Chapter 4

The ornate chandeliers of Emerald Green Academy cast a soft, ethereal glow upon the polished marble floors, creating an atmosphere that felt more like a palace than a school.

Sarah, her eyes wide with a mixture of awe and apprehension, practically bounced on the balls of her feet as we navigated the throng of students.

"Yo, this place is freaking huge," she breathed, her voice a hushed whisper. "Like, seriously, have you ever seen anything so…grand?"

I smiled, memories of my own initial awe washing over me. "It's definitely an upgrade from Providence," I admitted, remembering the stark, utilitarian feel of my old school.

As we made our way through the bustling hallways, whispers followed us like an unwelcome shadow.

"Look, it's her," a girl hissed, her voice laced with disdain.

"The one who slapped Nick," another chimed in, her eyes widening in disbelief.

"I can't wait to see what Oliver does to her," a third girl muttered, a chilling threat hanging in the air.

Sarah, ever the protector, squeezed my arm. "Don't let them get to you," she whispered, her voice low and reassuring. "You did the right thing."

I tried to maintain my composure, but the whispers stung, each one a tiny barb aimed at my self-esteem. The weight of their judgment pressed down on me, a suffocating blanket of anxiety.

Suddenly, a figure materialized before us, blocking our path. It was him. The boy from the hallway. The one with the mesmerizing eyes and the voice that definitely be nice and cool just like jow his eyes were pretty

"Excuse us," Sarah said politely, her voice a stark contrast to the venomous whispers that had preceded us.

He looked at her, then at me, his gaze lingering on my face for a beat too long. "You can go," he said, his voice a low rumble, surprisingly gentle. "I have no business with you."

Sarah exchanged a knowing glance with me, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Nahh, I'm going with my best friend here," she declared, her voice firm.

He seemed taken aback by her response. "Oh, I never knew she had a best friend. And you two seem to share the same…spirited attitude," he observed, a hint of amusement in his voice.

I couldn't help but smile. "What did you want?" I asked, my voice steady despite the fluttering in my stomach.

I couldn't help but smile. My lips felt strangely warm, as if a sudden rush of heat had surged through my veins. His eyes, the colour of a stormy sea, held a captivating intensity.

I felt a strange flutter in my stomach, a nervous energy that I hadn't experienced before. "What did you want?" I asked, my voice steady despite the fluttering in my stomach, as I asked again

"You slapped my friend," he stated, his voice devoid of accusation, more like a question

"So?" I replied, my voice surprisingly defiant.

He raised an eyebrow, a slow smile spreading across his face. "Are you going to slap me back? Or what?"

I couldn't help but chuckle. "No, I don't hit ladies," he said, his voice laced with a playful arrogance.

The whispers around us intensified, a low hum of curiosity filling the air. I felt a surge of adrenaline, a thrill coursing through my veins.

"That's good of you," Sarah remarked, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

"I'm just here to warn you," he said, his gaze fixed on me. "Be careful."

"Oh, I will," I assured him, a playful glint in my eyes. "But you should tell your friend to stay away from me. I don't appreciate unwanted attention."

He seemed taken aback by my assertiveness. A flicker of something akin to respect, perhaps even admiration, crossed his features.

"If you'll excuse us," I said, my voice firm.

He stepped aside, his gaze lingering on me for a moment longer than necessary. As we walked away, I could feel the intensity of his gaze burning into my back.

"That was cool, girl," Sarah exclaimed, her eyes wide with admiration. "You totally owned him."

"I guess I surprised myself," I admitted, a slow smile spreading across my face.

We finally reached our classroom, finding our assigned seats towards the back.

"You know," Sarah said, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper, "you have a certain…effect on people."

I blushed, trying to downplay her comment. "Don't flatter me."

Suddenly, two figures appeared in front of us, blocking our view. Alice and Evenly, their faces a picture of manufactured concern.

"So good to see you," Sarah greeted them, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "I see you took very good care of my friend here."

Alice forced a smile. "Don't mind us," she said, her voice strained. "Just making sure you're…adjusted."

They turned and walked away, their backs stiff with a mixture of resentment and fear.

"Today is definitely going to be interesting," Sarah predicted, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

As I settled into my seat, I couldn't help but agree. Emerald Green Academy, I realized, was going to be far more than just a school. It was going to be a battleground. And I, for one, was ready for the fight.