Chapter 2 Not Just a Pretty Face

Blair's POV

The classroom always smelled faintly like dust and whiteboard markers comforting in a strange way. I chose the seat in the far left corner by the window, as usual. Three rows behind the teacher's desk, where I could disappear in plain sight. The sun streamed in, warming the edge of my notebook while I uncapped my pen.

Another lecture. Another quiet hour of peace, if I was lucky.

I kept my hoodie up, head low, sketching random geometric shapes in the corner of the page while the professor adjusted the slides. A few more students trickled in. Murmured conversations, chairs scraping against the floor, phones being silenced.

Then the volume shifted. Louder. Sharper. More theatrical.

Of course.

Bryan Carter had entered the room.

I didn't even need to look. His presence practically dragged attention to itself. He laughed a deep, arrogant sound and sauntered in like he owned the place, which, judging by the way everyone turned to him, maybe he did.

Right beside him, clinging to his arm like ivy on a brick wall, was Zalia Rhodes. Blonde. Perfect. Loud. She wore confidence like perfume, choking and sweet.

I rolled my eyes and focused on my notes.

They always came late. Always made a scene. And somehow, always got away with it. Bryan gave the professor a nod not an apology, just a nod and the man smiled. Smiled. Like a celebrity had walked in.

I didn't get it. Why did teachers adults seem to tiptoe around him like he was untouchable?

Zalia giggled and took her seat next to him near the center row, close enough for him to be seen from every angle. I half-expected a spotlight to drop from the ceiling and bathe him in gold.

I was trying really trying to ignore him, when something strange happened.

We were discussing the week's topic: social behavior and groupthink psychology. The professor asked a question something about how people act differently in groups than alone and the room fell into that awkward silence of students not wanting to volunteer.

I waited for him to move on.

But then Bryan raised his hand.

I froze mid doodle. Was this a prank?

"Sometimes people follow the crowd because it's easier than standing out," Bryan said. His voice was casual, almost lazy. "You get less judgment that way. Less risk."

The professor nodded eagerly. "Exactly. Safety in numbers. Very good, Mr. Carter."

I blinked.

Had... Bryan just said something smart?

I snuck a glance at him. He was leaned back in his chair, one arm slung lazily over the backrest, eyes half lidded like he didn't care like he hadn't just made the most insightful point of the entire morning.

He caught me looking. Just for a second.

I turned away quickly and cursed myself. Why had I looked?

Still, I couldn't help the whisper of thought in the back of my mind quiet but persistent.

Maybe he wasn't all empty charm after all.

But that didn't mean I had to like him.

Or trust him.

Right?