The reserved desk
I learned three things within exactly five minutes of stepping into Silverlake Prep: the uniform skirts were tailored to perfection, the parking lot looked like a luxury European car dealership, and Zander Sterling owned the school."Don’t look at him, Aria," my cousin Chloe hissed, forcefully grabbing my elbow and dragging me toward the lockers. Her eyes were wide with genuine panic. "Just keep your head down and look at your schedule.""Why?" I muttered, adjusting the strap of my faded canvas backpack. It stood out like a sore thumb against the sea of Chanel and Louis Vuitton bags surrounding us. "Is he going to turn me into stone?""Worse. He’ll make you a target." Chloe looked back over her shoulder, her voice dropping to a harsh whisper. "His family practically built this town. The Sterlings own the hedge funds that fund this entire state. Zander gets away with everything. Last semester, a guy accidentally scratched Zander's customized Jeep, and by third period, that guy’s suspension papers were signed. He transferred to a public school out of state a week later."I snorted, pulling away from her grip. "Sounds like a pathetic, spoiled bully."Chloe gasped, quickly covering my mouth with her hand. "Are you trying to get us exiled on your first day?"
I rolled my eyes, pulling her hand down. I wasn't intimidated. I had spent the last three years taking care of my sick younger brother and juggling shifts at a local diner just to keep our family afloat before I won the Silverlake academic scholarship. I didn't have the time or the energy to care about a wealthy kid playing king of the cafeteria.Ten minutes later, I found my way to AP English Literature. The classroom was mostly full, filled with the low hum of chatter and the heavy scent of expensive cologne. I scanned the room for an open seat. The only vacant desk was in the third row, right next to a large bay window overlooking the manicured campus quad.Perfect. I loved the light.I walked over, pulled out the chair, and sat down. Instantly, the entire classroom went dead silent.The chatter evaporated. Dozens of eyes locked onto me, wide with a mixture of shock and twisted amusement. A girl in the front row dropped her iced latte, letting it splash against the floor without even blinking."Um, new girl?" a boy from across the aisle whispered, leaning over his desk. "I wouldn't sit there if I were you.""Why not?" I asked, pulling out a plain, spiral-bound notebook. "Is it broken?"Before he could answer, the classroom door swung open.The air in the room instantly shifted, turning cold and heavy. A tall, broad-shouldered boy walked in. He wore the Silverlake uniform, but completely disheveled—his white dress shirt was unbuttoned at the collar, his silk tie slung loosely around his neck, and a dark varsity jacket rested carelessly over one shoulder. His messy dark hair fell perfectly over a pair of piercing, ice-gray eyes. Behind him walked two other guys from the varsity football team, looking like a private security detail.
Zander Sterling.He didn't look at anyone. He didn't have to. The crowd practically parted for him as he walked down the aisle. But as he neared the third row, his footsteps slowed. His eyes drifted over to the window, and for the first time, his indifferent, bored expression cracked.His jaw clenched. He stopped right in front of my desk."You're in my seat," Zander said. His voice was low, smooth, and laced with a terrifying amount of calm authority.I looked up at him, refusing to let my hands shake. "I don't see your name on it."A collective, sharp intake of breath echoed through the classroom. Someone in the back actually gasped out loud.Zander leaned down, resting both of his palms flat on my desk. He brought his face so close to mine that I could smell the faint scent of mint and expensive leather. Up close, his gray eyes were dangerously intense. A mocking, sharp smirk tugged at the corner of his lips."It doesn't need my name on it, sweetheart," Zander whispered, his eyes locking onto mine with absolute certainty. "Everything in this school belongs to me. Including that chair. Now move before I make you regret opening your mouth."I stared right back into his icy eyes, gripping the edge of my desk. If he thought I was going to run away crying like the rest of his subjects, the King of Silverlake High had just picked the wrong girl.
