✿⋆·˚❀˚·⋆✿ The Thread that bind Us ✿⋆·˚❀˚·⋆✿

Challenge!

Risa Anders leaned back in her chair, a mischievous grin spreading across her face as she glanced at Noah White, who was buried in his textbook at the back of the classroom. The bright light from the window illuminated his dark hair and cast soft shadows on his concentrated expression. Today was going to be different. Today, Risa had a plan. 

"Hey, Noah!" she called out, her voice a mix of playfulness and confidence.
 Noah glanced up, his brow furrowing slightly. "What?" His tone was flat, but Risa interpreted it as a challenge.
"Do you think we'll have a pop quiz today? Because if we do, I might need a study buddy." She giggled, twirling a strand of hair around her finger, fully aware that she was the center of attention now.
His eyes flickered back to the pages. "I doubt it. Mr. Thompson's been going easy on us lately."
 Risa leaned forward, resting her elbows on her desk. "Oh, come on! You can't just leave a girl hanging like that. What if I fail and my mom finds out? She'll ground me for life!" She exaggerated a gasp, feigning horror.
The girl next to Noah turned to Risa, stifling a laugh. "You'll survive, Risa. You always do."
 "Exactly!" Risa shot back, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "But what if my survival means I need to charm my way to a passing grade? How about I offer you a deal?"
"What kind of deal?" Noah asked, finally looking up, his curiosity piqued despite his best efforts to remain indifferent. "If I flirt with you for a whole week and you don't blush once, I'll never flirt with you ever again. But if you do blush, I'll propose you again and you've to accept." She waggled her eyebrows dramatically.
Noah blinked, his lips twitching as if he were holding back a smile. "You're really serious about this, aren't you?"
"Of course! I'm Risa Anders! I don't do anything halfway. So... what's it going to be?"
"I'll pass," he replied, returning to his book, but the hint of amusement in his voice didn't escape her. Risa's heart raced. There was something about his aloofness that made her want to try harder.

 
She adjusted her posture, leaning back again, and threw a glance around the classroom. Everyone was watching. Perfect.
"Okay, Noah. Let's make this interesting," she said, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "What if I told you I have a secret?"
He raised an eyebrow, his interest clearly piqued. "What kind of secret?"
"Something so scandalous that the whole school would be talking about it—if I told you, of course." She leaned closer, her voice low, teasing.
"You're not going to tell anyone if I say I'm interested, are you?" he asked, a glimmer of playfulness in his eyes.
"Only if you show some emotion!" she replied, her laughter bubbling over.
"Fine," Noah relented, leaning back in his chair, arms crossed. "What's the secret?"
"I'm secretly a superhero in disguise, and I need your help to save the world from boring study sessions!" She winked dramatically, and the classroom erupted in laughter.
"Wow, that's a tough gig. I'm not sure I'm cut out for it," he replied, his lips finally forming a smile.
"Come on, Noah! You're the smartest person I know! You could help me strategize!" She leaned back, feigning seriousness. "You could be my sidekick. Think of the fame!"
"Or the detention," he countered, but Risa could see the corner of his mouth twitching again. "Detention?" she gasped, eyes wide. "I can't! My fans would be devastated!" She flailed her arms dramatically, drawing more laughter from their classmates.
"Your fans? You mean the ones you broke up with last week?" Noah shot back, crossing his arms and leaning forward in mock seriousness.
"Touché!" Risa laughed, throwing her hands up in surrender. "But I'm still a fan favorite! And I'm determined to win you over. Just wait and see!"
"Is that a challenge, Risa?" Noah asked, raising an eyebrow, and for the first time, there was a spark of intrigue in his voice.
"Absolutely!" she exclaimed. "So, are you in or are you going to let this superhero down? Because I can't save the world without my trusty sidekick!"
"Alright, alright, I'll consider it. But only if you promise to keep it low-key." He sighed dramatically, but she could see he was enjoying himself. 
Risa clapped her hands together, excitement bubbling within her. "Prepare yourself, Noah White. This week, you'll witness the full force of Risa Anders!" 

The bell rang, signaling the end of the day, and Risa felt a sudden urge to act.
"Hey, how about I walk you home?" she blurted out, her heart racing. "It's on my way."
Noah looked up, surprised. "You live in the opposite direction."
"Details, details!" Risa waved her hand dismissively. "I'm just trying to be a good friend."
He rolled his eyes. "Fine. But it's not a date."
"Whatever you say, Mr. White." She leaned in closer, her voice low. "You're so cute when you're all serious."

***

Risa fell into step beside Noah as they exited the school. As they walked, Risa tried to maintain her facade of normalcy, but every so often, her flirtatious nature bubbled to the surface.
"You know," she said, breaking the silence, "you really should consider joining a club or something. You'd make a ton of friends."
"I'm fine," he replied, his gaze fixed ahead.
"But think about it! A cute guy like you would totally charm them all!" She nudged him playfully with her elbow. "You could be the king of the chess club or something."
"Not interested in chess," he said, his voice devoid of enthusiasm.
"Okay, what about the book club? You'd fit right in!"
Noah turned to her, a hint of exasperation in his eyes. "I don't need to fit in."
"Ah, but fitting in is overrated!" Risa declared, throwing her hands up dramatically. "Oh, come on, you're breaking! I can feel it!"
"Maybe if you stopped talking," he suggested dryly.
"Not a chance!" Risa laughed, her spirit unyielding. "I'm on a mission."
They continued walking, and Risa decided to shift her tactics. "So, what do you think about love?" she asked, trying to sound casual.
Noah's expression grew serious. "I don't think about it."
"Really? Not even a little? You don't believe in it at all?"
"I believe in science and logic," he said, a hint of defensiveness creeping into his voice. "Ah, the classic nerd response!" Risa teased, nudging him again. "But don't you ever wonder? Don't you want someone special?"
"No," he replied, his tone final.
"Well, that's a bummer!" Risa exclaimed, feigning disappointment.
They reached the corner where Noah usually turned to head home, but Risa stepped in front of him, blocking his path. "You can't leave yet! I have more flirting to do!"
"Risa—"
"Just one more question!" She held up a finger, her eyes sparkling mischievously. "If I were to ask you to be my boyfriend, what would you say?"
Noah paused, his expression unreadable. "I'd say no."
"Not even a maybe?" Risa pressed, her heart racing.
"Nope."
"Wow, you're really sticking to this 'no dating' thing, huh?" She leaned closer, her voice dropping to a sultry whisper. "What if I promised to make it worth your while?"
"No thanks," he said, his tone flat but with a hint of a challenge.
Risa couldn't help but laugh again, despite the frustration bubbling inside her. "You're impossible!"
"I prefer 'logical.'"
"Fine! Logical it is, but you're still missing out on a lot of fun." She stepped aside, allowing him to pass, but she couldn't let him go just yet. "Hey, if you ever change your mind—"
"Don't hold your breath," he cut in, shooting her a look that was half-exasperated, half-amused.
 "Challenge accepted!" Risa called after him as he walked away, her heart racing at the thrill of the chase. She watched him disappear around the corner, a smile lingering on her lips. "What a frustrating guy," she murmured to herself, a mix of admiration and annoyance swirling within her. "But I'm not giving up that easily." 

As she turned to head home, Risa couldn't shake the feeling that Noah was more than just a challenge. There was something about him—something that drew her in, something that whispered of possibilities yet to be explored. And she had every intention of uncovering them, one flirtatious encounter at a time.