CAUGHT BETWEEN TWO
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Chapter 1: New Beginnings
The school gates of Rosewood High were buzzing with laughter, chatter, and the occasional squeal from girls gossiping about who wore what and who looked the hottest that morning.
Emily adjusted her worn-out backpack on her shoulder as she walked beside her best friend, Emma. The two girls stood out – not because they had the latest fashion or the richest parents, but because of their natural beauty.
Emily, with her soft brown eyes and quiet smile, had a gentleness about her. People often noticed her, but she tried to fade into the background. Coming from a poor family, she had learned to stay humble and keep her head down.
Emma, on the other hand, was her opposite. Bold, loud, and sassy, Emma had no problem speaking her mind. Even though she too came from a poor background, she carried herself with the confidence of a queen. She wasn’t afraid to put people in their place, and Emily often found herself pulled into trouble because of her friend’s fearless attitude.
“Girl, you need to stop hiding that pretty face of yours,” Emma teased, linking arms with Emily. “If I had your looks, I’d own this school.”
Emily laughed softly. “That’s exactly why you would own it, and I’d rather not.”
Before Emma could reply, a sudden ripple of excitement spread through the courtyard. Girls began fixing their hair and whispering. Emily already knew why.
Noah Reynolds had arrived.
With his charming smile, easygoing laugh, and kind nature, Noah wasn’t just the most handsome guy at Rosewood High – he was also the most loved. Unlike most popular boys, he wasn’t arrogant. He greeted everyone, even the freshmen. His kindness only made him more irresistible.
“Ugh, he’s so dreamy,” Emma sighed dramatically, clutching her chest. Then she smirked at Emily. “Don’t pretend you don’t notice.”
Emily rolled her eyes but blushed faintly.
Before she could answer, another figure walked past – a tall boy with sharp features, broad shoulders, and an aura so cold that people instinctively stepped aside. Prince .
He didn’t smile, didn’t wave, didn’t acknowledge anyone. He carried himself with a quiet arrogance, like the world wasn’t worth his time. His model-like looks only added to his mystery, making every girl’s heart race even though he barely looked at them.
Emily felt a strange chill when his dark eyes briefly met hers before he looked away without a word.
“Now that,” Emma whispered, fanning herself, “is danger. And you know I love danger.”
Before Emily could reply, the courtyard erupted again as another entrance stole the spotlight.
Princess had arrived with her loyal shadows, Zoe and Chloe – the identical twins who mimicked her every move. Princess was the diva of Rosewood High. She had flawless hair, designer clothes, and an attitude that screamed superiority. Her mission in life seemed to be making every other girl feel inferior.
When her eyes landed on Emily and Emma, her smirk widened. “Well, well. Look who decided to crawl back to school. The charity cases.”
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Emma immediately crossed her arms. “Better a charity case than a plastic case.”
Gasps filled the courtyard. Emily tugged on her friend’s sleeve nervously, but Emma only smirked, unbothered.
Princess’s eyes narrowed, but she flipped her hair and strutted away, her twins copying every step.
Emily sighed. First day of the new term, and trouble already.
And nothing would ever be the same.
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Classes began as usual, but Emily couldn’t shake the strange feeling that people were staring at her more than normal. She tried to focus on her notes, but her thoughts kept drifting.
During math class, the teacher announced a group project. Names were read out, and Emily’s heart sank when she heard hers.
“Emily… Noah… and Prince.”
The class erupted into whispers and giggles. Emma shot Emily a wide-eyed look from across the room and mouthed: Lucky girl.
Emily felt her stomach twist. Working with Noah would already make her nervous – he was too kind, too charming, and his smile had a way of making her forget how to breathe. But Prince? The boy barely spoke to anyone. She wasn’t sure if he even knew how to smile.
After class, Noah approached her desk, his usual warm grin lighting up his face. “Hey, Emily. Looks like we’re partners. Don’t worry, I’ll make sure the project is fun.”
Her cheeks warmed. “O-okay. Thanks, Noah.”
Then Prince walked over. His tall frame cast a shadow across her desk. He didn’t look at Noah, only at Emily, his dark eyes unreadable. “Don’t slow me down,” he said flatly.
Emily blinked, stunned. “I – I won’t.”
Noah frowned slightly at Prince’s tone but didn’t comment. Instead, he gave Emily a reassuring smile. “Don’t mind him. I’ll text you later so we can figure out when to meet up.”
As the boys walked away, Emily sat frozen, her heart pounding.
Emma rushed over, nearly squealing. “Girl, did you see that?! Noah just smiled at you like you were the only person in the room. And Prince? Oh my gosh, he talked to you. Do you know how many girls would die for that?”
Emily buried her face in her hands. “I don’t want attention. I just want to survive this year.”
But deep down, she knew survival wouldn’t be so simple. Not when Noah’s kindness made her heart flutter… and Prince’s cold gaze lingered longer than it should have.
