"Hey mom, don’t worry—I’ll be fine," I say as I arrive at the university. I know, guys, you’re all probably wondering: who am I and where am I? So let me introduce myself. My name is Aera, and I’m from India. I’ve come to New York's State for my higher studies because some so-called relatives live here, and my uncle is a professor at the state’s number one university. So yeah—this is where I’ll be studying from now on.

My aunt and uncle asked me to stay with them, but I refused. Why? Ahhhh, fuck it—I just don’t like them or their so-called rich attitude. I don’t want their favors, so yeah, I’m living in the dorm.

It’s almost time for my class, but Uncle Devid personally asks me to meet him first. Like—why the fuck? Can’t I just go to class? But no, he wants to show off in front of the other professors.

I knock on the door and hear my uncle’s voice: "Come in." After hearing that, I open the door and slip inside the office.

"You called me, uncle?" I ask.

"Yes, dear. Welcome to my office," he says.

And I’m like—what the fuck is wrong with him? Did he hit his head somewhere? My uncle being that nice? Wowww. I force a smile and say, "Thanks, uncle. Why did you call me here? I mean, I’m running late for class," I say, dying to leave as soon as possible.

"I just want to tell you that if you ever have any problems, come to me. After all, I’m a professor here," he says.

And my blood starts to boil. I was  right—he just called me to show off his position. I fucking swear, if my mom hadn’t told me to behave myself, I would say something that he wouldn’t be able to digest. I fucking play along.

"Yeah, uncle. Sure. If you don’t mind, can I go now?"

"Yes, dear," he replies, and I leave without saying anything else.

I head to the classroom that an old man shows me during admission. I walk in and hand a piece of paper—my admission letter—to a man who looks like a professor.

"Welcome to the class, Miss Aera. I’m Steve Max," he says.

"Thank you, sir," I reply. I don’t really like interacting with people.

Then he turns to the class and says, "Attention everyone! We have a new student with us. Please welcome Aera."

As soon as he says that, everyone’s eyes turn to me, which is a little panicking—but I manage to smile and say, "Hello, nice to meet you all." They all greet me as well.

The professor points to an empty seat, and I make my way in that direction and sit down. I’m sitting in the last column’s fourth seat near the window, and I’m happy about it because the seat next to me is empty—maybe no one sits there. I am looking out the window because I am bored, and some motherfucker is staring at me like I’m a ghost or something. But I don’t give a fuck about them.

As time passes, it is finally lunch break—but guess what? I don’t know the fucking way to the canteen, and I am starving as hell! I don’t want to ask anyone, but I have no other option. So I ask a boy who is standing a few steps away from me.

He looks fucking hot—I can’t even describe his look. He has a sharp jawline, fair skin, dark green eyes, long dark eyelashes, pink heart-shaped lips, a muscular build, and tattoos on his left arm. His height is around 6’4 or 6’5—the kind every girl dreams of. Oh God, I need some holy water!

He is standing with his friends—mostly girls. Yeah, fucking girls—because I’m not one of them. I clear my mind and walk toward him, then ask, "Hey, excuse me!" He looks at me, and just one look from him makes my heart want to leap out of my chest. His eyes are deep and dark.

I ask, "Can you please guide me to the canteen?"

After hearing me, he answers, "Go straight, then take a right from there." His hot, deep voice is echoing in my mind.

I say, "Thank you," and leave before I can throw myself at him.

I take my food and go to an empty table, sit down on a chair, and start having my lunch. During all this, I also notice that boy from earlier—he is having lunch with his friends too

I try to focus on my food, but my eyes betray me, wandering back to him again and again—drinking in the curve of his lips when he talks, the way his fingers drum lightly on the table, the way the morning sun seems to make everything about him glow a little more golden.

I’m completely mesmerized.

Until, suddenly… his eyes flick to mine.

Shit.

I snap my gaze down to my plate, heart skittering like a drum in my chest. Damn it. Was I staring too long? Did he notice?

Oh god, I think he noticed.

Panicked and flustered, I mutter a quiet curse under my breath and gently smack my forehead. Smooth, Aera. Real smooth.

Out of the corner of my eye, I catch his smirk.

He definitely noticed..

After finishing lunch, I head to the classroom, but the moment I enter, I notice something strange. Many of the students are looking at me like I am an alien or something. I just ignore them and went to my seat, only to find something is wrong with my chair. I get the hint—the way they are all staring at me, I can feel their gazes digging into my back.

I push my chair with my foot—and guess what? It is broken. Some motherfucker who doesn’t even know who the fuck I am tries to mess with me. I also notice glue on my desk—fucking glue! I am furious at this point, but I calm myself and pretend not to give a fuck. I take my stuff, replace my broken desk and chair with a new one, and sit down like nothing has happened. Just wait till that motherfucker piece of shit meets me—I’ll show them the real me.

A few weeks passed, I am fucking trying to find out who is messing with me, but I can’t—no one sees anything. Fucking no one! That’s so ridiculous. And that’s not the only thing that happens to me these past few weeks. I even realize that the boy I ask for canteen directions is actually in my class—fuck yeah, he is—and his name is Kaden volkov. I get to know many things about him through gossiping, so yeah, I kinda know about him and his friends.

But still, I have my pride. I haven’t approached him yet, and maybe I’m not even thinking of doing that in the future—doesn’t matter how hot or how famous he is at the university.

One day, I am coming back from the library. Don’t think I love to study—nahhh, I hate it—but what can I do? I go near my chair, and the view pisses me off. I decide I won’t leave those fuckers alone this time. They rip my bag and tear my notebook. I look around and notice three or four girls laughing and smirking. They look suspicious.

So I start provoking them by saying, “Who the hell did this? Who’s the fucker?” My voice is loud enough to scare them. “If you don’t have the balls to face me, then why the fuck did you do that? Motherfuckers hiding like cowards—don’t you have the guts to show your face, or are you just spineless pieces of shit?”

Before I can finish my sentence, one of those girls comes at me, and the others follow behind her like servants. “What the fuck do you think you’re—” Before she can finish her sentence, I grab her by the hair and smash her head on my desk. Seeing this, the whole class turns to look at us. One of her friends tries to touch my hair—I just grab her hand, twist it, and slap her face.

“Don’t you fucking dare to touch my hair,” I say in an angry tone. Seeing that, their other friend doesn’t dare to come near me.

“Don’t you fucking dare to mess with me,” I say as I pull the girl—whose head I’ve smashed—closer to me. Her head is bleeding, so I just cut it off there. It hasn’t even been a month since I get here. I take my stuff and leave the classroom.

The next day, I am called by the professor to his office. I am a little worried, because I come here to study, but if anyone tries to mess with me or bully me, they’ll see the worst side of me.

I knock on the office door and go inside. “Did you call me, Professor?” I ask, standing in front of him. The girls are already present there.

“I hear what happens in class yesterday,” the professor says. “Any explanations?” he asks.

Those fuckers start crying. “Sir… sir, she beats us without reason.” Fuck it—I hate it when someone lies.

“That’s not true,” I say.

“Then can you explain, Miss Aera?” the professor asks.

“Yes, sir, it’s true I beat them—but not without reason. They’ve been bullying me since the day I arrive. And this time, they cross the line,” I say while taking out my notebook—the one they ruin. “They destroy my whole work. That’s why I lose my mind and beat them.”

“Are you all accepting your crime?” the professor asks, but gets no response.

So he says again, “Okay, then we’ll check the CCTV footage. Let’s go,” and is about to get up from his seat.

“No, no, please sir—we do this. We’re accepting it,” one of them says.

“So, you are admitting your fault. You need punishment to learn from your mistakes,” the professor replies.

“No, please sir—we’re sorry.”

“That’s not enough for what you all do. So, Miss Aera, you decide what punishment to give,” the professor says while looking at me.

“Me?” I question, not believing it.

“Yes, you,” the professor confirms.

“Then they can clean the classroom for two weeks,” I say.

The girls’ eyes nearly pop out. “Interesting—but why cleaning?” the professor asks.

“Because they love creating messes so much, they need to learn how it feels to clean it,” I say, glaring at them.

“Okay then, you may go, Miss Aera,” the professor says.

I thank him and leave for the class. As I enter, all my classmates look at me like I’m a murderer. Kaden is one of them. He isn’t just looking—he’s staring at me. But I ignore him and go straight to my seat

After a while, the professor enters the classroom.

"Good morning, everyone. Before we begin today's lecture, I have something for you all," he announces.

Curious murmurs fill the room as students begin asking, "What is it?"

He continues, "Since this is the start of your first semester, you'll all need a benchmate."

Some students agree with him, while others clearly don't. I'm one of those who doesn't. I don't want a benchmate-I'm perfectly fine on my own.

"Alright, quiet down," the professor says. "Everyone, stand up, grab your belongings, and pick a chit from the box. Whichever seat or partner you get, accept it-no arguments. Is that clear?"

Reluctantly, we all move to draw our chits. I, being lazy, just lean in a corner, waiting for my turn. While standing there, I see Kaden take the seat I usually sit in.

A small part of me wishes I could sit with him, but who am I kidding? I'm not that lucky.

Eventually, I pick my chit but can't figure out the seat number. I ask the professor, and guess what-he points toward the seat right next to Kaden.

I'm happy-genuinely happy-but I keep it all inside. I walk over to him and say quietly, "My seat."

He looks up at me, and instantly my heart begins racing with nerves. He stands and allows me to slide in beside him.

I keep staring out the window, not sure why I feel this nervous. Maybe it's because it's the first time I'm sitting beside a him.

My thoughts are interrupted by the professor's voice:

"Now that you all have your new benchmates, take a moment to introduce yourselves and get comfortable."

Kaden turns toward me, his deep, dark green eyes locking with mine-eyes I could easily lose myself in.

"Hi. I'm Kaden volkov . Nice to be your benchmate," he says in that soft, deep voice that makes me want to hear more.

He extends his hand. It looks like a sculpted hand from a painting-strong and graceful. I immediately respond, not wanting to embarrass myself.

"I'm Aera . Nice to meet you too," I say with a small smile, shaking his hand. My hand feels so small in his.

We withdraw our hands and turn our attention back to the professor. begins his lecture, chalk brushing against the board, words forming... but none of them land in my head.

Because he's sitting right beside me.

The weight of his presence is impossible to ignore. I can sense him even without looking-his every breath, every slight movement. There's a subtle scent of leather and something sharper, like danger wrapped in allure. It's distracting. Devastatingly so.

I sneak a glance out of the corner of my eye.

He's leaning back slightly in his seat, sleeves rolled just enough to show the veins in his forearms. He's not taking notes-just watching, listening with this effortless confidence. Like he already knows everything the professor has to say.

And then, without warning, he turns his head.

Our eyes meet.

My breath stutters.

He doesn't smile-he just studies me, those eyes dark and unreadable, as though he's already figured out I'm watching him. That I've been watching him since the moment he walked in.

I quickly look away, pretending to scribble something in my notebook.

God. Get a grip, Aera.

But my heart's racing. And I know-deep down-I've just met someone who's going to ruin me

I was in the middle of messing around with my friends—some stupid debate over who’d win in a fight: a bear or a tiger—when she walks past me. And just like that, the noise fades.

I don’t know what it is—maybe the way she moves, like she doesn’t owe anyone a damn thing, or maybe it’s those eyes. Dark, sharp, but there’s a flicker of something soft in them. That contrast? Dangerous. Beautiful. Her black hair falls over her shoulders, wild but somehow perfect. Oversized T-shirt, baggy pants, sneakers. Effortless. She’s not trying to impress anyone. That’s what makes it worse—or better.

She walks toward the professor’s office, and I’m staring. Not even trying to hide it.

Then—smack.

Luis hits the back of my head. “What’s with you, kad?”

“Nothing,” I mutter, brushing it off like I always do. But my brain’s already chasing her silhouette like a dog with a scent. Who the hell is she?

We head to class, and I end up next to the same girl who’s been throwing herself at me all semester. I don’t even remember her name, and I don’t care to. She’s clinging to me again, whispering some nonsense I’m not listening to. My eyes are on the hallway.

And then—bam. There she is.

She walks in, hands some papers to the professor like she owns the moment without even trying. He turns and introduces her as our new classmate. Aera.

Even her name hits different. Sounds like peace. Feels like trouble.

Days go by, and she doesn’t even look in my direction. Not once. Me—Kaden fucking volkov  . Girls chase me. Guys want to be me. But she? She acts like I’m invisible. It pisses me off. But it also? Makes me want her more. I lean back in my chair, grinning to myself. This might be fun.

Lunch is the usual circus. Mia’s glued to Glany again, whining about spicy food. Luis’s being his dramatic clown self—“Lotus flower, I want to eat you”—and Danylo is glaring daggers. Chaos. Background noise.

Then, the shouting starts.

Heads turn. It’s her—Aera. She’s pissed, holding a ripped bag, voice raised and fierce. Clara walks up, all smug and entitled, thinking she’s about to have her way like always.

But Aera? She doesn't flinch.

She slams Clara’s face into the desk.

No hesitation.

The entire room freezes.

My lips twitch. Damn. Now that’s my kind of girl—fiery, fearless, doesn’t give a damn who’s watching.

Our eyes meet for half a second. There’s a storm behind hers. I feel it hit me straight in the gut. Then she’s gone—grabbing her stuff and walking out like she didn’t just blow up the social order.

“Holy shit,” Mike mutters. “She’s so badass.”

Kio glares. “Excuse you?”

Mike just laughs. “Babe, I’m just saying.”

“He’s not wrong,” Danylo nods.

“She’s got serious guts,” Luis chimes in.

“I want a friend like her,” Mia says, and even my sister agrees.

But me? I don’t want to be her friend.

The next day, word gets around. Clara and her little squad are being punished. Classroom cleaning duty. About damn time someone knocked them down a peg. If I’d known what they were pulling before, I would've handled it myself. No hitting girls—I'm not that guy—but I know people who know how to get justice done.

“Let’s go!” Glany yells, dragging us through the halls.

New seating chart today. Part of me hopes—nah, wants—to be paired with her.

And just like that, the universe listens.

My name’s next to hers. My desk, her seat. She’s standing in the corner like she couldn’t care less.

Professor calls her up. She pulls a chit, confused, then walks over—right toward me.

She looks at me, expression unreadable. I slide over.

She sits.

We’re told to introduce ourselves. I lean in, low voice, smirk on my lips. “Kaden,” I say.

She replies. Aera. Again.

Her voice is soft—unexpected. Smooth like a calm after the storm.

We both turn back toward the professor, but I’m not hearing a single word of his lecture.

All I can think about is her. The girl who doesn’t look back. The one who hit like a firestorm and walked away like nothing.

And now… she’s sitting right beside me.

God help her—I will get her attention.

Aera.

The name fits her. Soft on the surface, but I know there’s more underneath. I felt it in the way her fingers trembled slightly against mine. She’s nervous. Around me.

I don’t mind that. I like it, actually.

From the corner of my eye, I catch her sneaking a glance at me.

She thinks I don’t notice.

But I notice everything.

The way she chews the inside of her cheek when she’s flustered. The slight twitch in her hand as she pretends to write. The way her lashes lower quickly when I turn to look at her.

Caught.

I don’t smile. I hold her gaze, steady and unflinching.

Because now I know.

She’s aware of me. Drawn to me. Just like I’m drawn to her.

And it’s dangerous—for her.

I’m not the guy girls like her fall for. I’m the one they’re warned about. The one they try to stay away from, but never quite manage to.

And Aera?

She’s already too close.

She just doesn’t know it yet.

The bell rings, and the professor barely finishes his last sentence before the room erupts into motion. Bags zip, chairs scrape, and students spill out into the corridor like ants on caffeine.

I move at my own pace, slow and unbothered—because I’m in no damn rush.

My friends—Danylo,Luis, Zack, Gaz,Kio,Remi,ryan, yullian and Mike—are already waiting by the lockers, loud as hell and talking shit like usual.

I spot her—Aera—slipping her notebook into her bag with quiet precision, like she’s trying not to draw attention. The moment she stands, she doesn’t even glance at anyone. No lingering goodbyes. No interest in company. She just heads straight toward the exit.

I watch her disappear down the hallway.

Innocent. Private. Too clean for someone like me.

And that’s exactly what makes me want to chase.

“She didn’t even say bye,” I muttered under my breath.

Mike claps me on the back. “Who? That new girl you were sitting with? What’s her name—Anna?”

“Aera,” I corrected him without thinking, eyes still fixed on the spot where she vanished.

“Oho,” Gaz grins. “Look at that. Bad boy Kaden actually remembers a girl’s name.”

“Shut the fuck up,” I grunt, pulling out my phone.

“Damn,” Danylo whistles. “Didn’t even deny it.”

I ignore them. My head’s not in it. I should be joking around, messing with the guys, planning our usual chaos—but I keep thinking about her. How she didn’t even glance back. Like I was just another stranger in the crowd.

No one ignores me. No one.

And now I can’t stop wondering what it would take to get under her skin.

To make her look at me like she means it