Chapter 2 Chapter two

Chelsea barely slept that night. Every time she closed her eyes, she remembered Ryan Ashford staring at her across the hall after the announcement. The memory irritated her more than it should have. Out of all the people in Blackthorn Academy, fate had decided to tie her to the one person she already could not stand.

By morning, the entire school already knew who she was. Not because she was intelligent or because she had worked hard to get there, but because she was the scholarship girl who tied with Ryan Ashford. Everywhere she walked, whispers followed her.

“She’s the one.”

“How did she even beat him?”

“I heard the system made a mistake.”

Chelsea ignored all of it and continued walking through the hallway with her notebook pressed tightly against her chest. She had spent too many years being underestimated to let strangers break her confidence now.

Her phone buzzed suddenly with a notification from the academy.

Elite Scholars Orientation — Attendance Mandatory.

Chelsea stared at the message for a few seconds before sighing softly. This would be her first official meeting with Ryan since the announcement, and she already knew it was going to end badly.

The Elite Scholars lounge was located on the highest floor of the administration building. The room looked more like a private business hall than a school facility. Large glass windows overlooked the academy grounds while expensive furniture filled every corner. Everything about Blackthorn Academy constantly reminded Chelsea that this was a world built for people richer than her.

The moment she stepped inside, conversations slowly quieted. A few students looked at her openly before whispering among themselves. Chelsea ignored them and took the empty seat furthest from everyone else.

Unfortunately, only a few seconds passed before Ryan walked into the room.

The atmosphere shifted immediately.

Some students straightened in their seats while others greeted him nervously. Ryan acknowledged none of them. His attention moved across the room before stopping directly on Chelsea.

Then, without hesitation, he walked toward the empty seat beside her.

Chelsea glanced around at the many other available seats before looking back at him. “There are literally empty chairs everywhere,” she muttered.

Ryan sat down calmly beside her. “And yet this one seemed the most interesting.”

Chelsea rolled her eyes and looked away quickly before she noticed how annoyingly attractive he looked this morning. That thought alone irritated her.

Before either of them could continue arguing, a woman entered the room. She introduced herself as Professor Hart, the supervisor of the Elite Scholars Program, before explaining the rules of the system.

The top-ranking students would work in permanent pairs throughout the school year. Their performances would determine future internships, sponsorships, recommendation letters, and leadership opportunities within the academy.

Chelsea’s stomach tightened slightly at that. One mistake could ruin everything she had worked for.

“And because Miss Stewart and Mr. Ashford achieved equal scores,” Professor Hart continued, “they will serve as lead partners for this year’s program.”

Whispers spread quietly across the room.

Chelsea resisted the urge to groan while Ryan remained completely calm beside her, almost like none of this bothered him at all.

Folders were passed around containing details of their first assignment. Chelsea opened hers quickly before frowning at the debate topic written across the page.

Power matters more than talent in determining success.

Of course Blackthorn Academy would choose something like that.

“What side are we taking?” Ryan asked beside her.

Chelsea flipped through the papers. “Talent.”

Ryan leaned back slightly in his chair. “You answered that very quickly.”

“Because it’s obvious.”

“Or because you’re emotionally attached to the argument.”

Chelsea turned toward him immediately. “And you sound exactly like someone born with every advantage.”

Ryan’s expression shifted slightly. “You think money guarantees success?”

“You wouldn’t survive one week without it,” Chelsea replied coldly.

Silence settled briefly between them as they stared at each other.

“You know nothing about me,” Ryan finally said.

Chelsea crossed her arms. “And you already know everything about me?”

Before the argument could continue, Professor Hart interrupted them sharply and ordered everyone to begin preparing for the debate properly.

After orientation ended, Chelsea headed toward the library to begin researching. She was halfway there before realizing Ryan was walking beside her.

“You walk fast,” he said casually.

“Maybe I’m trying to escape you.”

“That would hurt my feelings.”

Chelsea glanced at him suspiciously. “You have feelings?”

Ryan laughed softly under his breath, and the sound caught her off guard. It was the first genuine reaction she had seen from him since meeting him.

They reached the library entrance together, but before Chelsea could walk inside, a familiar voice stopped her.

“Well, this is embarrassing.”

Chelsea turned to see a tall girl standing nearby with two others beside her. The girl smiled coldly as her eyes moved toward Chelsea.

“You’re already following Ryan around after one day?”

Chelsea frowned slightly. “Excuse me?”

The girl crossed her arms. “People like you usually move fast.”

The insult was obvious.

Chelsea felt anger rise inside her chest. “People like me?”

The girl looked her up and down openly. “Scholarship students.”

The words made the surrounding students fall silent immediately.

Chelsea hated the way humiliation burned through her chest, especially knowing everyone around them was listening.

“Try not to forget where you came from,” the girl added.

Before Chelsea could respond, Ryan suddenly stepped forward beside her.

“That’s enough, Vanessa.”

The girl looked shocked. “Ryan—”

“I said enough.”

His voice remained calm, but there was something cold underneath it that immediately made Vanessa step back.

Chelsea stared at him in surprise. She had not expected him to defend her.

Ryan glanced toward Chelsea briefly before speaking again. “Let’s go.”

Chelsea followed him into the library silently. The moment the doors closed behind them, quiet settled between them again.

Finally, Chelsea looked at him carefully. “Why did you defend me?”

Ryan slid his hands into his pockets. “Because she was wrong.”

Chelsea searched his face for sarcasm but found none.

And somehow, that unsettled her more than the insults did.

Because for the first time since arriving at Blackthorn Academy, Ryan Ashford no longer felt completely like her enemy.