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Noel Kahn stood at the top of the Rosewood High steps, the morning sun glinting off the silver whistle around his neck. He was the picture of effortless confidence: captain of the lacrosse team, the school’s undisputed prince, and the center of every conversation that mattered. His friends—fellow jocks in letterman jackets—clustered around him, laughing too loudly at his jokes, eager for his approval. The air buzzed with first-day energy, but for Noel, it was just another stage.
He leaned against the railing, surveying his kingdom. Girls watched him from across the quad, whispering behind manicured hands. Underclassmen scurried out of his way. He smirked, tossing his lacrosse ball in the air, catching it one-handed. This was his world, and everyone knew it.
“Dude, you coming to practice after school?” Tyler asked, slapping him on the back.
Noel shrugged, a lazy grin on his lips. “Wouldn’t miss it. Gotta show the new guys how it’s done.” The others laughed, the sound echoing off the brick walls.
But then he saw her.
A girl he’d never seen before stood at the edge of the parking lot, clutching her bag like a lifeline. She looked lost, out of place—her hair damp from the drizzle, her shoulders hunched as if she could make herself invisible. Noel’s gaze lingered, curiosity piqued. New faces were rare in Rosewood, and this one was interesting: pretty, but not in the obvious way, with a kind of vulnerability that made her stand out.
He nudged Tyler, nodding toward her. “Check it out. Fresh meat.”
The boys snickered, but Noel was already moving, breaking away from the group with the easy swagger of someone who owned every inch of the school. He cut across the quad, weaving through the crowd, his eyes never leaving the girl.
She was fiddling with her phone, glancing around nervously. He could see the tension in her posture, the way she seemed to brace herself for impact. He knew that feeling—though he’d never admit it.
He stopped a few feet away, letting his shadow fall across her. “My, my. If that isn’t a sight for sore eyes.”
She jumped, startled, her eyes wide. Up close, he could see the freckles on her nose, the way her lips parted in surprise. She was even prettier than he’d thought.
“You’re new here, aren’t you?” he asked, voice smooth, teasing.
She nodded, cheeks flushing. “It’s my first day.”
Noel grinned, dimples flashing. “Well, welcome to Rosewood High. I can show you to the secretary’s office, if you want. Unless you like wandering around lost.”
She hesitated, glancing at her phone again. “I’m waiting for my cousin. Hanna.”
At the mention of the name, something shifted in Noel’s expression—a flicker of recognition, quickly masked. “Hanna Marin?” he repeated, the words almost an accusation.
She nodded, uncertain. “Is that a problem?”
He forced a smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “No problem at all. Hanna and I go way back. I used to date one of her friends.” His voice was light, but there was an edge to it, something dark and unreadable.
They stood in awkward silence until Noel offered his arm, an old-fashioned gesture that made her blush. “Come on. I’ll show you around. Name’s Noel, by the way. Noel Kahn.”
She took his arm, her grip tentative. “Madison. Madison Marin.”
He led her through the halls, pointing out classrooms and landmarks with practiced ease. Students parted for them, shooting Madison curious glances. Noel basked in the attention, but Madison shrank beside him, clearly overwhelmed.
When they reached the secretary’s office, Noel dropped her arm and melted back into the crowd without a word. Madison watched him go, confusion and relief warring on her face.
She wandered the halls alone until she collided with a boy carrying a stack of books.
Noel Kahn’s world was one of control and dominance, but lurking on the edges of that world was Lucas—a quiet, unassuming boy who seemed to exist in stark contrast to the lacrosse captain’s swagger. Lucas was the kind of guy who blended into the background, his lanky frame often hunched as if trying to make himself smaller, less noticeable. His shy smile and gentle eyes made him easy to overlook, but that only made him an easier target for Noel and his friends.
Lucas had known Rosewood High all his life, but he’d never quite fit in. The jocks, led by Noel, saw him as an easy mark—a punching bag for their cruelty wrapped in a goofy grin that never quite reached his eyes. “Hermy,” they called him, a nickname that stung every time it was thrown around the halls. It was a reminder that he was different, that he didn’t belong.
Despite the constant teasing, Lucas carried himself with a quiet resilience. He wasn’t a fighter, not in the way Noel was, but he had a kindness that made him a rare friend in a place ruled by arrogance and power plays. When Madison stumbled into him on her first day, he offered her a smile that was both awkward and sincere.
“I’m Lucas,” he said softly, helping her steady her books. For a moment, Madison felt a flicker of hope—a small island of kindness in a sea of hostility.
The first hours of school passed in a blur. Madison clung to Lucas, grateful for his quiet company. But when they entered their third-period classroom, her heart sank—Noel was there, sprawled in the back row, surrounded by his friends. He was laughing, loud and careless, but when he saw Madison, his gaze sharpened, pinning her in place.
“Hey, Hermy!” one of the boys called to Lucas, and the group erupted in laughter.
Madison leaned over. “Hermy?”
Lucas shrugged, the hurt obvious in his eyes.
Before she could say more, a boy named Ben sauntered over, leaning on her desk. “Hey there, Sweetheart. I’m Ben. Welcome to Rosewood.”
The boys laughed, the sound harsh and mocking. Madison felt exposed, her skin prickling with embarrassment. Lucas tried to intervene, but Ben only sneered. “Relax, it’s not like anyone’s ever been interested in you before.”
Madison wished she could disappear.
Then Noel’s voice cut through the noise, sharp and commanding. “Don’t be dicks. Leave her alone.”
The laughter died down, but then Noel stepped closer, his tone turning syrupy and false. “Little Maddie here is just shy,” he said, ruffling her hair. She flinched at the nickname, at the implication.
“So you already know her?” Ben asked, grinning.
Noel smirked. “Wouldn’t you like to know?” He let his fingers trail through her hair, making Madison’s stomach twist with dread. “A gentleman never tells.”
The boys howled, trading crude jokes. Madison’s face burned. She wanted to defend herself, but the words stuck in her throat.
Ben leered. “Are the two of you done? Can the rest of us have a turn?”
Noel’s hand drifted toward her chest. Madison froze, panic rising. His fingers brushed her skin, and something inside her snapped.
She stood abruptly and slapped him, the sound echoing in the stunned silence.
Noel’s face darkened, shock giving way to fury. He grabbed her arm, his grip bruising. “I’m going to destroy you,” he hissed, voice low and venomous. “Mark my words, little Maddie. When I’m finished with you, you’ll be nothing.”
Before he could say more, the teacher entered. “What’s going on here?”
Noel’s smile was instant, charming. “Nothing, sir. Just a heated argument.”
He released her, muttering “Bitch” as he walked away.
Madison sat down, her arm throbbing where he’d gripped her. The class stared, whispers swirling. Lucas looked away, ashamed. Madison fought back tears, refusing to let Noel see her cry.
Noel Kahn seethed in the back row, his pride wounded, his anger simmering. No one humiliated him and got away with it. He clenched his fists, vowing revenge.
Madison had no idea what she’d started. But she would soon learn: in Rosewood, crossing Noel Kahn came with a price.
Noel Kahn stalked through the halls of Rosewood High, his jaw set, every muscle in his body tight with humiliation and rage. The slap from Madison Marin still burned on his cheek, but what stung worse was the laughter and the whispers—like a poison, spreading faster than he could contain it.
He kept his head high, refusing to let anyone see him falter. His crew—Ben, Tyler, and the rest—clustered around him at lunch, but even they seemed uncertain, their eyes flicking to him for cues.
“Bro, you gonna let her get away with that?” Ben muttered, trying to sound tough.
Noel shot him a look that dared him to say more. “She’ll regret it. Trust me.”
But the cafeteria was alive with rumor. Noel heard his own words—twisted, exaggerated—drifting from table to table.
He totally had her, and she freaked out.
Did you see the way she slapped him?
Maybe Kahn’s not as untouchable as he thinks.
Noel’s eyes flicked across the room. At the far end, Eric, his older brother, sat with the seniors, laughing at something only his table could hear. The rivalry between them was an unspoken wall—each ruling their own territory, neither willing to acknowledge the other unless it was to trade icy glares.
Noel’s phone buzzed.
'You good, man? Looks like everyone’s talking about you and the new girl.'
He ignored it. He didn’t need sympathy. He needed to remind everyone who he was.
Across the room, Madison Marin was trying to blend into the crowd, but it was hopeless. She was the center of attention—every whisper, every glance, every pointed giggle seemed to follow her. But she didn’t break. Instead, she moved with quiet determination, weaving her way toward the courtyard.
Madison’s heart pounded as she escaped the cafeteria, desperate for air. She barely noticed Lucas until she nearly collided with him by the lockers.
“Hey, are you okay?” Lucas asked, his voice gentle.
She nodded, forcing a smile. “Just… needed to get out of there.”
Before Lucas could say more, a voice called out, bright and familiar: “Mad Maddie!”
Madison turned to see Hanna rushing toward her, arms open. Hanna enveloped her in a hug, squeezing away some of the tension.
“I’m so sorry I missed you this morning,” Hanna said breathlessly. “But I’m here now, and you’re not getting rid of me.”
Madison managed a shaky laugh. “I’m glad. I really need a friend.”
“Come on,” Hanna said, linking arms with her. “There are some people you have to meet.”
She led Madison to a quiet corner of the courtyard, where three girls waited. They looked up, curiosity and warmth in their eyes.
“Guys, this is my cousin, Madison Marin. Madison, these are my best friends—Emily, Aria, and Spencer.”
Emily, tall and athletic with a kind smile, stepped forward first. “Hey, Madison. Hanna’s told us a ton about you. Welcome to Rosewood.”
Aria, petite with wild hair and a quirky sense of style, grinned. “If you survive your first week, you’re basically one of us for life.”
Spencer, sharp-eyed and perfectly put together, nodded. “And if anyone gives you trouble, just let us know. We have ways.”
Madison smiled, feeling the tension in her shoulders ease. For the first time since she’d arrived, she felt like she might actually belong.
They sat together, sharing stories and inside jokes. Madison’s filled them in on her rough morning, and the girls rallied around her instantly.
“Don’t let Noel Kahn get to you,” Emily said. “He’s all bark and no bite.”
Aria rolled her eyes. “He’s just mad someone finally stood up to him.”
Spencer added, “He’ll move on to someone else soon enough. He always does.”
Madison listened, grateful for their support. She glanced around the group, noticing one seat empty.
“Is this everyone?” she asked.
Hanna shook her head. “Allison’s out sick today. But you’ll meet her soon enough. She’s… a lot, but you’ll get used to her.”
The girls laughed, and Madison felt a flicker of hope. Maybe, with these girls by her side, Rosewood wouldn’t be as terrifying as it seemed.
Meanwhile, back in the cafeteria, Noel watched Madison through the window, surrounded by Hanna and her friends. Something in his chest twisted—anger, yes, but also a grudging respect. She wasn’t backing down.
He turned to his crew, voice cold and certain. “This isn’t over. Not by a long shot.”
As the bell rang and students spilled into the halls, the lines were already being drawn. Noel’s pride demanded revenge. Madison had found allies. And Rosewood High, always hungry for drama, was ready for the next act.