The photo

Ivy hated group projects.

Unfortunately, her history teacher seemed determined to ruin her life.

“Since the semester exams are approaching,” Mr. Lewis announced, adjusting his glasses, “you’ll be working in pairs for the presentation next week.”

Groans filled the classroom instantly.

Ivy barely looked up from her notebook.

She already knew nobody would willingly partner with her.

Which was perfect.

Less talking.

Less disappointment.

Mr. Lewis began reading names from a paper while students quickly paired themselves with friends.

“Elena and Mason.”

“Chloe and Sophia.”

Then—

“Adrian Cole and Ivy Laurent.”

The classroom went silent.

Completely silent.

Ivy slowly lifted her head.

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Chloe muttered loudly.

Mason looked like he was trying not to laugh.

Meanwhile, Adrian looked completely calm.

Of course he did.

Ivy shut her notebook sharply. “I can do the project alone.”

Mr. Lewis sighed. “It’s a partner assignment, Miss Laurent.”

“I work better alone.”

“And yet,” he replied tiredly, “you still have a partner.”

Several students whispered excitedly while Chloe glared at Ivy like she’d committed a crime.

Ivy grabbed her pen harder.

This school was exhausting.

The bell rang a few minutes later, and students immediately started leaving. Ivy stood up quickly, intending to escape before Adrian could say anything.

Too late.

“Library after school?” he asked casually beside her.

“No.”

“You didn’t even think about it.”

“I did. The answer’s still no.”

Adrian smiled slightly. “You’re difficult.”

“You’re persistent.”

“Only with important things.”

Ivy frowned faintly at that.

Before she could respond, another student crashed into her shoulder while rushing past.

Her books slipped from her hands and hit the floor loudly.

A few papers scattered across the hallway.

“Sorry,” the boy muttered quickly before hurrying away.

Ivy crouched down silently to gather her things.

Then she noticed it.

One of the papers wasn’t homework.

It was an old photograph.

Her breathing stopped for half a second.

A small girl sat on a swing in the picture, holding the hand of a dark-haired boy beside her.

Young Ivy.

Young Adrian.

Her fingers froze.

No.

That was impossible.

Before she could stare longer, Adrian quickly picked the photo up from the floor.

Their eyes met instantly.

The hallway noise suddenly felt distant.

“Where did you get that?” Ivy asked quietly.

Adrian looked at the photo for a moment before answering.

“You gave it to me.”

Her chest tightened painfully.

“I don’t remember that.”

“I know.”

Something in his voice made her look away first.

The feeling spreading through her chest was unfamiliar.

Dangerous.

Because part of her wanted answers.

And wanting things usually ended badly.

—

After classes ended, heavy rain poured outside again.

Ivy stood near the school entrance, staring at the storm with annoyance.

Great.

She didn’t bring an umbrella.

“You’ll get sick.”

She didn’t even need to turn around this time.

“I’ll survive,” she replied.

Adrian stepped beside her quietly, holding a black umbrella. “You always say that.”

Ivy crossed her arms. “Stop talking like you know me.”

A brief silence followed.

Then Adrian looked at her carefully.

“But I do know you.”

His voice was soft this time.

Not teasing.

Not joking.

Real.

Ivy’s heartbeat became uneven.

Because deep down—

a tiny part of her was beginning to wonder if maybe he was telling the truth.

Thunder echoed loudly outside.

Without another word, Adrian opened the umbrella and held it over both of them.

“We should go,” he said quietly.

For a second, Ivy almost refused.

But the rain was cold.

And somehow—

standing beside him didn’t feel as uncomfortable as it should have.

So for the first time since arriving in Blackwood—

Ivy Laurent walked beside someone instead of alone.

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