"Damn. Who’s the new girl?"

The classroom door swung open, and a tall guy stepped in—his movements lazy, confident, completely unbothered.

Everyone went dead silent.

Then—

"NO WAY!" someone yelled. "Kai?! They actually let you back in?!"

Kai?

Ava watched as the guy—broad-shouldered, sharp-eyed, and annoyingly good-looking—grinned at the reaction. He had messy black hair, a teasing smirk, and a cocky air like he had never faced a consequence in his life.

And then—

His gaze landed on her.

A beat of silence.

A slow, deliberate smirk.

"Well, well," Kai drawled, striding toward her desk. "They let me back, and they upgraded the view?"

Ava blinked. Excuse me?

Kai leaned down slightly, his tone mockingly smooth. "Don’t think I’ve seen you around before, sweetheart."

Ava narrowed her eyes. Oh, hell no.

The class erupted into laughter.

"Oh man," one guy whispered, "he has no idea."

Ava crossed her arms. "And I don’t think I’ve seen you around before either." She tilted her head. "Did they finally let you out of juvenile detention?"

The class lost it.

"DAMN—"
"OH SHIT—"
"SHE’S NOT SCARED AT ALL!"

Kai blinked—then let out a low chuckle, clearly amused.

"Ouch," he said, clutching his chest dramatically. "First day back and I’m already getting bullied?" He leaned in a little closer. "You always this feisty, or is it just for me?"

Ava gave him a sickly sweet smile. "Oh, it’s just for you."

Kai grinned. "Lucky me."

Ava rolled her eyes. This guy was impossible.

And unfortunately, the rest of the class was having way too much fun watching this unfold.

"You just picked the worst girl to flirt with," one of the guys snickered.

Kai raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Why’s that?"

The guy grinned. "Because you have no idea who she belongs to."

Ava froze.

The words slammed into her like a truck.

Kai, however, just smirked. "Belongs to?" He looked back at Ava, voice slow, teasing. "Is that right, sweetheart? Do you belong to someone?"

Ava clenched her jaw. Jae.

But Jae wasn’t here.

He had been gone for a week for his basketball tournament. And now, in his absence, this idiot had waltzed in like he owned the place.

"Thought so," Kai murmured, clearly enjoying her silence.

Ava forced a smirk. "You’re awfully confident for someone who just got back from suspension."

Kai let out a low, amused chuckle. "I like a challenge."

And just like that—

The chaos began.

For the next few days, Kai made sure to sit next to her. Every chance he got, he teased her, flirted, and leaned in too close.

The entire class ate it up.

"Jae is going to KILL him."
"Dude, Kai has no idea what he’s walking into."
"Bro, someone better record Jae’s reaction when he comes back."

Ava tried to ignore it.

But one thing was certain—

When Jae returned… things were going to explode.