Chapter Two- Emily’s POV

My hands wouldn’t stop trembling as I walked through the grand iron gates of Westbridge International School. The navy blazer and white shirt I had spent three nights altering still felt foreign against my skin. This uniform, this school, this scholarship, they were our family’s only real chance at a better life. One mistake and everything could crumble.

“Deep breaths, Emily,” I whispered to myself. “You earned this. You belong here.”

The campus was almost too beautiful. Perfect green lawns stretched out like carpets, ivy climbed centuries-old stone buildings, and students moved around with the kind of easy confidence that came from never worrying about money. My old public school had broken lockers and fights in the hallways. This place smelled like privilege and pressure.

A girl with warm brown skin and lively curls suddenly appeared beside me near the main staircase.

“Hey! New scholarship kid, right? You’ve got that wide-eyed look we all had on day one. I’m Sophie. Two years in and I still get lost sometimes. I’ve got you.”

I let out a relieved laugh. “Emily Kane. And yes, I feel like everyone can already tell I don’t belong here.”

Sophie linked her arm with mine like we’d known each other forever. “Nah. You’ve got that quiet fighter energy. They’ll either respect it or be intimidated by it. Come on, I’ll give you the full tour before classes start.”

As we walked, she pointed out shortcuts, the best bathrooms, and which teachers actually cared. I tried to focus, but my eyes kept drifting across the courtyard. Then I saw him.

He stood near the fountain like he owned the entire school: tall, broad-shouldered, dark messy hair falling over stormy gray eyes. Aiden Voss. Even before arriving, I had heard the whispers about him. When our eyes locked across the distance, my heart slammed violently against my ribs. A warm, fluttering sensation bloomed in my chest. For one dangerous second, the noise of the entire school faded away.

No. Stop it right now, Emily.

I tore my gaze away, cheeks burning hot.

Sophie noticed immediately. “That’s Aiden Voss. Do not go there, Em. He’s rich, dangerously attractive, and completely toxic. His crew — Marcus and Tyler — treat this school like their personal playground. Girls throw themselves at him every day. He barely gives them the time of day anymore.”

“I’m not here for boys,” I said firmly, more to convince myself than her. “My parents are sacrificing everything for this opportunity. I need top grades, a scholarship to a good university, and a real future. Boys like Aiden destroy girls like me.”

Sophie nodded approvingly. “Smart girl. Keep that energy all year.”

The rest of the day passed in a dizzying blur of new rules, challenging classes, and the constant feeling of being watched. During lunch, Sophie sat across from me in the elegant dining hall that felt more like a restaurant.

“So? Survived your first half-day?” she asked, stealing a fry from my plate.

“Barely. The literature teacher already gave us a huge project. And… I kept feeling like Aiden was watching me.”

Sophie’s eyes widened. “Girl. Be extremely careful. He’s the kind of trouble that looks good until it breaks your heart. You deserve better than that kind of distraction.”

I nodded, but deep down, that single intense look from him had planted a tiny, dangerous seed of curiosity. I crushed it as hard as I could. I had seen what happened to girls who fell for boys like him. My mother’s stories were warning enough.

By the end of the day, my feet ached in shoes that were one size too small, but I kept my head high as Sophie and I headed toward the bus stop.

“You did really well today,” she said encouragingly. “We scholarship kids have to stick together.”

I smiled gratefully. “Thank you, Sophie. I think I’m really going to need a friend like you here.”

As the bus pulled away from the school, I couldn’t help glancing back one last time. Aiden was standing on the top steps, watching the bus leave. Our eyes met again for a brief second.

My heart did that stupid flip once more.

I looked away quickly and hugged my bag tighter.

Focus, Emily. He is not part of your plan.