Levelling the Playing Field (HD&D Sequel)

Chapter 8 - Ground Rules

Days had passed since the Fundraiser, and Davina Carter was sitting in her economics class. The only other person she knew in it was none other than Bennett Frazier.

He spotted her looking at him out of the corner of his eye, and she looked away, smiling to herself. When she looked back, his eyes still hadn't left her.

"When Carter and Frazier are done gazing into each other's eyes, we can begin the lesson," The teacher abruptly walked in between their desks, having the two snap their heads away from one another, staring down at their laps.

The teacher droned on about macro and microeconomics before rambling about a new project lasting the rest of the semester. It would count towards their final grade. Davina was lost in her own world, humming quietly to herself, when a shadow fell over her desk.

Looking up, she was met with deep blue eyes. Her smirk made its way to her face. She enjoyed their little quips.

"Davina," He acknowledged.

"Your Highness," She returned. Ever since finding out he was rich, like royalty rich, she didn't miss an opportunity to mess with him.

He rolled his eyes, his tongue poking out of his cheek. She couldn't deny he had a way of making her swoon. The quiet confidence he had about him drove her crazy.

"You and I are working together,"

Davina sat forward, her hands holding up her face. "Is that a question or an order?"

He tilted his head. Must he really entertain her antics? Yes, yes, he would. Let's see how confident Carter could be.

Without looking away from her, he pulled up a chair from behind and sat in front of her. She took that as her answer.

"Before we begin, let's set some ground rules," Bennett began. As much as he wanted to get to know her, he also wanted to pass this class, which meant doing work.

"Of course," She began. "No kicking, no biting and no rabbit punches." She mocked, quoting Spectre.

He leaned forward, deep in thought. "No biting, huh? What if I asked nicely."

Davina's eyes widened, not expecting that.

Bennett smiled, satisfied at her reaction; Davina.exe had stopped working. He leaned back in his seat. "Now that we got that over with, these are the ground rules-"

Well played, Frazier. She thought to herself.

*******

The Musketeers were at their usual table.

"Hey Lynch," Tessa walked past their table, giving Declan a quick wink.

"Hey," He managed to give her a salute. He then turned back to his friends, grinning.

"Go talk to her," Naomi said, taking a bite out of her apple.

"Okay," Declan obliged and was off following Tessa to her table.

Naomi turned back to her other friends. She couldn't help but pity their luck when it came to their ladies.

"Stop it, Naomi," Bennett said, putting his milk carton down.

Her mouth hung open ready to protest.

"I know you were about to pity us. I recognised the look you gave us,"

Naomi shut her mouth.

Jordan laughed before saying. "Plus, we don't need the pity. Well, I don't know about Bennett," Bennett rolled his eyes at this. "But I have been making significant progress!"