Chapter 1

Chapter 1: The Boy I Hated

The first day of senior year arrived with bright sunlight pouring through the windows of Westwood High School. Students filled the hallways with excited voices after three months of summer vacation. Some were busy sharing stories about their trips, while others complained about having to return to school.

Amelia Carter walked through the crowded corridor with a stack of books pressed against her chest. Unlike most students, she wasn't interested in chatting or wasting time. Her goal was simple: survive her final year with excellent grades and get accepted into her dream university.

After reaching her classroom, she chose her usual seat near the window. The morning breeze gently lifted a few strands of her long dark hair as she organized her notebooks. Everything felt peaceful.

At least, until the classroom door suddenly opened.

A burst of laughter entered before the person himself did.

Ethan Hayes.

Amelia didn't even need to look up to know who it was. There was only one person in the entire school capable of making that much noise before eight in the morning.

Ethan stepped inside with his backpack hanging lazily over one shoulder. His friends immediately gathered around him, talking about basketball practice and summer adventures. As usual, he looked completely relaxed, as if life had never given him a single problem.

Unfortunately, Ethan's eyes wandered across the classroom and landed on Amelia.

A mischievous smile appeared on his face.

Amelia sighed internally.

Not him.

Not today.

Not on the very first day.

She lowered her gaze, hoping he would leave her alone. Of course, her luck had never been that good.

A shadow fell across her desk.

"Good morning, Amelia."

His voice carried the same teasing tone she had heard for years.

Amelia slowly looked up. "What do you want?"

Ethan placed a hand dramatically on his chest. "Wow. I was just being friendly."

"You and friendly don't belong in the same sentence."

A few nearby students laughed.

Instead of looking offended, Ethan seemed entertained.

"Still as nice as ever."

"And you're still annoying."

"Glad to know you missed me."

"I didn't."

The smile on Ethan's face only grew wider.

Amelia hated that smile.

Actually, hate might not have been the right word.

It was simply impossible to stay calm whenever Ethan Hayes was around. He always found new ways to get on her nerves. Whether it was hiding her pens, making ridiculous jokes, or teasing her whenever she answered questions correctly in class, he never seemed to run out of ideas.

For years, Amelia had convinced herself that Ethan was the last person she wanted to spend time with.

The problem was that fate seemed determined to put them together.

When the teacher entered the classroom a few minutes later, Amelia thought the interruption would finally save her. She was wrong.

As Ethan returned to his seat, he casually tossed something onto her desk.

Amelia frowned.

It was a small chocolate bar.

She looked back at him in confusion.

Ethan simply shrugged.

"Consider it a welcome-back gift."

For a brief moment, Amelia didn't know what to say.

Then she pushed the chocolate toward the edge of her desk.

"I don't accept gifts from troublemakers."

Ethan chuckled softly.

"Keep it anyway."

Before she could argue, class began.

Amelia stared at the chocolate for several seconds before turning her attention to the lesson. She didn't notice Ethan glancing toward her from the other side of the room.

Nor did she notice the small smile that appeared on his face when she quietly slipped the chocolate into her bag instead of throwing it away.

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