Romeo
The whole school was buzzing with excitement, and I had no idea why. Was there a celebrity here or something? I stopped one of the guys near my locker and asked, "What's with all the noise?"
He grinned like an idiot. "Dude, two new transfer students just arrived. And guess what? They're both insanely good-looking."
I rolled my eyes. "And?"
"And?! Bro, the girl is stunning, and the guy. Apparently, he's some kind of model or something. The girls are already obsessed."
I scoffed, uninterested. The only girl I cared about was Venecia. I didn't need some 'model' coming in and making the school lose its damn mind.
When I entered the classroom, I immediately spotted the two new faces. Yeah, okay, the rumors were true. The girl—Eleanor—had that whole icy, untouchable beauty thing going on. The guy—Ethan—looked like he walked straight out of a photo-shoot. Tall, blonde, too charming for my liking. I headed straight to my seat, finding Damien already half-asleep at his desk. Lazy bones.
I pulled my chair back, intentionally making noise to shut everyone up. "Wake up, lazy boy," I said, smacking the back of his head.
"Fuck off, bro," Damien grumbled, barely lifting his head.
"This is not a place for sleeping," I teased.
"So much coming from you," he scoffed, rubbing his head.
I smirked, then turned my attention to Venecia. She was chatting with Liana, completely unaware of the way Ethan was looking at her like she was his next target.
And then—
"Romeo, right?" A sultry voice interrupted my thoughts. I turned to see Eleanor leaning against my desk, twirling a strand of her dark brown hair between her fingers.
I barely spared her a glance. "Yeah?"
She smiled, tilting her head slightly. "I've heard a lot about you. I was hoping we could get to know each other."
I arched a brow. Not interested. "I don't think my girlfriend would like that very much," I said flatly, shifting my gaze back to Venecia.
"Oh?" Eleanor's smile didn't falter, but there was a hint of amusement in her eyes. "That's cute. I don't see a ring, though."
I clenched my jaw. Before I could respond, Damien chuckled beside me. "Damn, Romeo. You're already getting hit on before the new girl's even been here a day."
I shot him a glare. Not helping, bro.
But just as I was about to brush Eleanor off completely, I saw it—Ethan leaning way too close to Venecia, his charming smirk firmly in place.
And she was laughing.
What the hell?
The air around me shifted, a slow burn creeping up my spine. I clenched my fists under the desk, forcing myself to breathe. It's fine. He's just being friendly.
But then, he touched her arm.
That was it.
I was on my feet before I even realized it, moving toward them with steady, measured steps. Liana saw me first, eyes widening slightly as she whispered something to Venecia. She turned just in time for me to reach them.
"Hey, babe," I said, my voice deceptively calm, though my eyes never left Ethan's. "Who's this?"
Venecia blinked, caught off guard. "Oh, this is Ethan. He's new."
Ethan grinned, completely unfazed by my presence. "Hey, man. Nice to meet you. Your girl's been showing me around."
Your girl.
My jaw tightened. "Yeah? That's funny, because I don't remember her signing up for a tour guide role."
Venecia placed a hand on my chest, her touch immediately calming the fire in my veins. "Romeo don't be ridiculous. I was just being polite."
Ethan smirked, and I swore he did it just to piss me off. "Relax, man. No need to get territorial."
Wrong move.
I took a step closer, just enough for the message to be clear. "Listen, new guy," I said, voice low and controlled, "I don't play games when it comes to her. So, if you're trying to make a move, I suggest you think twice."
Ethan raised his hands in mock surrender. "Whoa, chill. No harm done."
Venecia sighed and turned to me, her fingers gripping my wrist gently. "Romeo, please."
I looked at her then, really looked at her, and saw the concern in her eyes. Not fear, not anger—just a silent plea for me to let it go.
So, I exhaled sharply, forcing my muscles to relax. "Fine," I muttered.
Ethan chuckled. "Didn't mean to stir up trouble. But hey, I get it. If she were mine, I'd be protective too."
I almost swung.
But Venecia tugged me away before I could do something that would get me suspended.
***********
Liana
I had been this close to throwing my shoe at Romeo for nearly punching the new guy on his first day. But honestly? Ethan kind of had it coming.
I sighed, turning back to my desk, only to freeze when I felt a hand on my lower back.
"Hey, beautiful," a voice purred.
Oh, hell no.
I turned sharply to find Jason, the school flirt, standing way too close.
"You need something?" I asked, arching a brow.
He grinned. "Yeah. A dance partner for the upcoming showcase. I've seen you in competitions. You'd be perfect."
I rolled my eyes. "Not interested."
"Aw, come on," he cooed. "I don't bite."
Before I could snap back, an arm draped around my shoulders, pulling me into a firm, warm embrace.
Damien.
His voice was casual, but his grip was not. "Hey, man. Problem?"
Jason blinked, looking between us. "I was just asking Liana to be my partner."
Damien's smile didn't reach his eyes. "Yeah, see... that's not happening."
Jason scoffed. "Since when do you get a say?"
Damien's hold on me tightened, and I felt a weird warmth spread through my chest. "Since she's already got a partner."
Wait, I do?
Jason narrowed his eyes before huffing. "Whatever, man. Didn't know she was taken."
As he walked away, I turned to Damien, arching a brow. "Since when am I your partner?"
Damien smirked. "Since right now."
I snorted. "You don't even dance."
He leaned in slightly, his breath fanning against my ear. "I can learn."
My stomach flipped.
I shoved him lightly, rolling my eyes. "You're impossible."
"And yet, you love me," he said with a wink.
I did not blush.
***********
Venecia's POV
Romeo was still pouting.
We sat under our usual tree during lunch, and he was stabbing his food like it had personally offended him.
I sighed, leaning against his shoulder. "Are you going to sulk forever?"
He exhaled sharply. "He was flirting with you."
I smiled. "And I didn't care."
He finally looked at me, those stormy blue eyes softening. "You're mine," he murmured.
I brushed my lips against his cheek. "And you're mine."
His hand found my waist, tugging me closer. "Say it again."
I grinned. "You're mine, Romeo."
And just like that, the tension melted away.
Even with all the chaos around us, this was what mattered.
Just us.
But something felt off, like I have seen the two siblings before.
*************
New characters everyone. What do you think of them?