Xandra’s heart thumped in her chest, anger and something else she couldn’t quite name mingling within her. This boy was frustrating, and oddly attractive, and he knew it. “You're wrong," she retorted, her voice trembling slightly. "I’m tougher than I look."
Riki reached out, his fingers gently brushing a strand of hair from her face, the touch feather-light but deliberate. Her breath hitched at the unexpected gentleness. He smiled again, a wicked gleam in his eyes. "Oh, I have no doubt about that," he mused. "It’s what’s underneath all that innocence that makes it even more fun."
Riki chuckled softly, enjoying the effect he had on her. He took a step back, his eyes still locked on hers. He seemed to be gauging the way she reacted to his touch, the way her eyes widened the way her face flushed. He smirked, seemingly satisfied with the flustered, stunned look she was now wearing.
"See you around, princess," he said, his voice low before he sauntered off back to where his friends were waiting, leaving her standing there, her heart still thudding loudly in her chest.
Xandra was lost in her thoughts as she made her way to class. The interaction with Riki had left her shaken, and her mind was still racing with the strange mix of emotions he’d stirred within her. She was so absorbed in her own thoughts that she hardly noticed the other students around her until she almost collided with another student. Startled, she managed to sidestep just in time, muttering a breathless apology.
Xandra took her place at the back of the class, grateful for the small degree of anonymity the rear seats afforded her. She pulled out her textbook and tried to focus on the teacher's introduction, but found her mind wandering back to Riki's smirk, his touch, his words. Frustrated, she chided herself for being so easily distracted by a boy she'd only just met.
As the class continued, Xandra heard a soft, lilting voice to her right. "Hey, you're new, right?" Startled, she turned to find a girl with fiery red hair and a warm smile regarding her curiously.
"Y-yeah," Xandra replied, a little taken aback by the friendly approach. The girl's easy manner made her feel off-balance, but not in a bad way. "I just transferred here today."
"Ah, that explains it," the girl with the red hair said with a nod. "I'm Scarlet. But you can call me Scar." She extended a manicured hand toward Xandra.
"Xandra," she replied, automatically shaking Scar's hand. Her grip was firm but not overpowering, and her smile was genuine, without a hint of judgement. Xandra felt herself relax slightly.
Scar leaned back in her chair. "Tough first day, huh? Especially dealing with that whole crowd over there." She gestured discreetly towards the group of students Riki seemed to be a part of. They were whispering and snickering, their eyes flickering over towards Xandra occasionally.
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