### Chapter 1: Unwelcome Beginnings
Ella watched as the landscape whizzed by, her chin propped up on her hand, fingers absentmindedly tracing the outline of the window. The moving truck ahead of them carried all their belongings, and though the sun shone brightly in a clear blue sky, it did little to lift her spirits. Another move, another town, another school. At seventeen, she was tired of starting over. But her father's job demanded it, and so here she was, trading the vibrancy of San Francisco for the quiet suburbs of Fairview.
"Ella, honey, we're almost there," her mother said from the front seat, trying to sound cheerful. Her father was driving, his hands firmly gripping the steering wheel as they turned onto a tree-lined street. The houses here were large, with well-manicured lawns and driveways big enough for two cars. It was the kind of neighborhood that screamed "perfection," but Ella wasn't buying it. Not today.
"Great," Ella muttered, forcing a smile. She turned back to the window, counting the houses until they reached number 27—their new home. It was a classic two-story colonial with white siding and dark blue shutters. The lawn was perfectly trimmed, and a large oak tree shaded the front yard. It looked like something out of a postcard, but to Ella, it felt like just another temporary stop.
As they pulled into the driveway, Ella noticed a boy around her age in the yard next door. He was leaning against the hood of an old, beat-up truck, a baseball cap pulled low over his eyes. He watched their car with mild interest, his arms crossed over his chest. Despite her mood, Ella couldn't help but glance at him. He had that rugged, effortlessly cool look that made girls swoon, but she quickly looked away, reminding herself that she wasn't here to make friends—especially not with boys like him.
The boy's name was Ken, and he lived in the house next door with his mother, who had insisted he come out and greet the new neighbors. Ken wasn't thrilled about the idea, but he was bored, and the prospect of something—anything—new in this town was enough to pique his interest. So when the Williams family pulled up, he pushed himself off the truck and strolled over, his hands casually shoved into his pockets.
Ella's father stepped out of the car first, followed by her mother, who was already waving cheerfully. Ella reluctantly followed, sliding out of the backseat with a sigh.
"Hi there!" her mom called out as Ken approached. "I'm Rachel Williams, and this is my husband, Michael, and our daughter, Ella."
"Hey," Ken said, nodding at each of them. "Welcome to Fairview. I'm Ken, I live next door."
Ella gave him a polite smile, though she felt her irritation growing. This was the part she hated the most—meeting new people, being polite, pretending she was happy to be there. All she wanted was to go inside, unpack her things, and hide in her room.
But as she glanced up at Ken, she noticed him looking at her in a way that made her feel suddenly self-conscious. His eyes lingered just a little too long, taking in her long, blonde hair that fell in waves over her shoulders, the curve of her waist, and—she could tell—her chest. Ella had always been aware of her figure; she was tall and had filled out early, which often drew attention she wasn't sure she wanted. But the way Ken was looking at her now was different. It wasn't just a casual glance—he was sizing her up, and she could almost see the gears turning in his head.
Ken felt his heartbeat quicken as he looked at Ella. She was beautiful in a way that caught him off guard, her features soft yet striking. Her green eyes sparkled even in the midday light, and her lips were full and slightly parted as if she were about to say something. But it was her figure that really made him pause. He couldn't help but notice the way her blouse clung to her curves, accentuating the swell of her breasts and the slender line of her waist.
He wasn't exactly a stranger to girls—Fairview High had its share of pretty faces—but there was something about Ella that drew his attention in a way he wasn't used to. His friends always teased him about being picky, but the truth was, Ken had never been one to settle. His standards were high, his ego even higher, and while he liked what he saw, he wasn't about to let it show. He was too cool for that, or so he told himself.
"Nice to meet you," he finally said, his voice casual, almost dismissive, as he tore his gaze away from her. He looked back at Ella's father, giving a nod. "If you need anything, just let us know."
"Thanks, we appreciate it," Michael replied, shaking Ken's hand.
Ella's mother was already chattering away, asking Ken questions about the neighborhood, the school, what there was to do in town. Ella tuned it out, her thoughts drifting as she stood there, arms crossed, feeling Ken's eyes on her again. She wanted to tell him to stop staring, but instead, she focused on the house, mentally mapping out where she'd put her things.
Ken wasn't used to being ignored, especially not by girls like Ella. Most of the time, they giggled and flirted, eager to get his attention, but she was different. She didn't seem impressed by him at all. If anything, she seemed annoyed. It was a new experience for him, and he wasn't sure how to feel about it. Part of him wanted to push her buttons, see how far he could go before she cracked. Another part of him was intrigued—this was a girl who wasn't going to fall at his feet, and that was rare.
"So, where are you from?" Ken asked, leaning slightly toward Ella, his tone nonchalant.
"San Francisco," she replied shortly, not bothering to elaborate.
"Big change," he commented, raising an eyebrow.
"Yeah," Ella said, offering nothing more.
Ken could tell she wasn't interested in making small talk, but that only made him more determined. He wasn't used to being brushed off, and there was something about the challenge that appealed to him. He wanted to see if he could get under her skin, make her react, make her notice him.
"Well, if you ever want a tour of the town, I'm your guy," Ken said, giving her a cocky grin.
"I'll keep that in mind," Ella replied, her voice cool. She glanced over at her mom, who was still talking, then back at Ken. "But I think I'll manage on my own."
"Suit yourself," Ken said with a shrug. He couldn't help but admire her confidence, even if it was directed against him. It wasn't often that a girl told him no, and he found himself liking the challenge. Still, he wasn't about to let her see that. He had a reputation to uphold, after all.
As the conversation continued, Ken's mind wandered back to Ella's figure. He hadn't been able to stop noticing her curves, the way her clothes hugged her in all the right places. He knew it was wrong to stare, but there was something about her that made it hard to look away. He'd dated plenty of girls before, but none of them had quite the same effect on him. There was a natural confidence about her that only added to her appeal.
But despite his attraction, Ken wasn't about to make it easy for her—or himself. He had a certain image to maintain, one that didn't involve chasing after new girls just because they had a pretty face and a great body. He prided himself on being the guy who played it cool, who didn't get caught up in emotions. And so, he put up a wall, letting his ego take control.
"So, how are you liking Fairview so far?" Ken asked, leaning back a little, his tone light and slightly teasing.
"It's fine," Ella said, her tone clipped. "But we've only just arrived."
Ken smirked. "Well, just wait until you see the local attractions. You might change your mind."
"I'll keep an open mind," Ella replied, though her voice was laced with sarcasm. She was growing increasingly frustrated with his smug attitude. He clearly thought he was something special, but she wasn't interested in playing along.
Ken chuckled, not at all fazed by her tone. He liked the way she pushed back, even if it was just a little. It made him want to push more, see how far he could go. But he knew better than to lay it on too thick right away. There would be time for that later.
"Anyway, I should probably get back," Ken said, nodding toward his house. "Mom's got a whole list of chores for me, and I'm sure your parents want to get settled."
"Right," Ella said, grateful for the excuse to end the conversation. "Thanks for stopping by."
"Anytime," Ken replied with a grin, tipping his cap slightly before turning and heading back to his house. As he walked away, he couldn't resist glancing back over his shoulder, just once, to see if she was watching him. But she wasn't—she was already heading inside with her parents, her back to him.
For some reason, that only made him more interested.
As Ken reached his front door, he felt a small pang of disappointment, which he quickly pushed aside. He didn't get disappointed over girls—not even ones as intriguing as Ella. Still, there was something about her that stuck in his mind, something that made him think.