Chapter 1: The Project Assignment
Aiden Lee sat in his usual seat at the back of the classroom, his gaze drifting out the window where sunlight cast a warm glow across the school grounds.
Despite the beauty of the day, Aiden barely noticed; his thoughts were firmly fixed on future ambitions, family expectations, and the rigid plans he had carefully crafted.
As the heir to his family's legacy, every choice he made was meticulously calculated. A truth his father had impressed upon him since he could remember.
The voice of Mr. Garcia, his teacher, abruptly pulled him from his thoughts. "Class, I have an announcement," Mr. Garcia began, his tone one of measured seriousness. "We will be starting a documentary project, and I expect each of you to approach it with the utmost dedication. This will be paired work, providing an opportunity to demonstrate your storytelling and analytical skills."
The mention of a documentary project piqued Aiden's interest. He relished projects that allowed him to dive into research and organization. His preferred forms of creative expression.
Elsewhere in the room, Elias Kim tapped his foot impatiently, waiting for the announcement to conclude. Unlike Aiden, Elias's mind was far from the future. Instead, he focused on surviving each day, balancing scholarships, extracurriculars, and his role as a tutor for his younger siblings.
Life for Elias was a relentless series of demands, a world away from the effortless privilege surrounding him at school.
As Mr. Garcia began pairing students, Elias's gaze fell on Aiden. He knew little about him beyond his reputation—the aloof heir from a wealthy family, with a cool demeanor that spoke of untouchable confidence.
Elias had encountered many privileged students over the years, and Aiden seemed to embody their attitude.
"Aiden Lee and Elias Kim," Mr. Garcia called out, jolting both boys from their thoughts.
Aiden's gaze shifted to Elias, his expression revealing a flicker of disapproval. Elias returned the look, his expression hardening as if challenging Aiden to voice whatever silent judgment lay behind his stare.
Murmurs and stifled laughter rippled through the room as their classmates exchanged amused glances at this unlikely partnership.
"Well, this should be interesting," Elias muttered under his breath, grabbing his notebook with a sigh of resignation. He already anticipated that working with Aiden would be, at best, an exercise in patience.
As they approached one another, an unmistakable tension hung between them, like two opposing forces bracing for collision.
"Let's just get this over with," Aiden stated flatly, his gaze barely meeting Elias's. "I have a tight schedule, and I don't intend to waste time."
Elias's eyebrow arched, his lips curling into a faint, sardonic smile. "Don't worry, Mr. Lee. I won't be an inconvenience. Just tell me when you're free, and I'll rearrange my insignificant schedule to suit yours."
Aiden's jaw tightened. "How about we start this weekend? My family has a library we could use, quiet and fully equipped with everything we'll need."
Elias scoffed. "Right. Because working in a mansion is exactly where I'd feel at home. Let's keep things neutral. The public library should do."
"Fine," Aiden replied curtly, restraining a sigh of irritation. Working with someone so adamant about "neutral ground" already felt exhausting.
Unfazed, Elias gathered his belongings, ignoring Aiden's frosty demeanor. He had dealt with far more difficult situations than an entitled classmate and refused to let Aiden intimidate him.
With a brisk nod, the two parted ways, each already bracing for the weekend with a mix of reluctance and resignation.
Elias left the classroom, his frustration barely contained. Being paired with Aiden Lee. The school's untouchable prince was grating enough.
But Aiden's dismissive attitude, as though Elias was an inconvenience, struck a nerve. Elias had worked tirelessly to secure his scholarship, balancing academics with responsibilities at home. He had little patience for people who cruised through life without understanding real effort.
"Perfect," he muttered to himself. Like everyone else, Elias had heard about Aiden Lee. His detachment, his carefully calculated moves, it all added up to someone who would never understand what it was like to struggle.
Yet, for Elias, the project wasn't something he could brush off. It carried significant weight toward his final grade, and he would not let personal feelings interfere.
As he reached his locker, Elias emptied his books before heading outside, where his younger sisters would be waiting for him. On his way home, he mentally pushed aside his irritation, focusing on his plan for the weekend. He pulled out his phone and typed a quick message.
Elias: Let's meet at the public library this Saturday at 2 PM. We can decide on the project's direction then.
After sending it, he pocketed his phone with a sigh. Partnering with Aiden might test his patience, but Elias had endured far greater challenges. He wouldn't let a privileged classmate get under his skin.
When he arrived home, he found his sisters waiting on the front steps. Eunchae, his younger sister, lit up at the sight of him and ran over with an enthusiastic hug.
"Oppa, you're finally home! Can we get ice cream?" she asked, her face beaming with excitement.
Elias grinned, ruffling her hair. "Sure, Eunchae. Just let me get changed first. It's been a long day."
Chaewon, his other sister, leaned against the doorframe with a knowing smirk. "You look annoyed. Something happen at school?"
Elias sighed. "I got paired with Aiden Lee for a project."
Chaewon raised her eyebrows. "The Aiden Lee? The school's 'golden boy'?"
Elias rolled his eyes. "Yep. It's going to be a long project, but I'll manage."
He spent the evening helping his sisters with their homework and tutoring his part-time students, gradually shifting his focus back to his responsibilities. By the time he climbed into bed, the thought of Aiden had all but faded from his mind.
That same evening, Aiden reread Elias's message, his face unreadable. A public library. Of course, Elias would prefer a place like that. And though Aiden found it mildly irritating, he couldn't entirely blame his new partner. He sensed that Elias was the type who wouldn't feel at ease in the pristine world Aiden inhabited.
In truth, Elias intrigued him. Aiden knew enough to recognize that their lives couldn't be more different. Yet Elias had an air of confidence—one that seemed out of place for someone without a legacy or title. And the way Elias had looked at him in class, as though he saw right through Aiden's reputation, was unsettling.
After replying to Elias, he resumed studying, his surroundings immaculate, as always. Order and precision were his comfort zones, qualities he doubted Elias would respect.
That night, as he sat down for dinner with his parents, they inquired, as always, about his day and his studies.
"I'm starting a documentary project," he replied, carefully choosing his words. "My partner is a student named Elias."
His mother arched a brow. "Elias Kim? The scholarship student?"
Aiden nodded, sensing the subtle disapproval in her tone.
"Work efficiently," his father advised. "Remember, this is only another step toward your future."
Later, back in his room, Aiden pondered his father's words. Usually, he could dismiss them and return to his studies. Yet tonight, thoughts of Elias interrupted his concentration, leaving him with an uncharacteristic sense of restlessness.