The seat next to trouble

Elara's heart was still pounding as she slipped into her first class, her oversized hoodie suddenly feeling too hot, too heavy, like everyone could see through her disguise.

Get it together, she told herself, adjusting her glasses and keeping her head down. You're just Ellie Brown. Nobody knows you here. You're invisible.

But the echo of Ryder West's stare still burned in her mind.

The way his eyes had narrowed like he recognized her.

The way his smirk twisted, like he knew something she didn't want anyone to know.

Leah nudged her gently as they entered the classroom. "Relax. You're doing fine. Nobody's looking. Yet."

Elara forced a breath. "Yeah. Sure."

The classroom was already half full, students laughing, tossing paper balls at each other, a couple making out in the back row like the world didn't exist.

"Come on, let's sit—" Leah started, but before she could finish, a sharp voice from the front of the room made them both freeze.

"Seats are assigned," the teacher said, adjusting her glasses as she flipped through a clipboard. Mrs. Granger, by the nameplate on the desk.

Assigned.

Perfect.

Elara's stomach sank as Mrs. Granger began reading names, pointing to desks.

"Leah Jenkins, second row."

Leah turned to Elara and whispered, "You got this, girl," before sliding into her seat.

Elara swallowed hard.

"Ellie Brown."

Elara straightened, adjusting her backpack. "Here."

Mrs. Granger barely looked up, waving vaguely toward the middle of the room. "Next to Ryder West."

Time stopped.

Ryder. West.

Of course.

Elara hesitated for a moment too long, and Mrs. Granger glanced up, frowning. "Problem, Miss Brown?"

"No," Elara mumbled, cheeks flaming. "No problem."

But her stomach was twisting into knots as she made her way toward the boy who had stared right through her just minutes ago.

Ryder lounged in his seat, long legs stretched out like he owned the room. He didn't look up as she approached — but as soon as she sat down, he smirked without turning to face her, like he knew she was already uncomfortable.

Elara sat stiffly, keeping her eyes forward, pretending she didn't notice him.

But after a moment, Ryder leaned in just slightly, close enough that she could smell the faintest trace of leather and something darker — like smoke or trouble.

"So," he said in a low voice only she could hear, "Ellie Brown, huh?"

Elara froze, her hand tightening on her pen. "Yeah. So?"

He chuckled under his breath, like her reaction amused him. "Nothing. Just... you don't seem like an Ellie."

"Well, I am."

"Hmm."

And with that, Ryder leaned back, smirk still in place, but now his gaze lingered a little too long.

Elara could feel it, burning into her profile, and she kept her eyes glued to her notebook, willing her hands to stop shaking.

The teacher droned on about class rules, but Elara wasn't hearing a word.

All she could think was:

He knows. Or he suspects. And if he figures it out, I'm screwed.

When class finally ended, Leah was by her side in an instant.

"How was sitting next to the big bad wolf?" she teased, but her smile faded when she saw Elara's pale face. "El? You good?"

Elara shook her head. "No. I don't know. He was… weird."

Leah frowned, glancing over her shoulder. "What do you mean 'weird'?"

Elara hesitated, unsure how much to say. "Like… like he knows something."

Leah chewed her lip. "You think he knows who you are?"

"I don't know," Elara whispered. "Maybe. Or maybe I'm just paranoid."

Before Leah could respond, a loud burst of laughter made them both turn.

Savannah Chase, standing at her locker, surrounded by her crowd — her eyes locked right on Elara.

And when she noticed Elara staring back, she smiled slowly — a sharp, cold smile that sent chills down Elara's spine.

"Looks like someone made a new friend," Savannah said loudly enough for half the hallway to hear. "Hope you like bad boys, Ellie."

The words made Elara's cheeks burn, but she forced herself to keep walking, Leah at her side.

Leah leaned in, voice low. "You've got a target on your back now. Thanks to Ryder."

"I didn't do anything," Elara said, frustration creeping into her voice.

Leah gave her a small smile. "You don't have to. Just existing is enough in this place."

They rounded the corner, but Elara couldn't shake the feeling that Savannah was still watching. Still plotting.

By the time lunch rolled around, Elara was mentally exhausted. She let Leah drag her to a corner table far away from the noise, trying to disappear into the crowd.

But no matter how much she tried to shrink into herself, she couldn't stop thinking about Ryder — and that smirk like he knew her biggest secret.

"Hey," Leah said, nudging her. "You're thinking too loud."

Elara gave a half-smile. "Sorry. It's just… harder than I thought, being someone else."

"You're doing fine," Leah said. "Just don't let Ryder mess with your head. He's always like that — all mysterious and broody. He'll get bored and move on."

But Elara wasn't so sure.

And as if fate was laughing at her, at that exact moment, Ryder walked into the cafeteria — eyes scanning the room — and when he saw her, he smirked again.

Like he knew exactly where she was.

Like she was the reason he walked in.

Elara looked down quickly, focusing hard on the tray in front of her.

But Ryder didn't sit with anyone.

Instead, he walked right past her table, leaned down just enough to say,

"See you later… Ellie."

And then he was gone, leaving a trail of questions behind him.

Leah stared after him, eyes wide. "Okay, that was weird even for him."

Elara swallowed, trying to calm her racing heart. "Leah… what if he really knows?"

Leah leaned in closer, whispering:

"If he does... we're in serious trouble."

And before Elara could respond, a message buzzed on her phone — a blocked number she didn't recognize.

> "You can't hide forever, Elara Blake."

Elara's blood ran cold.

Someone knew.