My Stepbrother: secret possession

Prom King/Mr king

"This is a bonus test for your assessment," Mr Franco walks around the classroom aisles with a stack of papers in his arms.

"Easy!" Evie excitedly mumbles. I turn over the sheet of paper on my desk and glance at the questions.

"I know, right?" I exclaim quietly, and we share a joyful smile.

"I bet it's not easy. Bonus tests aren't just about alphabetical ordering," someone from behind my desk derisively spits.

"That's the problem; you kids don't study after school. For next year, I will make sure to talk to the school boards, and every student shall spend an hour in the library each day," Mr Franco informs us.

"You're saying next year we're going to hell?" Eric mutters, and everyone around the class chuckles at the nonsensical statement.

"Mr Joseph?"

"Sorry, Mr Franco." He raises his hands in defence and stifles a laugh just as Lisa walks into the homeroom wearing a skirt that shouldn't be legal in high school.

"Miss Austen, you know the rules; no test for tardies. Please excuse the class."

"Please, Mr..." She begins.

"And no excuses." His stern voice interrupts her.

She frowns. "But I have to write my test or my grad..."

"You should have thought about your punctuality then." He throws her a strict gaze.

"Mr Franco, Lisa volunteered to give extra maths lessons for the disabled kids. I think that's generous." I lied, and her eyes instinctively dart to me, just like everyone in the classroom.

"You sure?" He suspiciously asks, and I nod. "Okay, Miss Austen, you can have a seat, but next time, remember to inform them that you have a class to attend when the bell goes off."

"Thank you, sir." She heads towards her usual desk and slides into it before she turns back and whispers, "Thank you, Ava, for returning the favour. I still hate you, though." She smiles sincerely and twirls around.

"You may begin," Mr Franco instructs.

***

"Hey, Ava." I hear a familiar booming voice, and I shift my gaze from my duffel bag to the slim girl comfortably dressed in yoga trousers and a sports bra. Her sapphire blue radiant eyes fix on me, and her lips form a smile.

"Hey!" I return the smile, curiosity filling my mind.

"I watched you swimming. You were great," Quinn remarks, and I let out an actual laugh.

"In my swimsuit, I ask. "I still suck, huh?"

"No, actually, you were enjoying the water and keeping your head above it. Aren't those the rules?" She wears a mischievous expression, and I nod. "Yes, I think the rest doesn't matter."

"I guess."

"Why don't you come back to cheering? I know the school year is about to end, but what about next semester? You were really good on top, you know?"

With my eyes downcast, staring at my thumbnails, I respond, "Cheering isn't my thing."

"We both know that's not true." She counters.

"Why are you here, Quinn?" I firmly change the subject.

"Can't I come to watch a friend swim?" She raises her brows quizzically, and I sigh.

"Look, Ava, I know we had some difficult moments and complicated issues that I have no idea how they started, but at the end of the day, I want you to know that I've always admired English people, and you're the first English person I've come to know who has surpassed all my expectations." She grins at my raised eyebrows.