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.

We got to school late. Again.

 And honestly? I'm blaming Kaelin for at least seventy percent of it.

 He took forever in the shower-like, I swear he was auditioning for a shampoo commercial and then we wasted another twenty minutes arguing about what he should wear. 

 I was trying to get him out of his "all-black or nothing" phase. The guy dresses like he's attending a funeral every day of his life, and while it's kind of his thing, it also makes people avoid him like he's cursed.

 "Just try something different for once," I told him as he stood there, towel wrapped around his waist, dripping water on the carpet.

 He gave me that unimpressed stare, the one that says 'you're wasting your breath.'

 "Color's not my thing, Elian," he said flatly.

 "Yeah, well, grief doesn't have to be your aesthetic forever," I muttered, tossing him a soft blue hoodie.

 To my surprise, he actually put it on. He still wore his black jeans, of course-baby steps-but seeing him in something brighter felt... different. 

 It softened him somehow. For the first time in a while, he didn't look like he was carrying the whole world on his shoulders.

 "You look human," I teased.

 "Shut up," he said, but the corner of his mouth twitched like he was trying not to smile.

 As for me, I ended up throwing on his oversized hoodie from last night. It smelled faintly of smoke and his cologne. but it was warm, so I didn't care.

 By the time we got to school, the halls were chaos-backpacks thudding, people shouting, teachers trying (and failing) to restore order. We pushed through the noise together, side by side.

 I nudged him lightly. "Hey, how's the baby?"

 He blinked, brows furrowing. "What baby?"

 I grinned. "The one you were having in the shower. You've been in there for ages."

 For a second, he just stared at me, confused-then he burst out laughing. Like, real laughter. Loud, carefree, head-thrown-back kind of laughter.

 Heads turned instantly. Everyone looked at him like they'd just seen a wild animal smile. It was so rare that even I froze for a second, not sure if I should join in or just enjoy the moment. 

 But then, as fast as it came, he caught himself. The laughter faded. His shoulders straightened, expression sliding back to his usual blank slate.

 "Guess that's over," I muttered under my breath, but I was smiling anyway.

 A few steps ahead, I noticed the new girl chatting with some guy I recognized from class. She was laughing too, that easy kind of laugh that made people want to keep talking just to hear it again. 

 There was something about her-she looked... warm. And without realizing it, I was staring.

 When she caught me looking, her eyes met mine for a split second before I quickly looked away, pretending to focus on literally anything else. My face burned.

 "Hey," Kaelin said, voice low but teasing. "You got a thing for the new girl?"

 I shrugged, trying to sound casual. "She's pretty, that's all. You don't think so?"

 He shook his head without hesitation. "I honestly don't see it that way."

 That made me laugh. "Right. Should've known better than to ask you for a normal opinion."

 He just smirked, like he was enjoying watching me fluster.

 Later, we found ourselves alone in the auditorium since we both had a free period. He suggested we hang out there, probably because it was quiet and out of sight. 

 The big, empty space smelled faintly of dust and stage curtains.

 He sat beside me on one of the chairs, stretching his legs out like he owned the place. I leaned back, scrolling through my phone, when I saw him fishing something out of his pocket.

 "Don't you dare take that out," I warned, catching sight of the cigarette between his fingers.

 "My bad," he said quickly, sliding it back into his pocket with an exaggerated sigh. "You're no fun, you know that?"

 "You're welcome," I said dryly.

 He chuckled and started fiddling with the hem of my hoodie instead, tugging at the fabric like a kid fidgeting with a toy. 

 The little things he did always threw me off-he could go from smug to oddly gentle without warning.

 "How's it going with your dad?" I asked quietly, breaking the silence. "You still planning on staying away from him forever?"

 He gave me a long look from the corner of his eye. Didn't say a word. Just that silence again-the kind that said don't push me.

 I sighed and looked away, trying to ease the tension.

 But then, I felt him shift closer. My body tensed immediately. "Kae," I said cautiously, leaning back a little. "What are you doing?"

 He didn't answer. He leaned in slowly, brushing a bit of dust out of my hair with his fingertips. His touch lingered for half a second too long.

 "Oh." My voice came out smaller than I wanted it to. "Thanks... but you didn't have to make it look like it was something else, you know?"

 He smirked-the kind of smirk that made it impossible to tell if he was joking or testing me. "Maybe it was," he murmured teasingly and I smirked.

*******

Olivia's POV 

The chapter will be written from Olivia's point of view, but similar to the previous chapter.

 I wasn't expecting to see Ronald waiting by the gate when I got to school. For a second, I thought maybe he was just standing there, but then he smiled and waved like he'd been waiting for me.

 "Hey," I said, trying not to sound too surprised. "You're waiting for me?"

 "Obviously," he grinned, pulling me into one of those warm hugs that makes you forget how early it is. He smelled like that clean, fresh cologne he always wears - the one that lingers longer than it should.

 We fell into easy conversation, laughing about random stuff that happened yesterday. Then, right in the middle of our chatter, Kaelin walked past - and I swear, I almost didn't recognize him.

 "Wow," I said before I could stop myself. "Kaelin is killing it today."

 Ronald followed my gaze and laughed. "You mean because he's not wearing his usual 'I'm-in-mourning' outfit?"

 Exactly. Kaelin had on a soft blue hoodie and these loose navy pants that made him look... lighter. Softer, almost. I'd never seen him look so approachable - or honestly, so good. 

 The way the morning light hit him didn't help either.

 Then my eyes drifted - not to him, but to Elian, who was walking beside him in something similar. And for the briefest second, our eyes met. 

 Elian looked away almost instantly, but I caught that flash of something in his expression before he did.

 Was he... looking at Ronald?

 I blinked, a little thrown off. I guess it was funny in a way - me watching Kaelin, him watching Ronald. Like a weird triangle that didn't make sense but kind of did.

 Trying to shake it off, I nudged Ronald. "Do they always wear matching clothes like that?"

 He frowned, thinking about it. "Now that you mention it... yeah. Guess I never noticed before."

 Then he laughed, shaking his head. "They've got something going on, I'm telling you. Friends don't just show up in matching fits."

 I rolled my eyes, pretending not to care, even though my brain was already overanalyzing everything he'd just said.

 When he checked his watch and said he had to get to class, I tried to act casual. "Yeah, sure. See you later," I said, even though I already knew my next class was going to feel way too long without him there.

 As I wandered toward my locker, I turned a corner - and that's when I saw Kaelin again. He had Elian by the wrist, tugging him gently toward the auditorium. 

 The movement was quick, but I caught something small falling from his pocket - a silver lighter.

 It clinked against the floor before rolling under the lockers.

 I hesitated for a second, then picked it up. It looked expensive. sleek, polished, with a faint engraving on the side. I almost called out to him, but they were already halfway into the auditorium.

 I sighed and walked over, thinking I'd just hand it to him real quick. But when I reached the door, everything was... weirdly quiet. Too quiet.

 I knocked softly. No response.

 I was about to turn away when I heard a familiar voice through the door - Elian's.

 "Don't you dare take that out," he said, his tone half-serious, half-playful.

 My curiosity got the better of me. I peeked through the small glass window.

 They were sitting close - really close - on the stage steps, just talking. Kaelin looked relaxed, like all his usual walls had slipped away. Elian was smiling in that subtle, cautious way he does when he's trying not to give something away. 

 I saw Kaelin leaning over towards Elian.

 And I... froze.

 Something about the air between them didn't feel like just friendship.

 I backed away before either of them could notice, clutching the lighter in my hand. My chest felt weirdly tight - not jealousy exactly, just... confusion.

 I decided right then that I'd return the lighter later. No way was I interrupting whatever that was.

 As I turned down the hall, I spotted Ronald coming out of his class, looking a bit tired with an armful of textbooks.

 "Hey," he said, spotting me. "Weren't you supposed to be in class by now?"

 I held up the lighter like it explained everything. "Found this. Kaelin dropped it."

 He raised an eyebrow. "So, you're running a lost and found now?"

 I grinned. "Only for people who wear blue hoodies for the first time in history."

 Ronald laughed, shaking his head. "Let's just give it back to him now, yeah?"

 I hesitated immediately. "Uh, maybe not right now. He's... busy."

 That got a knowing smirk out of him. "Busy, huh?"

 "Not like that!" I blurted, then instantly regretted sounding defensive. "Just-let's do it later. After class."

 He chuckled, clearly amused. "Fine, fine. You're the boss."

 We ended up walking to Mr. Bates' class together, arms brushing every now and then. People looked, of course - they always do. But honestly? I didn't care.

 For once, I felt like I was exactly where I wanted to be.

 Even if I couldn't stop wondering what was really going on behind those auditorium doors.