Sixteen-year-old Storm has spent his whole life balancing school, friendships, and the crushing expectations of his strict Korean household. Alongside his closest friends, Yuri, Niki, CJ, and Elias, who have been inseparable since they were three, Storm’s world feels predictable, controlled, and safe in its own way.

Everything changes when Rayne, a seventeen-year-old boy from a wealthy family, transfers to their school. Handsome, rich, and instantly popular, Rayne quickly becomes the center of attention, something Storm deeply resents. Rayne’s attempts to get closer only fuel Storm’s dislike, creating tension between them.

One stormy night, after Rayne gets into a fight, he finds himself injured and caught in the pouring rain outside Storm’s house, the closest place he can reach. With Storm home alone, he reluctantly pulls Rayne inside and patches him up. That night becomes a turning point. Barriers begin to break, truths are shared, and the two agree to start over as friends.

As Rayne slowly becomes part of Storm’s tightly knit group, feelings begin to grow between the two boys, feelings that challenge Storm’s upbringing, expectations, and fear of disappointing his family. Caught between loyalty, tradition, and first love, Storm must decide whether to keep living the life chosen for him, or risk everything for the one he’s beginning to choose himself.

By lunch, the entire school buzzed with the same name.


Storm heard it everywhere, whispered excitedly, spoken with awe, sometimes jealousy. He didn't need to look up to know when Rayne walked into the cafeteria. The air shifted. Noise softened, then surged louder.


"I'm appreciating," CJ said defensively.


Storm finally looked and immediately wished he hadn't. There he was, tan skin, brown curly hair with blond highlights, you know, the usual popular guy look. His eyes reminded Storm of the rainforest, Dark green with hits of yellow. Why was he staring, and why couldn't he look away?


Rayne stood near the center of the cafeteria, relaxed like he belonged there already. He laughed easily, smile bright, uniform perfectly worn like rules were optional for him. People circled him naturally, drawn in.


"Great," Storm muttered. "Another reason for people to forget the rest of us exist."


Something about Rayne bothered him, not because of who he was, but because of how effortlessly he existed. No pressure in his posture. No hesitation. No weight dragging him down.


Storm stood abruptly. "I'm going outside."


The truth was, Storm didn't want to sit there watching the world bend around someone new. He didn't want to feel invisible in his own school.


Outside, the air was cooler, quieter. Storm leaned against the wall, staring up at the sky. Clouds gathered slowly, grey and heavy. Rain, maybe.


His phone buzzed, a message from his mother.


Storm exhaled slowly and locked his screen.


Behind him, laughter drifted through the open doors of the cafeteria. Rayne's laughter, clear and warm.


Chapter 2 - Rayne