**Chapter 1: Unlikely Encounter**

Maya Hart stood confidently at the front of her AP English classroom, her long, wavy blonde hair cascading down her back like a golden waterfall. Her bright blue eyes, a trait she shared with her face claim, Sabrina Carpenter, sparkled as she surveyed the room, her gaze lingering on each student before moving on to the next. Her eyes landed on Eric Walker, the captain of the soccer team at Westerbrook High School, who was sitting in the back, his eyes fixed on her with an unmistakable air of confidence. As she began to discuss the day's lesson, Maya couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement. She had always loved teaching, and her passion for literature was contagious. Her students adored her, and she took pride in pushing them to think critically and explore the depths of the human experience. But despite her professional demeanor, Maya's personal life was a different story. As a Kryptonian, Shadowhunter, banshee, and wielder of chaos magic, she had grown up with a multitude of secrets and responsibilities. Her adoptive parents, Jocelyn Fray and Luke, had taken her in when she was just a child, and her parabatai, Clary, had been her sister in every way that mattered. Maya's unique heritage made her a valuable asset in the Shadowhunter world, but it also made her a target. Maya's thoughts drifted to her childhood, to the painful memories of her biological father's abuse and manipulation. His Kryptonian strength had made him a formidable opponent, but her Raziel-blooded heritage had allowed her to fight back. The scars on her arms and torso still lingered, a testament to the battles she had fought and won. As she lectured, Maya's eyes kept drifting back to Eric. There was something about him that drew her in, something that made her want to peel back the layers and explore the depths of his soul. She pushed the thought aside, focusing on the lesson at hand, but she couldn't shake the feeling that Eric was different, that there was more to him than met the eye. The bell rang, signaling the end of class, and Maya smiled, gathering her things. "Alright, class, that's all for today. Your homework is to read chapters 5 and 6 and write a short analysis on the symbolism in the novel." As the students filed out of the classroom, Eric lingered, his eyes locked on hers. "Hey, Ms. Hart," he said, his deep voice sending a shiver down her spine. "Can I talk to you for a minute?" Maya's heart skipped a beat as she nodded, her mind racing with possibilities. What could Eric possibly want to talk to her about? And why did she feel like she was standing on the precipice of something that would change her life forever?