Axel leaned his head against the car window, watching the trees blur by. The silence in the car was deafening, broken only by the low hum of tires on pavement and the occasional tap of his mother's perfectly manicured nails against the steering wheel. His father didn't say a word. As usual. Some cold stares. Same tight suits. Same "we're doing this for your future" speech. Axel didn't believe them. Not anymore. This was his third school in two years. The final shot before they gave up on him for good. The one chance he had before they shipped him off to some military school or worse forgot he even existed. The car slowed to a stop in front of a pristine building. Westbridge high. New place, new people, same Axel. He stepped out, backpack slung low on one shoulder, black hoodie half-zipped, chain dangling from his jeans. His hair was tousled like he didn't care because he hadn't and his eyes carried the heavy look of someone who didn't trust easily. Or at all.

Inside, the halls buzzed with the morning energy, but it all blurred together. He didn't look at anyone. Didn't care who staring. until the classroom door opened. Everyone turned when the teacher cleared his throat. "Class, we have a new student joining us today." Axel walked in, hands in pockets. He scanned the room casually until his eyes landed on a boy near the window clean cut, focused, posture perfect. Noah. Axel didn't know his name yet, but something about the way the guy looked at him like he already had him figured out lit a fuse in his chest. "Introduce yourself, please," the teacher said Axel gave a half-shrug. "Axel. Don't expect me to talk much." A few laugh. A few raised eyebrows. Noah didn't laugh. He just kept watching. The teacher gestured to an empty seat. Of course, it was the one right behind Noah.

As Axel took his seat, Noah turned slightly, cool and calm. "You're not going to last here," he said under his breath, just loud enough. Axel leaned forward, smirking. "Guess I'll enjoy proving you wrong." The tension was instant. The challenge set. And just like that, Westbridge high wasn't going to be so boring after all.