The sun had barely dipped below the horizon when the Crescent High courtyard became a palette of shadows and gold. Students streamed out of the school building, laughing, arguing, and heading toward their after-school commitments. Aria Moretti lingered near the fountain, pretending to admire the changing leaves while her mind replayed the day’s events.
Her group project with Damian Cole had stretched into the evening. They had worked side by side in the library, navigating research, arguments, and occasional clashes of opinion. Each debate had left her both exhausted and strangely exhilarated. Damian was relentless—exactly as he had promised—but today had been different. The subtle glances, the smirk that softened for just a fraction of a second, and the way he had let her counter his arg
