𝐁𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐒𝐅𝐔𝐋 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐎𝐒

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝟐𝟎

GRAYSON
MEADOWS

I walk into class, finding everyone in place as usual. I can't wait for this hell to end. I sit beside Jaxon, feeling a little bit of guilt. The fact that we're all hiding a secret from him has been eating me the fuck alive. I can't believe this is happening.

"I hate business because of this teacher. She sucks at teaching," Jaxon muttered, taking his phone out. I nodded in agreement, barely able to concentrate. I need coffee—hell, I need something stronger than that to keep my focus.

"Good morning, Ms. Russel. Why are you late?" My head snaps up when I hear Stella's last name. Stella walked in, her face a storm cloud. She was wearing flared blue jeans and a white cropped top, her eyes already scanning the room as if daring anyone to challenge her.

"I had to go correct the homework you never bother to correct for us." Stella sat down beside Liliana, not before glaring at the teacher. I couldn't hold back a smirk, admiring her boldness. I loved how she never gave a shit.

"She knows about you lying to your dad." Damon's voice came from behind me, low and warning. I furrowed my eyebrows and realized what he meant. Fuck. She knew. She was going to destroy me for it, and I didn't know if I could handle the fallout. Not from her. Not from the girl I'd just crossed a line with.

I stole a quick glance at Stella, who was already deep in conversation with her friends. I swear, I heard her say under her breath, "He's going to regret it." And part of me felt the truth of her words settle deep inside me. I had no fucking clue how bad she could make me regret this.

"Anyways, class, we have a project. Don't dare to ask to pick your partner because I will decide," the teacher chirped in that annoying high-pitched voice of hers.

I rolled my eyes and tried to ignore the tension building up in my chest as she announced the team pairings. "Alessio Kingston with Marcella Crist, Dean you're with Mathew, Liliana Roseline you're with Damon Lars, Jaxon you're with Avery Raven. Finally, Meadows, you're with Stella. Don't dare act like children. The assignment is due on Friday."

Of course. Of fucking course. I'm stuck with her. I glance over at Stella, who's glaring straight ahead, not even acknowledging me. But we're partners now. Whether she likes it or not, this is happening.

"Great, I get Avery," Jaxon muttered as he glanced at his partner. My friends didn't seem satisfied at all, but I grinned, knowing I was satisfied enough. "She's so annoying, who even likes Avery again?"

"She's not bad," I replied, shrugging. "She's a nice girl. Maybe a bit loud, but... I feel bad for her. She looks broken, sad half the time." I wasn't lying, though I wasn't exactly a saint myself. It wasn't like I'd made an effort to get to know Avery beyond surface level, but I could still see the cracks in her.

"Miss, you don't understand. If we're together on a project, we won't even be able to discuss one thing without murdering each other." Stella's voice cut through the noise in the room as she walked up to the teacher. I followed behind, moving swiftly. As I approached, I put my arm around Stella's shoulder. She shot me a glare, her eyes narrowed, lips pressing into a thin line. She looked like she wanted to say something, or maybe throw a punch. Instead, I just smiled wider, knowing how much it irritated her.

Stella rolled her eyes dramatically and flicked her hair back, making her way over to where I'd been sitting, leaving a trail of chaos behind her. The entire room hummed with noise as people partnered up, discussing projects, and brainstorming ideas. But I couldn't focus on anything except her—her sharp movements, the way her eyes flickered as she glanced over the room, the tension in her shoulders. She was undeniable.