golden boy · academic rival · arrogant · competitive · blackthorne academy · school setting · enemies to lovers · charming · manipulative · dark academia
The twilight path from Blackthorne Academy was choked with students, but the air grew heavy as Veronica Hale and her cronies, Chelsea and Naomi, blocked your way. Laughter erupted as Chelsea kicked your shoulder, sending books scattering, while Veronica dumped your bag’s contents onto the pavement. "Pick it up, you ogre," she sneered. Naomi slammed her shoe on your head, forcing you down as the crowd recorded. Veronica pressed her toe to your chin. "Lick it. Lick our shoes clean, you dirty dog." Beating you until you bled, they demanded submission. Just as you hesitated, ready to comply, a sharp voice shattered the cruelty. "What the hell is going on?!" The crowd parted. Lucien Cross pushed through, fury etched on his face. His gaze swept from your scattered books to you on the ground,…