MEGA HIGH

Mega high

The city lights of Los Angeles blurred past the car window as Mark and I settled into the backseat. I tried to ignore the exhaustion pressing against my eyelids, but it was impossible. Mom had this habit—this unstoppable urge—to move every few months. One hospital to the next. One country to the next. I didn’t know if I hated the constant change more than I hated her timing. I mean, who gets moved in the middle of the night and expected to adjust instantly?

“Lisa, you awake?” Mark’s voice was soft, careful. I could tell he was just as tired as I was.

“Mm… barely,” I muttered, rubbing my eyes.

Our mother, Miss Phil, sat in the driver’s seat, eyes glued to the road as if the entire world depended on her concentration. Mom was rich. That’s not even the right word. She was loaded, comfortably so. And everything she touched—our lives included—was always perfect in her mind. Perfect, yet chaotic for the rest of us.

I sighed, letting the seat hug me as the car finally stopped outside a sprawling mansion. The kind that made me feel like I’d accidentally wandered into a movie set. The driveway alone had more space than my entire old apartment in Paris. I blinked. Mom didn’t even notice my awe. She was already dragging bags from the trunk like it was nothing.

Mark nudged me. “Come on, let’s get your stuff.”

I groaned but followed, trudging up the long steps and into the polished marble foyer. Everything smelled new—expensive furniture, fresh paint, and something I couldn’t identify, like vanilla mixed with steel. I hated the feeling of being small in big spaces.

After setting my things in my room, I finally got a moment to breathe. I could feel the adrenaline still buzzing from the car ride, from the move, from knowing I’d have to start a new school. Again. I didn’t make friends easily. Not that I wanted to, but starting over repeatedly was exhausting.

Two days passed in a blur. I stayed mostly in my room, trying to figure out how I’d survive Mega High without losing my mind. That’s when I decided to take a stroll. Not a walk, a real ride—on my bike. Not the kind you see in parks. I meant a full-speed, city bike. It cleared my mind.

And that’s when it happened.

Xavier.

I didn’t see him. He didn’t see me. Our bikes collided almost head-on. Time slowed. The thud, the surprise, the anger—it all came crashing at once. He barely apologized, smirked instead, that arrogant rich-boy grin that made me want to punch him immediately.

Perfect. Just perfect.

The next morning, Mom drove Mark and me to Mega High. My stomach twisted as we pulled up. Mega High wasn’t just any school—it was a battlefield. Everyone had a place, a reputation, a following. And everyone wanted what the HKS had: status, power, fear, respect.

I stepped through the front doors, backpack heavy, heart heavier. Whispers followed me immediately. Eyes scanned, evaluated, measured. I wanted to shrink into my hoodie and disappear, but it was impossible. The HKS were already noticeable, standing near the central staircase. Xavier, the one I’d collided with, was in their center. The others flanked him: Ken, the cute one obsessed with pink; Kelvin, abs visible even in uniform; Kendrion, the basketball star; Kinsley, the brainiac. Together, they commanded the room.

Then there were the TDLS: Lia, leader; Mia and Caesar, her followers. They noticed me immediately, whispering, glaring, plotting.

And then… the classroom.

I was assigned a seat near Xavier. My stomach did a weird flip, and not the good kind.

I tried to ignore him as the teacher droned on about rules and introductions. But my mind couldn’t escape the tension, the awareness of him. He was too close. Too confident. Too everything.

Then Lia and the TDLS leaned toward me.

“I said,” she leaned closer, voice lower now, sharper, “stay in your lane.”

My brows furrowed.

“I didn’t cross any lane.”

A small scoff came from one of the others.

Mia.

“She doesn’t even get it,” she said.

I looked between them, irritation rising.

“I literally just got here.”

“That seat?” Lia tapped the desk again. “Is not yours.”

Something in me snapped.

Not loud. Not dramatic. Just… enough.

I stood up suddenly, the chair pushing back with a sharp sound.

“The f**k is going on here?” I said, louder than I planned.

The room went quiet. Good.

“Is it because of this seat?” I continued, anger clear in my voice now. “Fine. No problem.”

I grabbed my bag.

“I’ll tell the damn teacher to change it.”

I turned, ready to walk out.

I wasn’t about to deal with unnecessary drama on my first day.

Not again. Not here. Not with people I didn’t even know.

I took one step.

Then—a hand grabbed mine.

Firm. Warm. Unstoppable.

I froze instantly.

Slowly… I turned back.

And there he was.

Xavier.

Standing. Close. Too close.

His grip didn’t tighten—but it didn’t loosen either.

His eyes locked on mine.

Calm. Dangerous. Unreadable.

“Where,” he said slowly, voice low enough that only I could hear, “do you think you’re going?”

The entire class felt silent.

Like everyone was watching.

Waiting.

And for the first time since I got here…

I didn’t have an answer.

I pulled my hand slightly, testing his grip.

“Let go,” I said, quieter this time—but sharper.

He didn’t.

Instead, his eyes dropped briefly to where our hands were, then back to my face, like he was measuring something.

“You don’t walk out,” he said calmly.

Something about the way he said it—

Not loud. Not aggressive. Just… certain.

It irritated me instantly.

“And you don’t get to decide that,” I shot back.

A ripple moved through the class.

Soft whispers. Shock. Interest.

“Yo…” someone muttered from the back. “She’s actually arguing with him.”

“I like her already,” another voice said—light, amused. That had to be one of his friends.

I ignored them.

My focus stayed on him.

Xavier tilted his head slightly, like he was trying to figure me out.

“You’re new,” he said. “So I’ll overlook the attitude.”

I let out a small laugh.

“Oh, thank you. I was really worried.”

That did it.

Not anger. Not exactly.

But something changed in his expression.

Something sharper. More interested.

Behind me, Lia scoffed loudly.

“This is actually embarrassing,” she said. “You don’t even know who you’re talking to.”

I turned my head slightly.

“And you don’t know when to mind your business.”

Gasps.

Actual gasps.

Mia stepped forward. “Watch your mouth.”

“Or what?” I asked flatly.

The tension snapped tighter.

For a second, it felt like the whole room was holding its breath.

Then—

Xavier exhaled softly.

Amused.

“You’re loud,” he said.

“And you’re annoying,” I replied instantly.

A pause.

Then—

Very slowly—

He let go of my hand.

But not like he was forced to.

Like he chose to.

I pulled my hand back immediately, rubbing my wrist without thinking.

Not because it hurt.

But because I could still feel it.

That grip. That presence.

And I didn’t like it.

“Sit,” he said.

I blinked.

“Excuse me?”

“You heard me.”

I stared at him for a second.

Then shook my head.

“No.”

The word came out before I could think.

Before I could stop myself.

Before I could care.

The class reacted immediately.

“That’s crazy…”

“She said no…”

“She’s dead…”

I didn’t move.

Didn’t back down.

Didn’t look away.

Xavier watched me.

Quiet. Focused.

Like this was the most interesting thing that had happened all day.

Then—slowly—his lips curved.

Not a full smile.

But enough.

“Alright,” he said.

“Don’t sit.”

I frowned.

That wasn’t what I expected.

At all.

He stepped closer.

Again.

Too close.

Now I could feel it again.

That tension.

That pull.

That irritating awareness.

“But don’t leave either,” he added quietly.

I crossed my arms.

“And if I do?”

Another pause.

Then—

“Try it,” he said.

Simple. Calm. Challenging.

Something in my chest tightened.

Not fear. Not exactly. Something else.

Behind me, Lia spoke again, her voice colder now.

“You’re making a mistake.”

I didn’t turn.

“Yeah?” I said. “Seems like everyone here thinks that.”

Mia laughed lightly. “Because it’s true.”

I finally looked back at them.

“All this… over a seat?” I said. “You people need help.”

That pushed them.

I saw it. In their faces. In the way Lia stepped forward again—

But this time—

A desk behind Xavier scraped loudly.

One of his friends stood up.

Tall. Built. Clearly not here for jokes.

“Alright,” he said. “This is dragging.”

Another one leaned back, smirking.

“She’s entertaining though.”

“Yeah,” a third added. “Let’s see how far she goes.”

I looked back at Xavier.

“So?” I said. “Am I allowed to breathe too, or do I need permission for that?”

Silence.

Then—

A small chuckle escaped him.

Real this time. Low. Dangerous.

“You’ve got a mouth,” he said.

“And you’ve got control issues,” I replied.

That smile again. Stronger now.

Neither of us moved.

The class faded.

The noise disappeared.

It was just—

Him.

Me.

And whatever the hell this was.

Then the door opened.

The teacher walked in.

“Everyone, take your seats.”

Just like that.

The moment broke.

But not completely.

Not really.

Because as I slowly sat down—

Yes, I sat—

I could still feel it.

His eyes on me.

The tension.

The attention.

The shift.

And I knew one thing for sure.

My first day at Mega High?

Already a problem.

Xavier? Already Central

The teacher, Mrs. Caldwell, cleared her throat, voice clipped but patient. “Everyone, take your seats and focus. First day or not, we have work to do.” Her eyes flicked to the HKS group, lingering just long enough to make it clear she knew them all by reputation. Honestly, I didn’t blame her. They didn’t just walk—they owned the room without trying.

I lowered myself carefully into the chair, but Xavier’s presence hovered like a storm cloud. The angle of his body, the tilt of his head, the way his eyes darted ever so slightly toward me… it was deliberate. I refused to meet his gaze, but I could feel it anyway, pressing into my shoulder. That smirk—arrogant, untouchable—never left.

Behind him, the rest of the HKS were busy doing their own version of watching the chaos unfold. Ken leaned forward, pink streak flashing, a grin tugging at his lips. “This girl’s feisty,” he muttered under his breath to no one in particular. Kelvin rolled his eyes, jaw tight, exuding that effortless confidence everyone envied. Kinsley smirked, tapping his notebook like he was already cataloging my mistakes. Kendrion leaned back, bored but alert, his sharp gaze flicking between me and Xavier. Together, they were a machine.

I tried to focus on Mrs. Caldwell, on the syllabus on the board, on literally anything but him. My brain betrayed me. Every flick of his hand, every subtle glance—it was deliberate. Calculated. Dangerous. And somehow, infuriatingly magnetic. Somewhere beneath irritation, a spark of curiosity stirred, mixed with something else… a cautious awareness that this wasn’t going to be simple. Not here. Not anywhere near Xavier.

Behind me, Lia leaned in again, sharp voice barely above a whisper. “Watch her. She’s trouble.” Mia nodded, Caesar too. I didn’t turn, but every word sank in like a challenge. They thought they controlled the narrative, but they didn’t know me. They didn’t know what I could do when pushed. That small corner of power—the one I carved in my mind for myself—wasn’t up for grabs.

The lesson droned on, but I stayed hyper-aware. Every whisper, every sidelong glance, every smirk was logged in my mind. My eyes flicked occasionally to Xavier, noting the way he shifted, subtly adjusting his posture as if measuring how far he could push me. The tension between us was tangible, an unspoken battle.

When the bell finally rang, the release was both a relief and a new kind of anxiety. Hallways were rivers of motion: kids flowing to lockers, groups forming tight circles, gossip ricocheting like a soundtrack to the chaos. And the TDLS were there, Lia leading, Mia and Caesar trailing like shadows.

“You think she can survive?” Mia whispered, voice sharp and mocking.

“She’ll either fold or explode,” Lia replied, eyes narrowing. “I’m curious.”

I passed their group, backpack slung casually, ignoring the glares and muttered comments. They thought they intimidated me. Cute. They hadn’t seen me when cornered, or when cornered enough to push back.

And then—Xavier. Leaning casually against the stairwell railing, eyes tracking me as if he’d been waiting for this exact moment. The way he looked at me—it wasn’t anger. It wasn’t approval. It was… assessment. Judgment. Curiosity wrapped in arrogance. That same smirk I hated and somehow couldn’t stop noticing.

I didn’t look away. I refused. His friends—Ken, Kelvin, Kinsley, Kendrion—watched me like it was a spectator sport. I felt like I was both prey and player. The weight of their stares was heavy, but manageable. I was good at managing. At hiding, at surviving.

Lunch was a minefield. Cafeteria tables divided like territories on a map. The HKS table loomed large, a perfect combination of influence and threat. I considered my options. Sit far away? Avoid attention? Pretend I wasn’t aware of the eyes on me? No. I had a better plan: choose carefully. Make them come to me if they wanted to play.

I set my tray down near the edge of the room, just enough to be visible without inviting immediate confrontation. And then they came—Lia first, eyes sharp, lips curling like a predator measuring its prey. Mia and Caesar flanked her, all smiles and false sweetness.

“You’re new,” Lia said, voice sweet but dangerous. “You need to understand how things work here.”

“Oh?” I replied, not looking up from my food. “Do I?”

“You sit where we tell you,” Mia added. “You stay out of lanes that aren’t yours.”

I finally looked at them. Calm. Controlled. But my inner temper simmered. “And if I don’t?” I asked lightly, testing.

Caesar laughed softly. “Then you’ll find out.”

I smirked. “I was hoping you’d say that.”

Xavier’s eyes found mine across the room. That weight again. That assessment. The spark of something unnameable. I didn’t like it, didn’t want it—but I couldn’t ignore it.

By the end of lunch, I’d learned a lot: the TDLS were schemers, always plotting, watching. The HKS were omnipresent, evaluating, testing. And I was very much in the middle of it all.

And then, the final bell rang, pulling us into the next period. Classrooms, assignments, subtle power plays. Every glance from Xavier felt like a chess move. Every whisper from Lia was a trap. I walked the fine line between survival and chaos, knowing that the first day wasn’t over. Not by a long shot.

By the time the final bell rang, signaling freedom, I was exhausted—but also strangely alive. I had made it. I had survived. And somehow, against every instinct, I wanted tomorrow to come just so I could see him again. Xavier. The impossible. The dangerous. Already central to everything I hadn’t asked for.

How many now count.

The sun had dipped low, casting long shadows across Mega High’s courtyard. Most students had left, buses rumbling off in a rhythmic pattern, while a few lingering stragglers chatted in clusters, lockers slamming shut behind them. I stood by the edge of the courtyard, letting the chaos of the day slip from my shoulders. My backpack felt lighter than it had all day, though maybe that was just the adrenaline finally ebbing.

Mark was beside me, pacing slightly. “You really made an impression,” he said, his voice low, careful. “Everyone’s talking about you.”

“Good,” I muttered, trying not to sound smug. “Let them. It’s the first day. Nothing’s real yet.”

Mark arched a brow, unconvinced. “Nothing’s real?” His gaze flicked toward the main entrance, where the last few students were filing out. “Lisa… come on. You went toe-to-toe with Xavier. That’s not ‘nothing.’ That’s… I don’t even know what it is. Dangerous, I think.”

I let out a low chuckle. “Dangerous? Please. He’s just… annoying. And stupidly confident. That’s all.”

Mark shook his head, clearly unconvinced. “You’re lying. You’re fascinated. Admit it.”

I rolled my eyes, pushing past him toward the sidewalk. “I am not fascinated. I am very aware that I should avoid him at all costs.”

“Sure,” Mark said, his tone teasing, “avoid him while the entire HKS watches your every move. Good plan.”

I sighed, aware of the truth in his words. Mega High wasn’t a regular school. It was a living, breathing battlefield, with power and status stacked into every interaction. And somehow, in just one day, I’d stumbled right into the center.

As we walked to the car, I felt the pull again—Xavier. My stomach twisted as if it had its own memory of him. I tried to shake it off, focusing on the familiar weight of my backpack and the cool evening air brushing my face.

When we finally got home, the mansion felt empty in a different way than usual. Mom was in her study, papers and gadgets scattered across a polished desk, completely absorbed in her world. Mark dropped his bag with a soft thud beside mine and slumped onto the couch. “So…” he began, voice casual but eyes sharp. “How bad was it?”

I flopped beside him, hiding my face in the couch cushions. “Bad? Terrifying? Annoying? And yet… oddly… satisfying?”

Mark laughed. “Satisfying? You argued with Xavier and you’re calling it satisfying?”

“Yes,” I muttered, lifting my head to glare at him. “I survived my first day without crying, hiding, or running. That counts for something.”

He smirked. “True. It does.”

I rolled onto my side, watching the dim light from the window stretch across the floor. “But they’re watching, Mark. All of them. The HKS… the TDLS… everyone’s trying to figure me out. And I have no idea how to play their game yet.”

Mark reached over, nudging me lightly. “Then don’t play. Just… survive. One day at a time.”

I nodded, though deep down I knew survival wasn’t enough. Not here. Mega High demanded more than just surviving. You had to stake a claim. Leave a mark. Or disappear into the background like everyone else.

---

The next morning, I woke early, the mansion eerily quiet. Mom had left for some meeting overseas—her timing impeccable as always—and Mark was still asleep, sprawled across the bed in the guest room. I tiptoed into the kitchen, grabbing a granola bar and a bottle of water, trying to think about the day ahead.

Mega High awaited.

By the time I stepped outside, the sky had started to brighten, streaked with early sunlight that painted the city in gold. The streets were quieter than usual, giving me a moment to breathe before plunging back into the chaos.

I parked my bike near the school gates, glancing around nervously. And there he was.

Xavier.

Leaning casually against a railing, arms crossed, eyes scanning the crowd like a hawk. He hadn’t seen me yet—or maybe he had, and was just waiting. I kept my head low, trying to blend in, but the weight of his gaze pressed into me anyway.

And then, almost imperceptibly, his lips curved. A smirk, just faint enough to make my heart skip.

I groaned softly, mounting my bike and pushing off toward the side entrance.

Of course, he followed.

---

The day began much like the first: whispers, sidelong glances, and unspoken challenges. Classes dragged on, teachers droning on about syllabi, rules, and expectations, but all I could think about was the tension that seemed to follow me like a shadow.

During lunch, I chose a corner table, deliberately placing myself where I could observe without being immediately noticed. The TDLS arrived moments later—Lia, Mia, and Caesar, their eyes sharp and calculating. I didn’t flinch. I barely looked at them, focusing instead on the subtle movements of the HKS across the room.

Xavier and his friends were at their usual table, casually throwing glances in my direction. Every flick of his hand, every slight tilt of his head, every smirk was deliberate. He was testing me. I knew it.

Then Lia approached. “You think you can just show up and ignore us?” she asked, voice sweet but dangerous.

I didn’t look up. “I think you can try to intimidate me, but I’ll still eat my lunch in peace.”

Mia laughed softly, Caesar smirked. “Brave words,” Mia said. “We’ll see how long that lasts.”

I took a deliberate bite of my sandwich, chewing slowly. “I can wait,” I replied, eyes forward.

Xavier watched all of this quietly, a subtle smirk tugging at his lips. He didn’t intervene. He didn’t need to. His presence alone was enough to tip the scales.

---

By mid-afternoon, the day had stretched into a rhythm. Teachers, students, whispers, eyes tracking every move. I walked the hallways carefully, backpack slung over one shoulder, keeping awareness high. And then I saw him. Xavier, standing at the top of the stairs, arms crossed, watching me.

I met his gaze for a moment before looking away. The pull was magnetic, frustrating, impossible to ignore.

Mark caught up to me in the hallway, shaking his head. “Why do you insist on looking at him?”

“I’m not looking,” I muttered, though the lie felt weak even as I said it.

Mark smirked. “Sure, Lisa. Whatever you say.”

We reached the lockers, and I tried to focus on the mundane: books, supplies, the routine. But everywhere I went, his presence lingered.

---

The final bell rang, releasing a flood of students into the courtyard. Most disappeared quickly, but a few stayed behind, lingering near the benches or stairwells. I was halfway to the bike racks when a hand grabbed my shoulder.

I spun around. Xavier.

“You’re predictable,” he said, voice low and smooth. “Always trying to avoid me.”

“I am not avoiding you,” I shot back, crossing my arms. “I’m just… busy surviving.”

He smirked, a tilt of his head that was infuriatingly confident. “Survival isn’t enough here, Lisa. You’re going to need more than that.”

“And what’s your advice?” I asked, masking the irritation in my voice with sarcasm.

“Pay attention,” he said, eyes sharp. “Learn the players. Understand the game. Or… you’ll lose faster than you think.”

I narrowed my eyes. “And why are you giving me advice? Are you feeling generous today?”

“No,” he said, voice calm. “Curious.”

That one word hung between us. Curious. Dangerous. Unsettling.

He let go of my shoulder, stepping back, but the tension lingered. I mounted my bike, pedaling away without looking back, though I could feel his gaze following me.

---

By the time I got home, the mansion was quiet. Mom was still away, Mark was buried in his music, and I collapsed onto my bed, exhaustion pressing in from every angle. I couldn’t stop replaying the day: the glances, the whispers, the way Xavier had watched me like a predator sizing up prey—and like he’d already decided I was worth his attention.

I stared at the ceiling, letting the city lights outside shimmer across my walls. Mega High wasn’t just a school. It was a game. A battlefield. And somehow, I’d just been thrown into the center of it.

Tomorrow promised more: more tension, more whispers, more power plays. And one thing was certain: Xavier wasn’t going anywhere.

The next morning, the mansion felt unusually silent, almost too quiet. Mom’s private jet had taken off hours ago, leaving only the faint hum of city life outside my window. Mark was still asleep, sprawled across the guest bed like a fallen king, and I lay there for a few minutes, staring at the ceiling, trying to mentally prepare for the second day at Mega High.

The first day had been a rollercoaster, but the second promised new challenges. I didn’t know whether to dread them or lean into them.

By the time I reached the kitchen, the sun had already started to burn away the early morning haze. I poured a cup of cereal, half-heartedly chewing while scrolling through my phone. Social media had already lit up with posts about the new girl at Mega High. Of course, it was me. Of course, Xavier was all over those posts too—smirks, sideways glances, subtle dominance captured in just the right frame.

Mark wandered in a few moments later, hair sticking out in every direction, headphones dangling around his neck. He squinted at my phone. “Oh wow. You’re trending?”

I rolled my eyes. “Trending? More like whispered about. It’s not exactly good press.”

Mark smirked, leaning casually against the counter. “Depends on how you look at it. You didn’t back down. You stood your ground. That’s… impressive.”

I let out a soft laugh, shaking my head. “Yeah, until I get cornered tomorrow, and they actually do something.”

Mark gave me a knowing look. “Lisa… you’ve got a target on your back now. HKS, TDLS, the rest of the school—they’re all watching. And Xavier… well, he’s the one pulling strings I don’t even want to think about yet.”

I shoved my phone into my backpack and grabbed my helmet. “Great. That’s exactly what I needed. More stress before breakfast.”

Mark shrugged. “Just… be careful. He’s… not predictable. And neither are they.”

---

The streets outside were busy, the city alive with the rush of commuters, bikes weaving through traffic, and the distant sirens that somehow became a familiar rhythm. I could feel every eye on me the moment I stepped out, though maybe that was paranoia.

At Mega High, the hierarchy was already painfully clear. The HKS dominated every open space, their presence a gravitational pull in every hallway. Xavier and his group were like kings among students—untouchable, confident, and terrifyingly perceptive. Behind them, the TDLS moved with precision, Lia orchestrating small interventions, Mia and Caesar flanking her like loyal lieutenants.

I parked my bike near the side gate, heart already thudding in anticipation. And, naturally, Xavier was there, leaning against the railing as if the world was his to command. His smirk appeared the instant our eyes met.

I groaned softly under my breath, hoping he hadn’t seen me, but of course he had.

---

Classes were the same as yesterday, the teachers trying to maintain order while whispers and stares floated through the room. My notebook became my shield, scribbling down reminders, observations, and everything I noticed about the people around me. It was a strategy, a way to stay alive and not be manipulated by whispers or schemes.

At lunch, the cafeteria was buzzing with students, laughter, gossip, and tension mixing into a chaotic soundtrack. I chose a table near the middle, deliberately out of the direct gaze of both the HKS and TDLS, but close enough to observe.

Lia and her followers approached like a slow storm, eyes sharp and calculating.

“You seem to like sitting alone,” Lia said, voice soft, but every word was a warning.

“And you seem to like making assumptions,” I replied calmly, eyes forward, pretending not to care about the heat of her stare.

Mia smirked. “Bold. Brave. Or maybe stupid. I can never tell with new girls.”

“Just careful,” I said lightly. “Careful doesn’t mean scared.”

Xavier watched all of this from his table, arms crossed, expression unreadable. He didn’t intervene—didn’t have to. His presence alone tilted the scales, and I knew he was taking mental notes. Every glance, every twitch of a muscle, every flicker of reaction—he recorded it all.

---

The afternoon dragged on, each lesson a blur of monotone instructions and subtle power plays. Every time I passed the HKS in the hallways, I felt the magnetic pull of Xavier’s attention. It was infuriating, distracting, and oddly… compelling.

after school I'll escape and run.