Halfway to my desk of choice, I realize who I would be sitting next to. Paige Buchanan. Of course. Because the universe really knows how to pile it on.
As if Chemistry isn’t challenging enough! Now I have to sit next to Miss I’m-Better-Than-You-And-You-Know-It?
Paige, with her long, silky-smooth blonde hair and clothes fitting like they were tailored specifically for her, looks like she walked off a runway—like Victoria’s Secret model, Gigi Hadid—always confident, never mocked, while the rest of us mortals struggle with frizzy hair and teenage acne. Come to think of it, I’ve never seen a single pimple on her face. Must be nice to already have your ticket punched for the Good-Looking Genetics Express while I’m still waiting at the station marked “Awkward Phase That Never Ends.”
“Just my luck,” Paige says. A scowl twists her features, and her eyes flicker up and down, assessing me like I’m something repulsive that crawled out of a dumpster.
Granted, my choice of wardrobe is the exact opposite of hers—but what’s wrong with wanting to stay hidden under a baggy hoodie and pants?
My chest aches with the sting of her rejection, even though I don’t care. At least, I tell myself I don’t. Pretty sure she’d rather sit next to a dead fish than me. The only other free spot is by the window, next to Rick Sanders, the school bully. The choice is obvious.
I slide into the desk next to Paige and pull out my notebook. She and her group of popular friends, who I like to call the Queen Bees, have been tormenting girls like me since freshman year. Paige is their notorious leader, and it’s clear that she’s still carrying on her mission to make sure all the nerdy girls know their place at this school.
I barely have time to organize my belongings before the giggles and whispers of the girls in the front row reach my ears. I look to see what the fuss is all about.
Theo Pearson—the best-looking guy at Meridian High—just walked in. He’s popular, always cool, and oozing confidence. I’m sure of it because every girl in this classroom salivates over him, open-mouthed . . . me included.
I quickly close my mouth as I take in the sight of him. His ripped jeans are a snug fit, and his black button-up shirt, with the top two buttons undone, teases his toned chest. He’s also wearing black Puma sneakers to match, and don’t even get me started on that long, dark and curly hair—even Jon Snow would be jealous.
We knew each other once, Theo and me. We were five . . . maybe six, when our parents hung out a lot. Things were simpler then. People didn’t care what you looked like. I still remember that fourth of July picnic at Founders’ Square Park—our dads grilling burgers, laughing so hard they’d spill their beers while recounting stories from their college days. Dad always said he and Mr. Pearson were inseparable at MSU, roommates who became best friends for life. Theo and I spent hours chasing fireflies in our matching overalls, our sticky popsicle-stained fingers linking together as we ran through sprinklers.
Now, we couldn’t be more different. He’s Mr. Popular, and I—well, I’m just trying my best to fly under the radar. Sometimes I wonder if Theo even remembers those summers, or if that little boy with the gap-toothed smile who taught me how to skip stones across the lake vanished completely beneath all that high school glory.
“Beat it, nerd,” Paige says, yanking me out of my thoughts.
I blink twice. “What?”
“Do I need to spell it out for you?” She huffs at me. “Move over there.” Her finger points to the empty seat by the window, right in front of Rick Sanders. I know why it’s still vacant. No one in their right mind would sit there.
But what choice do I have? The last thing I need is to get on Paige’s bad side again.
A silent sigh escapes my lips, and I gather my belongings as Paige stares at Theo with seemingly hungry eyes.
“You can sit right here,” she says to him, her voice suddenly sweet, then gestures to the chair I just vacated.
Theo comes over, and for the briefest of moments, our eyes meet. Heat rises to my cheeks as those green eyes bear into me, and I whip my head away. Why did I look at him? Why? Oh, I can’t deny it, either. I’m no different from other girls in this classroom.
“Don’t worry about her,” Paige says loud enough for everyone to hear. “Best not to associate with her.”
I dare not look at her. After all, they’re a match made in heaven. Two good-looking people who seem to fit together like some sort of high school royalty. And me? I’m the court jester to be poked fun at. This day just keeps getting better and better.
After a brief introduction, Mr. Kendrick goes over the syllabus, and I half-listen, my mind focused on Paige and Theo’s conversation.
“How was your summer?” Paige asks. “Did you do anything fun?”
“My family bought a new house,” Theo says, fixing his dark hair backward, but a few rebellious strands slip to the front. He must have gone through a bout of puberty over the summer because his voice got deep, making him even hotter. “I spent most of the summer helping my dad remodel it.”
That explains the nice forearms—all that hammering and heavy lifting would do that to a person. No wonder he looks like he could bench press a refrigerator without breaking a sweat.
“Sounds fun. You must be handy.” Paige ogles him like he’s an exquisite art piece—which he is, but that’s beside the point.
He doesn’t look at her, though, and stays true to his too-cool demeanor. “I’m learning what I can.”
“I stayed in the Hamptons with my aunt,” she says casually. “You should come with me next time.”
I turn my head and wait for Theo to respond, but Paige’s thousand-yard stare makes me think better of it.
Then something hits the back of my head, and I glance down at a crumpled-up ball of paper rolling past my feet. Great. Between Rick, who’s apparently made it his life’s mission to pelt me with paper, and Paige, who’s no doubt plotting how to make my life miserable, this is going to be a fun class. So much for staying under the radar.
