chapter 1

**Ariana**'**s** **POV**

Ahhh, why is this so hard?” I groaned, dropping my pen on the table. “I’ve been trying to finish this assignment for the last hour and it’s still not done. I swear, I hate teachers who give this kind of work when they know we have to study too. It’s so irritating!”

“Aaahhh!”

I was still busy complaining when suddenly someone covered my eyes from behind.

I froze for a second.

“Guess whooo?” a familiar voice sang.

“Avaaa, I know it’s you,” I said immediately, pulling her hands away.

She laughed, completely unbothered, and as usual, walked into my room like it was hers. My best friend. The one I loved the most… and the one who had zero concept of personal space.

“Soo, Miss Nerd, still studying?” she teased, jumping straight onto my bed.

“Girl, I’m just trying to finish the assignment that old lady gave us,” I said, clearly annoyed.

“Wait, seriously? I thought we had more time for that,” she said, sitting up in shock.

“No. That old lady wants it tomorrow, or else we won’t be allowed to sit for exams.”

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. I loved studying, I really did. But this? Useless assignments that felt like a complete waste of time? I hated them.

“OH MY GOD, I HAVE REALLY GOOD NEWS!” Ava suddenly screamed.

“What, you’re finally going to study?” I replied sarcastically.

“Nooo, even better!” she said dramatically. “Guess who’s coming to our university?”

“First of all, stop shouting—I can hear you perfectly fine. And second, no. I have no idea, and I don’t care.”

Ava was the complete opposite of me. Loud, social, an extrovert in every sense. She was also the first friend I made at university—the one who approached me when I was too busy avoiding everyone. She somehow knew everything about everyone.

“BROO, that famous young actor and singer, Luka! Can you imagine?” she practically screamed.

“So what?” I said, unimpressed.

“What do you mean ‘so what’?” she stared at me like I’d lost my mind.

“I mean exactly that,” I shrugged. “He’s probably just another arrogant, rich, spoiled brat. Honestly, I’m not interested at all.”

Ava stared at me like I had just insulted her entire existence.

“Not interested?” she repeated slowly. “You’re not interested in Luka?”

“Yes,” I said, completely calm. “That’s exactly what I said.”

She let out a dramatic gasp, falling back onto my bed. “This is a crime. I’m friends with a criminal.”

“Good. Now can this criminal finish her assignment in peace?”

“No,” she said immediately, sitting up again. “You don’t understand. This is Luka we’re talking about. People literally go crazy for him.”

“People need better hobbies.”

“Ariana!” she whined, throwing a pillow at me.

I caught it easily, glaring at her. “What?”

“At least pretend to be excited.”

“Why would I pretend?”

“Because your best friend is excited!” she said, pointing at herself like that explained everything.

I sighed. “Okay, fine. I’m happy for you.”

“That was the driest response I’ve ever heard in my life.”

“Take it or leave it.”

She crossed her arms, clearly not satisfied. “You haven’t even seen him properly, have you?”

“I’ve seen enough,” I muttered. “Rich, famous, probably full of himself.”

“You don’t know that,” she argued.

“I don’t need to. People like him are all the same.”

For a second, she went quiet, studying me.

Then a slow smile spread across her face.

“Ohhh, I get it now.”

I narrowed my eyes. “Get what?”

“You don’t hate him,” she said, leaning closer. “You’re just scared.”

“Scared?” I almost laughed. “Of what?”

“That you might actually like him.”

I stared at her.

Then threw the pillow straight at her face.

“Get out.”

She burst out laughing, dodging me as she stood up. “You’re in denial, Ariana. I’m telling you, the moment you see him—boom. Gone.”

“Not happening.”

“We’ll see,” she sang, heading toward the door. “Also, finish your assignment fast. Tomorrow is going to be fun.”

“Fun for you,” I muttered.

She winked. “Exactly.”

And just like that, she left.

I looked back at my assignment, trying to focus again.

But somehow…

Her words stayed.

I shook my head, pushing the thought away.

Yeah.

Definitely not happening.

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