THE BOY WHO HATED ME

AFTER SCHOOL

The final bell rang, and students rushed out of their classrooms like they had just been released from prison.

Unfortunately for me…

I wasn’t going anywhere.

“Detention,” I muttered bitterly as I shoved my books into my bag.

All because of Adrian Black.

Maya walked beside me in the hallway, looking worried.

“I can’t believe he got you detention on your first day.”

“Neither can I.”

“Do you want me to wait for you?”

I shook my head.

“It’s okay. Go home.”

She hesitated.

“Just… be careful.”

I gave her a small smile.

“I’ll survive.”

At least, that’s what I hoped.

The detention room was nearly empty when I walked in.

Just a few desks, a bored-looking teacher grading papers, and—

Of course.

Adrian.

He was sitting at the back of the room, leaning back in his chair with his feet resting on another desk like he owned the place.

When I walked in, his eyes slowly lifted.

That familiar smirk appeared again.

“Right on time,” he said.

I ignored him and sat at the farthest desk from him.

Unfortunately, the teacher spoke up immediately.

“Miss Carter.”

I looked up.

“Yes?”

“Sit at the front.”

My luck just kept getting worse.

I grabbed my bag and moved forward.

Which meant…

I was now sitting directly in front of Adrian.

Perfect.

The teacher returned to grading papers, and the room fell silent.

For about two minutes.

Then a small piece of paper landed on my desk.

I didn’t even have to turn around.

“Seriously?” I whispered.

No response.

I unfolded the paper.

“You’re quiet now.”

I sighed and scribbled a reply.

“Trying to survive detention.”

A moment later, another paper appeared.

“You talk too much for someone trying to survive.”

I rolled my eyes and turned slightly in my seat.

“Do you ever stop being annoying?” I whispered.

Adrian tilted his head.

“Do you ever stop arguing?”

“Not when someone deserves it.”

For a moment, he just stared at me.

Really stared.

Like he was trying to figure something out.

Most people looked away from him quickly.

But I didn’t.

And maybe that was my mistake.

His smirk slowly faded.

“You’re different,” he said quietly.

“That’s not a compliment coming from you.”

A small laugh escaped him.

Then suddenly—

“Mr. Black.”

We both froze.

The teacher was glaring at us.

“Last warning.”

Adrian leaned back in his chair again like nothing happened.

The room went silent once more.

But this time, I could feel his eyes on me.

Watching.

Studying.

And somehow, that made me even more nervous than his teasing.

Because I had the strange feeling that Adrian Black wasn’t done with me yet.

Not even close.