The Popular Boys And Me | ✔

Chapter Eleven

Ashanti POV

As I turned down the hall toward the canteen, I suddenly collided with someone.

Pulling back, I realized it was Tristan. He glared at me for a second before his expression shifted into an unexpected mischievous smile.

It was the first time I’d seen the grumpy bear smile since I arrived.

I raised an eyebrow, sidestepping him without a word and continued toward the canteen.

When I entered, I paused just inside the door, scanning the room.

My gaze landed on Ryan, who was engrossed in conversation with two giggling girls.

Ian was at the same table, flirting with another girl, his hand casually playing with her hair while she seemed more focused on her lap than on him.

At another table, I spotted Harden, surrounded by a few football players and cheerleaders.

Javier was making his way toward the exit, waving at me.

"Ashanti, finally decided to take a break from your bedroom, huh?" He teased, leaning against the doorframe beside me.

"Maybe you should join me there someday." I replied with a casual shrug, enjoying the surprised look on his face.

"After I get turned into stone by Medusa." He shot back, smirking as he pushed the door open to leave.

I chuckled lightly, appreciating that while he hung around the popular boys, he seemed different from the rest.

"I'll be waiting, Javier." I called, giving him a playful wink. He scratched the back of his head, looking awkwardly flattered before he turned and left.

Finally spotting my girls at a table, I made my way over to them. Melody waved me down and I smirked at the sight of the most popular girl and the framed school’s “slut” sitting together; what could possibly go wrong?

As I took a seat, Britney snapped her fingers, getting my attention. "I got some gossip."

Leaning forward, I nodded for her to continue as Melody quietly picked at her lunch, glancing between us.

"I heard that Ian had one of the new girls in his bed already." Britney revealed, pulling out her phone to show me an image.

I leaned closer, intrigued.

"He did it at Ryan’s pool party last night and Ryan must have witnessed it." She continued, displaying a picture of Ian striking a pose in nothing but a towel.

"Looks like Ian is in third place now. Harden’s still leading, Ryan is second, Tristan’s in fourth and Ethan is holding down the rear." Melody chimed in, calculating their positions with an eyebrow raise.

"And let me guess, he’s after that girl?" I mused, glancing at Ian, who had his arm casually draped around the girl’s neck, rubbing his nose against her cheek.

"Damn right." Britney confirmed with a nod. "She’s also one of the new girls."

I exchanged glances with Melody and then at her milkshake, a wicked idea brewing in my mind. Britney caught my eye and grinned, "I taste trouble."

Melody frowned slightly, eyeing her milkshake as if sensing what I was plotting.

"I smell my milkshake getting wasted on a bastard." She sighed, slowly extending it toward me.

Britney laughed, "I’m starting to like you, bitches."

"It’s a woman’s world." I winked at her as I stood, laughter trailing behind me.