My seatmate is a Vampire

Chapter 13: The New Student (Amber's POV – A Mysterious New Arrival, )

Adrian Blackwood was always in control.

Too calm. Too confident. Like nothing in the world could touch him.

Even when he teased me, even when I snapped at him—he never wavered.

Like he had all the time in the world to play his little games.

But today?

Today, I saw something crack.

And the reason?

The new student.

—

I walked into class expecting another round of Adrian's smug remarks.

Instead?

I walked into tension so thick I could barely breathe.

Mr. Calloway stood at the front of the room, arms crossed, looking more serious than usual. The class was eerily quiet, everyone's attention fixed on the boy standing beside him.

Tall.

Dressed in all black, just like Adrian.

Pale skin. Sharp, cutting features.

And his eyes?

Red.

Not brown. Not hazel. A deep, blood-red shade.

A chill crept down my spine.

He looked like he had just stepped out of a nightmare.

Mr. Calloway cleared his throat. "Class, we have a new student joining us today. This is—"

"Damien Vale."

The boy spoke before Calloway could finish.

His voice was cold. Unbothered.

Like he had no interest in being here.

Like we were all beneath him.

I swallowed.

Something about him felt wrong.

Then, before I could even process why—

I felt Adrian tense beside me.

—

I had never seen Adrian Blackwood react to anything.

Ever.

But the moment Damien walked in?

Adrian stiffened.

His fingers curled around the edge of his desk.

His jaw tightened.

And when I turned to look at him—

His golden eyes were burning.

Not amused. Not smug.

But sharp. Cold. Almost… dangerous.

And he was staring at Damien.

Like he had just seen a ghost.

—

Damien scanned the room, his expression empty.

Then his eyes landed on Adrian.

A slow, knowing smile curled at his lips.

"Well." He tilted his head slightly. "This should be interesting."

Adrian's grip tightened.

The air shifted.

Like the temperature in the room had dropped ten degrees.

And then, before anyone else could react, before I could even process what was happening—

Damien started walking.

Straight toward us.

—

I didn't breathe.

Didn't move.

Because something was happening.

Something silent but dangerous between Adrian and Damien.

Some kind of invisible standoff.

Damien moved with too much confidence. Too much purpose.

And Adrian?

Adrian wasn't smirking anymore.

I didn't like it.

I didn't like any of this.

Then—

Damien stopped.

Right in front of our desk.

His eyes flickered to me. His expression barely changed.

"Mind if I sit here?"

I hesitated.

Because no, I didn't mind. But—

"No."

Adrian's voice was low. Sharp. Immediate.

I blinked. What.

Damien tilted his head, smirking slightly. "I wasn't asking you."

I looked between them, confused.

Damien wasn't just some random student.

I could feel it.

And whatever this was between them?

It was personal.

Adrian's golden eyes burned. "Find another seat."

Damien exhaled through his nose. "Still bossy, I see."

Still?

I frowned. Did they… know each other?

Damien looked at me again. His gaze was sharp but unreadable.

"You don't mind, do you?"

I opened my mouth.

But before I could answer—

"She minds."

Adrian's voice was dangerous.

Low. Lethal.

My stomach flipped.

Damien studied him for a moment.

Then, slowly, he smirked. "Huh."

And just like that, he turned and walked away.

—

I released a breath I didn't realize I was holding.

My hands were clammy. My heart was pounding.

And Adrian?

Adrian was still tense.

His fists clenched. His jaw locked.

Like he was waiting for Damien to look back.

Like he was barely holding something in.

I hesitated.

Then, carefully, I whispered, "Adrian?"

He didn't move.

Didn't look at me.

I swallowed. "Do you… know him?"

For a long moment, he didn't answer.

Then—

"Forget about him, Amber."

His voice was calm.

Too calm.

I didn't like it.

Because Adrian Blackwood never told me what to do.

He teased. He provoked.

But this?

This was a warning.

And the worst part?

For the first time since I met him…

I actually wanted to listen.

—