Chapter 1
Victoria’s POV
I told myself countless times that falling in love wasn’t an option. Not now.
I was preparing for an exam that could decide my entire future, and I needed to stay focused.
Finally, I was getting over my silly crush on a guy who never seemed to notice me. It felt like freedom — light, quiet freedom.
I slung my bag over my shoulder, took a deep breath, and walked out the door. Day two of lessons. I was doing well — no distractions, no drama, nothing at all. Perfect.
The air outside was cool, the faint morning breeze brushing against my face as I made my way to the lesson center. The street smelled like damp earth and fresh bread from the bakery nearby, and my steps echoed softly on the quiet road. It felt peaceful — the kind of morning that told you everything was going to go right.
When I arrived, the classroom was completely empty. Not a single soul in sight.
I stopped in the doorway, taking in the stillness. The chairs were perfectly arranged, sunlight streaming through the window, catching the floating dust particles midair.
I sighed softly. “That’s what I get for coming early,” I whispered to myself.
I slid into a seat — second row, second line — deliberately far enough from the front to go unnoticed. Far enough to stay focused.
But the silence felt heavy. Too heavy.
I drummed my fingers on the desk, staring at the whiteboard like it might come alive and teach me on its own. The quiet wasn’t peaceful anymore. It was suffocating.
Gradually, people trickled in. Chairs scraped against the floor, bags dropped with loud thuds, and the hum of chatter filled the air. I relaxed a little — but not too much.
Then he walked in.
I didn’t know him. At least, I didn’t think I did.
He moved like he wasn’t in a hurry for anything — calm, collected — and sat down three seats to my right.
That should have been the end of it. Just another random guy in class. But my eyes… they kept finding his.
Those dark, unreadable eyes that seemed to be waiting for me. Watching me. Like it would kill him if he stopped.
I looked away. Then back.
He was still staring — studying me like I was a puzzle he had to solve.
My heart skipped. Once. Twice.
I didn’t want to say anything, didn’t even want to admit it to myself, but it was becoming... weird.
This time, he was looking at the teacher, as if nothing had happened. But then his eyes slid back to me — and this time, I was staring right at him.
Heat rushed to my cheeks. I turned quickly, pretending to look out the window.
But I knew he caught me.
Vicky, I scolded myself silently, I know where your heart is going. You are not falling in love. Focus on the lesson.
I forced my attention back to the board, gripping my pen as if that could anchor me to reality. You are not falling for him.
The teacher walked in, and the class finally began. Her cheerful voice filled the room, making everyone straighten in their seats. She wrote formulas on the board with quick, practiced strokes, explaining them with a bright smile that made even the serious topics seem fun.
Before long, the room was alive with laughter. The teacher had a way of throwing in jokes between explanations — little things that made the whole class erupt.
I found myself laughing too, my earlier tension slowly melting away.
But then — by accident — my eyes slid back to him.
He wasn’t laughing. Not even smiling.
He just sat there, bored. Completely unfazed.
Like he wasn’t really here.
My laughter died in my throat.
I turned away quickly, but the question had already planted itself in my head like a seed.
What kind of person doesn’t smile at jokes?
I shouldn’t care. I shouldn’t.
But now… I have to know.
