I couldn't shake the feeling that someone was watching me, but I didn't dare turn around to confirm it. My skin prickled with awareness, and even though my eyes stayed fixed on the front of the classroom, my mind kept wandering to the far corner where I knew he was. Zayn. He had barely said a word since our first encounter, but somehow, his presence seemed to hover over me like a shadow, dark and inescapable.
When the bell rang, signaling the end of the first class, the room erupted into chatter as students took a break. Some left to grab snacks or hang out in the hallway, while others stayed behind. I tried to relax, telling myself that I was just being paranoid, that Zayn wasn't really paying me any attention. It was probably just my imagination.
I turned my attention back to the small group forming around me—my new classmates. Eva had already introduced me to most of them, and I was starting to feel a little more comfortable. As we talked, I noticed Ethan in the next row, leaning back in his chair with his EarPods in, his head tilted back as he took a nap.
God, he looked peaceful. There was something so calming about him, so effortlessly charming, that I found myself staring. The sharpness of his jawline, the way his dark hair fell slightly over his forehead—it was like everything about him was designed to pull you in. I could see why he had no trouble catching people's attention, even when he wasn't trying.
"Hey, new girl," a voice interrupted my thoughts. I blinked, tearing my eyes away from Ethan to see a boy standing in front of me. He had a playful grin on his face as he looked me up and down. "I don't think I've seen you around before. What's your story?"
I smiled politely, not wanting to seem rude. "I'm Amira. Just transferred here on a scholarship."
His eyes lit up as if he found this particularly impressive. "Beauty and brains, huh? I like it."
I could see where this was going, but I wasn't interested in playing that game. With a light laugh, I shook my head. "Thanks, but I'm just here to study."
He smirked, clearly not discouraged, but before he could say anything more, he flopped down in the seat next to Ethan, who was still sleeping. The boy gave me one last wink before turning his attention to his phone, leaving me free to rejoin my conversation with Eva.
I breathed a small sigh of relief. I wasn't here to be someone's conquest or entertainment, and the last thing I wanted was attention for all the wrong reasons.
As I continued talking with Eva, I had to turn slightly to greet another classmate who had introduced herself. My eyes briefly caught sight of Zayn again, sitting with a group of boys and a girl draped over his arm, clinging to him like he was the center of her universe.
The sight of them together made my stomach twist slightly, but I quickly pushed the feeling down. Why did I even care? It wasn't like Zayn's life had anything to do with me. He had his group, his reputation, and I had mine. I shouldn't even be thinking about him.
Still, I couldn't deny the way the girl clung to him bothered me in a strange way. There was something about Zayn's aura—dark, aloof, and untouchable—that made it hard to ignore him. I had already decided that getting involved with him would be a mistake, but every time I caught a glimpse of him, a quiet curiosity tugged at the edge of my thoughts.
The next class began—Mathematics. My favorite subject. I leaned forward in my seat, eager to lose myself in something that made sense, something that I was good at. Numbers didn't lie; they were logical and predictable. Unlike everything else in my life right now.
The teacher began writing a complex equation on the board, her chalk moving quickly as she explained the steps to solve it. The problem was difficult—one that required careful thought and precision. I could see the other students around me watching, their expressions a mix of confusion and frustration. The teacher paused, frowning slightly as she worked through the problem in her head.
I saw it immediately—the mistake in her process. I raised my hand before I could second-guess myself.
"Excuse me," I said, my voice tentative at first. "I think the answer is pi."
The room fell into silence. All eyes were on me, including the teacher's. She looked surprised for a moment, then smiled as she checked the solution.
"You're absolutely right," she said, nodding. "Well done."
A few of my classmates clapped lightly, but the response was mixed. Some students seemed genuinely impressed, while others—especially the ones from wealthier backgrounds—looked less than pleased. I could see the faint sneer on the faces of a few rich kids, as if my answer didn't matter because I wasn't one of them.
But I wasn't here for their approval. I smiled back at the teacher, feeling a surge of pride at getting the right answer. Mathematics had always been my strong suit, and it felt good to prove myself, even in front of a crowd.
As the teacher continued the lesson, I noticed movement out of the corner of my eye. I turned slightly and saw Ethan staring at me, his eyebrows raised in surprise. It seemed I had caught his attention with my answer, and for some reason, that made my heart flutter.
I gave him a small, shy smile, and he returned it with a nod of acknowledgment before leaning back in his seat again. He didn't say anything, but the look in his eyes was enough. Maybe he had underestimated me.
The moment didn't last long, though. As soon as I made eye contact with Ethan, I felt that familiar, unnerving sensation again. The sense of being watched.but i didn't watch behind.
There was something intense about the way he looked at me, something that made my skin tingle and my mind race. I didn't understand it, but I could feel the weight of his gaze, even when I tried to ignore it.
The rest of the class passed in a blur, my thoughts distracted by everything happening around me. When the bell rang, signaling the end of the day, I packed up my things quickly, eager to get out of there and clear my head.