The bell rang loudly, slicing through the noisy hallway like a warning.
I adjusted my backpack on my shoulder and walked into the classroom, already counting the hours until school ended. Senior year was supposed to be calm. No drama. No attention. Just classes, notes, and going home.
That was the plan.
I didn't know the plan was about to fail.
"Everyone, settle down!" Mrs. Carter shouted, tapping her ruler against the desk. "We have a seating adjustment."
The room groaned.
I sighed quietly and slid into my usual seat at the back, pulling out my notebook. Seating changes never ended well. Someone always complained. Someone always felt unlucky.
I didn't expect that someone to be me.
Mrs. Carter adjusted her glasses and scanned the class. "Ava Williams," she called.
My heart skipped.
"Yes, ma'am?" I replied softly.
"Take your things and move to the front row. Second seat."
The class went quiet.
Too quiet.
I slowly stood up, my palms already sweating. Front row? I hated the front row. It was too visible. Too exposed.
As I walked forward, whispers began.
"Wait… that seat?" "She can't be serious." "Why would she do that to her?"
I frowned, confused.
Then I saw the seat.
My steps slowed.
Beside the window. Beside him.
The boy who sat alone.
The boy no one talked to.
The boy everyone feared.
My seatmate.
I stopped walking.
"Mrs. Carter," I said carefully, "is there maybe another—"
"Take your seat, Ava," she interrupted firmly.
Every eye followed me.
I swallowed hard and continued walking, feeling like I was walking into a storm. The closer I got, the heavier the air felt.
He didn't look up.
He never did.
His posture was relaxed, one arm resting on the desk, fingers tapping slowly like he was counting time. Dark hair. Broad shoulders. Clean uniform. Everything about him screamed control.
I placed my bag down gently and sat.
The whispers grew louder.
"Is she crazy?" "That's his seat." "She won't last one day."
My heart hammered against my ribs.
I kept my eyes on my notebook, pretending not to notice the tension. Pretending not to feel the cold aura beside me.
Then I felt it.
His gaze.
Slow. Heavy. Dangerous.
"Move."
His voice was low, sharp, and emotionless.
I froze.
"I— I was told to sit here," I whispered, not daring to look at him.
"I don't share my space," he replied calmly.
The words weren't loud, but they were powerful. Like a threat wrapped in politeness.
I finally looked at him.
Dark eyes met mine. Empty. Cold. Like he was looking through me, not at me.
"I'm sorry," I said quickly. "I didn't choose this."
He studied me for a long moment, then leaned back in his chair.
"Then you should leave."
The bell rang again, signaling the start of class.
Mrs. Carter began writing on the board, acting like nothing was wrong.
I stayed.
I didn't know why.
Maybe it was pride. Maybe fear. Maybe curiosity.
Or maybe I was tired of always stepping aside.
The entire class felt tense. No one spoke to me. No one passed notes. No one laughed.
He didn't say another word.
But I felt his presence the entire time.
When class ended, students rushed out like they had been holding their breath.
I gathered my things quickly.
As I stood up, his voice stopped me.
"Don't get comfortable."
I turned slowly.
"What?"
"You won't last," he said, standing up. "They never do."
"They?" I asked.
But he was already walking away.
At lunch, my best friend Mia found me sitting alone under the tree behind the cafeteria.
"You sat beside him?" she whispered urgently, dropping her tray.
"I didn't have a choice," I replied.
"Ava, that's Lucas Blackwood."
The name sent a chill down my spine.
"The Lucas Blackwood?" I asked.
She nodded. "His family owns half this city. His dad funds the school. Teachers don't touch him."
"That doesn't explain why everyone's scared," I said.
Mia leaned closer. "Because anyone who gets close to him leaves. Transfers. Drops out. Or worse… gets humiliated."
My stomach twisted.
"Why?" I asked.
"No one knows," she whispered. "But you should ask to change seats. Now."
I looked back at the school building.
At the second-floor window.
At his seat.
Lucas Blackwood.
The richest boy in school.
And somehow… my seatmate.
I didn't know it yet.
But that seat was about to change everything.