Elite Affairs - Book one

Chapter Fifteen

"I am not a puzzle for you to solve so stop trying"

Açelya slumped against the back of her locker, her eyes fixed on the sleek, modern math textbook open on her lap. The vibrant colors and engaging graphics that usually made the book appealing now seemed garish and overwhelming, a constant reminder of her struggles with the subject. She stared blankly at the chapter on Linear Equations and Graphing, her mind numb from hours of studying. The topic seemed to loom over her, a daunting obstacle she couldn't overcome, and the interactive online resources and real-world examples that normally made the material more accessible now seemed like just another hurdle to clear.

As she gazed down at the textbook, Açelya's thoughts wandered to the other challenging topics she still needed to master: Quadratic Equations, Exponents and Polynomials, and Functions. Each one seemed like a complex puzzle to solve, and she felt like she was running out of time. The PSAT/NMSQT was just a week away, and her anxiety was growing by the minute. She thought about the online practice tests she had taken, the study guides she had made, and the extra help sessions she had attended, but nothing seemed to be sticking. The fluorescent lights overhead cast a harsh glare, making the pages seem even more intimidating, and Açelya's eyes began to blur as she felt a familiar sense of frustration creeping in.

A dark shadow fell across the page, casting a gloomy veil over the equations and graphs. The shadow seemed to grow, spreading like a subtle eclipse, until it enveloped both Açelya and the textbook. She felt a presence beside her, a quiet, commanding energy that made her heart skip a beat.

She looked up, her eyes narrowing slightly as they adjusted to the sudden darkness. That's when she saw him - Léon, the tall, handsome, and intense figure who seemed to draw her in even as he kept her at arm's length. His chiseled features were set in a characteristic scowl, his piercing eyes fixed on her with a gaze that was both captivating and unnerving. Açelya's mind reeled as she took in the sight of him, her thoughts tangling in a mix of shock, confusion, and unwanted attraction. She quickly stood up, her movements fluid as she tried to process why Léon, of all people, was standing in front of her.

Léon's grey eyes bore into Açelya's, his gaze cold and unyielding. She felt a flush rise to her cheeks as she met his stare, her mind racing back to the night of the dance, when they had almost kissed. The tension between them was palpable, and Açelya's heart skipped a beat as she tried to read his expression. But Léon's face was a mask, revealing nothing.

Açelya broke the silence, stuttering out a greeting. "H-hey Léon." She tried to sound casual, but her voice betrayed her, trembling slightly. Léon's response was a glare, his eyes flashing with annoyance. He seemed to be daring her to speak again.

But then, he spoke, his voice low and even. "You're joining the mock trial club."

Açelya's eyes widened in shock. She had given up hope of joining, especially after their fight. "W-why?" she stuttered, her mind racing with questions.

Léon's gaze turned glacial, his eyes freezing her out. "Don't bother asking questions, just be there," he said curtly.

Açelya scoffed, her anger rising at his audacity. "Excuse me? You think you can just bark orders at me and I'll jump? You should try being nice for once, it might suit you better."

Léon's glare intensified, his eyes flashing with anger. "I don't need to be nice to you"

Açelya gasped at Léon's rudeness, her eyes widening in shock. She crossed her arms, her voice firm. "No, I won't join. Not if you can't even be civil." Léon's face remained expressionless, but his eyes seemed to bore into her, as if daring her to defy him.

The silence between them stretched out, until Léon spoke again, his voice curt. "We need more members. It's not like we have a choice."

Açelya raised an eyebrow, her tone skeptical. "You're not even considering that I didn't finish the third task, are you?"