The sound of a metallic tray hitting the ground drew everyone's attention to Abby. Her glasses followed, landing beside the mess, the frame now visibly cracked. She stood there for a moment, frustration written across her face, but she didn't retaliate.
She bent down quietly to pick up her glasses and clear what remained of her scattered food. Before she could finish, a cold liquid poured over her head.
"Oh… sorry, newbie."
Abby paused.
She slowly looked up.
A tall, slim girl stood over her with a pretty face and a slick, amused smile.
"It's nothing," Abby replied calmly, wiping her face as she gathered her things. She picked up her glasses and stood.
She had barely eaten before her tray was overturned and her glasses broken. Now she was drenched in milk on her first day at the famous Blackridge High.
She set the tray down, adjusted her cracked glasses, and walked out of the cafeteria.
Behind her, she thought she heard soft giggles. Maybe they weren't even about her. She refused to assume things on her first day.
From everything she had researched before applying for the scholarship, Blackridge High had a reputation… elite, powerful, and untouchable. Bullying was rumored, but never recorded. Still, she had expected it. Schools like this always had something hidden beneath their perfection.
As she reached the cafeteria exit, she almost bumped into a group of boys.
"I'm sorry, I didn't see…"
She didn't finish.
They walked past her like she wasn't there.
She didn't mind.
Instead, she stood for a moment, catching the faint mix of expensive colognes lingering in the air. It smelled like money, like power.
And she smelled like milk. She just wanted to get that off her.
She went into the restroom to clean up.
Almost immediately, the bell rang for the end of break.
"Shit," she muttered under her breath, still rinsing her hair under the tap.
She rushed, wiping her uniform with a towel and drying her hair as best as she could before hurrying back to class.
But as she got closer, the noise hit her first then the laughter, chatter, chaos.
Then silence in the surrounding classes.
Students from other rooms were staring at her as she passed.
She bit her lip, telling herself she was imagining it. But the stares didn't feel neutral.
They felt like judgment.
Like she didn't belong.
Still, she kept walking.
The moment she stepped into her class, everything went silent.
Dead silent.
Her eyes caught the exit of someone leaving through the front, definitely a teacher.
"Abby, right?"
She turned.
It was the same girl from the cafeteria.
The same smile.
The same calm voice.
"Sorry about earlier. I hope I didn't give you a bad first impression of Blackridge High."
"Not at all," Abby replied with a small smile and a nod.
"Good. I'm Clara. Class president. In case you need anything."
"She's also William Hayes' bride," someone from the front row said casually.
A few students chuckled.
"Stop it, Chloe. That's childish," Clara said lightly.
"She's not lying though," another boy added. "Future Mrs Hayes."
Abby frowned slightly, confused.
She didn't understand what was going on.
There was no teacher in the class.
Before she could ask, Clara moved to her seat.
Instinctively, Abby reached out and grabbed her wrist.
A sudden gasp filled the room.
Abby froze and quickly let go.
"Sorry, Clara. I just wanted to ask… I heard noise earlier and I thought there was a class happening. Is there an assignment or something?"
Clara looked at her for a moment, her smile still there, but colder now.
Then it returned fully.
"Classes should be ongoing, right?" Abby added quickly.
Clara cut her off gently.
"Enjoy your time, Abby. When it's time for class, class will hold."
Abby paused but said nothing more.
She sat down slowly, still trying to make sense of everything.
Blackridge High was supposed to be strict academically. One of the best schools internationally. But nothing here made sense… At the very least, not yet.
Then the air shifted.
The smell of expensive cologne filled the room.
The atmosphere changed instantly.
Abby turned.
Two boys stood at the door.
Both tall.
Both beautiful.
Both striking.
The first one stepped forward.
William Hayes.
His presence alone felt heavy. His expression was cold, controlled, like he didn't need to speak to be obeyed. His brown eyes landed on Abby and stayed there.
Behind him stood another boy.
Liam.
Equally tall. Equally calm. Dark eyes, quiet intensity.
"William Hayes, go inside," Liam said flatly.
William didn't move immediately.
His eyes were still on Abby.
For a second, the whole class felt frozen.
Then he walked in.
The silence that followed was uncomfortable.
Abby looked down quickly, suddenly aware she had been staring.
When she looked up again, the entire class was looking at her.
Not just looking.
Staring.
Cold stares.
Except Clara, who was quietly standing at the front, checking something on a sheet of paper like nothing was happening.
"Well," she said softly. "William and Liam are here. Let's begin."
The class relaxed slightly.
Abby leaned forward and tapped the girl in front of her.
"What's going on?"
The girl didn't answer.
"Let's postpone it," William said suddenly.
Clara looked up, still smiling.
"Why though?"
"Because I said so," William replied calmly. "We have a new student. Let her settle in."
There was a pause.
Then Clara nodded.
"Okay then."
Abby noticed it immediately.
Relief.
The class had relieved expressions.
That wasn't normal.
"Why would he have a say over the class president?" Abby muttered under her breath.
The girl in front of her finally turned slightly.
"Hi… sorry about earlier. I was stressed."
"It's fine," Abby said softly. "I just wanted to know what was happening."
"You'll understand soon," the girl replied with a small smile. "Enjoy your first day. Welcome to Blackridge High."
Two hours passed.
No teacher entered the class.
No lesson started.
Only silence and occasional movement from Clara at the front.
Then the bell rang.
Time to leave.
Abby grabbed her bag but no one else moved.
They stayed seated.
She hesitated.
"Uhh… what's going on?" she whispered to herself.
Suddenly, the classroom door opened.
William walked in again, breathing slightly heavier, like he had been running.
He picked up his bag.
The entire class stood at once, it felt like he was the signal to leave.
Abby stared.
"What the…"
She didn't finish her thought.
The girl in front turned back again.
"Don't think too much," she said quietly.
Abby frowned.
But before she could ask anything else, William suddenly stopped.
He turned back.
His eyes locked on Abby.
The entire room froze again.
Then he walked straight toward her.
Each step heavier than the last.
Before she could react, his hand reached her face.
He tilted her chin up.
And kissed her.
Hard.
Desperate.
The classroom exploded into silence.