Avery Turner, a perfectionist with a double life, and Kyran Drake, a charismatic boy with secrets, find their fates intertwined when their secrets threaten to unravel their dreams-will they overcome their differences to protect their futures, or wil...
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The bell rang, signaling the beginning of the next class, and I hurriedly ran away from all the chaos. I entered the classroom, my heart still pounding from the chaotic scene in the hallway. The curious eyes of my classmates followed me, and I could feel their judgment. They didn't need to say anything. Ms. Anderson, my Economics teacher, was writing on the board.
'PRISONER'S DILEMMA AND GAME THEORY'
I took my seat, in the front this time, trying to focus on the lesson ahead. But my mind was wandering off to danger zones; ones in which I was planning Kyran Drake's apparent murder.
"Prisoner's Dilemma. Does anyone know why it's important?"
No one said a word, and my usual hand that was up in the air stayed down today as my mind was thinking of more important consequences that didn't involve the Prisoner's Dilemma.
Ms. Anderson folded her arms, and everyone's gaze turned to me. I was usually the one contributing in class to keep Ms. Anderson's temperament in check. Now, that I was not doing it, Ms. Anderson was getting irritated.
"Ahh, she only sucks up to guys of course. She probably is fucking the calculus teacher!" someone whispered with a giggle. My fingernails dug into my palms and I felt it sting, probably drawing blood.
Then, another voice whispered near her. "Nah, she's dating Kyran Drake. Apparently, they have a deal going on!"
My hand shot up in the air, and Ms. Anderson who was on the other side of the room, and was oblivious to their comments, beamed.
"Yes, Avery?"
"Prisoner's Dilemma is a paradox in decision making in which two people acting in their own self-interests don't produce the optimal outcome. It basically explains how strategic thinking between people leads to better outcomes for both players instead of acting on what benefits them only."
Satisfied with my response, she turned back to the board when I glared behind me, mouthing a 'fuck off' to everyone who saw me. Some were bewildered and some were downright angry. There were no more whispers for the rest of the class though.
What else could I do?
Ms. Anderson's voice droned on, the sound becoming a distant murmur as my mind replayed the events from earlier. Kyran's unexpected confirmation of a non-existent relationship still baffled me. I couldn't understand why he would willingly satisfy Gemma's ego, especially when he knew the consequences it would have on the reputation I'd worked so hard to build.
Lost in my thoughts, I barely registered anything else that happened in class afterward. The room seemed to blur, and the words on the board seemed meaningless. The accusations, the stares, and Kyran's cryptic apology replayed in my mind like a broken record.
The bell rang, mercifully ending the class. I gathered my things, avoiding eye contact with anyone until e gentle touch on my shoulder snapped me out of my thoughts. I turned to find Ms. Anderson looking at me with concern. "Avery, is everything alright? You seem a bit off today."
