Chapter 2 The boy who hates me

ELENA'S POV

If there was one thing I had learned about Adrian Blackwood, it was that he had an unbelievable talent for making people uncomfortable.

And unfortunately, I was now sitting beside him.

I tried to concentrate on the lesson, but his constant tapping on the desk was beginning to get on my nerves.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

I turned towards him.

"Could you please stop that?"

He didn't even look at me.

"Stop what?"

"That annoying tapping."

He glanced at his fingers before looking back at me.

"Is it disturbing your highness?"

I took a deep breath.

"No. It's just disturbing my ability to tolerate irritating people."

He chuckled quietly.

"You're quite mouthy for someone who's new here."

"And you're quite annoying for someone who has been here longer."

He turned towards me, his dark eyes studying my face.

For a moment, neither of us spoke.

Then he leaned back in his chair.

"You're going to have a difficult time here, Carter."

I frowned.

"Is that a threat?"

"Take it however you want."

Before I could respond, our teacher called his name.

"Adrian! Since you're clearly enjoying your conversation, perhaps you would like to answer question three?"

The entire class burst into laughter.

Adrian straightened in his chair and answered the question effortlessly.

Of course he knew the answer.

Apparently, being arrogant wasn't the only thing he was good at.

The teacher nodded approvingly.

"Excellent. Now, Elena, would you like to try the next one?"

I stood up and answered.

"Correct," the teacher said with a smile.

I sat down, feeling relieved.

Adrian leaned towards me.

"Not bad, new girl."

I ignored him.

"Was that a compliment?" I whispered.

"Don't get used to it."

I rolled my eyes.

---

LUNCH BREAK

"Elena! Over here!"

Mia waved enthusiastically from a table near the cafeteria windows.

I walked towards her, carrying my lunch tray.

"How are you surviving your first day?" she asked.

"Honestly? I think I need a vacation already."

She laughed.

"Let me guess. Adrian?"

I dropped into the seat opposite her.

"That boy is exhausting."

Mia covered her mouth, trying not to laugh.

"You're the first person I've met who actually talks to him like that."

"Does everyone just let him behave however he wants?"

"Pretty much. He's popular, rich, handsome and ridiculously good at everything. His family is also one of the wealthiest in the city."

I raised an eyebrow.

"So he's spoiled."

"Not exactly. He's just... Adrian."

I shook my head.

"That's not an explanation."

Mia leaned closer.

"Listen, there's something you should know. Adrian doesn't usually like people getting too close to him."

"That's fine. I wasn't planning to."

"Good. Because there are girls here who would do almost anything to get his attention."

Before I could respond, a group of girls entered the cafeteria.

One of them immediately caught my attention.

She was tall, beautiful, and dressed perfectly. Her long blonde hair fell over her shoulders as she walked confidently towards our table.

Mia sighed.

"Oh, here we go."

The girl stopped beside us.

"You're Elena, right?"

I looked up.

"Yes."

She smiled, but there was something unpleasant behind it.

"I'm Chloe. Adrian's friend."

"Nice to meet you."

Her eyes briefly travelled over me.

"So you're the new girl who was sitting beside him?"

I nodded.

"Yes. The teacher assigned the seats."

She laughed softly.

"Well, I hope you understand that Adrian isn't someone you should get too comfortable around."

I exchanged a confused look with Mia.

"Sorry?"

"Just giving you friendly advice."

I forced a smile.

"Thanks. I'll keep that in mind."

Chloe turned and walked away.

I watched her leave.

"What's her problem?" I asked.

Mia sighed.

"Chloe has liked Adrian for years. She doesn't appreciate other girls getting his attention."

I almost laughed.

"Well, she has nothing to worry about. I don't want his attention."

At least, that was what I believed.

---

AFTER SCHOOL

I was standing near the school entrance, searching through my bag for my phone, when someone suddenly spoke behind me.

"Hey, Carter."

I turned.

Adrian stood a few steps away, one hand in his pocket.

"What now?"

He looked at me with an expression I couldn't quite understand.

"Stay away from Chloe."

I blinked.

"Excuse me?"

"You heard me."

I folded my arms.

"First of all, I don't know Chloe. Secondly, I have no interest in getting involved in whatever is happening between you two."

His expression hardened.

"Don't act like you know anything about me."

I stared at him.

"I don't. And honestly, I'm not interested in finding out."

He stepped aside, shaking his head.

"Good. Keep it that way."

I watched him walk towards a black car waiting near the entrance.

A girl standing nearby called his name, but he barely acknowledged her.

Just before getting into the car, he turned around.

Our eyes met briefly.

Then he disappeared inside.

I let out a frustrated breath.

Who did he think he was?

I had spent the entire day trying to avoid unnecessary drama, and somehow, I had become involved with the most complicated boy in school.

My phone vibrated.

It was a message from Mia.

MIA: Are you home yet?

ME: Not yet. I'm waiting for my ride.

MIA: Just be careful around Adrian, okay?

I frowned at the screen.

ME: Why does everyone keep telling me that?

Her reply came almost immediately.

MIA: Because there's more to him than you think.

I stared at the message.

More?

What exactly was everyone hiding?

I slipped my phone into my bag and looked towards the road.

I had promised myself three things before coming to Westbridge High.

No distractions.

No unnecessary friendships.

And absolutely no romance.

But after meeting Adrian Blackwood, I was beginning to think keeping those promises would be harder than I expected.

And the worst part?

I had a feeling he already hated me.

END OF CHAPTER TWO