The boy I wasn't supposed to like

Chapter One — The First Look The first day of a new school year was supposed to be simple. At least, that's what Amina kept telling herself. She walked through the school gates with her headphones in, pretending not to notice everyone around her. New uniforms. New hairstyles. New gossip. Same school. Same people. Same drama. She was halfway to her classroom when someone bumped into her shoulder. "Sorry." Amina looked up. And froze. The boy standing in front of her was someone she'd seen before, but never really noticed. He had a calm smile and an annoying amount of confidence. "You're Amina, right?" he asked. She raised an eyebrow. "How do you know my name?" He smiled. "I've heard it before." "From who?" "Wouldn't you like to know?" Amina rolled her eyes and walked past him. "You're annoying," she muttered. She heard him laugh behind her. "See you around, Amina." She didn't turn around. But she smiled anyway. And that was the problem. Because Amina had promised herself that this year would be different. No distractions. No unnecessary drama. And definitely no boys. She just hadn't expected one to walk straight into her life on the first morning. By lunchtime, she'd almost forgotten about him. Almost. Until she sat down with her friends and saw him across the courtyard. He was already looking at her. Their eyes met. For a second, neither of them looked away. Then he smiled. Amina quickly looked down at her phone. Her friend noticed. "Who are you looking at?" "No one." "Girl..." "I'm serious." Her friend followed her gaze and immediately grinned. "Ohhh. That 'no one.'" Amina groaned. "Don't start." But deep down, she already knew. This year wasn't going to be simple at all.