Breaking Pointe | Rough Draft

Eight

I tap my pen against the edge of my notebook, pretending to focus on the professor's lecture, but my eyes keep drifting to Seraphina in the front row. Of course, she's sitting with her legs crossed, perfectly poised like she's posing for the cover of some overpriced magazine. And right next to her, Max.

My Max—or, well, ex-Max.

It had been months since we called it quits and yet...

She leans in, her laughter just loud enough to be heard over the droning voice of the professor. Max chuckles back, that easy smile on his face—the same one he used to give me. My stomach tightens, and I snap my attention back to my notebook, scribbling random words that don't even make sense.

I shouldn't care. I don't care.

I'd hate to be a cliché. Obsessing over the guy that took my virginity.

But I can feel the familiar pang of irritation crawl up my spine, and my grip tightens around my pen. Seraphina's perfect, blonde waves cascade over her shoulder as she leans even closer, whispering something in Max's ear. Pathetic.

Just when I think the tension is about to strangle me, I hear the screech of a chair being pulled out next to me.

"Hey, Lancaster."

I jump, nearly dropping my pen. Nathaniel is sitting next to me, that trademark cocky grin plastered on his face. I blink at him, completely thrown. "What are you doing here?" I hiss under my breath.

"Nice to see you, too," he drawls, settling into the seat like he's been here the entire semester.

I shake my head, narrowing my eyes. "You're not in this class."

"Wasn't," he corrects, leaning back in his chair, his arm draped lazily over the back of my seat. "I switched."

"Why?" I whisper, more annoyed than confused now.

He shrugs, looking completely unbothered. "Figured it'd be more fun with you around."

I stare at him, speechless for a second. "More fun? Are you serious?"

He grins, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "Dead serious. Thought you'd be excited to have some company. You seem a little... tense."

I clench my jaw, glancing quickly toward the front of the room. Max and Seraphina are still in their little bubble, and now I've got this to deal with. "I don't need your company," I mutter, turning back to my notebook, trying to focus on literally anything else.

Nathaniel leans in closer, his voice low and teasing. "Oh, come on. Don't be like that. You looked like you were about to snap that pen in half before I got here."

I exhale sharply, shooting him a glare. "I was fine."

He chuckles under his breath. "Yeah, I could see that. Real picture of calm over here."

I can feel the heat rising in my cheeks, but I refuse to give him the satisfaction of knowing he's getting under my skin.

"Why are you really here?"

He shrugs again, the corner of his mouth quirking up. "Maybe I like a challenge. And you're kind of fun to mess with."

"Mess with someone else," I snap, trying to focus on my notes, but my handwriting is getting sloppier with every word. My flowing curly letters turning into barely legible wobbles.

Nathaniel leans in even closer, his breath brushing against my ear. "Come on, Amelia. Admit it—you missed me."

I shoot him a look, half-annoyed, half-something else I can't quite name. "I'd miss a root canal more."