My name's Elian Collins, and I live in this vibrant town in the heart of New York.  the kind of place that never shuts up.

Cars honking, people yelling, lights flashing like the city's in a constant rush. That's home.

Life's been... a lot lately. Ever since Dad passed, everything's been off-balance. He was one of those people who filled every space - confident, loud, impossible to ignore. A politician, CEO, and, well, kind of a legend. People loved him. I did too. Still do.

Now it's just Mom and me. She's been holding everything together - the house, the business, and somehow herself - all while pretending she's fine.

 I admire her for that, but sometimes it feels like she's trying to be strong for both of us, and that just makes the emptiness louder.

That's probably why I drive so much.

My car - a sleek black Mercedes Dad got me before he passed - feels like the only place I can breathe. The hum of the engine, the blur of city lights, that moment of control... it's the closest thing I have to peace.

Lately, though, I've felt this weird tug in my chest. Like something's about to change, and I don't know if that's a good thing or not.

Sometimes I catch my reflection in the rearview mirror and think, okay, maybe life's not all bad.

I've got decent looks, I guess - brown hair that refuses to stay in place, brown eyes that apparently look lighter in sunlight. Mom says I got both from Dad.

People at school notice me - some wave, some smile, some whisper. I smile back when I feel like it. Most of the time, I just keep walking. Not because I think I'm better than anyone - I just don't always know what people really want from me.

Everyone assumes life's easy when you've got money. Big house, private school, nice car - the whole package. But that's the thing: it's too perfect on the outside. People stop trying to look any deeper. You start wondering if anyone ever really sees you.

That's probably why I don't have a ton of friends.

Well - except one.

Kaelin Giles.

Kae's different. He's the kind of guy people notice even when he's not trying.

Tall, strong, the "don't mess with me" type. Tattoos run down his arms - black ink against pale skin - and somehow they make sense on him. He doesn't have to try to look cool. He just is.

And yeah, he's a bit of a snob - world-class level. He'll give you a blank stare instead of answering your question, or just walk away mid-conversation.

 But once you get used to it, it's kind of funny. He's just... unapologetically himself. Doesn't care what anyone thinks. Doesn't try to impress. That's what I like about him - he's real.

People love to whisper about us. "They're always together." "They probably share a brain." Whatever. I don't care, and Kae definitely doesn't.

He only comes to school because I nag him to. If it were up to him, he'd be home all day, half-asleep with his phone buried under his hoodie.

The guy lives like he's allergic to effort.

But somehow, when we walk into school together, people stare. Matching hoodies, same energy - it's not planned, it just happens. He acts like he doesn't notice, but I know he does. He just doesn't care.

That's Kae for you - unbothered, confident, and impossible not to admire.

********

I was knee-deep in my closet, tossing shirts and hoodies everywhere, trying to decide what to wear. First day of senior year. My last year of high school.

Crazy.

I already knew what I was going to wear though - my favorite black hoodie with "Elian" printed across the back in bold white letters.

 I threw on ripped-free black jeans, clean sneakers, and my red head warmer. All black and red - my thing. It just makes everything look put together.

My phone buzzed.

Kae: "At the gate. Don't keep me waiting, starboy."

Typical. I could practically see the smirk on his face while he typed it.

I grabbed my keys, slung my bag over my shoulder, and headed out. The drive felt quicker than usual - maybe because my mind was already at school.

When I pulled up and spotted him near the gate, I couldn't help but grin.

Kaelin stood there like he owned the place - tall, relaxed, leaning against his car with his hands shoved into his hoodie pocket. Cap turned backward, baggy jeans, that casual "I don't care but I look good anyway" vibe.

He looked up when he saw me, a small grin tugging at his lips.

"You look good," he said, pulling me into a quick hug. "First day glow-up or something?"

It had only been a few weeks since we last hung out, but somehow, that simple hug hit differently. Familiar. Easy.

"Ease up, man," I laughed, patting his back. He stepped back, giving me one of those once-over looks.

"What?" I asked.

He shrugged, smirking. "Nothing. You clean up nice, that's all."

"Yeah, right." I rolled my eyes, but the grin still slipped through. That's the thing about Kae - he's got this way of making everything feel lighter.

We started walking toward the building, and like always, he threw an arm over my shoulder. It wasn't even a question anymore.

The hallway was already alive - lockers slamming, sneakers squeaking, people shouting across the hall. I could feel the stares, the whispers. Same old story.

Some girls nearby were giggling. One of them whispered, "He's totally my type."

I didn't know if she meant Kae or me, but judging by how she was staring, I didn't have to ask.

Kae didn't even flinch. Just walked like the world didn't exist. That's what's annoying - and kind of impressive - about him.

Then, out of nowhere, his hand slid down from my shoulder to my side, brushing against me by accident. I jumped, heat rushing to my face.

"Kae!" I hissed, smacking his hand away.

He just laughed - that quiet, deep laugh of his, like he found life permanently amusing.

And of course, we had an audience. A new girl by the lockers was watching us - wide-eyed, like she was still figuring out what kind of place this was.

Long wavy hair, light brown eyes, that calm kind of pretty. She looked like she hadn't yet learned how loud this school could get.

Kae noticed me glance over and chuckled under his breath.

"What?" he said, all fake innocence.

"Don't start," I warned, grabbing his arm before he could say something dumb.

He smirked, clearly enjoying how easy it was to mess with me. I just sighed and pulled him down the hall before he made a scene.

He went back to talking about how boring the assembly would be, but I barely heard him. My brain was still replaying everything - his hand, the laughter, the stares.

I shot him a glare, but of course, he didn't care.

That's Kae - untouchable, cool without trying. And me? I'm just the guy trying to keep up.

I didn't even wait for Kaelin to say a word when we got to his place.

The second the door clicked shut behind us, I turned on him - heart pounding with leftover anger and something else I couldn't quite put a name to.

"I'm done for the day," I snapped, tossing my bag onto his couch. "No more classes. I'm serious."

Kae just leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, watching me like I was performing some kind of drama for his entertainment. That calm, smug look of his only made me angrier.

I couldn't stop replaying what happened in the hallway - his hand on my waist, that stupid grin, and the way the new girl had looked at us like she was seeing the juiciest headline ever.

God, that look on her face. Like she was already imagining who was who in her own made-up story.

I slammed the door harder than necessary. "What was that, Kae?" I demanded, my voice echoing through the room. "What the hell was that in the hallway?"

He blinked at me, wide-eyed and annoyingly calm, like I was the one losing my mind.

"You're a freaking pervert," I said before I could stop myself, heat creeping up my neck.

Kae tilted his head slightly, that small, knowing smile forming. "This about earlier?" he asked, tone maddeningly casual.

"I acted on impulse, El. Relax."

"Relax?" I echoed, disbelief dripping from my voice. "You grabbed me in front of everyone- including that girl who probably thinks I'm your boyfriend now!"

He raised one eyebrow, smirk still tugging at his mouth.

"Don't you think you're overreacting? It's not like this is the first time I've done something like that."

"Exactly!" I shot back. "That's the damn problem!"

He shrugged, running a hand through his hair like this was just another Tuesday. "Come on, I was teasing you, dude. You're acting like I proposed."

I glared at him, fists clenching, because that's what he does - makes you feel stupid for getting angry. Like you're the one out of line.

The last time he'd "acted on impulse" was months ago, in the auditorium - when he leaned in way too close, like he was about to kiss me. I'd stopped him, but it still lingered in my head like a glitch I couldn't fix.

And now, with that girl watching earlier, it just made me want to find her and yell, "It's not what it looks like!"

"God, you're impossible," I muttered, dragging a hand over my face.

Kae grinned, clearly enjoying every bit of my frustration. "You make that sound like a bad thing."

I rolled my eyes and flopped onto the couch, muttering, "You're gonna be the death of me."

"Come on," he said after a beat, heading toward the cellar door. "You're wound too tight. Let's get a drink."

He didn't even wait for me to reply - just tossed me a lazy wink over his shoulder. "Don't worry, I'll go easy on you this time. I still remember your last hangover."

I groaned but got up anyway, following him downstairs.

The cellar was dimly lit, smelling faintly of leather and smoke - so him it almost made me laugh. He bent down, opened a small fridge, and pulled out two bottles.

"Just one," I said firmly when he handed one over.

He chuckled, already twisting his cap open. "You always say that."

Kae doesn't laugh much - not really. He's more of a smirk-and-silence kind of guy. So when he did laugh, really laugh, it threw me off. He looked... lighter. Almost happy.

And somehow, that made it harder to stay mad.

Then he reached into his pocket, pulled out a lighter and a cigarette, and I immediately groaned.

"Seriously, Kae?"

He gave me a side glance, lighter flicking open with that metallic click. The tiny flame reflected in his eyes.

"You know I hate that," I said, crossing my arms.

"Yeah, yeah," he muttered. "One a day, I remember."

But as he brought the lighter closer, he caught me watching him. His hand froze midair. For a second, he just stared back at me.

Then, with a sigh, he lowered the lighter and tossed the cigarette into the ashtray. "Damn it," he muttered. "This is harder than it looks."

His tone was different this time - not teasing, not lazy. Just real.

Without thinking, I reached out and gave his shoulder a quick pat. "You'll get there," I said quietly.

He looked at me - really looked - before that faint smirk crept back in. "You're too nice, El," he said softly. "It's gonna ruin you someday."

"Yeah, well," I muttered, taking a long sip from my drink, "guess I'll risk it."

He laughed, and the sound bounced off the walls. For a second, the tension in my chest finally eased.

Even when he pissed me off, even when he crossed every line, somehow, I couldn't stay mad at him.

*********

Olivia's POV

I was lost in my thoughts when I felt a light tap on my shoulder. Turning, I came face-to-face with a guy who looked like he'd stepped right out of a coming-of-age movie.

Warm eyes, charming smile - the kind that makes you instantly forget what you were thinking.

"Hey, have you seen Clair?" he asked, flashing me a grin that could sell popcorn and movie tickets all at once.

"Uh-sorry," I stammered, returning the smile awkwardly. "I'm new here."

"Ah, that explains it," he said, chuckling. "Welcome, then."

He extended a hand, and when I shook it, his palm was warm - enough to send a small jolt up my arm.

Before I could say anything else, he checked his watch. "Crap, I'm late for class. I'll see you around!"

And just like that, he was gone - walking down the hall with that confident stride that made it hard not to stare.

I hadn't even been here ten minutes, and I was already meeting guys who made my pulse skip.

Welcome to chaos, I thought.

As I walked further down the hall, the buzz of laughter, footsteps, and chatter surrounded me. That's when I saw them.

Two guys leaning by the lockers - both in black, both stupidly good-looking in different ways. The kind you notice even if you're trying not to.

One had a calm, serious face, while the other had that lazy smirk that made you think he laughed at the world more than he lived in it. They weren't talking loud, but there was this quiet intensity between them, like the rest of the hallway didn't exist.

Something about them just... stood out.

They looked more interesting than the guy I'd just met. Way more.

I couldn't tell what their deal was, but they definitely had one.

When I finally made it to class, a woman with sharp eyes and round glasses looked up.

"A new student?" she asked, her tone firm but kind.

"Yes, ma'am," I said quickly, trying not to sound nervous. "I'm Olivia Trevor. I just moved here with my dad - he runs a restaurant downtown. I'm a transfer student from Leeds High, here on scholarship."

The words tumbled out before I could stop myself, and I finished with a nervous laugh.

The teacher smiled faintly. "Welcome, Olivia. Everyone, be nice to her. You can take any open seat."

I scanned the room until I spotted a familiar grin - the same guy from the hallway waving me over.

"Hey, didn't expect to see you again this soon," he said as I sat beside him.

"Neither did I," I said with a small laugh.

"I'm Ronald," he said, leaning back in his chair. "Welcome to the circus."

"Thanks, I think?" I joked, and he laughed - the kind of laugh that made you instantly relax.

We talked easily - about classes, the weird school rules, and apparently, the "never-ending drama" that came with it.

Then his eyes drifted toward the door.

"Who're you looking for?" I asked.

"Kaelin and Elian," he said, smirking. "Those two psychos are probably skipping again."

I laughed. "Psychos? That's... reassuring."

He shrugged. "You'll see. They're kinda impossible to miss. Both have rich families, both act like they own the place. Snobby, but somehow everyone's obsessed with them."

Something clicked. "Wait-two guys in black hoodies?"

He turned, eyebrows raised. "Yeah. You saw them?"

"I think so. In the hallway." I paused, remembering how close they'd been standing. "They looked... familiar."

Ronald leaned closer, lowering his voice. "That's 'cause their families are famous. Both dads are big-time names - politicians, business guys. Well, Elian's dad was. He passed away last year."

My expression softened. "Oh... that's awful."

"Yeah," Ronald said quietly. "It was everywhere. Happened on Elian's birthday too. Whole city talked about it."

"My dad mentioned that," I murmured. "Said the guy was a legend."

"Pretty much," Ronald said. "And now everyone watches his son like he's carrying that legacy. Especially since he and Kaelin are always together. Like, always."

He smirked. "Some people even think they're more than friends."

I blinked. "Really?"

He shrugged. "Who knows. You tell me - you saw them. What'd it look like?"

I hesitated, thinking back. "They looked... close. Like they get each other without saying anything."

Ronald laughed under his breath. "Yeah, that's what everyone says."

As class ended, he leaned closer, voice dropping to a conspiratorial tone. "Hey, about them - if people talk, just ignore it. They've already got enough attention."

"Of course," I said quickly.

Still, as we walked out together, I couldn't shake the image of those two by the lockers - that unspoken connection, the way the air around them seemed charged.

Something told me this school year wasn't going to be simple.

It was going to be interesting.

"Dad, I'm home!" I called out, kicking off my shoes the second I stepped into the kitchen. Warm air wrapped around me instantly-thick with the smell of tomato sauce, garlic, and freshly baked bread.

My stomach growled like it hadn't seen food in days. Dad was at the stove, stirring something in a big silver pot, completely in his element, like he was conducting a symphony instead of cooking dinner.

"Smells amazing," I said, dropping my bag onto the floor with a dull thud.

He turned, face lighting up. "Hey, sweetheart! How was your first full day at school?" He pulled me into one of his bear hugs, the kind that smelled like aftershave and oregano. His hands were still warm from the steam curling up from the pot.

"It was great, actually!" I said, trying to sound casual even though I was still buzzing from everything that had happened. "I met this guy-Ronald. He's really funny, super chill, kinda sarcastic, but in a good way. We sat together in class."

Dad smiled knowingly, still stirring. "So, you made a friend. That's a good start."

"Yeah," I said, sliding onto one of the stools by the counter. "And honestly, I think I'm gonna like this school. Everyone seems nice. Well-almost everyone."

He glanced over his shoulder, one eyebrow raised. "Almost?"

I fiddled with the edge of a napkin, pretending to think. "You remember that story about the politician who died on his son's birthday?"

Dad froze mid-stir. "Yeah. Hard to forget something like that. Why?"

"His son goes to my school," I said, watching his reaction carefully. "Elian Collins. I actually saw him today-with this other guy, Kaelin. They're... kind of impossible to ignore."

Dad frowned slightly. "Impossible how?"

I laughed under my breath. "They just stand out. Kaelin's got this look-tall, dark, that quiet, arrogant vibe with a stare that makes you forget what you were saying.

And Elian..." I trailed off, the image of him flashing in my head-caught off guard in the hallway, hair falling slightly into his eyes, that soft, almost reluctant kind of beauty. "He's the calm, pretty kind. The kind who doesn't even try."

Dad gave me that teasing dad look-the one that made him look ten years younger.

"Should I be worried about this Elian kid?"

I groaned dramatically. "Dad, no! He's just... pretty, okay? And besides, from what I heard, he and Kaelin are probably a thing."

He blinked. "A thing?"

"Yeah." I lowered my voice like I was spilling some classified secret. "Ronald told me they're always together. And when I saw them earlier, let's just say... their body language was very close."

Dad chuckled, shaking his head. "High school drama already? You've been there one day."

"I know, right?" I said, laughing. "But it's not like I'm judging them or anything. I just didn't expect that to be the first thing I'd see. It was... surprising."

He scooped some sauce over the pasta, handed me a plate, and smiled softly.

"Well, don't go jumping to conclusions, Liv. People aren't always what they seem."

"I know," I said, twirling the noodles around my fork. "Still, they're interesting. Especially Kaelin. He's hard to read-like he's got a thousand thoughts running through his head, but he never says any of them."

Dad gave me that knowing half-smile again.

"And what about you? You planning on solving the mystery?"

I laughed, shaking my head. "No way. I'm just gonna mind my business and survive the semester."

"Good plan," he said, raising his fork like a toast. "To survival."

We clinked our forks together, laughing. The house felt warm again-alive in a way it hadn't in a long time.

Later that night, after dinner, while Dad hummed at the sink, washing the dishes, my mind drifted back to Elian again.

The way he'd looked at Kaelin in that hallway-like something had gone wrong, like he wasn't sure what to feel.

Maybe it wasn't any of my business. But it stuck with me anyway.

Something about those two felt tangled. Complicated.

And deep down, I couldn't shake the feeling that somehow, I was going to get caught in the middle of it.

********

Elian's POV

I woke up with a headache that felt like someone was drumming inside my skull. My throat was dry, my head heavy, and even the silence felt too loud.

Groaning, I reached for my phone on instinct, squinting against the faint morning light bleeding through the curtains-

and froze.

Something warm and heavy was draped around my waist.

Kae's hand.

For a second, I just stared at it, my foggy brain trying to piece together how the hell this happened. I did not fall asleep on his bed last night. I was supposed to be on the couch-or at least on the other side of the room.

Slowly, I turned my head.

There he was.

Kaelin.

Fast asleep beside me, hair a mess, breathing slow and steady. He looked... peaceful. Which was weird. Normally, he had that sharp, guarded expression that screamed don't even try me. But right now, in the soft morning light, he looked different. Softer. Almost-human.

I carefully tried to lift his hand off me, but of course, my phone was right by his leg, mocking me.

"Hey," I whispered, giving his shoulder a small tap. "Get up. We're gonna be late for school."

He just hummed sleepily and buried his face in the pillow, ignoring me completely.

"Come on, Kae," I said again, nudging him. "You're not skipping school."

"Who cares?" he mumbled, voice muffled by the pillow.

I rolled my eyes. Classic Kae.

Fine. I gave up, heading for a cold shower, hoping it'd shock my system back to life.

When I came back out, towel around my shoulders, he was sitting up on the bed, looking like death warmed over.

His hand was pressed to his temple, eyes squinting like the light itself was personally attacking him.

"Hey, you okay?" I asked.

He blinked up at me, confusion flickering across his face before twisting into mock suspicion.

"Did you drug me?"

I stared. "What? Seriously?"

"I mean, I only had a few drinks last night," he muttered, rubbing his temples. "I never get this wasted. This feels weird."

I smacked his shoulder lightly. "Relax, dude. I didn't drug you. You probably just mixed your drinks. Come on, take a shower-you'll feel better."

He groaned. "No, seriously, this doesn't make sense. My head's killing me."

"Yeah, that's called a hangover, genius."

I went to grab him some aspirin and water. When I came back, he was still sitting there, staring blankly at the wall like he was questioning every life choice he'd ever made.

"You sure you can go to school?" I asked, handing him the pills. "You can stay home if you want. I'll drive myself."

He shook his head stubbornly. "Nope. I'm good. I'll come."

"Suit yourself," I said, smirking. "But if you're gonna move that slow, I'm taking your car."

That earned me a lazy glare. "Go ahead," he muttered. "Like I care."

He stood up with the enthusiasm of someone who deeply regretted existing and trudged toward the bathroom, towel in hand.

Then, right before stepping in, he turned, grin tugging at his lips.

"Won't you help me shower? I'm sick," he teased.

"You wish," I said, flipping him off.

He just chuckled and disappeared into the bathroom.

When he came out, hair damp, looking slightly more human, he reached for a cigarette on his nightstand and flicked his lighter.

I shot him the look-the one that said don't even start.

He caught my eye, exhaled smoke, and sighed. "Sorry, man," he said, half-heartedly.

"You're hopeless," I muttered.

"You're welcome to leave if it bothers you," he said lazily, smirk returning. "My house is big enough."

Big enough, yeah.

As he turned away, I glanced around-the soft glow of morning spilling across the wide room, tall ceilings, shadows dancing over the furniture. His place always felt like him:

quiet, complicated, and a little too easy to get lost in.