Arc 1 The invisible girl: CHAPTER 3 Too Close

CHAPTER 3

Too Close

Yuna POV

Something was wrong with those boys.

Seriously wrong.

I realized that the moment I entered class the next morning and saw Eli Navarro sitting on top of my desk like he paid rent there.

My bag nearly slipped off my shoulder.

Why.

"Good morning, ghost girl."

I stared at him blankly.

"Why are you on my desk?"

"I'm waiting for you."

That somehow made it worse.

Around the classroom, students openly watched us now.

Whispers spread immediately the second I walked in.

I could already hear it.

"Why are they talking to her?"

"Did she get close to Kai?"

"She's not even pretty—"

Okay.

Rude.

I ignored the comments and walked toward my seat.

Eli grinned while leaning forward slightly.

"You ignored my messages."

I stopped.

Slowly—

I looked at him.

"How did you get my number?"

"Jace."

Traitor.

I made a mental note to avoid Jace too.

"Also," Eli continued proudly, "you left me on read."

"That was intentional."

Noah nearly choked laughing from the back of the room.

Wonderful.

They were all here today.

Noah sat backward in his chair spinning a pen between his fingers.

Jace waved awkwardly from beside the windows.

Lucas looked mildly exhausted already.

Ren quietly listened to music near the corner.

Damien casually scrolled through his phone.

And Kai—

Kai was watching me again.

I looked away immediately.

Honestly, his staring problem was becoming concerning.

Eli hopped off my desk dramatically.

"You wound me, Yuna."

"You'll survive."

"Cold."

I finally sat down while pulling my book out.

Maybe if I ignored them hard enough, they would eventually lose interest.

Hopefully.

Probably not.

Before I could open my book, someone dropped into the seat beside mine.

I looked over slowly.

Kai.

Of course.

"Can I help you?"

He rested one arm against the desk lazily.

"You always look annoyed when you see me."

"Because you're always there when I'm trying to feel peace."

Eli burst out laughing again.

Honestly, his life expectancy around Kai seemed surprisingly high considering how much he enjoyed making fun of him.

Kai, however, looked amused.

Which somehow felt more dangerous.

"You're honest," he said.

"You're observant."

His eyes narrowed slightly like he was holding back a smile.

Why did this feel like a conversation I was losing somehow?

Before I could answer, the classroom door opened.

Our teacher walked in carrying several folders.

"Alright everyone, listen carefully."

The room slowly quieted.

"Next month, Class 2-A will participate in the academy partnership program."

Instant groaning filled the room.

The teacher ignored it calmly.

"This includes paired activities, after-school events, and preparation for the upcoming field trip."

Field trip?

Absolutely not.

I already hated this.

Then the teacher smiled.

A dangerous smile.

"Partners will be chosen randomly."

The boys around me suddenly looked interested.

Meanwhile—

I experienced the overwhelming urge to disappear into another dimension.

The teacher reached into a box near her desk.

"Let's begin."

Please not me.

Please not me.

Please not—

"Yuna Vale."

Every muscle in my body froze.

The classroom turned toward me instantly.

The teacher reached for another paper.

Then read calmly—

"Kai Mercer."

Silence.

Complete silence.

Somewhere behind me, someone whispered:

"No way."

I stared at the teacher in horror.

The teacher smiled warmly.

"Looks like fate chose for you."

No.

No, it absolutely did not.

Beside me—

Kai leaned back in his chair slowly.

Then looked at me.

And smiled.

Again.

That same dangerous smile.

"Looks like you're stuck with me, Yuna."

I immediately considered skipping school for the next month.

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