Hate That I Love You

Chapter 2: Chess Moves and Cheap Shots

Kael Veyra’s POV

The first official day at Blackthorn University was exactly what I f*****g expected—grueling, overwhelming, and laced with just enough tension to set my teeth on edge. After my initial encounter with Draven Ashford, I thought I’d seen the worst this place had to offer. I was dead wrong.

The lecture hall buzzed with the low hum of conversations as students filed in, jockeying for the best seats. I scanned the room, keeping my expression neutral despite the prickling awareness at the back of my neck—like I was being watched. It wasn’t paranoia if it was true.

“Morning, Kael,” said Livia, sliding into the seat beside me, her red hair catching the sunlight streaming through the tall, arched windows.

“Morning,” I replied, grateful for the familiar face. Livia had been a whirlwind of energy since we met yesterday, but there was something about her that put me at ease—like we’d been friends forever.

“Ready to crush some academic dreams?” she asked, wiggling her eyebrows.

“Always.”

The door at the front of the lecture hall swung open, and a hush fell over the room as Professor Evelyn Crane strode in, her heels clicking sharply against the polished stone floor. She was tall, severe, and radiated the kind of authority that screamed, “Don’t f**k with me.”

“Welcome to Political Theory,” she said, her voice cool and clipped. “Take out your syllabi. We’re wasting no time today.”

As I pulled out my notebook, a familiar figure slid into the seat directly behind me. I didn’t have to turn around to know who it was—the sudden shift in the air, the smug energy, was unmistakable.

“Miss me already, Veyra?” Draven’s voice was low, pitched just for my ears, and laced with mockery.

I didn’t flinch, didn’t give him the satisfaction of a reaction. Instead, I slowly turned my head, arching an eyebrow.

“Didn’t know they let just anyone into this class,” I said sweetly.

Draven’s lips twitched, like he was fighting a smile. “Careful, Kael. You might hurt my f*****g feelings.”

“Do you have those?” I shot back, turning back around before he could respond.

Livia snickered softly beside me, and I fought the urge to grin. Petty? Maybe. Satisfying? Absolutely.

Professor Crane began her lecture, and for a blessed forty-five minutes, I managed to forget about Draven’s irritating presence. But as soon as the lecture ended, the peace shattered.

“Class dismissed,” Professor Crane said, snapping her notebook shut. “Oh, and one last thing—you’ll be working in pairs for the semester project. I’ve already assigned the pairs, so check the list on your way out.”

A low murmur rippled through the room as students began packing up their things. Livia groaned.

“Please let me get someone tolerable,” she muttered, shouldering her bag.

We made our way to the front of the room, where a sheet of paper was taped to the wall. Livia scanned the list first, then let out a triumphant whoop.

“Ezra Quinn!” she said, grinning. “Lucky me.”

I leaned in, searching for my name. When I found it, my stomach f*****g dropped.

Kael Veyra – Draven Ashford

Of course.

“You’ve got to be f*****g kidding me,” I muttered.

“Oof. Good luck with that,” Livia said, giving me a sympathetic pat on the shoulder.

“Thanks.”

I turned to leave, only to find Draven leaning casually against the doorframe, his arms crossed and that infuriating smirk firmly in place.

“Looks like we’re stuck with each other, Veyra,” he drawled.

“Don’t remind me.”

“Aw, come on. It’ll be fun.”

“Your definition of fun concerns me.”

Draven chuckled, a low, rich sound that sent an unwelcome shiver down my spine. He straightened up and fell into step beside me as we walked out of the lecture hall.

“So, what’s our strategy?” he asked, as if we were already some kind of team.

“Our strategy is to survive this project without killing each other,” I said. “Barely.”

“Sounds like a challenge.”

“It is.”

We reached the courtyard, and I turned to face him. “Look, let’s just set some ground rules, okay? We don’t have to like each other, but we do have to get through this project. So, let’s keep it professional.”

Draven tilted his head, studying me with a faintly amused expression. “Professional, huh? You sure you can handle that?”

I gritted my teeth. “Can you?”

His grin widened. “Guess we’ll f*****g find out.”