The rest of the day passed in a blur for Adrien.
Every classroom felt colder.
Every hallway felt louder.
Every stare felt heavier.
By the time the final bell rang, he just wanted to escape the building before anything else went wrong.
He packed his bag quickly and slipped out of class—but the corridor outside was already filled with students moving aside… creating a silent path.
Adrien didn't understand why until he saw him.
Riyan Crest.
Standing at the end of the hall.
Calm.
Expressionless.
Hands in his pockets, like he owned the air around him.
A few students whispered,
"He's waiting for someone."
"Maybe for the new kid…"
"No chance—he wouldn't bother."
But Riyan wasn't looking at them.
He was looking at Adrien.
Adrien froze mid-step.
His stomach tightened.
Riyan didn't move at first; he just watched him with those unreadable eyes, as if measuring him… or deciding something.
Finally, he spoke.
"Come here."
Two simple words.
Soft voice.
Still more dangerous than Dev's entire gang.
Adrien stepped forward slowly, every instinct telling him to turn and run.
When he stopped in front of Riyan, the hallway was silent enough to hear someone breathe across it.
Riyan tilted his head slightly.
"You sat in my seat."
Adrien swallowed.
"I… didn't know.
"I know you didn't."
Riyan's voice wasn't angry. That made it worse.
"But in this school, not knowing is how people get hurt."
Adrien looked down.
"I'm not trying to cause problems."
Riyan stepped closer.
Too close.
"That's the second mistake you've made today."
Adrien's breath caught.
"…What was the first?"
A faint smirk touched Riyan's lips—cold, almost amused.
"You spoke to Naomi."
Adrien felt his heart drop.
"I didn't—she just—"
"I'm not blaming you."
Riyan cut him off smoothly.
"But people will assume things. And assumptions become fuel."
He moved past Adrien, brushing his shoulder lightly.
A warning without force.
"Stay out of trouble," Riyan said.
His voice low, final.
"Because if trouble reaches you… it won't be someone like Dev."
Adrien stood frozen.
Before he could speak, Naomi appeared from the opposite side of the hall.
She looked at Riyan first, then at Adrien, then back at her brother.
"Don't scare him."
Riyan didn't look back.
"I didn't."
Naomi crossed her arms.
"You did."
Riyan paused—just for a moment—then walked away, leaving the hallway buzzing with tension.
Students began whispering again.
"Riyan actually talked to him…"
"This kid is done for."
"Why is Naomi involved?"
Adrien felt every whisper stab into him like tiny needles.
Naomi walked up to him slowly.
"Don't overthink it," she said.
"But… stay careful."
Adrien managed a weak nod.
"I didn't even do anything."
"That's how Oakridge works."
She gave a humorless smile.
"You don't have to do anything. The place will drag you in anyway."
She left before he could respond, disappearing into the crowd.
Adrien exhaled shakily.
He had survived his first day… barely.
But the message was clear—
Riyan Crest hadn't hurt him.
He hadn't threatened him.
He had simply… noticed him.
And in Oakridge High,
that was the most dangerous thing of all.