Nikolai
The moment Nuel stepped into the classroom, the air shifted. It wasn’t just me who noticed it—Aidan, seated beside me, stilled as if sensing it too. Nuel walked in with an awkward confidence, his eyes darting around the room like he was mapping an escape route. His dark hair caught the light, and his slightly oversized uniform made him look smaller, vulnerable even. I couldn’t take my eyes off him.
It didn’t make sense.
I wasn’t someone who got distracted. Yet, there I was, watching him as if he’d pulled me under some spell.
Aidan’s elbow nudged me sharply, breaking my trance.
“What?” I snapped, turning to him.
“You’re staring,” he said, his voice low, almost amused. His silver eyes glinted as they flicked back to Nuel, who had settled into a seat near the front.
