The rumors around Riverview Academy had turned into something louder than whispers.
Now it was open curiosity.
Students no longer pretended not to stare when Chelsea walked through the halls. Some watched her with amusement, others with pity, and a few with clear jealousy.
But Chelsea ignored all of them.
She had more important things to worry about.
Like Vanessa.
And Adrian.
Thursday morning began like any other.
Chelsea arrived early, hoping to enjoy the rare peace of an empty classroom. She placed her books neatly on the desk and started reviewing her notes.
Studying calmed her.
Logic made sense.
People didn't.
She was halfway through a chemistry problem when the classroom door swung open.
Loud voices filled the room.
Adrian walked in.
But he wasn't alone.
Three other boys followed him.
Chelsea immediately recognized them.
Everyone at Riverview knew them.
They were Adrian's closest friends.
First was Marcus.
Tall, broad-shouldered, and always smiling like he knew something everyone else didn't. He was the captain of the basketball team and had the easy confidence of someone used to being admired.
Behind him walked Leo, who had messy hair and a mischievous grin permanently stuck on his face. Leo was the class clown, the kind of guy teachers constantly warned but secretly liked.
The last one was Ethan.
Quiet, observant, and sharp-eyed. Unlike the others, Ethan rarely spoke unless he had something important to say.
Together, the four of them were practically a legend at Riverview.
The girls called them the Kings of Campus.
Chelsea rolled her eyes.
Ridiculous.
The boys immediately noticed her sitting in the front row.
Leo nudged Adrian with his elbow.
"Well, well," he whispered loudly enough for her to hear.
"So this is the famous Chelsea."
Chelsea sighed.
Great.
Adrian dropped into his seat behind her.
Marcus leaned against the desk nearby, studying her curiously.
"You're the girl everyone's talking about."
Chelsea looked up from her notebook.
"That sounds unfortunate."
Leo laughed.
"I like her already."
Ethan watched quietly, his sharp gaze moving between Chelsea and Adrian.
Then he asked calmly,
"So… what's the story?"
Chelsea frowned.
"What story?"
Marcus smirked.
"You and Adrian."
Chelsea's face instantly heated.
"There is no story."
Adrian leaned back in his chair, completely relaxed.
"See?" he said lazily.
"She denies me."
Leo gasped dramatically.
"Rejected! Our boy Adrian finally met his match!"
Chelsea turned around slowly.
"Can you all be quiet?"
Marcus raised his hands.
"Relax, genius girl."
Chelsea narrowed her eyes.
"Don't call me that."
Leo leaned over Adrian's desk.
"So you're really the smartest student here?"
Chelsea shrugged.
"Probably."
Leo burst out laughing.
"Oh wow, she's confident too!"
Adrian smirked.
"I told you she was interesting."
Chelsea groaned internally.
Before the conversation could continue, the teacher walked in.
"Take your seats."
The boys reluctantly moved to their desks.
But Leo kept whispering jokes the entire lesson.
Marcus kept passing notes.
And Adrian kept making quiet comments that only Chelsea could hear.
Chelsea tried to focus on the lecture.
But having Adrian so close was incredibly distracting.
And she hated that.
Lunch break arrived quickly.
The cafeteria buzzed with energy as students rushed in.
Chelsea grabbed her tray and looked for Mia.
Instead
Adrian suddenly appeared beside her.
"Come sit with us."
Chelsea blinked.
"No."
He raised an eyebrow.
"Why not?"
She gestured toward the corner table.
Where Marcus, Leo, and Ethan were already sitting.
"And be interrogated again? No thanks."
Adrian smirked.
"They like you."
Chelsea snorted.
"That's concerning."
But before she could escape
Leo spotted them.
"ADRIAN!"
Half the cafeteria turned.
Leo waved dramatically.
"Bring the genius girl!"
Chelsea closed her eyes.
I'm going to die.
A few minutes later, she found herself sitting at the boys' table.
Marcus leaned forward immediately.
"So Chelsea…"
She sighed.
"Yes?"
"Are the rumors true?"
Chelsea glared.
"What rumors?"
"That you and Adrian are secretly dating."
Leo added,
"Or secretly fighting."
Ethan spoke quietly.
"Or secretly both."
Chelsea rubbed her temples.
"None of the above."
Adrian rested his chin on his hand.
"She's embarrassed."
Chelsea kicked his leg under the table.
Hard.
He winced.
Marcus burst out laughing.
"Okay, I like her."
Leo nodded.
"She's terrifying."
Chelsea looked at Adrian.
"This is your fault."
Adrian shrugged.
"Worth it."
Across the cafeteria…
Vanessa watched everything.
Chelsea sitting at Adrian's table.
Laughing with his friends.
Being accepted by his circle.
Her nails dug into her palm.
This wasn't supposed to happen.
Chelsea was supposed to feel isolated.
Instead…
She was becoming part of Adrian's world.
Vanessa stood up suddenly.
Her friends looked nervous.
"Where are you going?"
Vanessa smiled coldly.
"To fix a problem."
Back at the table, Leo was in the middle of telling a ridiculous story about Marcus falling into a swimming pool during a party.
Chelsea couldn't help laughing.
It surprised even her.
Adrian watched her quietly.
Seeing her relaxed like this…
Happy.
It felt different.
Ethan noticed.
He leaned closer to Adrian.
"You like her."
Adrian didn't answer.
He just watched Chelsea.
Marcus noticed too.
He smirked.
"This is new."
Leo grinned.
"Very new."
Chelsea looked between them suspiciously.
"What are you whispering about?"
Marcus smiled.
"Nothing."
Adrian leaned closer to her.
"Don't worry about them."
Chelsea narrowed her eyes.
"That makes me worry more."
Across the cafeteria floor…
Vanessa was already walking toward them.
And this time
She wasn't smiling.