
Maybe it was time to stop watching.
My phone buzzed. A text from an unknown number.
Unknown: She took what's mine. I'm taking it back.
I frowned. Wrong number?
Then another text came through.
Unknown: Aria Chen won't know what hit her.
My blood turned to ice.
I looked up just in time to see Isabella glance at her phone under the table. She smiled—not her sweet new-girl smile, but something cold and calculating.
Then she looked directly at me.
Our eyes met across the cafeteria, and I knew.
She knew I was watching. She knew I'd figured her out.
And she didn't care.
Isabella stood up, saying something to Ethan that made him laugh. Then she started walking—not toward the lunch line, not toward the bathroom.
She was walking toward Aria's table.
I was on my feet before I could think.
Whatever Isabella was planning, whatever game she was playing, it ended now.
Because Maya was right about one thing: I was done just watching.
It was time to do something about it.