I straighten up in my seat and take a deep breath.I try to hide that I’m still trembling from Nicole’s whisper and Reece’s stare.The only battle I want to fight today is against the clock.
But peace doesn’t last long here.Not with the ex-queen bee sitting three rows over, and the new contender sharpening her claws behind me.
Tia raises her hand five minutes in, all polite smile and fake humility.“I just wanted to ask about the upcoming homecoming court nominations,” she says, sweet as poison in a glitter bottle.
Of course she does.
The moment the words leave her lips, I feel Nicole stiffen behind me, tension spilling off her shoulders like she’s gearing up for a duel.It’s not about the votes.It never is.It’s about image.Power.Legacy.Who gets to wear the crown and whose name gets erased from history.
Tia may have lost the boy, but she’s not giving up the spotlight without a fight.
And Nicole?She’s willing to burn the whole school down before she lets Tia take center stage again.
The war isn’t beginning.It has never ended.They’re just switching weapons.
Mrs.Whitman attempts to bring the room back to something educational, but it’s too late.The air is already thick with ego and glittering tension.Tia throws a smug glance at Nicole.
The rest of us just hold our breath and act like we’re not watching.
Ten minutes before the bell, Mrs.Whitman decides to ruin my life.She claps her hands, all business, and starts rattling off partner names.Then I hear it—my name.
And his.
“Samantha and Reece.”
My stomach drops.
I blink once.Twice.The world doesn’t stop spinning, but it definitely slows down.
Did she really say that out loud?
What the fuck?
There has to be some kind of cosmic glitch happening.Some cruel little glitch coded by the universe just to mess with me.Maybe it’s karma, taking advantage of something I forgot I did.
I glance over at Reece.
He doesn’t hide the smirk forming on his face.One eyebrow raised, eyes shining with amusement, posture exuding arrogance.He’s leaning back in his chair, relaxed and smug, as if this is the best news he’s received all day.His fingers toy with the edge of his desk, tapping out a slow, steady rhythm that mirrors the tension building in my spine.
Then he moves.
His chair screeches across the floor, drawing attention along with it.Every eye in the room shifts.They know this is a show.And he’s about to put on one.
He stands, stretches, and walks toward me with all the time in the world.
I sit frozen in my seat, jaw clenched, fingers gripping my pen as if it could save me.
“Oh shit,” Lola breathes, loud enough to sound like a public service announcement.Her head swivels between Reece and me, back and forth, back and forth, as if she’s watching a car crash in slow motion and can’t decide which angle hurts more.
Liz is already gone, traitor that she is, slipping into the chair next to Sofia without even pretending to hesitate.Of course, she’s got Sofia.Calm.Normal.Safe.The kind of partner who uses highlighters properly and doesn’t stare at you like they might ruin your life for fun.
Why couldn’t that be me?
Why couldn’t I be working with Sofia, quietly filling out worksheets and counting down the minutes until the bell, instead of sitting here waiting for disaster to slide into the chair next to me?
Lola leans in closer, lowering her voice.“If you survive this, I’m buying you fries.”
I snort despite the nerves fluttering under my skin.
