Chapter One.

Ayla.

The day had finally come, the first day back to college. I was ultimately prepared and ready to learn.

But what I wasn't ready for was Ryder.

Ryder Costello is the bane of my existence, the reason why I fail to socialise and get along with others. He's a closed book, never predictable. I was always curious about him, why he acts the way he does and is the way he is. He was undeniably smart and a well-liked individual in our academy even with his bad behaviour and attitude. I concluded that faculty sucked up to him because his dad- Giovanni Costello, owner of Costello airlines (one of the most luxurious airlines in the world) was a huge benefactor to the academy. Now I was well aware that he would provoke me, and I was beyond anxious about it. I've had the most carefree and calm summer holiday and I just didn't want to ruin this perfect bubble I was in. Ryder has always hated me and I never knew why. It's not like I had ever done anything to be treated the way I am by him, I've always been nice to him even after all the things he did. I mean I tend to believe no one is born a villian, there's always a reason, some enough to justify one's actions. I was determined to at least find out what his was, just so I dont have to wonder if I ever did anything wrong.

I'm interrupted from my thoughts as I hear my parents speech mumble through the walls reminding me I should start getting up.

My parents well, my dad owns four restaurants I guess you can say a small franchise. He opened up the first one around when I was born so it was a huge risk on finances but the business took off and is still after eighteen years, booming. They're all Moroccan and South American based to honour both of our beautiful cultures as my mum is Moroccan and my dad is from the Dominican Republic. My grandparents on both sides migrated to London in the seventies to have a better life for their children.I was forever grateful for the life I had growing up, I knew my parents worked extremely hard for it. It took my parents a lot of money and hard work to get into Cambridge academy, its one of the most prestigious academies in the UK with high grades projected annually.

Much to my dismay I had English with Ryder first period and this year's seating plan... well I didn't know what it was and I was afraid. Knowing my luck, I would probably get seated next to him, it's happened before, multiple times. We had gotten our schedules a week ago on admissions day and overheard Ali, one of Ryder's friends mentioning that Ryder was in class one, a division of students with the highest acheiving grades are placed in class one. I worked my ass off for the exams in May and I checked my timetable to see I too was in class one. I can only hope we dont cross paths too often.

After spending a few minutes in bed thinking about my sad social life I got up and went to the bathroom. As the cold water envelopes my face I instantly shiver and feel awake, I look in the mirror huffing some stray haiors away from my cheeks and analysing myself. I shook my head and finished my skincare, eventually making my way downstairs to the kitchen. Letting my tea steep I prepare some french toast for me and my parents. Although it was only six thirty in the morning and school was around thirty minutes away, I'd have to be ready and out of the house by seven thirty am. It was tiring and a challenge to get ready in under an hour, that hour containing multiple anxiety episodes and agitated arguments with myself as I mess up my eyeliner one too many times, but I manage.

Hearing multiple footsteps I see my parents coming down. I give them their share of breakfast, making them coffee and taking my tea upstairs so I could get ready. Brushing my hair I tie it up loosely and start making myself look presentable with some light makeup. I breathe deeply in frustration as I look at my closet wondering what I should wear. You would think being a prestigious and renowned educational institution there would be a uniform but no we have to wear our clothes with dress codes. They were surprisingly reasonable, no short skirts above the mid-knee, no shorts above the mid-knee and no heels above three inches. I eventually decided on some cream cargo trousers and a white tee, something simple but still cute. I paired it with an oversized cardigan in case it got windy. Packing my bag with essentials I check the time to see it was seven. I call Bria and already knew she was still asleep as she picks up on the fourth ring. "Hello." She says groggily and I chuckle. "Hey sleepyhead, why aren't you up yet?"

"Ugh, I was on a Criminal Minds binge, pick me up at half seven?" She says and yawns, I don't blame her, there have been one too many nights I've refused sleep for Matthew Gray Gubler.

"Sure bub, see you in thirty." I hang up the call and rush downstairs, I slip my shoes on and kiss my parents goodbye.

Leaving the house I put my AirPods in and began listening to some mellow songs for my jittery nerves. I went into a corner shop beside the bus stop and grabbed a granola bar, juice, gum and some sweets for Bri. As I waited for the bus and hoped it would come soon, I hated being late, it made me feel like my whole day would be thrown off. I was a perfectionist when it came to school, my time management and organisational skills had to be simultaneously faultless for me to feel like I was doing well. Once the bus arrived and I luckily beat the morning rush of the city I took my seat in the back and opened up a current read. Unfortunately, Bri lived right in the city centre, it was always busy with tourists, workers and just overall an area that never slept. I wasn't too far from her but given the fact the she lived so close to central London the route was usually chaotic. I didn't mind most days, it meant I had more time to read. However there was a few time were I cut too close to being late.

"Bank station." I hear the announcement and collect my things to leave. As I had got off at my stop I walked a mere two minutes to Bri's house and knocked on her door. I met with Ella, Bri's mum and gave her a hug as she invited me in.

"So Ayla are you excited about college?" She asks, "I wouldn't say excited is the right word, but I'm definitely looking forward to classes."

"How about Bri." I ask, Ella rolls her eyes and laughs, "I wouldn't know but I'm guessing she's not excited at all since she hasn't got out of bed." I giggle and go upstairs.

Opening the door to Bria's room I see that she was on her phone. "Bria get up! I don't want to be late." I say and attempt to pull her up however she pulled me down and into her arms hugging me. "You're so lucky I love you, if anyone else would've implied that I should get out of bed they would've got a backhand." She finally gets up and releases me from her hold. "Give me ten minutes and I'll be done." She states and leaves for the bathroom. I nod and take out my book to pass time. After some time she comes out with her hair up and makeup on, wearing a cute top with jeans and some sneakers. "You look good, now let's go!" I say not wanting to be late on our first day. "Okay, miss punctuality let's go!" She exclaims and we leave the house hand in hand walking to the train station. I worried as the next train was at eight and it was currently three minutes till then but luckily we were able to go in just as the door was closing. I pass her the sweets and she smiled. "Thank you bub, wait so comes you're so nervous." She asks and I sigh, "Honestly just about Ryder, he's always taunting me."

She rolled her eyes and screwed her face, "You shouldn't have to worry about that idiot, just ignore him, babe." Bri hated Ryder, for obvious reasons. I nod and changed the subject hoping to distract myself from the thought of him. Me and Bri began talking about how excited she was to have Mr Rothsmere as our head of year, he was a good-looking guy and very charming. Practically everyone in our school had a thing for him, I wouldnt say I was madly in love, but I appreciated his good looks. As she chattered about her crush we left the train and walked to the academy. Once at the gates we signed in using our passes, we were a few minutes early meaning we could talk and relax a little before morning registration. Thank god, since I was so out of breath because of our walk from the station. I reallyt needed to do something about being this unfit, because my gym pass is collecting dust at this point.

Somehow, through all the heticness of school starting I had forgotten that Ryder was in our tutor group until Bri reminded me. The feeling of anxiety settled within me and I felt nauseated. The bell rang and my heartbeat sped up, I was terrified of going into that class but I sucked it up and started walking. My eyes were on the floor and just as I was at the door an arm stopped me. I refused to look up, I already knew it was him, he had his chain bracelet on the one that had fancy Italian writing engraved.

I refused to look up, look up into his eyes but I did, and boy did I regret it.

"Ayla." He said curtly with mischief swirling in his eyes.

Although I didn't want to I had to give him some satisfaction.

"Ryder."

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hiiii and welcome to the end of the first chapter, i hope you enjoyed!

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pls stay safe, eat and drink lots of water!

lots of love,

amara <3