“You couldn’t find the chain!?” Archer’s voice came sharp, low, like he didn’t believe me but wasn’t ready to say it out loud yet.

I blinked at him, letting out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding. “Yeah. There was no chain at all in his room.” The lie rolled off my tongue like I’d rehearsed it—which I kind of had.

No way I was telling either of them about Chase Everett. Or the dumb, smug look on his face when he gave me that ultimatum.

Penn let out a sigh, slumping into her seat beside me. Her lip gloss shimmered faintly under the harsh classroom lights, but she looked more tired than glam today. “I thought there was a chain,” she murmured, voice full of hope that had already been crushed. “That was the only lead we had…”

Yeah. The only lead I just let slip into the hands of the most arrogant person at Avard.

But Archer kept watching me. That subtle kind of watching, like he was collecting puzzle pieces. His brows pinched slightly, and his jaw worked like he was chewing on doubt. He didn’t say anything else, but he didn’t have to. I knew that look.

The classroom buzzed quietly with chatter until a cheerful voice cut through it.

“Good morning, everyone!”

Miss Clara stepped into the room like a burst of sunlight. She wore a pastel pink blouse that made her blonde curls bounce as she moved, and her smile looked permanently glued to her face. “I’m so excited to be with you all this beautiful morning!” she chirped, like this was some fairyland school and not a reformatory where kids threatened each other with sharpened pens.

As she turned to write on the whiteboard, the classroom door slammed open.

All heads turned—mine included.

In strolled Chase Everett, followed by two boys who practically oozed swagger and sin. It was like watching the school’s version of royalty arrive, late but unapologetic, dragging tension into the room like storm clouds behind them.

Penn leaned in, whispering near my ear. “That’s Levi and Jax. Numbers 2 and 4. Watch out.”

Chase walked like he didn’t care who stared. His jawline was too sharp for his own good, and his blue eyes had that icy kind of clarity that made you feel like he could see all your secrets—and would probably sell them for fun.

Levi came behind him, tall and lean with dark, tousled hair that looked like he’d just rolled out of bed and still managed to look editorial. His green eyes flicked lazily across the classroom like he didn’t give a single damn. Jax brought up the rear, all muscle and charm with a grin that could probably land him a role on some teen drama.

Their cologne hit a second after they did—something expensive and smug—and the faint rustle of their designer jackets followed them down the aisle. The classroom went quiet. Even Miss Clara blinked in surprise.

“Why are you three late?” she asked, trying hard to sound strict but looking like she was about to break into a smile.

“We were held up,” Chase said, voice smooth like warm honey and full of zero apology.

“And what, might I ask, held you up?”

Jax slid into his seat with a grin. “We were calculating the exact angle for our entrance. You know—wanted to nail the dramatic timing.”

Laughter rippled through the room like wildfire. Even Miss Clara smiled, shaking her head.

Levi rolled his eyes. “He’s serious, unfortunately.”

Miss Clara clapped her hands once. “Okay, okay. Let’s focus, people. Today we’re doing a class practical. Group work!”

Everyone groaned like she’d just said detention.

“Relax,” she added. “I already paired you all into twos.”

I immediately whispered a prayer. Please not Chase. Anyone but Chase.

She started calling out pairs, one by one. My heart thudded in my ears until—

“Camille Campbell and Levi Rivers.”

I could’ve kissed the air. Saved.

I let out a breath and looked up just in time to see Levi get up from his seat, walking towards me with the kind of calm that made everyone else feel like they were trying too hard. He sat down beside me without a word.

“Hey,” I offered.

Levi glanced at me. “Hey.” Curt. Almost cold.

I blinked, a little thrown. Was he always like this? Did he hate talking? Or was I just invisible in his world?

“I’m Camille,” I said, trying again. “You probably already know that.”

He nodded without looking up. “I do.”

Okay. So we’re going with the mysterious silent type today. Cool.

Miss Clara passed out worksheets. “You’ll be asking your partner ten questions. About anything. Childhood memories, favorite color, worst fears. This is to help build trust and communication.”

I barely had time to start thinking of what to ask when a shadow loomed over us.

Chase.

Of course.

“Hey, Levi,” he said, with that signature smirk. “Mind switching?”

Levi barely looked up. “Fine.”

What?!

Before I could even blink, Chase had taken the seat beside me, settling in like this was always the plan. His eyes locked onto mine and my stomach did a stupid flip I refused to acknowledge.

“Hey, Jones.”

I narrowed my eyes.  Wish that was my real name.

He tilted his head ooking at me like I was some overpriced artifact or something 

That was it.

I stood up and stormed to Miss Clara. “Miss, I need to talk to you.”

She looked up warmly. “Yes, Camille?”

“He just switched seats with Levi. Isn’t that against the point?”

Miss Clara gave me a knowing look. “Sometimes we have to work with people we don’t get along with.”

“Right, but we were doing fine. He just barged in.”

She smiled gently. “Try to make the best of it. You might be surprised by what you learn.”

I wasn’t sure what annoyed me more—her optimism or Chase's smug face when I returned to my seat.

“Happy now?” I muttered, sitting down.

“Over the moon,” Chase said, grinning like a boy who got exactly what he wanted.

Miss Clara handed us the question sheet and I sighed. Time to survive this.

“What’s your favorite subject in school?” I asked, eyes still on the paper.

“None,” he said with a shrug.

Of course.

“Favorite hobby?”

He leaned in closer, his eyes trailing down my body so slowly I almost stopped breathing. “I think you know.”

“I don’t.”

He grinned. “Getting to know pretty girls like you.”

I rolled my eyes so hard it hurt. “That’s not a real hobby.”

“Sure it is. Especially when they’re fiery like you, Jones.”

I ignored him. “Biggest fear?”

For a moment, something shifted in his expression. His voice dropped lower, almost raw. “Losing someone I care about.”

I blinked, caught off guard.

“What’s something you can’t live without?”

Chase smiled faintly. “Your smile.”

I looked away, cheeks burning. This was dangerous territory.

“I think we’re done here,” I muttered.

“Shame. I was just getting started.”

When class ended, I practically shot up from my seat. But Chase followed.

“Two more days, Jones.”

“So?” I said, not turning around.

“You really don’t want me to play dirty,” he murmured beside me.

“You’re not getting what you want. And I’ll get a chain in your damn presence,” I snapped.

He smirked, brushing his fingers against mine. I flinched at the warmth.

“Sweetheart,” he whispered, “I want to see you try.”

Students were watching. Whispering. But Chase didn’t care. He leaned a little closer.

“There’s something about you…” he said suddenly, tone shifting. “You remind me of someone.”

I blinked. “Who?”

He paused. Something flickered behind his eyes.

“The old Number 5,” he said quietly. “Not someone you’d know.”

Then he let go of my wrist and walked away like he hadn’t just thrown a live grenade into my brain.

I stood frozen, heart racing, watching him leave with Levi, Jax, and a girl I hadn’t seen before. Blonde hair. Tall. Confident.

The previous Number 5?

Could it be—

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