𝐁𝐞𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐬

20

Our practice finally wraps up, but not before Cleo tells us we'll be cheering for both the football and basketball teams. The news brings a mix of excitement and dread.

Ugh, Teddy. I'm so glad I didn't have to go to calculus today because I really don't want to see him. The thought of sitting through his class makes my stomach churn.

As Cleo dismisses us, reminding us about practice tomorrow, Dixi jogs up to me with a big grin on her face. "This is so great," she says, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm.

I smile back at her, feeling a genuine warmth. "Yeah, it is. I'm so happy to be dancing again," I say sincerely, the joy evident in my voice as we walk back to her Jeep under the setting sun.

As we walk up to Dixi's car, the sight makes us both audibly gasp. Keys have been used to engrave hateful words into the paint: "Cancer bitch," "Slut," and "Whore." Rage surges through me like a wildfire. Only Kimberly and Summer know about Dixi's cancer, a topic we avoid because it's too painful. My heart shatters for Dixi, who stands there, her face a mask of sorrow, tears threatening to spill from her eyes.

Without hesitation, I run to her and pull her into a tight embrace. "You're not like that, Dixi. Don't read it," I murmur, my voice shaking with emotion.

She sobs into my shoulder, "I don't want to be that girl with cancer again," she says, her voice breaking. Her eyes are red and swollen from crying. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Lina leaning against her car, laughing. The sight sends a surge of fury through me. I let go of Dixi and march up to Lina, my fists clenched.

"The fuck is your problem!" I shout, my anger boiling over. "You have a serious problem if you think this is funny. You don't know Dixi, and you have no idea what she went through!"

Without thinking, I punch her right in the nose. She gasps, stumbling back as blood starts to trickle from her nose.

"You bitch," she screeches, but I don't care. I turn my back on her and walk back to Dixi. She looks at me with a sad, grateful smile.

"Hop in the passenger seat," I say softly, taking the wheel to drive us away from this nightmare.

Dixi looks at me, her eyes filled with gratitude. "Thank you, Alina. You're the greatest friend," she says, her voice thick with emotion, her ocean-blue eyes shimmering with unshed tears. "I have to call my parents about this," she adds, closing her eyes for a moment to gather herself.

I nod, understanding the weight of what she's about to do. As she makes the call, I keep my focus on the road ahead, driving us safely towards the dorm.

᯾
𝟏 𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫

I walk into chemistry and see Teddy lounging in my seat, anger bubbling up inside me. "Move, Teddy," I demand.

"No," he says with a smirk. I try to shove him out of the seat, but he grabs my hand, pulling me down on top of him. My eyes widen as Teddy's smirk deepens. I quickly push off his solid chest, my cheeks burning as I sit down next to him and pull out my books. Teddy watches me with amusement, his gaze never leaving me.

"Why'd you punch Lena?" he asks, his voice low.

"Why would you ask me? She probably fed you some bullshit," I snap, my eyes narrowing.

"No, I didn't believe a word she said," he replies honestly. I bite my lip, my eyes drifting down his muscular form. He's wearing a snug UNC basketball shirt and joggers that leave little to the imagination. God, I'm definitely starting my period.

"Don't look at me like that," he murmurs, his pupils dilated as he stares at my lips, his voice barely above a whisper, yet carrying an intensity that sends shivers down my spine.

"Why? Do I look like a whore?" I challenge, my voice cold and sharp. I watch as his jaw clenches, the muscles in his face tightening. His eyes, usually a calm hazel, are stormy and dark, reflecting the conflict raging inside him.

"I need to talk to you—" he starts, his voice strained, but the professor cuts him off.

"We will be starting our midterm project about Complexity," the professor announces, his voice echoing through the auditorium. I straighten forward, trying to focus, but I can still feel Teddy's eyes on me, burning with an intensity that makes my skin prickle. The air between us is thick with unspoken words and unresolved tension, making it hard to breathe.

The professor continues, "You'll be doing it with a partner," he says as the class gasps. "I have assigned your partners and I will read the list now."

The room fills with a mix of groans and excited whispers. I glance at Teddy, whose eyes are still locked on me, and I can't help but wonder if fate will pair us together. The tension is almost unbearable as the professor begins to call out names.

"Lena Brady and Morgan Huffman," the professor reads. Teddy whispers, "Thank fucking god," and I giggle softly. He keeps going, and finally, I close my eyes. "Alina Lewis and Teddy Parker."

I look at Teddy as he looks at me, smirking. I should be enraged, but for some reason, I'm not. "Class is dismissed. I would suggest working on this with your partner this week," the professor continues. "It's due in four weeks and worth 90 percent of your grade."

My heart skips a beat as Teddy whispers in my ear, "You better be smart, doctor."

His breath is warm against my skin, sending shivers down my spine. I can feel the heat radiating from his body as he leans in closer, his lips almost grazing my ear. The way he says "doctor" with that low, husky voice makes my pulse quicken. I glance up at him, and our eyes lock, his hazel eyes darkening with a mixture of amusement and something else—something more intense.

Teddy's smirk widens as he notices my reaction. He moves even closer, his hand brushing lightly against my arm, leaving a trail of goosebumps in its wake. "Looks like we'll be spending a lot of time together," he murmurs, his voice dripping with insinuation.

I swallow hard, trying to maintain my composure. The room feels suddenly too small, the air too thick. "I guess we will," I manage to reply, my voice barely steady.