Chapter 1
{— JUNE MILLER}
Hi.
My name is June Miller, and honestly... life hasn’t been easy lately.
Every day feels like walking through fire — thanks to the so-called queen bee of Ernest College, Alyssa Vai. She’s beautiful, rich, and everyone worships her like she owns the world. And for some reason, she hates me.
Maybe it’s because I’m “too pretty” or “too smart,” or maybe she just can’t stand that someone else exists who doesn’t bow down to her. She sees me as competition, even though I never asked for it. Sometimes I try to stand up for myself — speak back, defend myself — but most days, I just want peace. Sometimes, I feel scared and small.
I’m eighteen. I don’t live in the dorms because my family’s house isn’t far from the college. It’s easier that way — I can go home after classes and breathe a little. I don’t really have friends at school. No one talks to me. People either whisper, stare, or pretend I don’t exist. I’ve gotten used to it.
But then… everything changed when Mr. Jaden Eric walked into our classroom.
Our new math teacher. Twenty-five years old.
And honestly, the most handsome man I’ve ever seen.
Even the female teachers can’t stop smiling around him. Students, especially Alyssa and her clique, practically melt when he talks. He has that calm, confident aura — the type that makes you forget what you were even thinking.
And me?
Yeah… I think I have a crush on him.
I know it’s wrong. He’s my teacher. He’s older. It’s crazy. But I can’t help it. The way he looks at the class, the way his voice sounds when he calls my name — it makes my heart race.
And even though I keep telling myself it’s just admiration, deep down, I know it’s something more.
