Aria couldn't stop smiling as she leaned toward Maya.
Aria whispered, "The new professor is hot."
Maya gasped, smacking her lightly on the forehead. "Aria, shut up!"
"Ow!" Aria giggled softly, rubbing her head — then quickly straightened up when he spoke.
"Good morning, everyone."
The voice was deep, smooth, and calm — the kind that could silence a storm.
"My name is Rylan Crowe," he continued, walking across the front of the class, eyes scanning every student one by one. "But you can call me Rylan."
A faint smirk tugged at his lips, revealing a single dimple on the left side. His tone was composed, but his gaze burned with quiet intensity.
Chloe nearly melted in her seat, eyes glued to him — but Rylan's gaze wasn't on her.
It was on Aria.
Aria felt it — that sharp, heavy stare that made her heartbeat quicken. She tried to ignore it at first, but it didn't stop.
Finally, she stood up, hands on her desk.
"Hey, new teacher — do you like me or something? Why are you staring at me like that?"
The room fell silent. Every student turned to look at her in shock.
Rylan's smirk deepened.
"Like you? Not at all."
He paused, his voice dropping lower, eyes never leaving hers.
"But it could be… more."
Gasps rippled through the room.
Aria blinked, caught between embarrassment and irritation. "Stop looking at me then. It's weird."
Rylan tilted his head slightly, pretending to think. "You're not that special for me to only look at you," he said coolly. Then, with that same calm arrogance, he added, "Do you want to make enemies on your first day?"
Her jaw dropped. "What—? I wasn't—"
He chuckled quietly, clearly enjoying her flustered expression.
Maya whispered from behind, "Aria, sit down before you die."
Aria sighed dramatically and sat, pouting.
Rylan turned to the board, completely unbothered. "Let's begin the lesson, everyone."
His tone was professional, but his mind wasn't. Every time he spoke, his eyes found her again — and Aria could feel it.
That cold, focused gaze.
Like she was already something he'd decided to keep
The lesson began, the sound of chalk scratching against the board filling the room.
Aria tried to focus, she really did — but Rylan's voice was too smooth, too deep, and honestly way too distracting. Every time he explained something, she found herself doodling tiny hearts in the corner of her notebook.
Eli leaned closer and whispered something in her ear. Whatever it was, it made her giggle softly.
Then— thud!
A whiteboard marker flew across the room and hit Eli right in the forehead.
"Hey—!" he yelped, rubbing his head.
Rylan turned slowly, eyes cold. "Talking during my class?" His tone was calm, but sharp enough to slice through the air. "How disrespectful."
Eli froze. "S-sorry, sir." He quickly looked down, avoiding eye contact.
Rylan's gaze lingered on him for a second too long — not just angry, but… something else. A flicker of jealousy.
Then his eyes shifted. "Aria."
She jumped slightly at the sound of her name. "Yes—wait. How do you know my name?"
His lips curved into that same faint smirk. "The principal mentioned a few of the troublemakers in this class." His gaze flicked between her and Eli. "Including you and your little friend here."
Aria raised an eyebrow. "Troublemaker? I'm an angel."
Rylan's voice dropped lower. "I'll be the judge of that." He leaned casually against his desk, eyes locked on hers. "I think I'll pay… special attention to you both." Then, after a small pause, his tone softened — almost dangerously so. "Especially you, Aria."
A few students chuckled quietly. Aria just blinked, not sure whether to feel flattered or nervous.
Maya whispered behind her, "He's totally into you."
Aria rolled her eyes, pretending not to care — but her heart beat just a little faster.
And from where he stood, Rylan noticed.
Every glance, every reaction.
He saw everything.
And he liked it.