Tamed By the Antisocial Hottie

Crestwood Island, Spain – Harper Mansion A cold morning breeze snuck through Lila Harper’s open window, stirring her awake. Her eyelids twitched, lashes stuck together, as she rolled across her soft bed, shoving the duvet aside. Her dark hair was a tangled mess, and smudged mascara stained under her amber eyes—proof of last night’s wild, boozy party. Lila groaned, sitting up, her polished toes hitting the floor. She fumbled for her nightstand drawer, pulling out a pack of weed. With quick hands, she rolled a joint, flicked her Zippo, and took a deep drag. The smoke sank in, and she grinned, blowing it out slow. Grabbing her phone, she checked the group chat. Her girls were already blowing it up. Tessa: Who’s up? Maddie: Tessa, shut it. Last night sucked. Sophie: Meet at school. I’m done talking. Lila laughed, typing back. Lila: Tessa, you’re my girl. That booze saved me. A knock hit her door. “Lila?” her mom called. “s**t,” Lila hissed, hiding the joint and spraying air freshener to cover the smell. She strutted to the door, hips swaying in her sleep shorts, and opened it. Her mom, Mrs. Harper, stood there, all warm smiles and brunette curls. “Hey, Ma,” Lila said, leaning on the frame. Mrs. Harper hugged her, smoothing her hair. “Sleep okay, sweetie?” “Yeah, sure,” Lila said, faking a smile. “Breakfast’s ready. Come on.” Her mom pulled her toward the stairs. Lila followed, tossing her hair back. Their house was huge—not crazy rich, but Harper Ventures, her parents’ company, kept them comfy enough to get Lila whatever she wanted. Downstairs, her dad was at the dining table, digging into his food. “Morning,” Lila muttered, sitting across from him. Mr. Harper’s eyes narrowed. “You smell like weed. Smoking again?” “Goddamn it,” Lila said under her breath, grabbing a fork. “That crap’s not helping you,” he said. “Sweetie,” Mrs. Harper tried, but he kept going. “You’re just screwing yourself up—” “f**k this!” Lila slammed her hands on the table, standing. “I’m not eating with you.” She stormed upstairs, ignoring her mom’s “Lila!” In her room, she hit the bathroom, then threw on baggy jeans, a tight corset top, and black boots, the chains clinking. She brushed her hair, did light makeup, and swiped on red lipstick. Still a stunner. With her backpack slung over one shoulder, she headed down. “Lila!” Her mom caught her in the living room. “You’ve got a lash on your cheek.” She brushed it off gently. Lila hugged her tight. Her mom got her like nobody else—her ride-or-die. “Love you,” Mrs. Harper said, smiling. Lila kissed her cheek and bolted, hopping into her black convertible. She opened the sunroof, the street air tangling her hair as she sped to Crestwood College. Pulling into the massive parking lot, she saw her friends waiting. “Last one here, huh?” Lila grinned, stepping out. “Late-ass Lila,” Tessa teased, and Lila flipped her off, making her laugh. Tessa Vaughn was the group’s gossip queen, always cracking jokes. Maddie Lane, next to her, was the fashion star, owning every trend on campus. “Where’s Sophie?” Lila asked. “Right here!” Sophie Delgado strutted up, all grace. Her family ran Crestwood Island, so she was basically royalty—loaded and untouchable. She hugged Lila. “Missed you.” “Okay, Tessa, what was that mess last night?” Maddie said, fixing her designer jacket. “Don’t start! You all drank that liquor the second I brought it,” Tessa shot back. “If you didn’t bring it, I wouldn’t be dying right now,” Maddie snapped. Lila and Sophie laughed. Tessa and Maddie were always at it. “Let’s get to class,” Lila said, leading the way. On campus, the girls got hit with waves and shouts. Tessa’s gossip crew wouldn’t shut up, Maddie’s fashion fans kept staring, and Sophie got respectful nods as island royalty. Lila? Everyone knew her, but nobody dared talk to her. She scrolled her phone to tune it out when someone crashed into her. Her phone hit the floor. She smirked, locking eyes with Zane, the campus’s tattooed bad boy. The hallway went dead quiet, kids staring. “You blind or what?” Lila snapped. “Pick up my phone.” Zane grinned, all smug. His dad ran an underground fight club, and Zane led the Reapers, the meanest frat around. Nobody crossed him. “Pick it up for you?” he said, voice low. “Hell yeah, you dropped it, asshole.” Lila stepped closer. Whispers flew. Her again? She’s nuts. Zane’s gonna flip. Her friends hung back. No point stopping Lila when she was this pissed. “Pick it!” she yelled. Zane’s hand twitched, but the vibe shifted. Someone new walked in, and the crowd split. Girls squealed, guys muttered. It was Noah Ellis. Just “Ellis” to everyone. His sharp features and cool vibe made him look like a damn model. Black hoodie, jeans, boots—he moved like he owned the place. He didn’t talk much, but his presence shut s**t down. Even Zane hated him. Hated him bad. Noah’s friends, Jace and Milo, walked with him as he passed, not glancing at the drama. Girls were already swapping pics of his face. Zane’s eyes snapped back to Lila. Slowly, he bent down, grabbed her phone, and shoved it at her. She snatched it and walked off with her friends, leaving him burning.