Aurora's POV
By the time I made it to my first class, my thoughts were scattered. But then I saw them again—Hayden, Bianca, Ciara, Alex, and Seth—all walking down the hallway, their laughter echoing through the corridors.
Hayden's gaze locked with mine again, and this time, it lingered longer. He was talking to someone, but his focus shifted back to me almost immediately. There was something calculating in his eyes. Something intense.
I couldn't understand why, but in that moment, I felt like I was standing on the edge of something. Like everything in my life was about to change, and I had no idea what to expect next.
But I knew one thing for sure—I had just met the kind of people who could break you if you weren't careful.
As I slid into a seat near the back of the classroom, my heart was still pounding from the intensity of Hayden's gaze. I tried to focus on the teacher, on the syllabus being handed out, on anything but the strange, magnetic pull I felt toward him and his group.
The whispers started again.
"That's them—Hayden Carter and his crew. They run this place."
"Bianca's his sister, but don't let her fool you. She's just as ruthless."
"Ciara's the one you really have to watch out for."
I pretended not to listen, but every word hit me like a warning. I didn't need to look to know who they were talking about. The way everyone's eyes darted toward the door was proof enough.
And then they walked in.
Hayden was the first to enter, his posture relaxed but commanding, as if he owned not just the room but the entire school. He wore the uniform like it was custom-tailored for him, the blazer hanging just right over his broad shoulders. His dark brown hair was tousled in that perfect, careless way, and his sharp jawline made him look like he belonged on a magazine cover instead of in a high school classroom.
Bianca followed close behind, her blonde hair falling in soft waves that framed her delicate, doll-like features. But there was nothing soft about the way she carried herself. Her icy blue eyes swept across the room like a spotlight, daring anyone to look too long.
Ciara strutted in next, her heels clicking against the tile floor. She was effortlessly stunning, with a confidence that made it clear she knew it. Her dark skin glowed under the fluorescent lights, and her sharp cheekbones and full lips gave her an air of both elegance and danger.
Alex and Seth came in last, the perfect contrasts to each other. Alex was tall and lean, his shaggy black hair falling into his eyes as he smirked at something Seth said. Seth, on the other hand, was all muscle, his blond hair cropped short and his expression unreadable, like he didn't care about anything—or anyone.
The room fell silent as they took their seats, and for a moment, it felt like the air had been sucked out of the room. Even the teacher hesitated before clearing her throat and continuing with roll call.
I kept my head down, hoping they wouldn't notice me. But as the teacher called out names, I felt a prickle of awareness at the back of my neck. I looked up just in time to see Bianca whisper something to Hayden, her lips curving into a smirk as she glanced in my direction.
Hayden turned his head, his gaze locking with mine for the third time that day. My breath hitched as a slow, knowing smile spread across his face. It wasn't friendly. It wasn't cruel. It was something else entirely, something I couldn't put into words but felt in the pit of my stomach.
I quickly looked away, focusing on the notebook in front of me as if it held all the answers to the universe. But I couldn't ignore the heat of their stares, the way it felt like they were dissecting me, trying to figure out who I was and why I was here.
The whispers picked up again, louder this time, like they were trying to fill the silence with stories and speculation.
"Do you think she's new?"
"I heard she's a transfer student."
"She doesn't look like she belongs here."
"Why is Hayden even looking at her?"
I clenched my pen tightly, forcing myself to take deep, steady breaths. I didn't know what was happening or why they had singled me out, but one thing was certain—I was in over my head.
When the bell finally rang, I practically bolted out of the classroom, hoping to avoid any more encounters with them. But as I turned the corner, I heard his voice, low and amused.
"Leaving so soon?"
I froze, my heart thundering in my chest as I turned to see Hayden leaning casually against the wall, his arms crossed over his chest. His friends stood a few feet behind him, their expressions varying from curious to downright predatory.
For a moment, I couldn't move. Couldn't think.
And then Hayden took a step closer, his smile deepening.
"Welcome to Silver Crest Academy," he said, his voice smooth and dangerously inviting.
I swallowed hard, my mind racing as I tried to figure out what to say, what to do. But before I could respond, Bianca stepped forward, her icy blue eyes narrowing as she looked me up and down.
"Don't get too comfortable," she said, her tone sweet but laced with venom.
The group turned and walked away, leaving me standing there, shaken and unsure of what had just happened.
But one thing was clear—this wasn't going to be just another year of high school. Not with them.
Aurora's POV
I stood frozen, trying to steady my breathing as their laughter faded down the hallway. My heart was pounding so loudly it drowned out the muffled whispers around me. My instincts screamed at me to avoid them, to disappear into the crowd and make myself invisible. But it was too late for that. They had already seen me.
And Hayden… Hayden Carter. I didn't know why his name felt heavy, like a warning. His presence was unsettling—not just because of his looks, but the way he carried himself, the way the air around him seemed to shift when he walked into a room.
I shook my head, forcing myself to move. This was just my first day, and I wasn't going to let some overly confident guy with too many admirers get into my head.
My next class was just as suffocating. The teacher droned on about something I barely registered, and my thoughts kept pulling me back to the hallway. Every glance around the room felt like someone was watching me, whispering about me.
The lunch bell couldn't come fast enough. I grabbed my bag and headed to the cafeteria, hoping to find a quiet corner to eat and regroup. But the moment I stepped inside, the noise hit me like a wave.
The cafeteria was massive, filled with sleek tables and groups of students who seemed to belong together like puzzle pieces. It didn't take long to spot them—Hayden, Bianca, Ciara, Alex, and Seth, sitting at the center table like royalty.
Hayden was leaning back in his chair, arms crossed as he laughed at something Alex said. Bianca sat beside him, her posture elegant, her gaze scanning the room like she was deciding who was worth her time. Ciara sat on Hayden's other side, leaning into him slightly, her hand brushing his arm as she whispered something in his ear.
I tried not to stare, but my curiosity betrayed me. I couldn't stop watching them, trying to piece together who they were and why they seemed untouchable.
And then Hayden looked up.
His eyes found mine almost immediately, like he had been waiting for me to walk in. His smile returned—slow, deliberate, and far too confident. Ciara noticed and followed his gaze, her expression tightening as she turned back to him, saying something I couldn't hear.
I quickly averted my eyes, feeling heat creep up my neck. I needed to move, to find somewhere—anywhere—else to sit. But as I scanned the room, I realized the empty tables were few and far between.
"Hey, new girl!"
The voice startled me, and I turned to see a blonde girl waving me over. She had a friendly smile, her eyes warm and inviting. "Over here!"
Relieved, I walked toward her table. There were three other students sitting there, all looking far less intimidating than Hayden's group.
"I'm Bella," she said, gesturing to the seat beside her. "You must be new."
"Yeah, Aurora," I said, forcing a small smile as I sat down.
"You've had quite the entrance," Bella said, lowering her voice slightly. "I mean, catching his attention on your first day? That's impressive."
I stiffened. "Who?"
Bella tilted her head toward the center table. "Hayden Carter. You've definitely caught his eye."
I glanced back, and sure enough, Hayden was still looking at me. But now, Bianca and Ciara were too, their expressions unreadable. My stomach twisted uncomfortably.
"I'm not trying to catch anyone's eye," I muttered, picking at the sandwich I had brought with me.
Bella laughed softly. "Trust me, you don't have to try with them. They notice everything."
Her words didn't reassure me. If anything, they made me feel even more exposed.
The rest of lunch passed in a blur. I managed to make small talk with Bella and her friends, but my mind kept drifting back to Hayden and his group. I couldn't shake the feeling that I was being watched.
When the bell rang, I practically bolted out of the cafeteria. I wanted to get to my next class before anyone could corner me. But as I turned the corner, I slammed straight into someone.
Books tumbled to the ground, and I stumbled back, an apology already on my lips.
"Watch where you're going."
The voice was sharp, cold, and unmistakable.
I looked up, my heart sinking. Ciara stood in front of me, her arms crossed, her dark eyes glaring down at me like I was something she wanted to squash.
"Sorry," I said quickly, bending down to pick up the books.
But before I could grab them, a hand shot out, brushing mine aside.
"I've got it," Hayden said, his voice smooth as he crouched down to pick up the books for me.
Ciara's jaw tightened, her gaze snapping to him. "What are you doing?"
"Being polite," he said simply, handing me the books. His fingers brushed mine as I took them, and I felt a jolt of something I couldn't explain.
"Thanks," I managed to say, my voice barely above a whisper.
Hayden smiled again, but this time it was different. Softer. Almost… amused.
"You're welcome, Aurora."
The way he said my name sent chills down my spine.
Before I could respond, Ciara grabbed his arm, pulling him away. "Come on, Hayden. We're going to be late."
As they walked away, I stood there, clutching my books and trying to make sense of what had just happened.
But I couldn't.
All I knew was that this wasn't over. Not even close.