**Noah’s POV**

I walked into school the next morning, my head heavy, my mood darker than ever. I hadn’t seen Enzo since last night, when he carried me to bed, his hand in my hair, whispering things I didn’t understand. *Why does it have to be a human?* His voice kept echoing in my mind, soft and broken, like he was fighting himself. Did he really say sorry? Or was I dreaming? The thought made my chest tight, like I was stuck in a cage I couldn’t see.

I slipped into the classroom and sank into my seat, the chatter of other students buzzing around me. They were laughing, tossing paper balls, acting like life was normal. I used to be like that, joking with James, dodging bullies. Now, all I could think about was getting through the day and going back to that awful house. Five hours. Just five hours, and I’d be back in Enzo’s world, with his rules and his cold eyes.

I didn’t notice James until he plopped into the seat next to me, his backpack thudding on the floor. “Hey, Noah,” he said, his voice too loud, too cheerful. “You okay, man? You look like someone ran over your dog.”

I nodded, barely looking at him, and rested my head on my arms. “I’m fine,” I mumbled, my voice flat. I didn’t want to talk. Not now, not ever. Enzo’s rules were like chains: *Don’t tell anyone. Don’t get comfortable.* If I slipped up, James could die. I couldn’t let that happen.

James sighed, leaning closer. “Come on, dude,” he said. “You’ve been weird all week. Is it your dad? Is he hitting you again? ’Cause I swear, Noah, if he’s hurting you, I’m calling the cops myself.”

I froze, my heart racing. My dad. The thought of him made my stomach twist, but not as much as the truth. “Don’t, James,” I said, lifting my head to look at him. “You don’t know what’s going on. Just… don’t.”

His eyes softened, worried. “Noah, talk to me,” he said. “You’re my friend. If you’re in trouble, I wanna help. What’s going on? You show up in a freaking limo, and now you’re acting like a zombie. Tell me something.”

I wanted to. God, I wanted to tell him everything—how my dad sold me, how Enzo owned me, how I was trapped. But the words stuck in my throat, heavy and dangerous. “I can’t,” I said, my voice breaking. “You wouldn’t get it, James. Just leave it alone.”

He frowned, leaning back. “Fine,” he said, his voice quieter. “But I’m here, okay? Whenever you’re ready.”

I nodded, looking away, my eyes stinging. The classroom door opened, and the room went quiet. I didn’t look up until I felt someone watching me. Dean. That creepy guy from Enzo’s house, the one who cornered me yesterday. He walked in, his smile sharp and unsettling, like he was hunting me. My stomach dropped, and I wanted to run, to get as far from him as possible.

James leaned over, whispering, “Yo, isn’t that teacher kinda… sexy? I mean, for a dude.”

I shot him a look, my face burning. “Shut up,” I muttered, keeping my eyes on my desk. Dean’s voice cut through the room, loud and commanding. “Everyone, sit down,” he said. “Get your books out. Now.”

I fumbled with my bag, pulling out my book, but I could feel his eyes on me. He walked down the aisle, stopping right by my desk. “Noah,” he said, his voice smooth, “where’s your book?”

I held it up, my hands shaking. “Here,” I said, not looking at him.

“Good,” he said, leaning closer. “Pay attention this time. No zoning out.”

“Sorry,” I mumbled, keeping my eyes down. I didn’t understand these people—Enzo, Dean, Ren. They all acted like they owned the world, like I was nothing. I just wanted to get through this class and disappear.

Time dragged, the lesson a blur. I felt like sleeping, my head heavy, but Dean’s voice snapped me awake. “Noah!” he called, sharp enough to make me jump. “No sleeping in my class. Understand?”

“Sorry,” I said again, my face hot. “Won’t happen again.”

“It better not,” he said, his smile creeping back. “I’m watching you.”

Lunchtime came, and my stomach growled, loud and empty. I didn’t have money or food—nothing but the clothes on my back and Enzo’s rules in my head. I wandered to the stairs outside the school, sitting on the cold steps, my arms wrapped around my knees. I was so hungry it hurt, but I didn’t know what to do. Go back to the house? Wait for Ren? I felt lost, like I didn’t belong anywhere.

A shadow fell over me, and I looked up. A guy stood there, tall, with a friendly smile, holding a sandwich wrapped in plastic. “Hey,” he said, sitting next to me. “You look like you could use this. Take it.”

I stared at the sandwich, my stomach growling louder. “Thanks,” I said, taking it, my hands shaking. I unwrapped it and took a bite, the bread soft, the peanut butter sweet. It was the best thing I’d tasted all day.

“You’re welcome,” the guy said, his smile widening. “You looked pretty rough sitting here all alone.”

I swallowed, nodding. “Yeah, I’m just… hungry,” I said. “I’ll pay you back, I promise.”

He waved a hand, laughing. “Nah, don’t worry about it,” he said. “I’m a senior. Helping out’s no big deal. You’re new around here, right?”

I shook my head, finishing the sandwich. “Not new,” I said. “Just… been gone a while.”

He nodded, his eyes kind but sharp, like Dean’s. It made me uneasy, like I couldn’t trust anyone. “You okay?” he asked, leaning closer. “You seem kinda out of it.”

“I’m fine,” I said, my voice tight. “Just tired.”

He smiled again, tilting his head. “Fair enough,” he said. “But we’re in the same school, so we should at least know each other’s names, right? I’m Stan.”

I paused, my heart racing. Enzo’s rules echoed in my head: *Don’t get comfortable.* But he seemed nice, and I was so tired of being alone. “Noah,” I said softly, nodding. “My name’s Noah.”

Stan grinned, holding out his hand for a shake. “Nice to meet you, Noah,” he said, his voice warm.