The rain tapped softly against the tall windows of Blackwood Academy, a prestigious boarding school tucked away in the hills. Students hurried through the stone hallways, trying to avoid being late for afternoon classes.

You adjusted the strap of your book bag and glanced at the schedule in your hand.

"Great," you muttered. "Lost again."

Being the newest student had been difficult enough. Blackwood Academy was enormous, and every hallway seemed to lead to three more hallways.

As you stood at a crossroads near the library, trying to figure out where the science wing was, a voice spoke behind you.

"You're blocking the hallway."

You turned.

The boy standing there looked about your age. He had dark hair, sharp green eyes, and an expression that suggested smiling was a waste of time.

"Sorry," you said, stepping aside.

He didn't move.

Instead, his eyes flicked to the map in your hand.

"Science wing is down the east corridor. Second staircase. Third floor."

You blinked.

"Oh. Thanks."

He gave a short nod.

Before he could leave, the school principal rounded the corner.

"There you are!" she called. "I've been looking everywhere."

The boy looked immediately annoyed.

The principal stopped beside him.

"Everyone, this is our newest student, Damian Wayne."

A few nearby students whispered.

You recognized the name. Damian Wayne had arrived only that morning. Rumors about him had already spread through the school. Some said he was a genius. Others claimed he'd attended elite academies all over the world.

Damian looked as though he wished the floor would swallow everyone whole.

The principal smiled.

"Since you're both new, perhaps you could help each other settle in."

His expression somehow became even less enthusiastic.

"I'll manage."

"So will I," you quickly added.

The principal laughed and walked away.

For a moment, neither of you spoke.

Then Damian crossed his arms.

"You got lost in a straight hallway."

"It wasn't straight."

"It was."

"It curved."

"Barely."

You frowned.

He smirked.

It was the first sign that he was capable of showing any emotion at all.

Over the next week, your paths kept crossing.

In class, Damian answered questions before teachers finished asking them.

In fencing club, he defeated students who had been training for years.

At lunch, he usually sat alone.

And every time you ran into him, there seemed to be another sarcastic comment waiting.

"You call that an essay?"

"It got an A."

"Barely."

"You haven't even read it."

"I don't need to."

Despite yourself, you started looking forward to the arguments.