Chapter 4 Chapter four

Chelsea spent the entire night trying to convince herself that Ryan Ashford meant nothing to her. Unfortunately, her brain refused to cooperate. Every time she closed her eyes, she remembered the way he had quietly bought her food without making a big deal out of it. She remembered the strange look in his eyes when she admitted that failure was not an option for her. Most of all, she remembered the simple honesty in his voice when he offered to walk her back to her dorm.

It was annoying.

Very annoying.

Chelsea rolled onto her side and buried her face in her pillow. She had only known Ryan for a few days, yet somehow he had already become the most frustrating person in her life. The worst part was that she was beginning to realize he wasn't exactly the person she thought he was.

The next morning, Blackthorn Academy felt different.

Excitement buzzed through the campus like electricity. Students crowded the hallways, talking loudly and comparing predictions. Everyone knew today was important. It was the day the official entrance rankings would be announced.

Chelsea tightened her grip on her bag as she walked toward the assembly hall. She had worked harder than anyone knew to get into Blackthorn Academy. Every late night, every sacrifice, every hour spent studying had led to this moment.

The massive hall was already packed when she arrived. Hundreds of students filled the seats while teachers stood along the walls. At the front of the room, a giant screen hung above the stage.

Chelsea found a seat and tried to calm her nerves.

A few rows ahead, she spotted Ryan.

As usual, he looked completely relaxed.

While everyone else seemed anxious, Ryan sat comfortably in his chair, as though the rankings had already been decided in his favor.

Chelsea resisted the urge to roll her eyes.

The principal eventually stepped onto the stage, and the room immediately fell silent.

“Welcome, students,” he began. “Today we recognize the most outstanding performers from this year's entrance examination.”

The giant screen behind him lit up.

The rankings began.

Names appeared one after another.

Students cheered whenever their friends were announced. Some looked relieved. Others looked disappointed.

Chelsea's heartbeat grew faster with every passing minute.

The numbers climbed higher.

Top fifty.

Top twenty.

Top ten.

The atmosphere became tense.

Then the screen flashed again.

Rank Two.

Ryan Ashford.

The room exploded into applause.

Several students immediately stood to clap. Others whispered excitedly. After all, Ryan Ashford was the academy's golden boy. Seeing his name near the top wasn't surprising.

Chelsea glanced in his direction.

Ryan barely reacted.

He simply sat there with the same calm expression on his face.

The applause slowly died down.

The principal raised his hand for silence.

“And now,” he announced, “the highest score in this year's entrance examination.”

Chelsea held her breath.

The screen changed.

A single name appeared.

Chelsea Stewart.

For a moment, the entire hall went silent.

Nobody moved.

Nobody spoke.

Chelsea stared at the screen, convinced she was imagining things.

Her name remained there.

Bright.

Impossible.

Real.

Then whispers erupted throughout the room.

Students turned to look at her from every direction. Shock spread across their faces.

Some looked confused. Others looked offended.

A scholarship student?

At the top?

It didn't make sense to them.

Chelsea could barely process it herself.

Then another message appeared beneath her name.

TIE SCORE DETECTED.

The room exploded again.

Students immediately looked toward Ryan.

Then back toward Chelsea.

Then toward Ryan again.

The academy's most famous student had tied with a girl nobody had even heard of a week ago.

Chelsea slowly lifted her gaze.

Across the hall, Ryan was already looking at her.

For the first time since they had met, genuine surprise appeared in his eyes.

The silence between them lasted only a few seconds.

Then something unexpected happened.

Ryan smiled.

Not the arrogant smile she was used to.

Not the teasing smile that always irritated her.

This smile was different.

It looked almost impressed.

Chelsea's stomach flipped unexpectedly.

And somehow, she knew this ranking announcement was only the beginning of her problems.

Because if tying with Ryan Ashford had already shocked the entire academy, what would happen when everyone discovered they were about to become partners?