Rules Are Meant to Be Broken

His friends didn't even flinch. The look of boredom that crossed their faces told Aurora everything she needed to know...fights like these weren't rare here. They were the norm.

It rattled her.

This wasn't how schools were supposed to be. Students could have killed each other, and no one looked like they cared. Not even a teacher in sight. The students just stood around like it was a regular lunch break.

Her eyes scanned the cafeteria. No sign of Peter.

Instead, her gaze landed on Vivian, standing with her usual clique. Vivian stared directly at her...daggers in her eyes, lips pressed into a frown.

What did I do now? Aurora wondered. The girl always looked like she had something to prove.

⸻

Later that day, Aurora found herself standing in front of the school clinic, hesitating.

"You're just going to stand there?" came a voice behind her.

She turned to see Jennifer, who gestured for her to come inside with a warm smile.

Aurora gave a small nod and followed her in.

"Looking for my brother?" Jennifer asked, raising an eyebrow.

Aurora blinked. Was it that obvious?

"He's inside," Jennifer added with a shrug before walking off.

The clinic was much bigger than Aurora expected. There were multiple rooms, sterile white walls, even small couches...it looked more like a mini hospital. How wealthy was the school's owner to afford all of this?

She wandered quietly until she reached the last door, her hand hesitating on the knob. When she pushed it open, her breath caught.

Mateo was shirtless.

His toned chest and lean muscles glistened faintly under the lights. His abs were defined, his skin smooth, and his jet-black hair tousled just enough to make him look infuriatingly effortless. He really did work out. A lot.

"Youngster," he said, his signature scowl on his face, eyes dark and unreadable.

Aurora swallowed, trying to look anywhere but at his chest.

She noticed the wound on his lip was gone—completely healed. There wasn't a single trace of the fight left.

She frowned slightly. "What... What are you doing here?" he asked, stepping forward.

"I... I just came to check on you. And thank you—for earlier."

Her words were soft, uncertain.

Suddenly, he moved closer...too close. He invaded her space like it belonged to him.

Her breath caught.

His dark eyes pinned her in place. She could hear the sound of her own heartbeat, loud and fast in her chest.

"Your heart's racing," he smirked.

She tried to step back, but her legs didn't move. "What are you doing?" she whispered, barely able to meet his gaze.

"I like you," he said simply.

Aurora's eyes widened.

"You... You can't," she said softly. "It's prohibited."

His smirk deepened. "So, if you weren't a teacher... it would've been okay?"

She didn't answer, but her blush gave her away.

"I don't care about rules," he added, backing away slowly. "Rules are made to be broken."

Why does that sound so dangerous?

"I'll pick you up at seven," he said as he reached for his shirt. "I have a surprise for you."

Before she could even react, the door opened and a nurse entered. Mateo was already seated on the bed, shirt now on.

Aurora stepped back quickly, flustered.

"I... I'll leave now," she mumbled and hurried out before she could say or do something stupid.

⸻

She had never felt this way before.

Aurora sat alone in her room later, pacing. She had never dated anyone...not once. And now this reckless, infuriating, beautiful boy had confessed to liking her and invited her out?

She pressed a palm to her cheek. Her heart hadn't slowed down since.

But she wasn't like him. She cared about the rules. She was a teacher. He was a student.

This was wrong.

⸻

Meanwhile, in the clinic...

"The headmistress wants to see you," the nurse said to Mateo after Aurora left.

He didn't even blink. "Tch... Again?"

He stood, pulled his shirt over his head lazily, and ruffled his already messy hair as he walked out.

⸻

The headmistress's office smelled of coffee and old paper. Piper sat at her desk, fingers flying over the keyboard when Mateo entered.

"Good day, Piper," he said casually.

She looked up over her glasses. "Mateo. Sit."

He dropped into the chair across from her like he owned the place.

"Why did you hurt that boy?" she asked, visibly tired.

"Don't worry yourself about insignificant things," he said flatly, resting his chin in his hand.

Piper sighed, her mind drifting back to the first time she met him.

⸻

"Where do you think you're going?" a scruffy man sneered, grabbing the frightened young woman.

She struggled in his grip, her blonde hair wild around her shoulders. Her blue eyes darted around in fear. Another man appeared beside him, eyes crawling over her body with disgusting hunger.

"Let me go!" she shouted.

Suddenly, one of them flew forward...kicked hard from behind.

A tall boy with black hair and lazy black eyes stood in their way.

"Who the hell are you?" the second man barked, rushing him.

But the boy didn't flinch. Within minutes, both men were on the ground, groaning in pain.

The boy turned to her. "Let's go."

She stared at him, stunned. "You're bleeding. Your hand—"

"It's fine. I like getting into fights."

"I'm Piper," she had said softly as they walked through the crowd.

"Mateo."

She never forgot him. She always thought...if she ever had a daughter,he would've been perfect for her.

⸻

Back in the present, Piper watched the man he'd become. So different now, yet still the same at his core.

"I heard about the girl," she said quietly.

"She's normal," Mateo replied flatly.

"You care."

He smirked. "Since when do you care about my love life, Piper?"

She rolled her eyes. "Don't get involved with her."

"You know me. I love breaking rules."

He stood and walked out, leaving her shaking her head.

"God help that girl," she muttered under her breath.

⸻

Aurora still hadn't seen him in detention, even though he was clearly supposed to be there after the fight.

She glanced at the clock.

Almost 7.

Her mind kept going back to what he had said. I'll pick you up at seven. What did he mean? Where would they go?

She sat by the window, overthinking everything, until—

Tap. Tap.

Her eyes snapped up.

Her breath caught.

He was outside.

Mateo.

Leaning casually against his bike like a scene out of a movie. His helmet rested on the seat. He looked up at her window with a smirk, as if he already knew she'd be watching.

Aurora's heart skipped again.

He wasn't late.

He had actually come.

Still barefoot, she rushed downstairs.