The things we almost were

I didn't even wait for Kaelin to say a word when we got to his place.

The second the door clicked shut behind us, I turned on him - heart pounding with leftover anger and something else I couldn't quite put a name to.

"I'm done for the day," I snapped, tossing my bag onto his couch. "No more classes. I'm serious."

Kae just leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, watching me like I was performing some kind of drama for his entertainment. That calm, smug look of his only made me angrier.

I couldn't stop replaying what happened in the hallway - his hand on my waist, that stupid grin, and the way the new girl had looked at us like she was seeing the juiciest headline ever.

God, that look on her face. Like she was already imagining who was who in her own made-up story.

I slammed the door harder than necessary. "What was that, Kae?" I demanded, my voice echoing through the room. "What the hell was that in the hallway?"

He blinked at me, wide-eyed and annoyingly calm, like I was the one losing my mind.

"You're a freaking pervert," I said before I could stop myself, heat creeping up my neck.

Kae tilted his head slightly, that small, knowing smile forming. "This about earlier?" he asked, tone maddeningly casual.

"I acted on impulse, El. Relax."

"Relax?" I echoed, disbelief dripping from my voice. "You grabbed me in front of everyone- including that girl who probably thinks I'm your boyfriend now!"

He raised one eyebrow, smirk still tugging at his mouth.

"Don't you think you're overreacting? It's not like this is the first time I've done something like that."

"Exactly!" I shot back. "That's the damn problem!"

He shrugged, running a hand through his hair like this was just another Tuesday. "Come on, I was teasing you, dude. You're acting like I proposed."

I glared at him, fists clenching, because that's what he does - makes you feel stupid for getting angry. Like you're the one out of line.

The last time he'd "acted on impulse" was months ago, in the auditorium - when he leaned in way too close, like he was about to kiss me. I'd stopped him, but it still lingered in my head like a glitch I couldn't fix.

And now, with that girl watching earlier, it just made me want to find her and yell, "It's not what it looks like!"

"God, you're impossible," I muttered, dragging a hand over my face.

Kae grinned, clearly enjoying every bit of my frustration. "You make that sound like a bad thing."

I rolled my eyes and flopped onto the couch, muttering, "You're gonna be the death of me."

"Come on," he said after a beat, heading toward the cellar door. "You're wound too tight. Let's get a drink."

He didn't even wait for me to reply - just tossed me a lazy wink over his shoulder. "Don't worry, I'll go easy on you this time. I still remember your last hangover."

I groaned but got up anyway, following him downstairs.

The cellar was dimly lit, smelling faintly of leather and smoke - so him it almost made me laugh. He bent down, opened a small fridge, and pulled out two bottles.

"Just one," I said firmly when he handed one over.

He chuckled, already twisting his cap open. "You always say that."

Kae doesn't laugh much - not really. He's more of a smirk-and-silence kind of guy. So when he did laugh, really laugh, it threw me off. He looked... lighter. Almost happy.

And somehow, that made it harder to stay mad.

Then he reached into his pocket, pulled out a lighter and a cigarette, and I immediately groaned.

"Seriously, Kae?"

He gave me a side glance, lighter flicking open with that metallic click. The tiny flame reflected in his eyes.

"You know I hate that," I said, crossing my arms.

"Yeah, yeah," he muttered. "One a day, I remember."

But as he brought the lighter closer, he caught me watching him. His hand froze midair. For a second, he just stared back at me.

Then, with a sigh, he lowered the lighter and tossed the cigarette into the ashtray. "Damn it," he muttered. "This is harder than it looks."

His tone was different this time - not teasing, not lazy. Just real.

Without thinking, I reached out and gave his shoulder a quick pat. "You'll get there," I said quietly.

He looked at me - really looked - before that faint smirk crept back in. "You're too nice, El," he said softly. "It's gonna ruin you someday."

"Yeah, well," I muttered, taking a long sip from my drink, "guess I'll risk it."

He laughed, and the sound bounced off the walls. For a second, the tension in my chest finally eased.

Even when he pissed me off, even when he crossed every line, somehow, I couldn't stay mad at him.

*********

Olivia's POV

I was lost in my thoughts when I felt a light tap on my shoulder. Turning, I came face-to-face with a guy who looked like he'd stepped right out of a coming-of-age movie.

Warm eyes, charming smile - the kind that makes you instantly forget what you were thinking.

"Hey, have you seen Clair?" he asked, flashing me a grin that could sell popcorn and movie tickets all at once.

"Uh-sorry," I stammered, returning the smile awkwardly. "I'm new here."

"Ah, that explains it," he said, chuckling. "Welcome, then."

He extended a hand, and when I shook it, his palm was warm - enough to send a small jolt up my arm.

Before I could say anything else, he checked his watch. "Crap, I'm late for class. I'll see you around!"

And just like that, he was gone - walking down the hall with that confident stride that made it hard not to stare.

I hadn't even been here ten minutes, and I was already meeting guys who made my pulse skip.

Welcome to chaos, I thought.

As I walked further down the hall, the buzz of laughter, footsteps, and chatter surrounded me. That's when I saw them.

Two guys leaning by the lockers - both in black, both stupidly good-looking in different ways. The kind you notice even if you're trying not to.

One had a calm, serious face, while the other had that lazy smirk that made you think he laughed at the world more than he lived in it. They weren't talking loud, but there was this quiet intensity between them, like the rest of the hallway didn't exist.

Something about them just... stood out.

They looked more interesting than the guy I'd just met. Way more.

I couldn't tell what their deal was, but they definitely had one.

When I finally made it to class, a woman with sharp eyes and round glasses looked up.

"A new student?" she asked, her tone firm but kind.

"Yes, ma'am," I said quickly, trying not to sound nervous. "I'm Olivia Trevor. I just moved here with my dad - he runs a restaurant downtown. I'm a transfer student from Leeds High, here on scholarship."

The words tumbled out before I could stop myself, and I finished with a nervous laugh.

The teacher smiled faintly. "Welcome, Olivia. Everyone, be nice to her. You can take any open seat."

I scanned the room until I spotted a familiar grin - the same guy from the hallway waving me over.

"Hey, didn't expect to see you again this soon," he said as I sat beside him.

"Neither did I," I said with a small laugh.

"I'm Ronald," he said, leaning back in his chair. "Welcome to the circus."

"Thanks, I think?" I joked, and he laughed - the kind of laugh that made you instantly relax.

We talked easily - about classes, the weird school rules, and apparently, the "never-ending drama" that came with it.

Then his eyes drifted toward the door.

"Who're you looking for?" I asked.

"Kaelin and Elian," he said, smirking. "Those two psychos are probably skipping again."

I laughed. "Psychos? That's... reassuring."

He shrugged. "You'll see. They're kinda impossible to miss. Both have rich families, both act like they own the place. Snobby, but somehow everyone's obsessed with them."

Something clicked. "Wait-two guys in black hoodies?"

He turned, eyebrows raised. "Yeah. You saw them?"

"I think so. In the hallway." I paused, remembering how close they'd been standing. "They looked... familiar."

Ronald leaned closer, lowering his voice. "That's 'cause their families are famous. Both dads are big-time names - politicians, business guys. Well, Elian's dad was. He passed away last year."

My expression softened. "Oh... that's awful."

"Yeah," Ronald said quietly. "It was everywhere. Happened on Elian's birthday too. Whole city talked about it."

"My dad mentioned that," I murmured. "Said the guy was a legend."

"Pretty much," Ronald said. "And now everyone watches his son like he's carrying that legacy. Especially since he and Kaelin are always together. Like, always."

He smirked. "Some people even think they're more than friends."

I blinked. "Really?"

He shrugged. "Who knows. You tell me - you saw them. What'd it look like?"

I hesitated, thinking back. "They looked... close. Like they get each other without saying anything."

Ronald laughed under his breath. "Yeah, that's what everyone says."

As class ended, he leaned closer, voice dropping to a conspiratorial tone. "Hey, about them - if people talk, just ignore it. They've already got enough attention."

"Of course," I said quickly.

Still, as we walked out together, I couldn't shake the image of those two by the lockers - that unspoken connection, the way the air around them seemed charged.

Something told me this school year wasn't going to be simple.

It was going to be interesting.