The classroom buzzed with chatter as students paired off for their latest assignment. Emma sat at her desk, nervously tapping her pen, watching as her classmates shuffled around, excitedly forming their groups. Her teacher, Mrs. Thompson, stood at the front of the room, reading off the last names on the list.
"Emma Daniels, you'll be working with Tyler Ross."
Emma's stomach sank. Tyler Ross. The name alone made her cringe. He was known for being smug and overbearing, always acting like he knew better than everyone else. She'd heard stories from other students about how he dominated group projects, leaving everyone else to follow his lead. The thought of working with him made Emma anxious, but she put on a brave face, knowing she couldn't change the teacher's decision.
Tyler, who sat at the back of the class, gave her a quick smirk, already signaling his intention to take control of their project. He strolled over, his confidence oozing from every step, and dropped into the chair beside her without waiting for an invitation.
"Looks like we're partners," he said, his tone laced with mock enthusiasm. "Should be fun, right?"
Emma forced a smile. "Yeah, let's just get it done."
Tyler leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. "Relax, Emma. I've got this whole thing figured out already. You won't have to worry about a thing."
Emma frowned, feeling a slight sting at his comment. "I can pull my weight, Tyler. We're supposed to work together."
"Sure, sure," he said, waving his hand dismissively. "We'll meet up at my place after school to get started."
Emma opened her mouth to suggest working in the library instead, but before she could speak, Mrs. Thompson began wrapping up class, reminding everyone of the project's due date. Tyler gave her a quick nod and left without further discussion, leaving Emma feeling uneasy about the upcoming meeting.
As the bell rang, signaling the end of the day, Emma grabbed her things and made her way out of the school. The weight of the assignment hung over her, along with the dread of spending more time with Tyler. She could already sense that this project would be far from a normal collaboration.
Emma arrived at Tyler's house later that afternoon, standing on the doorstep with a sense of trepidation. She adjusted her bag over her shoulder and rang the doorbell. Tyler's mother answered, her smile warm but brief, directing Emma to Tyler's room upstairs.
When Emma entered the room, she was greeted by Tyler lounging on his bed, a smug grin on his face as if he'd been expecting her unease.
"Make yourself comfortable," he said, barely moving as she walked in.
Emma sat down at the desk in the corner, pulling out her notebook. "So, we should start by going over the topic—"
Tyler interrupted, waving his hand. "I already have an idea. Don't worry about the topic. I'll handle all the important stuff."
Emma clenched her jaw. "We're supposed to work together, Tyler."
He chuckled softly, as if amused by her resistance. "Fine, you can 'help,' but don't get in the way."
There was something unsettling about the way he spoke, a subtle hint that things would only go his way. Emma focused on her notes, determined to keep her composure, but the feeling of being under his control gnawed at her.
Tyler got up from the bed and leaned over her chair, looking down at her work. "You're tense, Emma," he said smoothly. "You should relax more. It's just a project."
Emma glanced up at him, her discomfort rising. "I'm fine, Tyler. Can we just get started?"
He grinned and stepped back, but not before muttering under his breath, "We'll see about that."
As the hours passed, Tyler continued to dominate the conversation, making decisions without consulting Emma and brushing off her ideas. Every suggestion she made was either dismissed or twisted into his own plan. Emma realized that this project wasn't just about getting good grades—it was about Tyler proving his superiority over her.
By the time she left his house that evening, she felt drained and frustrated. The power dynamic was clear, and Tyler had already begun to assert his control, even in these early stages. Emma knew this project wouldn't be easy, but she had no idea just how far Tyler would take things.
