Rylan Hayes

There is this guy. His name is Rylan Hayes. Reckless, sarcastic, and the biggest troublemaker at school. He's constantly skipping class, collecting detentions, and finding new ways to drive his strict parents insane. Nothing they do seems to change him. Then there is this girl. Her name is Maeve Collins. Quiet, intelligent, and kind to everyone she meets. Teachers trust her, classmates admire her, and she always seems calm. At home... She isn't. Her parents decide every part of her life—what she wears, who she talks to, and what she's allowed to dream about. School is the only place she feels like herself. Rylan and Maeve have gone to the same high school for years. They weren't friends. Just classmates who occasionally crossed paths. One afternoon, after another explosive argument with his parents, Rylan came up with the worst idea imaginable. "What if I got married?" Maeve laughed. He didn't. Somehow, after hours of convincing and one very impulsive afternoon at the courthouse, they actually did it. Neither of them expected it to stay a secret. A week later, Rylan's mother found an official marriage certificate tucked inside his backpack while searching for another suspension notice. Within an hour... Both families were standing in the same living room. His parents were furious. Her parents were speechless. "Are you trying to ruin your future?!" Rylan's father shouted. Maeve lowered her head, waiting for someone to blame her. Instead, Rylan stepped in front of her. "It was my idea." The room fell silent. For the first time in his life... The rebellious boy who challenged everyone... Chose to protect someone else instead of himself. And somehow... A marriage that started as an act of rebellion... Began changing them both.