The house is quiet when I step inside, which is a rare thing. No loud voices, no passive-aggressive remarks disguised as small talk. Just silence.

I shut the door behind me, letting out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding. My bag drops onto the couch as I run a hand through my hair, feeling the exhaustion of the day settle into my bones.

No sign of my dad. Figures. He’s probably out working late again—or just finding an excuse not to be here. Not that I mind. The fewer awkward silences, the better.

I step into the kitchen, where my mom is sitting at the dining table, absentmindedly scrolling through her phone. She looks up as I enter, her tired eyes softening a little.

“You’re back late,” she says, offering a small smile. “How was your first day?”

I grab a glass from the shelf and fill it with water. “Fine.”

She raises an eyebrow. “Just ‘fine’?”

I shrug. “Met some people. Got lost. You know, the usual new school experience.”

I don’t mention the part where I got roped into doing some random guy’s homework like an idiot. Or the part where said random guy happens to be an insufferably smug giraffe of a person who somehow manages to piss me off and make my heart race at the same time. Yeah. Not bringing that up.

Mom hums in response, watching me for a moment before speaking again. “You’re thinking about something.”

I roll my eyes. “I’m always thinking about something.”

She smiles at that, but there’s a knowing look in her eyes. She’s always been good at reading me. “Is it about a boy?”

My fingers tighten around the glass, and I nearly choke on my water. “What—no! Why would you—”

“Arias.” Her voice is amused, but there’s warmth in it too. “Come on, I know you.”

I groan, setting the glass down with more force than necessary. “It’s not like that.”

She leans back in her chair, arms crossed, waiting. Not pushing, just waiting. It’s a mom thing.

I sigh. “It’s just… there’s this guy, okay? He’s annoying as hell, and I swear he lives to mess with me.”

Her lips twitch like she’s holding back a laugh. “Sounds like you’ve got a crush.”

I glare. “I don’t.”

“Uh-huh.”

I groan again, rubbing my face. “I barely even know him! He—ugh, he made me do his homework, Mom.”

That makes her pause. “Wait… what?”

“Yeah,” I mutter, crossing my arms. “He basically blackmailed me.”

Her expression shifts between disbelief and amusement. “And you just… did it?”

I scowl. “It’s complicated.”

She shakes her head, laughing under her breath. “Arias, I swear, you attract trouble like a magnet.”

“Not my fault trouble is six feet tall and has a stupidly nice face,” I grumble before I can stop myself.

She smirks. “So you have noticed his face.”

I groan for what feels like the hundredth time and grab my bag. “I’m going to my room.”

“Alright, alright,” she says, holding up her hands in surrender. “Just… don’t overthink it too much, okay?”

I wave her off and head upstairs, my face still burning.

I throw myself onto my bed, staring up at the ceiling. It’s been one day. One day, and my life is already ridiculous.

And the worst part? I have a feeling it’s only going to get worse.