Beneath his cold eyes

n with Justin Walker, she found herself hyper-aware of every step, every movement, every glance from the students around her. Her

a lifeline. The polished floors reflected her anxious reflection, and for a brief moment, she caught sight of herse

some glancing in her direction. Danielle scanned the room for an empty seat and spotted one in the middle, halfway toward

she not

ca D

ng over her shoulders. Her eyes, sharp and calculating, immediately locked onto Danielle. There wa

on. And from the way everyone in the classroom seemed to defer to her presence, it was clear she ruled this room without eve

he felt a pull toward him she couldn't explain, a connection she didn't want to admit. Yet, even as her mind wandered, she caught subtle glimpses of him throughout the morning-sitting near

hat the first real co

her tray, scanning the room for a place to sit. Most tables were already claimed by groups who seemed to have known each other for years

tle threat. Danielle hesitated, unsure how to respond. "Oh... of course,"

ered words meant to intimidate. Bianca's eyes flicked to Danielle's, a challenge fla

elle caught sight of him as he took a tray of food and moved toward an empty corner. His eyes met hers for a brief second before

elle's day-Daniel Reed, a tall, athletic boy with

," she replied, unsure why a popular, good-looking guy would even notice her. Daniel didn't seem phased by Bianca's presence or

pretending to focus on her own meal while clearly plotting. Danielle felt the ten

lickered toward Danielle more than once. He didn't approach, didn't speak-but the pull be

r, Officer James Adams, insisted on walking her to her first class to ensure she was safe. Her m

ftly, "don't let anyone push you aro

weight of a new reality-she was on her own here, in a world of power, weal

posing, a man whose presence alone demanded respect. His mother, Evelyn Walker, was elegant and sharp, protective in her own way, always analyzing and observing her son from the edges of h

rivalry with Bianca, and even encountered Daniel, the charming yet unpredictable new competitor for attention. And throug

she couldn't fully grasp yet. There would be challenges, jealousy, misunderstan

y smile, every stumble, every fleeting glance. For the first time in years, he wondered what it would feel like to let s