The first time seeing him
Chloé
I can feel the school shoes digging into my swollen ankles. But no matter how I plead, the school won’t provide new ones, because buying shoes for charity cases every time they grow is a bit expensive—for an elite private school that ironically makes us pay $10,000 per year for tuition.
“Angel,” she hums back at me, barely lifting her eyes off the screen.
“I messaged Hunter last night, seeing if he wants to go out.”
“Ooooooo!” she squeals, as if she just won a spot-on Love Island.
“What did he say?” Her smile is wider now.
“Nothing yet.” Her passion dies down, her eyes back to the screen.
We have debate now. It’s my favourite subject. When I walk in, people are talking. They either seem happy, scared, or excited—I can’t tell.
“Did you hear?” this girl with dark curly hair and deep brown eyes says.
“No, what?” I know I look completely oblivious.
“Adriano is here.” The prince. The Portuguese prince.
Why? And how?
I go to sit down, and there he is. His fluffy curls reach his ocean-blue eyes.
“Can I sit here?” his deep voice echoes in my left ear.
“Sure,” I say. My legs shake in fear.
“I’m Adriano.”
“Chloé,” I say, as I tuck a golden-blonde strand of hair behind my ear. The bell rings. I didn’t pay attention in debat- my mind was somewhere else. All I catch is Mrs Smith telling us we have a group project and that she will decide the group on Thursday.
I groan. Group work. Great.
As I leave Maddie links her soft arm with mine and sighs dramatically. “Oh my God, I want your life,” she whines, looking at me like I’m supposed to be flattered.
“I do! You’re sat right next to him! The hottest guy to ever exist—”
“Bea!” say, trying not to roll my eyes, “just because he’s hot doesn’t mean he’s not an asshole—”
She stares at me like I’ve grown a second head.
“Are you dumb or something?” she snaps.
I look away avoiding eye contact. Knowing Maddie will kill me if I continued speaking.
