The first rule of survival? Never fall in love.
The second? If you're gonna sell your soul, make sure he's rich, hot, and emotionally unavailable.
"I swear on my last brain cell, Ariya," Lolo hissed, dragging her down the hallway by the arm, "if you go after Ryan, I'm not bailing you out when his ex tries to strangle you in your sleep."
Ariya popped her gum, unbothered. "Relax. Nothing will happen. Plus—" her lips curled into a dangerous little smirk, "I really like him."
Lolo blinked. "You like him?"
"Yep." Ariya's amber-brown eyes locked onto Ryan down the hall — golden boy, sunshine smile, and exactly the kind of future husband her broke dreams needed. "Just look at him."
Let's get one thing straight: Ariya wasn't like other girls at Seoyeon High.
Tall and toned from years of track and boxing, she had a presence that made people turn twice once for the sharp glare in her eyes, and again for the slow smirk that promised danger or disaster. Her long, jet-black curls were tied into a loose ponytail, bouncing like a whip. She wore the school blazer like armor, sleeves rolled up, attitude worn like perfume heavy, addictive, and a little toxic.
Beside her, Lolo was the chaos to Ariya's storm. Petite, with dyed lavender tips and sharp blue eyes that never missed drama, she dressed like she might start a rebellion in third period. And honestly? She probably could.
As they rounded the corner, the real danger made his entrance late as always and hot enough to make the hallway tilt.
Jinwoo.
Six feet of expensive trauma and bad intentions. Tousled obsidian hair framed sharp brows. Steel-gray eyes cold, unreadable skimmed over her for the briefest second before sliding away. Broad shoulders filled out his blazer like it had been sewn for him alone,a white shirt open just low enough to be illegal. Beneath the lean lines of his frame was a body sculpted like a K-drama lead fresh from the gym, all definition and quiet power.
And walking next to him? Minjae.
Taller. Tatted. Trouble. Platinum-blonde hair, warm golden skin, muscles stretching the seams of his uniform. His lazy smirk made girls forget their own names. Sharp brown sugar eyes glinted with danger, a brow piercing catching the light. His build was pure K-pop bad boy fantasy broad chest, narrow waist, veins tracing strong forearms.
Jinwoo's gaze flicked past her again a single, sharp glance before it landed on Ryan. His jaw tightened, just barely.
"I'm going to make a move on Ryan," Ariya said, her voice calm, deliberate.
Lolo froze. "Ryan. The Omega."
"Yep."
"The same Ryan who dated Jinwoo the Ice King for like… a year?"
"Also yes."
"Oh, girl, we're gonna die."
Ariya grinned, locking eyes with Ryan across the hallway.
Soft brown hair. Gentle eyes. A voice like velvet. Too kind for this school. Too kind for her. But maybe that was exactly why he was perfect.
She didn't want to fall for him.
She wanted to marry him.
From the corner of her eye, she caught Jinwoo still looking. His expression was unreadable somewhere between annoyance and warning, but Ariya didn't care.
As far as she was concerned, Jinwoo could burn.