Chapter 1- The wrong seat
Elara was late again.
Not five minutes late. Not “sorry, traffic” late.
Twenty-three minutes late.
And the worst part was that she knew exactly what awaited her when she opened the classroom door: thirty pairs of eyes, one irritated teacher, and no seat near the window.
She pushed the door open anyway.
The classroom went silent.
“Elara,” Mrs. James said, looking at the clock. “Nice of you to join us.”
Elara smiled innocently. “I had a little—”
“Save it. Sit down.”
She nodded and turned toward her usual seat.
Then stopped.
Someone was sitting there.
A boy.
He had dark hair, a black hoodie, and a face that made people stare.
Elara did not stare.
Okay, maybe for a second.
Then she frowned.
“That’s my seat.”
The boy looked up.
His eyes met hers, calm and completely uninterested.
“Congratulations.”
Elara blinked.
“What?”
“You found your seat.”
He turned back to his notebook.
She stared at him.
Seriously?
“Move.”
“No.”
“I’m not asking.”
“I know.”
A few students nearby snickered.
Elara felt heat rise.
She dropped her bag onto the desk.
“You’re new, aren’t you?”
He looked at her again.
“No.”
She narrowed her eyes. “Then why have I never seen you before?”
“Maybe you weren't looking.”
Oh.
He was going to be one of those people.
Elara pulled out the chair beside him and sat with a sigh.
“Fine. Keep my seat.”
“Thanks.”
“I wasn't giving it to you.”
“I know.”
She turned toward the board, determined to ignore him.
Mrs. James cleared her throat.
“Before we continue, everyone, we have a new student.”
Elara slowly turned her head.
The boy leaned back.
Mrs. James smiled.
“This is Noah Carter. He'll be joining us for the rest of the term.”
Noah gave the class a lazy little wave.
Elara stared at him.
He caught her looking.
“What?” he whispered.
She leaned in.
“Nothing.”
His mouth curved into a smile.
“Good.”
Elara faced the board again.
She had known Noah Carter for less than ten minutes.
Already, she couldn't stand him.
And somehow, she had the strangest feeling that this was only the beginning.
