The silence in the living room felt heavy.
For a few seconds, no one spoke.
I stood there, frozen, staring at the person who had just walked into my house like he belonged here.
Adrian.
The same cocky, arrogant transfer student from Riverview Academy.
The same guy who had been flirting with half the girls in school.
The same guy who had stolen my answer in class like it was some kind of joke.
And now… he was standing in my living room.
My brain refused to process it.
Adrian looked just as surprised as I was at first. His eyebrows lifted slightly, his dark eyes widening for a moment.
But that surprise disappeared almost instantly.
In its place came that infuriating smirk.
The same one he wore at school when girls drooled over him.
My stomach twisted.
No. No. No.
This couldn't be real.
My mom, completely unaware of the tension, smiled brightly.
"Oh!" she said happily. "You two already know each other?"
Neither of us answered right away.
Adrian glanced at me, clearly waiting to see what I would say.
My mouth felt dry.
I could still hear his voice from school in my head… the teasing tone, the arrogant confidence.
But this was different.
This was my house.
My safe place.
And suddenly it didn't feel safe anymore.
Adrian spoke first.
"Yeah," he said casually, sliding his hands into the pockets of his jeans. "We go to the same school."
His voice was calm, almost amused.
Like this situation didn't bother him at all.
Daniel his father smiled warmly.
"Well, that makes things easier," he said. "You two can help each other out at school."
Help each other?
I almost laughed.
If only he knew.
My mother looked even more pleased.
"This is perfect!" she said excitedly. "Chelsea is one of the best students in her school. She can help Adrian settle in."
I shot Adrian a quick glare.
Help him?
I wouldn't help him find the door if the building was on fire.
Adrian noticed my look immediately.
That smirk of his grew wider.
"Really?" he said, glancing at me with mock interest. "The best student?"
I clenched my fists slightly.
"Yes," my mom said proudly. "Chelsea has always been brilliant."
Of course she was proud. I was her darling daughter. She had raised me alone for years and always supported me in everything.
Adrian tilted his head slightly as he studied me.
Then he chuckled under his breath.
"That explains a lot," he said.
I narrowed my eyes.
"What does that mean?"
He shrugged lazily.
"You just give off that energy."
"Which energy?"
"The serious one."
My irritation grew instantly.
Before I could respond, my mother clapped her hands happily.
"Oh! This is wonderful. You two will get along just fine."
Adrian looked at me again.
This time the look in his eyes was different.
More curious.
More amused.
"Yeah," he said slowly.
"I'm sure we will."
I knew that tone.
He was teasing me again.
Just like he did at school.
And I hated it.
My mom suddenly turned to me.
"Chelsea, why don't you show Adrian around the house?"
My eyes widened in disbelief.
"Show him around?"
"Yes," she said warmly. "He'll be staying here sometimes, so he should know where things are."
Sometimes.
The word echoed in my head.
Adrian staying in my house?
I wanted to protest immediately, but Daniel spoke first.
"That's a good idea," he said. "Adrian, go with Chelsea."
Adrian didn't move right away.
He was still watching me.
Then slowly, he pushed himself away from the doorway and walked closer.
Each step felt louder than the last.
I could feel my heart beating faster.
Not because I liked him.
Because he was unbelievably annoying.
When he stopped beside me, he leaned slightly closer.
Too close.
His voice dropped so only I could hear him.
"Relax, genius," he murmured.
I stiffened.
"You look like you just saw a ghost."
I turned my head sharply toward him.
"You're the last person I want to see in my house," I whispered angrily.
He laughed softly.
A deep, confident laugh.
"Oh trust me," Adrian said.
"You look even more interesting when you're angry."
My cheeks heated up with frustration.
I stepped away from him immediately.
"Come on," I said coldly. "I'll show you the house."
My mom smiled happily.
"See? They're already getting along."
Adrian walked beside me as we left the living room.
The moment we were out of sight, he spoke again.
"So," he said casually.
"You're the famous Chelsea."
I crossed my arms.
"And you're the arrogant transfer student who thinks he owns the school."
He chuckled again.
"I like that you're honest."
"I'm not trying to impress you."
"I noticed."
We stopped at the hallway.
I turned to face him.
"You better stay out of my way at school," I warned.
His eyes sparkled with amusement.
"And if I don't?"
"Then we're going to have a problem."
Adrian leaned slightly against the wall.
"That sounds fun."
I stared at him in disbelief.
"How can you act like this situation is normal?"
He shrugged.
"Because it is."
"No it's not!"
He looked straight into my eyes.
Then his smirk returned.
"Relax," he said calmly.
"We're just future step-siblings."
The words made my stomach drop.
Step-siblings.
I suddenly realized something terrifying.
If our parents got married…
Adrian wouldn't just be a problem at school.
He would be a problem in my life.
Every single day.
And judging by the look on his face…
He was going to enjoy every second of it.
To be continued…