Episode 1 - THE FIRST BELL

The second bell had already rung by the time Selena Vega pushed open the heavy classroom door. The chatter inside dipped instantly, all eyes flicking toward her like they always did whenever she walked in late.

“You’re late again, Vega,” the teacher said flatly, not even looking up from the register.

Selena slid a strand of dark hair behind her ear and raised a brow. “Traffic,” she replied with an exaggerated shrug. “You want me to bring proof next time?”

A few students snickered under their breath, covering their mouths. Everyone knew Vega wasn’t scared of teachers, and Mr. Carter was too tired to argue with her.

He let out a weary sigh, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Just… sit down.” He paused, glancing at the front of the class where a tall boy stood confidently. “And—ah, right. Before we begin, we have a transfer student. Everyone, this is Ethan Parker.”

The boy stepped forward with the kind of smile that could melt glass. Tall, broad-shouldered, dark hair perfectly messy, his uniform fitting a little too well to be an accident. He gave a lazy wave. “Morning, everyone.”

The whispers broke out instantly, not even subtle.

“He’s hot.”

“Look at his smile.”

“New crush unlocked.”

Selena rolled her eyes, already unimpressed.

Mr. Carter pointed to the back. “You’ll sit next to Selena Vega. Back row.”

Selena dropped into her chair with a mutter only she could hear. “Great. Babysitting duty already.”

Ethan didn’t seem to notice the edge in her voice. He walked down the aisle, every step earning more stares from the girls in class, and slid into the empty seat beside her. The smell of his cologne hit her immediately — clean, sharp, a little too intentional.

He leaned in, just enough to make it obvious. “Lucky me,” he murmured, grin widening. “Got the prettiest girl in class as my seatmate.”

Selena turned her head slowly, her expression flat. “Wow. That line worked better in your head, didn’t it?”

He smirked, unbothered. “No. Worked just fine out loud.”

Before Selena could reply, a sharp voice cut through the air.

“Some of us are trying to listen. Shut it, Parker.”

The class quieted. Selena’s head snapped toward the voice instantly.

Lucien Williams.

He sat two rows away, posture straight, pen poised between his fingers like he’d been waiting to stab it into the desk. His dark eyes locked onto Ethan with a fire that burned hotter than his words.

Ethan’s grin only widened, mischief lighting up his gaze. “And who might you be?” He tilted his head toward Selena. “Her bodyguard?”

Lucien’s jaw tightened, the muscle ticking. “Mind your own business.”

Selena arched a brow, folding her arms. “Since when do you care who I sit with?”

His eyes flicked to hers, just for a heartbeat, then back to Ethan. “…I don’t.”

Ethan leaned closer to her, his voice dropping low, intimate enough for Lucien to notice. “He looks like he does.”

Selena smirked faintly. “Don’t get ideas.”

“Too late,” Ethan whispered back.

A loud clack broke the moment. Lucien had slammed his pen onto the desk, the sharp sound echoing like a gunshot. Several students jumped.

“Pathetic,” he muttered, his voice laced with venom.

Mr. Carter’s head shot up, eyes narrowing. “Do you want to step outside, Williams?”

Lucien’s glare didn’t waver, his gaze still fixed on Ethan. “…No.”

Ethan chuckled under his breath, the sound soft but mocking. “Relax, man. I’m just making friends.”

Lucien’s eyes never left Selena. When he spoke, his tone was low, sharp enough to cut through glass.

“Not with her.”

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