chapter 1

Monday, September 7, 2026

8:20 a.m.

Las Vegas Elite Academy

I stood frozen for a few seconds.

My notebooks were scattered across the floor while laughter echoed all around me.

I didn't understand.

Why did this boy hate me so much?

We had never even met before.

I crouched down to gather my things. My hands trembled slightly, but I refused to cry.

Not here.

Not in front of all these strangers.

A pair of white sneakers stopped in front of me.

"Are you okay?"

I looked up.

A blonde girl smiled at me warmly.

She bent down to help me pick up my notebooks.

"Thank you..."

"My name is Maya Brooks."

She held out her hand.

"And you?"

"Elina Carter."

"Nice to meet you."

Her smile was genuine, and it immediately put me at ease.

"Don't pay attention to them. They follow Noah around like sheep."

I glanced toward the main building.

"Why did he do that to me?"

Maya hesitated.

"Honestly... I have no idea. Noah isn't exactly nice to people, but he never goes after someone from the very first minute. That was... strange."

I lowered my gaze.

So I wasn't imagining things.

Something was definitely wrong.

---

8:35 a.m.

Principal's Office

"Come in."

I gently pushed the door open.

The principal, a man in his fifties, looked up from his computer.

"Miss Carter, welcome to Las Vegas Elite Academy."

He greeted me with a warm smile.

"I'm Richard Anderson, the principal. Here is your class schedule, your student ID, and the school's handbook."

I accepted the documents.

"Thank you, sir."

"You'll be joining the senior class. The students have high expectations, but I'm sure you'll find your place here very quickly."

I hoped he was right.

Because my first fifteen minutes at this school had already turned into a nightmare.

---

9:00 a.m.

Classroom 3-B

Every eye turned toward me as I walked into the classroom.

The teacher motioned for me to come forward.

"Good morning, everyone. Today we're welcoming a new student. Please introduce yourself."

I took a deep breath.

"Hello. My name is Elina Carter. I hope we'll have a great year together."

A few students applauded politely.

Then a male voice shattered the silence.

"I seriously doubt that."

The entire class burst into laughter.

I recognized the voice instantly.

Noah.

He was sitting at the back of the classroom with his arms crossed.

Our eyes met.

He wasn't even smiling.

His expression was cold.

Hostile.

The teacher frowned.

"Mr. Hale, show some respect."

"I was just giving my opinion."

The laughter started again.

I quietly clenched my fists.

I wouldn't give him the satisfaction of seeing me break.

"You may sit next to Maya," the teacher said.

I walked over to my seat.

Maya gave me an apologetic look.

"Ignore him."

Easy for her to say.

Ever since I arrived, he had only one goal—to make me feel like I didn't belong.

---

10:25 a.m.

Main Courtyard

The bell rang, announcing the morning break.

The moment I stepped out of the classroom, I felt countless eyes fixed on me.

Whispers spread through the crowd.

"That's her..."

"Noah already hates her."

"She doesn't stand a chance here."

I pretended not to hear them.

As I crossed the courtyard, someone suddenly grabbed my wrist.

My heart skipped a beat.

I turned around.

Noah.

He looked straight into my eyes.

His face was unreadable.

"Listen carefully, Elina."

His voice was calm.

Far too calm.

"If you want to have a peaceful school year..."

He leaned in slightly.

"Leave this school before it's too late."

I yanked my wrist free.

"Are you threatening me?"

A faint smile appeared on his lips.

"You'll find out soon enough what I'm capable of."

Without waiting for my reply, he walked away.

I stood there, unable to move, my heart pounding.

I still had no idea why he hated me.

But one thing was certain.

Noah Hale had just turned my very first day at Las Vegas Elite Academy into a battlefield.