Chapter 1 - Josette

I grip my backpack tight, the leather straps digging into my shoulders as I walk down the crowded hallway of Cedarville High School. The scent of freshly waxed floors and stale air fills my lungs. Then I feel it, his gaze on my skin, like a whisper of warm breath on the back of my neck.

It's a sensation I've grown accustomed to since the first day I stepped foot here. Evander Lloyd, the boy with dark, piercing eyes that seem to see right through me. He's the star of the football team, ridiculously handsome, and darkly captivating. We'd never crossed paths before, but since my first day of school, he's been watching me with an unnerving intensity. He looked at me like he couldn't get enough of me.

At first, I thought it was just my imagination; there's no way a guy like him would want to look at a girl like me, but as I turn to look, his eyes meet mine, and he doesn't look away. Instead, he stares at me with such an intensity that makes my knees weak. The murmur of lockers slamming and students chatting faded into the background as our eyes locked.

Time seemed to freeze as we gazed at each other. The sounds of the hallway grew distant, and all I could see was him. His piercing gaze held mine, and I felt like I was drowning in its depths.

I quickly look away, my cheeks burning, but then I realise I have nothing to be embarrassed about – he's the one staring at me, and he doesn't even have the decency to look away when I catch him. I sense his eyes on me again, like a gentle caress on my skin. It sends shivers down my spine, and I can feel my heart beating slightly faster. The sound of locker doors slamming and the rustling of backpacks seem amplified as I quicken my pace. I don't dare look around, fearing I might catch his gaze again.

I squeeze through the crowded hallway, dodging backpacks and apologising to strangers. The noise is deafening – laughter, chatter, and the occasional ringing phone. I'm pushed and pulled by the crowd, stumbling as I'm jostled from every side, but I press on, eager to escape the overwhelming sensation of his gaze.

As I turn the corner, my racing heart slows and my breath evens out.

Riley's bright voice cuts through the noise, "Hey!" making me jump. I spin around fast, my eyes wide with surprise, my heart skipping a beat.

Riley's eyes narrow, concern etched on her face, sensing my unease. "Hey, what's wrong?" she asks softly, her voice low and gentle, as if she can tell something's off.

I force a smile onto my face, trying to play it off. "Oh, it's nothing," I say, shaking my head and brushing it off with a wave of my hand, playing it cool. "Just a little jumpy, that's all."

Riley's eyes linger on mine, as if searching for the truth behind my words. For a moment, I think she's going to push the issue, but then her expression softens, and she nods. "Alright, let's grab some lunch," she says, dropping the subject altogether.

After lunch, Riley and I part ways, heading to our respective classes. We exchange a quick goodbye, and I watch as she walks away, her backpack slung over her shoulder.

I glance down at my schedule, realising I have chemistry next, and I head to my class. As I walk in, I scan the room, and my eyes land on Vanessa, already seated and flipping through her notes. She's a petite brunette with a bright smile who sits with her notes. She was the first person to welcome me when I transferred to this school and later introduced me to Riley – we've been inseparable ever since.

Vanessa was absent during lunch, but I knew she was busy with a tutoring session – she's been working hard to become valedictorian, and I'm so happy for her.

Vanessa caught my eye and waved me over. I made my way to her seat, exchanging greetings before class began. Not too long after, Mr Charleson started lecturing on organic chemistry.

I made sure to listen and take notes because, unlike Vanessa, I was struggling to keep up. Hell, at this rate, I might need to ask her to tutor me, but I wouldn't want to impose on her already busy schedule. She already had a lot on her plate, and I'd feel guilty if I added to her burdens.

As the class dragged on, my brain felt like it would explode. I tried; I really tried to pay attention, but at some point, I got lost between all the alkenes and alkynes. Ugh, this is so hard!

Just as I was about to give up on understanding the difference between alkenes and alkynes, the door to the classroom swung open, interrupting Mr Charleson's lecture. My gaze drifted towards the entrance, and that's when I saw him. Evander sauntered into the room with a confident gait, his presence turning heads as he made his way to his seat nonchalantly.

Evander walked in, looking dishevelled. His white shirt was rumpled and untucked, the sleeves rolled up to reveal his chiselled arms. His dark hair was a tangled mess, as if he'd repeatedly dragged his hands through it, framing his dark eyes that flashed with anger, but his expression remained controlled.

As he passed by my desk, our eyes met, and his eyes seemed to darken as he took me in. I felt a jolt in my stomach. Why did he look so angry to see me?

I turned to look at Mr Charleson, who had been quiet since Evander entered, and he resumed his lecture as if nothing had happened. I felt a twinge of irritation. In my few weeks at Cederville High, Mr Charleson had struck me as a stickler for discipline, always reprimanding students for tardiness. Yet, he seemed to turn a blind eye to Evander's late entrance.

I leaned in and whispered to Vanessa, "Can you believe he didn't say anything?"

Vanessa tried to smile, but I could see that it was forced as her eyes begged me to drop it.

I turned my attention back to the class, but I got distracted again. I felt his gaze on me, and my curiosity got the better of me. I glanced back, catching Evander's stare. Instead of looking away, his eyes narrowed and his stare hardened. I quickly faced forward, shifting uncomfortably in my seat.

Why does he keep looking at me like that?