Aella walked into class, her mind still buzzing from the conversation with Grayson on the rooftop. She tried to shake off the confusing emotions swirling around inside her, but every time she thought about his cocky grin, her pulse quickened. It was infuriating, how much he got under her skin, but even worse was the fact that she couldn’t stop thinking about him.
As she stepped through the classroom door, a subtle hush fell over the room. A group of Grayson’s fangirls, led by Emily—the self-proclaimed queen of the bunch—stood huddled near the door, whispering and casting pointed glances at Aella.
Aella ignored them, not in the mood to deal with their petty drama today. But just as she was about to pass by, Emily moved, her foot jutting out in Aella’s path.
Aella’s foot caught the edge, and before she knew it, she was falling. The impact with the cold, hard floor sent a sharp pain through her knees and palms. She gritted her teeth, pushing herself up, determined not to give them the satisfaction of seeing her embarrassed.
“Oops! My bad,” Emily said, her voice dripping with fake sweetness. “Didn’t see you there, Aella.”
Aella clenched her jaw, forcing herself to remain calm. She wasn’t about to give Emily the reaction she wanted. She stood up, brushing the dust off her clothes, when suddenly, Emily gasped dramatically, clutching her arm as if she had been hurt.
“Ow!” Emily exclaimed, loud enough for everyone in the class to hear. “Aella, you really didn’t have to shove me like that!”
Several heads turned, whispers spreading like wildfire across the room. Emily’s friends immediately surrounded her, fawning over her like she was the victim.
Aella stared at her in disbelief, anger rising in her chest. “Seriously? I didn’t even touch you.”
Emily feigned shock, her eyes wide with mock innocence. “Why are you always so mean, Aella? You didn’t have to hurt me. Just because Grayson isn’t interested in you doesn’t mean you can take it out on us.”
Aella opened her mouth to snap back, but before she could say a word, the classroom door swung open, and in walked Grayson.
He took one look at the scene—the smug expression on Emily’s face, Aella standing defiantly, and the crowd of girls playing up the drama—and immediately understood what was going on. His eyes narrowed as they landed on Emily, and then, without a word, he rolled his eyes.
“Emily,” Grayson said, his voice low but full of warning. “Cut the crap.”
Emily blinked, clearly not expecting that response. “Grayson, she—”
“I said, cut it,” Grayson interrupted, his tone sharp. He crossed the room in a few quick strides, his presence commanding the attention of everyone there. “I know what you’re doing. You think I don’t see it? You and your little fan club pulling stunts like this?”
Emily’s face flushed red, her confidence faltering under Grayson’s glare. “But Grayson, she—”
“I don’t care what you think she did,” Grayson snapped, his eyes flashing with anger. “You tripped her, Emily. I saw the whole thing. So don’t try and twist it.”
The room fell deathly silent, the tension thick enough to cut with a knife. Aella stood frozen, surprised by the fierce protectiveness in his voice. It wasn’t like Grayson to get involved in classroom drama, especially when it came to his admirers. But now, he was staring down Emily like she had crossed a line.
Emily’s friends shifted uncomfortably, their gazes darting between Grayson and Aella. “I was just—” Emily started, but Grayson cut her off again.
YOU ARE READING
RIVALS IN THE HALLWAYS
Romance"Aella and Grayson were inseparable as kids, the perfect duo-until middle school hit. What once was friendship turned into fierce rivalry, with both determined to outshine the other at every turn. Now in high school, their competition has only heate...
