Gray Areas | Englot | GxG

3. Perfect Duo

Upper East Side, Manhattan, NY

10 Years Ago-Junior Year

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"Damn it, Engfa! You left our assignment on purpose, didn't you? You never cared about chemistry, so that must be it. How selfish can you be?"

Charlotte's voice cut through the silence on the rooftop, filled with a mix of fury and disbelief. The wind whipped around them, but her anger was like fire, unyielding and fierce.

Engfa leaned casually against the railing, an air of boredom draping over her like a heavy coat. To her, the scene felt almost tedious. She had already explained herself-she'd overslept, rushed through the morning chaos, and the assignment had slipped her mind entirely. But Charlotte wasn't having any of it.

"You think just because your family owns this school, you can fail a class and walk away without any consequences, don't you?" Charlotte's voice sharpened, her tone dripping with contempt. "You never consider anyone else-you just belittle me like it's nothing. You're such an arrogant, spoiled brat!"

The accusation ignited something deep within Engfa. "Hei! That's too much!" She shot back, her eyes blazing as she stepped forward, the distance between them narrowing. "I told you, I forgot! Damn stubborn Brit!"

"Oh, now you're being racist, huh? What's your problem with Brits, anyway?" Charlotte spat, her face flushed with anger. In a sudden burst of frustration, she shoved Engfa, hard enough that Engfa stumbled back in surprise.

"How dare you push me, Charlotte-"

"What? Am I not allowed to? Why not? Tell me!" Charlotte pressed forward, shoving Engfa again, a fierce challenge in her eyes.

Engfa's patience frayed. In a flash, she seized Charlotte's wrists, twisting their positions until Charlotte was pressed against the railing, their faces inches apart. The sudden shift caught Charlotte off guard, and she froze, her breath hitching in her throat.

"You really don't know when to back off, do you, Megan Fox wannabe? But when it comes to explaining things to Mrs. Newton, you choose to stay quiet? How different," Engfa's voice dropped to a low, dangerous whisper, her gaze fierce and unyielding. "I see it now. You're desperate for that perfect grade, aren't you? Working twice as hard because you got in on a scholarship. That must be exhausting."

Charlotte's eyes flared with indignation, narrowing into a fierce glare. "People like you will never understand what it means to work for something! Everything's handed to you on a silver platter!" She struggled against Engfa's grip, anger radiating off her like heat from a flame. "You're just used to being at the top, with all your popularity Engfa."

Engfa tightened her grip, not willing to let Charlotte escape just yet. "And you think confronting me like this is going to change that huh, Charlotte? You think acting like a martyr makes you better than me?" Her voice was steady, but the undercurrent of frustration was palpable.

Charlotte pushed Engfa away, breaking free, and took a step back. "You're insufferable! I'm starting to realize why I can't stand you, Miss Arrogant." She turned, storming toward the stairs, the tension crackling in the air behind her.

Engfa stood there, heart racing and chest heaving with frustration. "Son of a-" she muttered under her breath, anger simmering just below the surface. Rubbing her temples, she tried to ease the building headache.

"How dare she say things like that to me? She doesn't know a damn thing about my life! I need to remind her of her place!" she vented her frustration to herself.