The hit and run who stole my heart

Chapter 5- Reece

My breath hitched in my throat as my eyes landed on her. How much worse could this day get? First, Elite High. How could a school that confirmed my transfer before I got here decide to change their minds on admitting me and not inform me until I get to the school? Elite High, my ass; there was nothing elite about their administration.
Now this, was a nightmare. Partnered to this blabbermouth. Her voice- high-pitched and relentless, reminded me of our old nanny back in Scotland. Quick to confront and never missed a chance to point fingers. But unlike the stern woman in grey, this girl was undeniably attractive. Petite with a curvy figure, she turned heads effortlessly.
Her full lips, pursed in an angry pout like the first time I saw her, could have other uses, uses that sent wayward thoughts through my mind. Her bright hazel eyes held a steely glint that couldn't have sent shivers down my spine but, The daggers she was shooting at me promised a migraine before the day even began.
To make matters worse, I was trapped in the awful orange Springdale High uniform. The outfit felt more like prison clothing than a school uniform, clinging uncomfortably. Just another perfect detail on this perfect disaster of a day.
My skin crawled when the teacher, a woman with a tired smile and a face etched with experience, asked me to introduce myself to the class. Were these individuals underfed or were they simply just young? The students seemed to shrink into their desks, avoiding eye contact with a common shyness that made me feel like a towering giant among kids.
Her glare intensified as I stare right back at her.
"We meet again, Missy" I drawl, taking in the way her cheeks flush

"No we don't ." she snapped, her voice tight with barely suppressed anger. "And it's Aya, not Missy. Look this isn't going to work, so why don't you join me let's go meet her to probably exchange each of us with another pair who don't want to be partners". Her words comes out in a rush, sounding ridiculous.
Her words are a gut punch, although I wasn't expecting her to be thrilled working with me.
"Whatever" I shrugged, my tone nonchalant.
"Wouldn't want to be stuck with someone like you anyway. What makes you think anyone else would be jumping at the chance to be your partner?" She stiffens, looks like I hit a spot. A pang of guilt pricked me, but I quickly pushed it down.
I took the cue to walk away relieved to escape the silence with Aya. But just as I turned, a voice stopped me in my tracks.
"Hey Reece, I'm Jess, your classmate, you probably saw me when you came in" The voice belonged to the blonde who'd greeted me earlier. Her outfit screamed "look at me" louder than a fire alarm, with a button strategically left undone. As she spoke her lips glistened with gloss and my traitorous eyes looked down her chest.
"I happened to hear part of your conversation with your partner…well, most of it," Jess continued, her voice dropping to a sultry whisper that almost made me snort with laughter. "And I think I could be a much better fit for you. My partner, Layla, wouldn't mind switching with her. You and I could be partners instead. What do you say, boo?" She finished with a flutter of her eyelashes that looked practiced to a ridiculous degree.
Boo? Seriously? I clenched my jaw, trying not to laugh. This whole situation was so absurd, it was almost comical.
A glance at Aya revealed a face contorted in a scowl that could curdle milk. I raise a brow at her, asking her to take the offer. She doesn't respond but her determined march to the teachers table implied her approval .
I walk behind her, the scratchy discomfort of the uniform doing little to improve my mood.
Before I could get to the teacher's table, Aya had blurted something out, her voice laced with desperation. I groaned internally. Great, now I looked like the bad guy in this.
The teacher raised an eyebrow at Ava, her gaze filled with a mixture of amusement and disbelief. "Ava, I know I said somethin about
Pairing students with similar interests, but this is an opportunity to moveout of your safe zone. I'm sure you two can find a way to work together effectively."
Oh, Ava not Aya. She looked like she'd swallowed a lemon. Her eyes darted between Ms. Garcia and me, a silent plea hanging in the air. Honestly, I couldn't tell if she was genuinely upset about being close to someone, or it was just me specifically.
"We don't, uh, we don't live near each other," Ava stammered out, her voice not giving up. Even I found that excuse flimsy at best.
The teachers lips twitched, a hint of a smile threatening to break through. "Ava, honey, that's not quite the point, And Springdale isn't so big a town. But listen, if you two absolutely can't work together, we can revisit this after you've given it a genuine effort.Reece? Does that sound fair?"
I mumbled a reluctant "okay," more relieved than I cared to admit. At least I wasn't stuck explaining to Ms. Garcia why my partner thought a flimsy proximity excuse would fly.
I felt Ava yank on my arm and For a split second, I freeze, surprised by the unexpected touch. Regaining my composure, I turned to face her, my gaze cool. "What's your problem, Ava?"
She exploded "What the hell just happened Reece? Why did you agree to letting us pair? Oh my God, I might as well just fail. Do you have to make everything so difficult for me?"
My blood coils with each accusation. She talked too damn much and honestly, her Self absorption was sickening. She was the one who didn't have a reason to switch, yet she's blaming me for the entire me
Before I could think of a befitting response, the ever-present blonde reappeared, her smile as wide as ever