Writers 
By Monday morning, Westbridge High had already found something new to talk about.
The new student.
His name was Ryan Carter.
He had transferred from an expensive private school across town. His family apparently had money, the kind of money that made people whisper instead of simply saying, “He’s rich.”
And, according to the girls in Sarah Kytre’s class, he was ridiculously handsome.
Sarah had heard the entire story before first period had even started.
She didn't care.
At least, that was what she kept telling herself.
She pushed open the English classroom door three minutes late, a half-eaten chocolate bar in one hand and her notebook tucked underneath her arm.
“Sarah!” Mia whispered dramatically. “You're late.”
Sarah looked at the clock.
“I'm three minutes late.”
“Three minutes is enough time for Mrs. Collins to destroy your academic career.”
“She'll survive.”
“You might not.”
Sarah rolled her eyes and slipped into the empty seat beside Mia.
She was about to open her notebook when she noticed someone sitting behind them.
A boy.
Blond hair fell messily across his forehead. He wore a dark hoodie, and a silver watch rested around his wrist. Everything about him looked effortlessly expensive.
Sarah stared for two seconds.
Maybe three.
Then he looked up.
Their eyes met.
She quickly turned away.
Mia's eyebrows shot up.
“Oh.”
“What?”
“Nothing.”
“Mia.”
“You looked at him.”
“I have eyes.”
“You definitely looked at him.”
Sarah unwrapped another piece of her chocolate.
“Can you please survive one morning without embarrassing me?”
Before Mia could answer, Mrs. Collins walked into the classroom.
“Good morning, everyone.”
The room immediately went quiet.
Mrs. Collins placed her books on the desk and adjusted her glasses.
“Before we begin, we have a new student joining us today.”
She turned toward the blond boy.
“Ryan, would you like to introduce yourself?”
Ryan stood slowly.
The room became strangely quiet.
“I'm Ryan.”
Silence.
A few girls giggled.
Sarah pressed her lips together, trying not to laugh.
Mrs. Collins stared at him.
“Anything else?”
Ryan thought for a moment.
“No.”
Sarah covered her mouth.
Mia leaned closer.
“I like him already.”
“He's arrogant,” Sarah whispered.
Ryan sat down.
Then, without even looking at her, he said quietly,
“You've been staring at me.”
Sarah froze.
“I wasn't.”
“You were.”
“I was looking at the board.”
“The board is behind me.”
Mia made a choking sound beside her.
Sarah slowly turned toward Ryan.
He was smiling.
Not a huge smile. Just enough to make her want to wipe it off his face.
“You're irritating,” she whispered.
“And you've known me for about thirty seconds.”
“That was enough.”
Ryan raised an eyebrow.
“Interesting.”
Sarah turned back toward the front, determined to ignore him.
Unfortunately, her peaceful silence lasted less than a minute.
Mrs. Collins picked up a sheet of paper.
“For your semester project, you'll be working in pairs.”
Sarah's stomach dropped.
Then Mrs. Collins continued.
“Sarah Kytre and Ryan Carter.”
The class immediately erupted.
Mia slowly turned toward Sarah with the biggest grin imaginable.
Sarah stared at Ryan.
Ryan leaned back in his chair, looking far too pleased with himself.
“Looks like you're stuck with me.”
Sarah sighed.
“Don't make me regret coming to school.”
Ryan's smile widened.
“Too late.”
Sarah stared at him for a moment.
Maybe the rumors were right.
Ryan Carter was handsome.
He was rich.
He was confident.
And, judging by the first five minutes of knowing him, he was definitely going to be trouble.