The Girl with cold eyes

Rain hit the car window in slow, uneven drops as Ivy Laurent stared outside without blinking. The town looked grey, lifeless, almost abandoned beneath the storm clouds hanging low in the sky.

 Perfect.

Places like this never ask questions.

Her fingers tightened around the strap of her old backpack resting on her lap. The zipper was broken, and one side was badly stitched with black thread she had sewn herself months ago.

"Blackwood isn't bad," Mrs. Greene said from the driver's seat.

Ivy didn't answer.

She wasn't really listening anyway.

Mrs. Greene sighed softly. "Your new school starts today, so try not to-"

"cause any trouble?" Ivy finished coldly.

Silence filled the car.

Mrs.Greene gripped the steering wheel tighter but said nothing after that. Most people stopped lecturing  Ivy after spending a few minutes with her.

She had that effect on people.

The school gate appeared ahead, tall iron bars with words Blackwood Academy written in silver across the top.

Students crowded near the entrance, umbrellas in hand, and expensive cars parked outside.

Laughter echoed through the rain.

Ivy already hated it.

The moment the car stopped, she grabbed her bag and stepped outside, even before Mrs. Greene could say goodbye.

Cold rain soaked through her hoodie instantly.

Good, at least the weather matched her mood.

-

Whispers started before she even entered the building.

"That's the new girl."

"She's the one who got suspended."

"I heard she made a girl cry so badly that she transferred schools."

"No, someone said she beat up a senior."

Ivy ignored all of it.

People talked too much.

The school hallway smelled like perfume, books, and freshly cleaned floors. Lockers lined the walls while students openly stared at her as she walked past them.

Some curious.

Some nervous.

Some judgmental.

Nothing new.

She reached the administration office and pushed the door open quietly.

A woman with glasses looked up from her desk.

"You must be Ivy Laurent."

Ivy nodded once.

The woman smiled awkwardly. " I'm Mrs. Carter. Here is your schedule."

She handed Ivy a paper before lowering her voice slightly.

"And try to make a good impression here."

Ivy almost laughed.

Too late for that.

-

Class 12 - A was loud when Ivy entered.

The teacher stopped speaking immediately.

So did everyone else.

Thirty pairs of eyes turned towards her.

"Class," the teacher cleared his throat, "this is Ivy Laurent. She transferred here recently."

"There is one empty seat left," the teacher continued."You can sit beside Adria n Cole."

The room somehow became even quieter.

A few girls exchanged shocked looks.

Someone muttered, "Seriously?"

Ivy frowned slightly before walking toward the empty desk near the back window.

The boy sitting there looked up slowly.

Dark hair, Grey eyes, Calm expression.

Too calm.

Unlike everyone else staring at her like she was dangerous, he looked at her like he knew her.

Ivy pulled her chair back and sat down without a word.

But she could feel his eyes on her.

Studying her.

Remembering something.

"You still hate rainy days," he said quietly.

Her fingers froze over her notebook.

Slowly, Ivy turned towards him.

"What?"

The boy leaned back lazily in his chair, though his eyes never left hers.

"Nothing," he said.

But the corner of his mouth lifted slightly.

Like he knew something.

Ivy looked away immediately, irritation rising in her chest.

Who even was this guy?

The rest of the class passed painfully slow.

Girls kept glancing at Adrian while glaring at Ivy.

Of course.

Popular boy.

Jealous admirers.

Typical.

When the bell finally rang, Ivy stood quickly and grabbed her bag.

But before she could leave, someone blocked her path.

A blonde girl crossed her arms. "You should stay away from Adrian."

Ivy stared at her blankly. "Move."

The girl looked offended. "Do you know who you're talking to?"

"No," Ivy replied coldly. "And I don't care."

A few students gasped quietly.

The girl's face turned red. "You think acting tough makes you special?"

Ivy stepped closer slightly.

"No," she said softly. "But it usually makes annoying people shut up.

The hallway fell silent.

The blonde girl looked humiliated before storming away angrily.

Ivy sighed tiredly and continued walking.

People immediately moved aside for her.

Same as always.

But then-

'You haven't changed a bit."

That voice again.

Ivy stopped walking and turned around sharply.

Adrian stood a few feet away, hands in the pockets, watching her.

Like he'd been watching her for years.

"I think you've mistaken me for someone else."

Ivy said coldly.

For a second, unreadable crossed his face.

Then he smiled faintly.

"No," Adrian said quietly.

"I definitely haven't."

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