First Impressions

Loud knocks echoed through Ethan's door, jolting him awake. His eyes fluttered open, groggy and disoriented. Before he could even process where he was, a familiar voice rang out from the other side.

"Hey, dumbass, you're gonna be late for school!" Sophia's playful yet impatient tone followed the rapid knocking.

Ethan groaned, rubbing his eyes before glancing at the clock on the wall. His heart nearly jumped out of his chest.

"Eight already?! Why the hell didn't you wake me up earlier?!" he barked back, scrambling to sit up.

A soft giggle came from outside. "I wanted to see your face when you realized you might be late after hyping this day up for weeks. Totally worth it."

"Damn it, Sophia," Ethan muttered under his breath as he practically jumped out of bed.

He rushed through his morning routine, taking the quickest shower of his life before slipping into his crisp, freshly ironed uniform. He had prepared it days ago, ensuring not a single wrinkle would ruin his new start. Within minutes, he was sprinting downstairs, barely pausing to greet his stepmother, who sat at the table sipping her morning tea.

"Emily already left for school," she said without looking up. "Your breakfast is on the table. Eat before you go."

Ethan nodded, grabbing a piece of toast and stuffing it into his mouth as he slung his bag over his shoulder.

"Bye, Mom!" he called out, already making his way toward the door.

Sophia leaned against the frame, arms crossed, smirking. "Try not to mess up too badly on your first day, Romeo."

"Tch, whatever," Ethan shot back, rolling his eyes as he stepped out.

Sophia laughed, her teasing tone laced with genuine amusement. "Have fun, loser!"

The school wasn't far, just a ten-minute walk, but the grandeur of the building still stunned Ethan as he approached. The massive iron gates, adorned with intricate gold engravings, opened into a courtyard paved with polished marble tiles. The school building itself stood like a monument of wealth and prestige, its glass windows gleaming under the morning sun. Tall pillars supported the vast structure, giving it the appearance of a modern palace rather than an educational institution.

The entrance buzzed with activity. Groups of students milled about, some chatting, others taking pictures in front of the school's impressive structure. Ethan's gaze drifted across the crowd. A group of well-dressed students stood near the fountain, their designer bags and watches glinting in the sunlight, unmistakably the children of the elite. A couple leaned against the wall, their fingers intertwined as they whispered to each other. Meanwhile, a lanky kid in thick glasses and a backpack too large for his frame frantically flipped through his notebook, mumbling formulas under his breath.

Ethan exhaled sharply. "Alright, let's do this."

He walked into the building, navigating the halls until he found his classroom—1A. Stepping inside, he took in the scene. Each classroom housed 22 students, divided evenly between boys and girls. He was the last to enter, which meant most people had already chosen their seats. Small conversations and laughter filled the room, everyone seemingly comfortable despite it being the first day.

Ethan made his way to the back, taking the seat by the window—the perfect spot for zoning out when things got too dull. He leaned back, arms crossed, watching his new classmates interact.

A few minutes later, a tall boy with neatly styled black hair and sharp brown eyes stood up. He was lean yet well-built, his confident smirk making it clear he was used to being the center of attention.

"Alright, since we're all stuck together for the rest of the year, let's get to know each other," he announced. "I'm Damian Vale. I'm into basketball, cars, and making money. Hope we all get along, or at least don't get in each other's way."

His deep voice carried an air of authority, making it clear he wasn't just another average student.

Following his lead, a bubbly girl with long, honey-blonde hair tied into a loose ponytail jumped up, practically radiating energy. Her bright blue eyes sparkled as she grinned at the class.

"Hi, everyone! I'm Lily Summers! I love cute things, romance novels, and baking!" She clapped her hands together excitedly. "Let's all be good friends!"

Her enthusiasm was infectious, and a few students chuckled while nodding in response.

The introductions continued, each student revealing bits of their personality. Some were reserved, speaking in clipped sentences, while others took the chance to boast about their achievements or family background.

Then it was Ethan's turn.

He swallowed, suddenly hyper-aware of the attention on him. He cleared his throat. "Uh… I'm Ethan. I like… stuff."

A brief silence followed.

Ethan mentally slapped himself.

Then, in an attempt to recover, he added, "Also, I heard girls look extra pretty in school uniforms."

A collective groan rippled through the room. Several girls scoffed, some muttering, "Gross," while others shot him looks of pure disdain.

Ethan sat down, burying his face in his hand. "Great start, idiot," he muttered under his breath.

After his self-inflicted embarrassment, the last student stood up. A girl with long, silky raven-black hair and piercing emerald eyes. Her aura was suffocatingly cold, and as she crossed her legs and folded her arms, a smirk played at her lips.

"Pathetic," she scoffed. "None of you are worth knowing my name."

A tense silence followed. Her gaze swept across the room, as if daring someone to challenge her.

Ethan's eyes trailed down to her curves, her uniform hugging her figure in all the right places. Her legs, elegantly crossed, emphasized her perfect proportions, while her large chest strained slightly against the fabric of her blazer. A beauty that could rival celebrities, yet her personality was sharp enough to cut.

He gulped. "Way out of my league."

Damian, ever the peacekeeper, clapped his hands. "Well, that was… interesting. Thanks to everyone who introduced themselves. Let's try to get along, yeah?"

The tension dissipated slightly, but the presence of the mysterious girl still lingered in the air.

Ethan leaned back in his chair, exhaling. "Day one, and I've already embarrassed myself and met a girl who could probably kill me with a glare. Off to a fantastic start."

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