H_Vasuja

Main Character: Vale Carter

A girl with honey-toned skin, plump lips, and hazel waves that fall like poetry. She’s elegant and silver-clad on the outside, but beneath that shine lies a world no one knows—except her best friend, Lila. Vale is an unspoken genius with hidden talents in car racing, computer hacking, and self-defense. She's lovable, honest, and open-hearted… but everyone she’s ever loved has walked away.

Until Kian Bennett shows up.

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Male Lead: Kian Bennett

The transfer student from a rival family—the Bennetts, whose name alone stirs drama in Vale’s household. Kian is charming, intelligent, and as misunderstood as Vale. He carries the weight of legacy but seeks something real. Something like her.

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Plot Overview:

When Kian transfers to Cresthill High, Vale’s world tilts. Their families share wealth, power—and buried tension from an old rivalry. Vale tries to keep her distance, but Kian’s curiosity and calm persistence begin to break through her defenses.

As the chapters unfold, Kian slowly uncovers parts of Vale that no one’s seen:

Her sharp mind in computer science class
Her fight skills during gym
Her secret life behind the wheel of a midnight-black racing car

While rumors swirl at school and family pressures build, the connection between Vale and Kian grows deeper. But love—real love—means exposing your scars. And Vale’s afraid she’s too much to stay with… or too unforgettable to leave.

"Loved, But Never Left"

It started with the buzz in the air.

The kind that only shows up when rumors start to swirl in high school hallways like smoke before fire.

Word had gotten around that Kian Bennett—the new, too-cool transfer—had already "claimed" a seat next to Vale Carter in nearly every class they shared. And Vale? She didn't seem to mind.

Which, according to Cresthill gossip math, meant they were either dating, flirting, or seconds from falling in love.

Vale ignored the whispers. She'd had practice.

But even she couldn't ignore the strange static that started sparking between her and Kian—louder now, sharper. It was in the way he looked at her across the library, or the way his shoulder brushed hers a second too long when they walked side by side.

He was getting closer. And she hadn't decided whether to pull away or let him.

She was in gym class when it happened.

A casual self-defense drill, just part of the PE unit—nothing serious. Just fake wrist grabs and slow-motion blocking. Most students fumbled their way through, laughing and barely trying.

Vale, on the other hand, moved like she'd done it before.

When the instructor asked for volunteers, she didn't raise her hand—but when paired with a loud, overly confident guy named Jayden who thought it was funny to try harder than necessary, she responded on instinct.

He grabbed her wrist too tight. She twisted, fluid and quick, flipping her stance and slipping out like it was second nature.

Kian—standing nearby—didn't blink at all.

Later, in the hallway, he caught up to her.

Vale tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "What was?"

"In gym. The way you moved. That wasn't beginner stuff."

She shrugged. "Maybe I've done it before."

She looked up at him, eyes soft but unreadable. "You ask a lot of questions."

They stopped in front of her locker. He leaned against the row beside it, casual but focused. "You know you're not what people think you are."

"Neither are you," she replied simply.

There was something about the way they looked at each other—like two people standing on opposite cliffs, staring at the space between, wondering who would jump first.

Before either of them could speak again, Lila appeared.

"Vale, Principal Donovan wants to see you. Something about an early exit slip?"

Vale frowned. "I didn't request one."

"It's from your mom," Lila said, voice lowering. "She said it's urgent."

Vale shut her locker slowly, the edges of her mind already spiraling. Urgent never meant good in her family.

She glanced at Kian. "Rain check on all the questions?"

He nodded. "But I'm not forgetting them."

As she walked away, Kian watched her—really watched her.

There was something sharp and quiet inside Vale Carter. A fire she tried to hide beneath silver rings and soft smiles. But Kian could feel it now.

And he wasn't sure if he wanted to uncover it…

Chapter 5: Static & Glances