Chapter 2

Kai Anderson

The school is in an uproar over the latest scandal. You'd think being beautiful and brainy would keep you out of trouble, but apparently, that's not how things work around here. This place never lacks drama, and thanks to Jackson, I have a front-row seat to all of it. Not that I asked for it.

Suddenly, an arm loops through mine, and I'm pulled out of my thoughts by a bubbly voice.

"Hi, cutie!" Tasha chirps, pinching my cheek like I'm some kind of plush toy. This is my best friend, Tasha-the reigning queen of gossip, with a laugh as bright as her neon pink hair clips. She's always calling me "cutie" and dragging me around like her personal doll. I don't get it, but I'm used to it.

"Did you hear about Suzy from 5A?" she asks, her eyes lighting up mischievously.

I snort. "What do you think? With Jackson as my best friend, I probably know more about Suzy's life than I do my own."

Tasha laughs, the sound echoing down the hallway. "Good point. So, who do you think the father is?" She wiggles her eyebrows, leaning in as if this is the most scandalous thing to ever happen.

I shrug, trying to look indifferent. "I dunno, and we'll probably never find out, considering she already dropped out of school."

She lets out a disappointed sigh but keeps clinging to my arm. I shift uncomfortably, noticing the glances we're getting from some of our classmates. Tasha loves to act like we're a couple just to make me squirm, and she's succeeding as usual.

"Isn't that Nina over there?" I point to where her friend is standing near the bulletin board, hoping to distract her.

"Oh, yeah! I bet she has some new tea to spill!" she says, letting go of my arm. She pouts for a second, then skips off to join Nina, leaving me with a feeling of relief. I shake my head. Tasha is like a tornado of chaos wrapped in pink accessories.

Just as she disappears, Jackson materializes beside me, frowning. "Hey, where's she going?"

I shoot him a glare. "Oh, now you're here. You ditched me this morning, remember?"

"What? Your mom said you didn't want to get up! I thought you were skipping today," he protests.

I roll my eyes. "I stayed up watching a K-drama, okay?"

Jackson lets out a dramatic sigh. "Dude, you need a life. Go get yourself a real girlfriend. You're not gonna meet these K-drama girls in real life."

I smirk, leaning against the wall. "How do you know? Maybe one day I'll get swept off my feet by a rich CEO or something."

Jackson snorts. "Yeah, good luck with that," he says, rolling his eyes as he starts walking toward class.

But then he stops abruptly, his hand shooting out to grip my arm. "Kai! Look over there."

I follow his gaze and freeze. Standing by the classroom door, looking like he walked straight out of a movie, is the guy I bumped into yesterday. He's wearing a brown jacket over a crisp white shirt, paired with black jeans that fit him way too well. And his hair-casually styled but somehow perfect-frames his face in a way that makes him look almost unreal. His eyes, a piercing shade of green, are scanning the crowd like he owns the place.

"Who's that?" I murmur, not realizing I'm staring. A faint blush creeps onto my cheeks as yesterday's encounter comes rushing back. The guy who dared to call me "darling."

Jackson raises an eyebrow, looking at me with an amused grin. "That's Keith Morgan. You know, the Keith Morgan. The one who's apparently at the center of every gossip in school. Supposedly the father of Suzy's baby, if you believe the rumors."

My curiosity sharpens, though I try to keep my expression neutral. "Seriously? That guy?"

Jackson nods. "Yup. Although most people think Suzy spread that rumor herself. Keith's got a reputation, but he's not the type to abandon someone like that."

"Reputation?" I raise an eyebrow, trying not to sound too interested.

"Oh yeah," Jackson says, clearly enjoying this. "He's bi, apparently. He's had girlfriends and boyfriends, and he's known for being a total gentleman. People fall for him hard. He's... kind of a legend around here."

I roll my eyes, scoffing. "Yeah, right. Gentleman, my ass. More like a player."

Jackson grins. "Why do I feel like he's staring at you?"

My stomach drops. I glance back, and sure enough, Keith's gaze is locked on me, his expression one of mild curiosity... and maybe a hint of amusement. I can feel my face heating up, and before I can stop myself, I flip him off, then turn on my heel and head toward class, hoping he didn't see that blush on my cheeks.

Jackson lets out a low whistle. "You definitely got his attention. He was looking at you like you're his next target."

I groan, running a hand over my face. "No, I don't know him. And I'm not even remotely his type."

Jackson chuckles, slapping me on the back. "Well, you're cute enough to get anyone's attention, Kai. Even if you act like you'd rather disappear."

Sighing, I unzip my bag to fish out my notebook, trying to look nonchalant. "I bumped into him yesterday, okay? And... he called me darling."

Jackson's jaw drops, and he shrieks, sounding almost like Tasha. "Oh my god, darling?! Kai, he's already flirting with you!"

"Shhh! Keep it down!" I hiss, looking around as a few students glance our way. "It's not like that. He's just... annoying."

Jackson grins, clearly enjoying this way too much. "Sure, 'annoying,' right. Admit it-you're flustered."

I feel my face heat up again. "I am not flustered," I mumble, shoving my notebook into my bag with more force than necessary. "I just... didn't expect him to be so... forward."

Jackson snickers. "Welcome to the world of Keith Morgan. Good luck, man. You're gonna need it."

---

Keith Morgan

I watch the kid flip me off, and instead of feeling offended, I can't help but smile. Who is this guy? I'm used to people either fawning over me or pretending not to care, but this guy? He's different. He doesn't seem to know-or care-who I am. And that's... refreshing.

"Keith! You coming or what?" Chen calls, snapping me out of my thoughts as he waves me over.

I glance at him, but my mind is still on the boy who just stormed off. "Did you see that kid who just flipped me off?"

Chen raises an eyebrow, looking around. "Which kid?"

"Never mind," I mutter, but I can't shake the feeling of curiosity. I don't even know his name, but I want to. He looked cute, with that scowl and that stubborn way he brushed me off. Most people don't treat me like that. It's... interesting.

As I head toward class with Chen, he nudges me. "So, I hear Suzy's rumor-mongering again. Apparently, you're her baby daddy?"

I groan, rolling my eyes. "Oh, please. That's ridiculous."

Chen smirks. "You're the school's most eligible bachelor, after all. Everyone wants a piece of you."

I shrug, but my mind is already wandering back to the guy I bumped into. I have no idea why he's gotten under my skin so quickly, but something about him just... sticks.

"Keith, are you even listening?" Chen waves a hand in front of my face, and I shove him away, laughing.

"Yeah, yeah, I'm here," I say, chuckling. But my gaze drifts to where I last saw him. The kid with the quick temper and the cute scowl. What was his name?.

Maybe this year won't be as boring as I thought.

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