Heartless Until Him.

Hurrem (Teenage POV) "Ugh. I hate studying." I banged my forehead against the desk. Geography books were the enemy. Computer games taught me strategy. Romantic movies taught me feelings. What did latitude and longitude ever give me? Nothing but boredom. Lara looked up from her notes, one eyebrow raised. "You need to study, duffer. Unless you want the teacher to personally demonstrate how helpful education can be." Lara was my best friend—the only reason I hadn't been eaten alive by this school. Also a topper. Also a lifesaver. Win-win. "Whatever." I sat up and grinned. "I'm just waiting for break. Nothing's more exciting than making that i***t John lose his mind." Lara shrugged. She knew the ritual. John and I were rivals. Not the cute, flirty kind—the I'll-punch-you-in-the-face kind. He always said I wasn't a real girl, just a boy in disguise. I always proved him wrong with my fist. Worth it. I was half-heartedly copying notes when the teacher stopped writing. A boy stood at the door. He stepped inside, and I forgot to breathe. Black shiny hair, Tall. Sharp jawline. And his hands—veiny, elegant, like something from a painting. I'd never noticed a boy's hands before. I noticed his. "Class, this is Abraham," the teacher said. "He's an exchange student from Paris." Paris to Singapore. I snorted quietly. "What a downfall." He looked straight at me. No smile. Just a serious, unreadable face. My stomach flipped. "Abraham will be your new classmate," the teacher continued. "Make sure he doesn't face any trouble." The recess bell rang. Perfect timing. I watched John swoop in like a vulture, throwing an arm around Abraham. Bros already. Annoying. I wanted to be first. So I walked over to their table and slapped my hand down. "I challenge you to a fight." John stood up slowly, smirking. "Challenge accepted, boy. Don't cry when I break a bone." Abraham looked between us, confused. But he followed. Lara grabbed my arm as we walked. "Are you crazy? He's a guy. He'll put you in the hospital." "Relax, girly pop." I patted her hand. "John's easy. And think about it—Abraham sees how tough I am. He'll want to join our group instead." Lara sighed. "May God give you some wisdom." She left me at the back of the classroom. The whole class gathered in a loose circle. No teachers. Just witnesses. John cracked his knuckles. Abraham stood at the edge, watching me. I couldn't tell if he was angry, worried, impressed, or just wondering what kind of i***t picks a fight over lunch. Honestly? Me too. The fight was set at the back of the classroom. No teacher in sight. Just thirty kids forming a loose circle, hungry for entertainment. John cracked his knuckles and rolled his shoulders like a bad action movie villain. "Last chance to back out, Hurrem. I won't go easy on you just because you're a girl." "That's funny." I rolled up my sleeves. "I won't go easy on you just because you're an idiot." Someone snickered. John's face went red. He lunged first—predictable. I sidestepped, stuck out my foot, and watched him stumble into a desk. The class howled. "Graceful," I said. John spun around, furious now. He threw a real punch. I blocked it with my forearm—stung like crazy—but I'd had worse. I slammed my palm into his chest, then swept his leg. He crashed onto his back. I planted one foot on his shirt, pinning him down. "Say it." "You're not—" "Say. It." John groaned. "Fine. You're a girl. A terrifying one. Happy?" "Ecstatic." I stepped back and offered him a hand. He glared but took it. John was an i***t, but he wasn't a sore loser. That's why we'd survived this long as rivals. The class cheered. Some patted my back. Others gave John sympathetic looks. And Abraham? He was still standing at the edge of the circle, arms crossed. That serious face hadn't changed. But his eyes—dark, unreadable—stayed locked on me. I walked over, heart pounding harder than the fight had made it. "So. Impressed?" He tilted his head slightly. "You fight like someone who has something to prove." "I fight like someone who wins." A pause. Then the corner of his mouth twitched—not quite a smile, but close. "Maybe," he said. "But winning a fight is easy. Winning people over is harder." He walked away before I could answer. Lara appeared at my elbow, sighing. "Great. Now the new boy thinks you're insane." "He thinks I'm interesting. There's a difference." "There really isn't." I watched Abraham sit down alone at a corner table. John tried to join him, but Abraham shook his head. John shrugged and wandered off. Interesting, I repeated to myself. For the first time in a long time, fighting John felt like the least important thing that had happened today.