THE BOY I WASN’T SUPPOSED TO LOVE

Chapter One- The Rule The first rule I made after heartbreak was simple.Never fall in love again.It sounded dramatic.Maybe it was. But after what happened with my ex, I didn’t care.Love was overrated.At least, that’s what I told myself every morning. “Amara!” I groaned into my pillow. “Amara, if you don’t get downstairs in the next five minutes, I’m leaving without you!” I opened one eye. That voice could only belong to Tara.My best friend. And the most impatient human being I’d ever met. “I’M COMING!” I jumped out of bed, grabbed my uniform from the chair, and hurried into the bathroom. Ten minutes later, I ran downstairs with one shoe in my hand. Tara stood by the front door, tapping her foot impatiently. “You said five minutes.” “I said I was coming.” “You said that ten minutes ago.” I smiled innocently. She rolled her eyes. “Come on.” We stepped outside. The morning air was cool, and the street was already busy with people going about their day.Tara started talking about school almost immediately. I listened, laughing occasionally, until we reached the junction. Then a black car slowed beside us.Tara stopped. “Oh no.” I frowned. “What?” The driver’s door opened. And then he stepped out.Tall.Dark hair.White-T shirt.Black jeans. That annoying little smirk on his face. My eyes narrowed. “You’ve got to be kidding me.” Tara sighed. “My brother.” Of course. Daniel. I’d known him for years. And I’d disliked him for almost every single one of them. He walked toward us. “Good morning, ladies.” Tara folded her arms. “What do you want?” Daniel looked at her. “Good morning to you too, sunshine.” “Don’t call me sunshine.” He laughed. Then his eyes moved to me. For some reason, he paused. Just for a second. His expression changed. Not much. But enough for me to notice. “Morning, Amara.” I looked away. “Morning.” Tara looked between us suspiciously. Daniel smiled. “So… you two need a ride?” “No,” Tara answered immediately. “Yes,” I said at the same time. Tara stared at me. I shrugged. “It’s hot.” Daniel laughed. “Finally, someone appreciates me.” “Don’t get excited,” I muttered. He opened the passenger door. “After you.” I walked past him. “Thanks.” As I got into the car, I caught his reflection in the window. He was still looking at me. I quickly looked away. No. Absolutely not.I wasn’t falling for him.He was Tara’s brother. He was annoying.He was arrogant. And most importantly—I had a rule. Never fall in love again. I just didn’t know yet that Daniel was about to become the one person capable of making me break it.