New town. New school. Same routine-until Charlotte Galloway catches the attention of Lucas Andrews and Aiden Woods, two of Brookhaven High's most notorious bad boys.
She never expected to be caught in the middle of their game. She definitely never e...
A/N: This chapter is split in 2 POVs. One being Charlotte's and the other being Lucas'
Enjoy the chapter!
Mellie x
***
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
As I walked to my last class of the day, my excitement bubbled over. Visual Art was my sanctuary, a place where colors danced, and creativity thrived. Excitement bubbled over as I walked into my last class—Visual Art, my sanctuary. I felt lighter, like the air around me matched the colors I was eager to paint. I quickly claimed a seat at the front of the classroom, my favorite spot, and pulled out my worn notebook, ready to doodle some whimsical figures in the margins while I awaited the rest of the class.
The bell rang, slicing through the chatter of my classmates, and in walked Mr. Grayson, our friendly art teacher. He flashed a welcoming smile, which always made me feel right at home. “Alright, everyone! Settle down!” he called cheerfully, adjusting his round glasses. “I hope you’re all ready to get creative this semester!”
Just as he began to explain the assessment for the term, Lucas strolled in, his tousled dark brown hair bouncing with every casual step. Perfectly on-brand for him. He seemed oblivious to the fact that he was late, a confident smirk plastered on his face. “Sorry, Mr. G, the scene outside the art room needed some late-breaking inspiration!” he quipped while making his way to his desk.
“Mr. Andrews,” Mr. Grayson frowned lightly, “this isn’t a comedy show. Take your seat.”
With no care for his late arrival, Lucas plopped down beside me. I barely had time to process it before he leaned over, eyes flickering to my notebook. A slow, mischievous grin spread across his face. "What’s this? Can I have the secret guide to doodling like a pro?"
“Get your own sketch ideas, Lucas,” I shot back, rolling my eyes. There went my peaceful, focused ambiance.
Of course, Lucas would sit next to me. Out of every open seat in this room, he had to ruin my peaceful little corner. Just my luck.
Mr. Grayson continued, “This semester’s assessment will require you to partner with the person sitting next to you. You will get to know them, create a personalized piece either a painting or a photo that represents them—and then compose an essay that you’ll present at the end of the semester. This project accounts for a whopping 70% of your grade, so take it seriously!”
A soft groan rippled through the classroom. I felt a knot of dread tighten in my stomach.
My nightmare was confirmed when Mr. Grayson announced, “Look at the person beside you. You are now partners for this project.”
“Great,” I muttered under my breath while shooting a glance at Lucas. His face lit up in a playful grin, and I could sense that he was ready to turn this into a competition of sorts.
