Dating Mr. Arrogant

chapter 35 - good luck

ELLE

I've learned not to show a reaction on my face to the whispers. Even when the gossip is right there, spiraling loud enough that I can catch every word as if I'm not there. Maybe I've gotten good at it. That doesn't mean I like hearing people pick apart my life. Especially by people who probably don't have their own shit put together.

It feels like everyone wants some kind of war, and they want me to take every single bait and react. But I'm a logical person. And I've done nothing wrong. If I haven't done anything wrong, that means there's nothing for me to make right.

But why does it feel like there's so much I have to fix? As if I'm constantly preparing to defend myself.

I drag my pen along the edge of my notebook, shading in an area as the hum of students walking into the classroom blends into my earbuds. I got to class early and zoned out, letting music fill the spaces where my thoughts don't want to go.

I hope I can avoid seeing Cassie and Justin. I think it's the best way to tell them I've got nothing to say to them.

I barely notice the movement in front of me until I feel a tug at my ear, and one of my earbuds pops out. I blink, shifting my focus to see Ace sitting backward in the chair in front of me as he pops the earbud into his own ear.

"I couldn't find you this morning," Ace says, folding his arms on top of the chair and resting his chin on them, looking up at me like he has all the time in the world.

The bell is going to ring in a few minutes.

"I think I left my phone in my car," I explain, remembering I'd replied to his good morning text in the car before driving off to school. "I couldn't stand people shamelessly talking about us in the hall, so I came to the classroom."

My gaze shifts over to a few nearby students who quickly look away, clearly caught listening in. I look back at Ace. He reaches over, plucking my pen out of my hand, and adds to the doodle on the page—a little sketch of him that I hadn't realized I'd drawn.

Warmth blooms across my face. He notices but doesn't say a word, just keeps that easy, confident expression, completely unbothered by the charged energy in the air. It's odd. And I can't seem to take my mind off the fact something else might happen.

"Don't you have your mock trial after school today?" He asks casually.

"Yeah," I nod, tracing my eyes along his long lashes and eyes and brows.

"I'd come and watch, but Coach wants us on the field right away," He sounds apologetic.

"I doubt you'd find it interesting." I respond with a shrug, "I sort of got the inspiration through your case that my dad is helping you with."

"Any brilliant ideas to get me out of it right away?" He leans closer, making me blush by the way he looks at me.

"Not unless I go undercover as a dancer." I lower my voice, resisting a smirk. The last thing I need is for a rumor to start about that.

Ace stares at me, the blank expression lasting a second too long before his mouth quirks up. I nudge his shoulder, rolling my eyes. "You're thinking dirty thoughts, aren't you?"

He gives a shameless nod, grinning.

Just then, the bell rings. Mrs. Florence walks in and instantly spots Ace. "Mr. Daniels, we get you want to spend every minute with your girlfriend, but I suggest you get to class and spend time studying for exams," she says, placing a stack of workbooks on her desk.

Ace hands me back my earbud and winks at me. He stands, unfazed, and flashes a smile at the teacher. "Don't worry, Mrs. Florence. Just thought I'd lend Elle a hand, so we're both at the top for exams. You know, team effort."