The Wrong Brother I was Supposed to Ignore

"I’m looking for the perfect brother, but I think I just found the devil instead."

The boy leaning against the back wall didn't move. He didn't even blink. He just stared at me with eyes so dark they looked like ink spills on a white page. This wasn't the honors classroom. The air here smelled like expensive cologne and trouble.

"You’re in the wrong place, Scholarship," he said. His voice was a low growl that made the hair on my arms stand up.

I gripped the strap of my bag until my knuckles turned white. "This is Room 402, isn't it? I’m supposed to meet Daniel Vale here."

A few other students in the back laughed. It wasn't a kind laugh. It was the sound of people who owned the world mocking someone who just lived in it.

"Daniel?" The boy tilted his head. A lock of messy black hair fell over his forehead. "Daniel is in the front wing. With the sunlight and the people who pretend to be good. We don't do 'good' in this corner of the building."

"I’m sorry," I whispered, turning to leave. "I’ll just go."

"Wait."

I froze. I didn't want to stay, but my feet wouldn't move. He stood up slowly. He was tall, lean, and looked like he had never followed a rule in his life. His uniform tie was hanging loose, and his top button was undone.

He walked toward me. The other students went silent.

"What's your name?" he asked. He was standing way too close now. I could smell the faint scent of rain on his jacket.

"Sophie," I said, my voice shaking. "Sophie Bennett."

He repeated it slowly, like he was tasting the words. "Sophie. You’re the one everyone is talking about. The girl from the bus stop."

I felt a sting of heat in my cheeks. "I didn't know riding the bus was a crime here."

"At Crestview? It’s worse than a crime. It’s a tragedy," he sneered, but his eyes didn't look mean. They looked... curious. "I’m Harrison. Not that you care. You're here for the Golden Boy, right?"

"My family... they told me to find him. It’s important," I managed to say.

Harrison took a step even closer. He reached out and touched a strand of my hair. I should have pulled away, but I was paralyzed.

"Let me give you some advice, Sophie Bennett," he whispered, leaning down so only I could hear him. "People who get close to my brother don't end well. They end up broken. Or worse—they end up like him."

"He’s your brother," I said, breathless. "How can you say that?"

He pulled back, a cold smirk touching his lips. "Because I’m the one who has to clean up his messes. Now, get out of here before the others decide to have fun with you. The door is behind you. Don't look back."

I didn't wait. I bolted out of the room, my heart hammering against my ribs like a trapped bird.

I ran down the hallway, past the lockers that cost more than my dad’s car, until I reached the main courtyard. The sun was bright here. It felt safe.

"Sophie?"

I spun around. A boy was walking toward me. He was perfect. His hair was neatly styled, his smile was warm, and his uniform was spotless. He looked like the hero of a movie.

"I’m Daniel," he said, reaching out to take my hand. his touch was gentle. "I’ve been looking everywhere for you. I’m so sorry if you got lost. This place can be a bit overwhelming on the first day."

"I... I went to the wrong room," I said, trying to steady my breathing.

Daniel smiled, and for a second, I forgot about the dark room and the dangerous boy. "Don't worry about it. You're with me now. I’ll make sure nobody bothers you. Ready to start your new life?"

I looked at his hand holding mine. It felt right. It felt like the plan was working.

"Yes," I said. "I’m ready."

But as Daniel led me toward the main hall, I looked up at the senior balcony. Harrison was standing there, leaning over the railing. He wasn't smiling. He was just watching me.

"Who are you looking at?" Daniel asked, his voice still sweet.

"Nobody," I lied. "Just the building."

"Good," Daniel said, his grip on my hand tightening just a little too much. "Because the only person you need to look at here is me."

I nodded, but a chill went down my spine. I came here for the right brother. I came here to save my family. So why did Daniel's smile feel like a mask, and why did Harrison’s warning feel like the only honest thing I’d heard all day?

I walked into the school with the Golden Boy, but my mind was still back in that dark room, trapped in the stare of the brother I was supposed to ignore.