The hallway buzzed with students rushing to their classes, lockers slamming, and whispers floating in the air. I tried to focus on my books, hoping to avoid attention, but then… there he was. Leaning casually against the lockers, arms crossed, that infuriating smirk plastered across his face. James Blackwood. My eternal nightmare.
He didn't glance at anyone else—just me. And that was enough to make my stomach twist.
"Watch where you're going," he snapped the moment I accidentally bumped his shoulder. His icy glare burned through me like fire, daring me to respond.
I opened my mouth to apologize, but my pride wouldn't let me. Not to him. "Really? You think a hallway is your runway?" I shot back, voice sharper than I intended.
He raised an eyebrow, that stupid smirk widening. "Maybe I do. Unlike some people, I like being noticed."
My fists clenched at my sides. I hated him. I loathed him. And yet, a stupid part of me couldn't stop noticing how perfect he looked, even in that arrogant stance. I shook my head. No. Focus. Hate. Hate. Hate.
"You haven't changed a bit," I muttered under my breath, trying to ignore the heat rising in my cheeks.
"Funny," he said, loud enough for anyone passing by to hear, "I was just thinking the same thing about you."
I glared. He laughed, low and teasing, and it made my skin crawl. "Don't worry," he added, leaning slightly closer, "I promise to make your day… unforgettable."
My stomach twisted. I wanted to hate him. I really did. But the way his eyes lingered, the way he leaned just enough to invade my space—ugh! My brain protested. My heart? It betrayed me with every stupid, irrational flutter.
I shoved past him and nearly bumped into my best friend, Mia, who shot me a wide-eyed look. "Whoa! That was intense. Are you okay?"
"Fine," I muttered, adjusting my backpack. "He's impossible."
Mia rolled her eyes. "Impossible? Girl, you mean irresistible."
I groaned. "Do not start with that," I hissed, walking away.
The bell rang, saving me from further torture, but I knew deep down—this wasn't over. Not with him. Never over.
I kept my head down as I walked to class, trying to ignore the whispers and occasional smirks from students who had seen our little showdown. And then my phone buzzed. A text from Mia:
"OMG… saw you with James! Are you okay? 😂"
I typed back quickly, trying to keep it short. "I'm fine. Seriously."
Little did I know, this hallway collision was only the beginning of years of chaos, misunderstandings, and maybe… something I'd never admit.
By the time I got to class, my mind wouldn't stop replaying his smirk, his teasing words, the way he had looked at me. I hated him. I loved to hate him. But somewhere deep down, I had a feeling this was the start of something that would change everything.
And the worst part? The boy I hated so much was about to become the center of my life in ways I couldn't even imagine.