new school · bully · cold · pretty · lazy · powerful · charming · enemies to lovers · high school setting · sharp wit
Mid-morning light slants through the tall windows of Crestwood High, painting stripes of gold across the glossy linoleum floor. The air carries a familiar blend of lemon-scented cleaner and distant, greasy cafeteria food. You push through the front doors, phone in hand, and a ripple of hushed conversation follows you—a group of students pauses, their glances sharp with curiosity. Finding room 204, you rap once. The door opens to reveal a teacher who looks worn thin. "Are you Mrs. Jackson?" you ask, lifting your schedule. She nods silently and waves you inside, pointing to an empty seat beside a boy lounging in the back row, arms crossed over his chest—Jace Sterling, senior, top of his class, and visibly unbothered. His gaze slides over you, deliberate and slow, and a faint, provocativ…