𝐒𝐄𝐌𝐏𝐈𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐍𝐀𝐋 || 𝐆𝐈𝐑𝐋 𝐂𝐑𝐔𝐒𝐇

03 | IT'S RUDE TO STARE

【 THREE 】
➤ IT'S RUDE TO STARE

❝ you and i are one big,
'it's complicated' ❞

oOo

"THIS ASSIGNMENT WILL COUNT FOR forty percent of your grade" Professor Lynn addressed her class imposingly, glaring at the laid-back students as if daring them to make one wrong move.

"It will be due five weeks from today and you will be doing it in pairs. And just to be clear, I expect to see a visible contribution from both sides."

Several students sighed.

"Now, to make sure that none of you get up to any . . . funny business, I have done everyone a huge favour and chosen your partners for you."

Groans rang out amongst the classroom, whispers surfacing almost instantly. Professor Lynn, however, silenced the girls with a sharp look.

"I will have pin-drop silence while I announce the pairs," She demanded, and the class fell quiet. An angry Professor Lynn was not exactly the prettiest sight in the world.

"What is old Lynnie playing at, now?" Acquila, my best friend, whispered, leaning towards me from her languid position on our shared seat. "I'd be perfectly happy choosing my own partner on this deathly assignment."

"Yeah, I don't think she wants to risk it, especially after what [c/n] [c/l/n] did last time," I rolled my eyes slightly. "Didn't you hear? She threatened a third-grader to do her assignment for her."

"That's [c/l/n]. We don't all stoop that low," Acquila growled out, "You're at the top of the class, [y/n]. Lynn likes you. Do something!"

My helpless gaze suddenly caught [c/n], and for some reason I found myself unable to look away. She was the very epitome of the word "bad"; ruffled [c/h/c] hair, cropped and black clothing, matted red lipstick and an impish smirk that exuded arrogance. She was everything I wasn't, and quite naturally then, she was everything I hated.

I swung my backpack over my shoulder and collected my loose papers, my gaze narrowing to a glare as she scribbled intently into a piece of paper.

"I never did understand your rivalry" Acquila sighed. "When have you ever come in contact for [c/l/n] to be a recipient of such rage fom you? You look at her like she's killed your kitten"

I gasped. "I'd never let her near Rose. Besides, being herself satisfies the conditions, to be honest"

As luck would have it, Acquila was paired off happily with one of the Hawkins twins. She was beyond delighted of course, but the small glimmer of hope in me to be with my best friend was shattered.

I stared around at the precious few girls left in the classroom without a partner. I recognized a few, one of whom caught my eye and offered me a twisted grin. I returned it halfheartedly, my eyes landing once again on [c/n] [c/l/n].

By goodness, how the sight of her repulsed me! She stood beside a few of her worshippers with a dazzling smile dancing across her lips, her sleek hair flowing perfectly over her shoulder. But her eyes, her beautiful, [c/e/c] eyes, the way they shone and shimmered! I would be lying if I said I didn't feel my breath catch as my [e/c] orbs pierced [c/n]'s.

"[y/n] [l/n]!" Professor Lynn declared, bringing me out of my temporary stupor. I shot up, turning to face my teacher, who smiled at me.

"I don't trust Miss [c/l/n] with anyone but you, Miss [l/n]" She told me, eyes flickering to [c/n], who groaned. "Do make her help out"

I huffed, but as [c/n] shouldered her bag furiously, I knew I had to take this on. Professor Lynn trusted me and I couldn't let her down.

"Consider it done, Professor"

Fighting the urge to simply dig a hole and drown, I slowly got up, feeling Acquila's sympathetic eyes on me as I collapsed onto the chair, sitting as far from [c/n] as I could get. Folding my arms, I pulled on my very-leaderlike stoic expression.

[c/n] was evidently the first of us to comprehend that there was no changing that we'd be stuck together for five weeks, so why not 'get to know' each other.

She offered me her trademark smirk, settling down.

"Aye, [l/n]. It sure ain't looking like you're happy with old Lynn's choice, but believe me, I'm not either. I'd have preferred one of my posse, really, but it looks like we are gonna be forced together, ain't it?"

"Then shut up and mind your work, Miss Playgirl" I snarled. Affrontation crossed her face for a second, but a second later an upset pout replaced it. I again couldn't deny the adorability of her expression.

"Well, if that's the game you want to play, [h/c]"

"Dunghead"

"Dung-eyes"

"Starry-eyes"

"Isn't that a compliment?"

"Shut the hell up, would you? I already have a migraine and your whiny voice isn't helping!"

With a satisfied grin she turned back to the front crossing her feet on the table. I yanked out a pencil with a huff, looking down at the blank pages of my notebook and burning a hole through it. Who did this [c/l/n] girl think she is? With what audacity had she sailed in and stolen all of my pride in one statement?

Within seconds I found her eyes back upon [c/n]. Oh, she was pretty, damn pretty. She was so close now that I could count the little golden flecks lining her irises, and the number of times each of her locks of hair curled. She had five freckles splayed leisurely across her nose, and she smelled delightfully of vanilla and lilies, much like my mom's favourite candle--

"I know I'm beautiful, [l/n], but hasn't anyone ever taught you that it's rude to stare?"

And again I was interrupted from her trance. A blush I refused to acknowledge climbed my cheeks as my eyes, detached from the mind that was screaming at me, continued to check out the girl beside me.

"Eyes up here, [l/n]"

That was finally when I could snap her gaze up to meet [c/n]'s teasing one. A smirk played at her lips and her face shone with arrogance and I nearly facepalmed for bringing a situation like this.

"Please, I was just remarking on how unattractive you are" I lied smoothly, a smirk of my own taking over my face.

"Oh really?" She arched a perfect eyebrow. "C'mon, even the ever-studious [y/n] [l/n] can't deny this" She gestured to her body using her pointer finger. "Already caught in my trap, [y/n] dearest?"

I scoffed. "You wish, [c/n] darling"

"[y/n] [l/n], [c/n] [c/l/n]!" screeched Professor Lynn, interrupting our little flirting session. "Are you girls asking for a detention?"

"No, ma'am" replied I, turning from flirtatious to meek in a matter of seconds.

"Well, I'll give it to you anyway" Professor Lynn gave a smile, slamming two detention slips on our table. "Enjoy your first date, girls"

"Professor Lynn!"

oOo