Evanesce

Octavia leans over the table, 2 French textbooks beneath her middle. Claude was engulfed by her washed out strawberry scent as she invaded his personal space.

The girl hummed, her eyes over-analyzing the stoic face in front of her. "Claude Adams, there are not enough words in the dictionary to describe you."

Claude could not hold back his distaste for the girl whose smile grew as she knew his hate did. "Yes, there are?"

"Not good ones."

*********************************

Anyone who knew Octavia Quinn would say she was insane. Maybe out of touch, had a few screws loose, however you want to put it. But, nonetheless, insane.

Octavia never cared what others thought. Her constant need to go against anything someone wanted steered her down many roads, roads such as needing to be tutored for three out of seven classes by the infamous prick that happened to be top of her class.

Anyone who knew Claude Adams would say he was aloof. A cold-hearted selfish jerk, was the more common go-to.

Claude from a young age had a strong motive to be better than everyone else. Winning first place in the spelling bee to setting the curve in high school. But just setting the curve wasn't enough for Claude, he had to do more than anyone else. Extra curriculars, volunteering, anything to be better.

But getting assigned to tutor Octavia was out of the question.

Claude pushes her, she pushes back harder.

Octavia yells at him, he yells louder.

The pair have no intention of getting along, but the threat of Octavia's expulsion and possibility of Claude not getting extra credit keeps them tied together like a lacy bow.

Tutoring the girl who spray painted the principal wasn't part of Claude's plan, and Octavia's certainly didn't involve being stuck with a self-appointed know-it-all.

And falling in love was not scheduled for either.