Chapter 3

At least, that was what she told herself.

She and Mia were walking toward the cafeteria when Lily suddenly stopped.

Mia nearly walked into her.

"What now?"

Lily pointed ahead.

"Who's that?"

A boy she had never seen before was standing near the cafeteria entrance.

He was tall, neatly dressed, and carrying a small stack of books under one arm. Unlike most students, he didn't look lost or nervous.

He looked completely comfortable.

Mia followed Lily's gaze.

"Probably a new student."

Lily nodded.

"He's cute."

Mia smiled.

"You said that very loudly."

"I don't care."

Before Mia could respond, the boy looked in their direction.

Their eyes met.

He smiled.

Lily smiled back.

Then someone walked directly between them.

Charles.

He stopped when he noticed Lily staring past him.

"What are you looking at?"

"Nothing."

Charles glanced over his shoulder.

Then he looked back at Lily.

"Right."

"What?"

"Nothing."

Lily frowned.

"Why do you keep saying nothing?"

"Because you keep asking questions."

Before Lily could answer, the new boy approached them.

"Hi."

Lily immediately brightened.

"Hi."

"I'm Daniel Carter."

"Lily Anderson."

"I know."

Lily blinked.

"You know me?"

Daniel smiled.

"My father mentioned your family. He knows your parents."

Lily's expression changed slightly.

Of course.

In their world, almost everyone knew everyone's family.

Mia introduced herself, and Daniel greeted her politely.

Then he looked at Charles.

"And you are?"

Charles gave him a brief nod.

"Charles."

Daniel smiled.

"Nice to meet you."

"Same."

Lily noticed Charles's unusually short response.

She looked between them.

"Charles isn't very friendly."

"I noticed," Daniel said jokingly.

Charles looked at Lily.

"Unlike you."

"Exactly."

Daniel laughed.

Lily smiled.

She liked him already.

"So, Daniel," she said, "where are you from?"

"London. My family moved here recently."

"That's interesting."

"Is it?"

"Yes."

Charles sighed.

"I'm leaving."

Lily turned.

"Why?"

"Because I have somewhere to be."

"You always have somewhere to be."

"Exactly."

He walked away.

Lily watched him leave.

Daniel noticed.

"You two seem close."

Lily immediately shook her head.

"Absolutely not."

Mia coughed.

Lily glared at her.

"What?"

"Nothing."

Lily turned back to Daniel.

"Charles is just..."

She searched for the right word.

"Annoying."

Daniel smiled.

"I see."

"And stubborn."

"Okay."

"And irritating."

"Definitely sounds like you two know each other well."

"We've known each other for years."

Daniel nodded.

"Then maybe I'll need to hear the full story someday."

Lily smiled.

"Maybe."

They continued talking while Mia watched with an amused expression.

For the first time that day, Lily wasn't thinking about Charles.

Daniel was easy to talk to.

He didn't argue with everything she said.

He didn't roll his eyes at her.

He actually listened.

It was refreshing.

After lunch, Daniel walked with Lily toward the classroom.

"You have chemistry next, right?"

"Yes."

"Me too."

"Good."

She smiled.

"Then you can sit with me."

Daniel laughed.

"Is that an invitation?"

"No."

He raised an eyebrow.

"It's an order."

"Then I guess I have no choice."

"Exactly."

They entered the classroom together.

Charles was already there.

He looked up.

His eyes moved from Lily to Daniel.

Then back to Lily.

For a moment, his expression was unreadable.

Lily noticed.

And for reasons she couldn't explain, she smiled.

"Charles."

"What?"

"Meet my new friend."

Daniel held out his hand.

"Hey."

Charles looked at the hand.

Then at Daniel.

Finally, he shook it.

"Hey."

Lily watched them.

Something about Charles's reaction amused her.

She leaned closer to Daniel.

"Don't worry. He doesn't bite."

Charles heard her.

"I might start."

Lily laughed.

Daniel laughed too.

Charles didn't.

Instead, he returned to his seat.

Lily sat beside Daniel.

She glanced at Charles.

He wasn't looking at them anymore.

But his pen wasn't moving either.

Lily smiled to herself.

Maybe Charles wasn't as unaffected as he pretended.

And suddenly, annoying him seemed even more fun.