Chasing Dreams

The Talking Begins (Chapter 5)

Christian's POV:

As I sat in my new classroom, the murmurs of my classmates faded into the background. I glanced around, taking in the faces of students who had already formed their cliques. But then, she walked in—Sophia Kardashian. I'd heard the whispers, and seen the glances, but nothing prepared me for the real thing. She was stunning.

Ariana, her friend, was animatedly chatting beside her as they approached the front row. Sophia's hair cascaded over her shoulders like a waterfall, and those eyes—green and striking—were locked onto her notebook as she sat down. I couldn't help but admire her from a distance, feeling a sudden surge of determination.

Bryce leaned over to me, his voice low. "That's Sophia. Good luck trying to get her attention, man. Everyone wants a piece of her."

I chuckled, trying to play it cool, but inside, I felt a rush of adrenaline. "Why's that?"

"Just look at her," he said, nodding toward her. "She's a model, actress, everything. And she doesn't date athletes—trust me."

"Challenge accepted," I replied, smirking. The moment I laid eyes on her, I knew I had to change that perception.

As the teacher entered the room, I focused back on my surroundings, but I could feel Sophia's presence, a magnetic pull that kept my attention anchored to her. Class began, but the lesson felt secondary to the silent battle happening in my mind. I needed to talk to her, to make her see I wasn't just another athlete trying to ride on the coattails of her fame.

When the teacher called for introductions, I took a deep breath. "I'm Christian Valcosta," I said, projecting confidence as I stood up. "I just moved here from Texas. I play basketball."

The room erupted in whispers and nods. It was the reaction I expected, but I only had eyes for one person. I locked eyes with Sophia, and for a brief moment, the noise faded. Her gaze held mine, and I felt a flicker of something—curiosity, maybe.

"Looks like you're causing quite the stir," she said when I took my seat again, a hint of a smile playing on her lips.

I leaned closer, taking a chance. "And you're the eye-catching distraction everyone's talking about. How's that for a trade-off?"

Her expression shifted, amusement dancing in her eyes. "Smooth, aren't you?"

"Just trying to keep up," I replied, grinning. "So, what's it like being the queen bee around here?"

She laughed softly, the sound light and genuine. "It's not all it's cracked up to be. Just a lot of pressure and expectations."

"I can relate," I said, leaning back in my chair, feeling bolder. "I'm used to the spotlight, too. Just trying to navigate it all without losing my mind."

We exchanged a few more words before the teacher redirected our attention to the lesson, but I could sense an undercurrent between us—a tentative connection. I wanted to know more about her, about the girl who was both adored and scrutinized by everyone around her.

As class continued, I fought against the urge to glance back at her. But each time I did, I found her looking my way, her expression shifting from curiosity to a slight challenge, as if she was sizing me up.

The bell rang, signaling the end of the period, and I felt a rush of disappointment. I wasn't ready to leave the space between us just yet.

"Ari!" Sophia called, gathering her things and standing up. "Let's go."

I stood up, grabbing my backpack. "Hey, Sophia! Can I grab your number before you go?"

Her eyes widened slightly, but she quickly masked it with a smirk. "You'll have to earn it, Valcosta."

I grinned, taking a step closer. "Challenge accepted."

With that, she walked away, her laughter echoing in my ears as I watched her go. This was just the beginning, and I was determined to show her that I was different from the rest.

Today was only the first day, but something told me it wouldn't be the last I'd see of Sophia Kardashian.