Elies tilted her head, still smirking as she crossed her arms over her chest. "I always do," she said, her tone light and playful, though the fire in her eyes dared Damien to challenge her. Damien took a step closer, his smile turning into something more mischievous, more dangerous. He leaned against the locker beside her, effectively cutting off her escape route. "Since you’re so good at winning," he began, his voice calm but laced with a teasing edge, "I have a condition for you." Elies raised an eyebrow, her smirk faltering slightly. "A condition? And why would I agree to that?" His grin widened as he leaned just a bit closer, the scent of his cologne filling the space between them. "Because if you don’t, you might not like what happens next." Her eyes narrowed, intrigued but cautious. "What are you talking about, Damien? Spit it out." His voice dropped lower, just above a whisper, and his gaze locked onto hers. "If I catch you flirting with another guy again," he said sl
Elies walked back to the cafeteria with Jenna trailing close behind her, her mind still reeling from Damien’s bold words earlier. It wasn’t just what he said—it was the way he said it, with that maddening confidence and the teasing smirk that seemed permanently etched on his face. She clenched her fists as she walked, trying to shake off the way his voice lingered in her thoughts. Why did he have to be so infuriatingly smug? Worse still, why did it affect her so much? When they arrived back at their usual table, Jenna was grinning from ear to ear. She dropped her tray onto the table and plopped down in her chair, leaning in close to Elies. “Okay,” Jenna began, her voice practically vibrating with curiosity. “What did he say to you? You’ve been acting like someone turned the heat up to a hundred degrees. Your face is so red I’m worried you might actually explode.” Elies waved her hand dismissively, sitting down and keeping her gaze firmly on her untouched food. “It’s nothing,”
Elies parked her car in the driveway and turned off the ignition, sitting in silence for a moment. The events of the day weighed heavily on her, from Damien’s teasing to Chris’s attention and Jenna’s relentless teasing over text. She sighed and stepped out of the car, grabbing her bag. The house was quiet when she walked in. Her parents were out, as usual, leaving the large home to herself. Normally, she enjoyed the peace, but today, it only amplified the swirling chaos in her mind. She kicked off her shoes near the door, hung her bag on a hook, and flopped onto the living room couch. Her phone buzzed. She pulled it out, seeing Jenna’s name light up the screen. **Jenna:** *Why did you run off so quickly after school? I barely got to bother you about your new “suitors.”* Elies groaned aloud, already knowing where this conversation was heading. She typed back quickly, hoping to keep it brief. **Elies:** *I just wanted to get home. That’s all.* Jenna’s response came instantly.
The morning sun filtered through the classroom windows as Elies walked into her class. She set her bag on her desk, taking a deep breath and trying to focus. It had been an exhausting series of events, and she hoped today would be calmer. As her classmates filed in, the usual chatter of early morning filled the room. Jenna plopped into the seat to the right of Elies, her bright smile making it clear she was ready to tease her friend again. Elies groaned inwardly, already preparing for Jenna's relentless questioning. "Morning, Elies," Jenna said with a sly grin. “Morning,” Elies replied, sliding into her seat and pulling out her notebook. The bell rang sharply, signaling the start of the lesson. The classroom door opened, and the teacher walked in, her stern expression silencing the room instantly. Elies exhaled a sigh of relief, glad that Jenna’s questions were momentarily put on hold. Before the teacher could begin, however, another commotion drew everyone’s attention. Dami
The cafeteria buzzed with the usual chatter and clatter of trays as students lined up for their lunch. Elies and Jenna entered together, the smell of food wafting toward them. The lines were long, and the two friends joined one toward the back, chatting idly while waiting their turn. “I swear, every time I think I’ll get to sit and relax, this line feels like it gets longer,” Jenna grumbled. “Patience is a virtue,” Elies teased, giving her a playful nudge. Jenna snorted. “Easy for you to say. You barely eat anything. For me, this is survival!” Elies rolled her eyes but smiled as they finally reached the front of the line. Both girls grabbed trays and started picking their meals. Elies opted for a light salad, while Jenna’s tray filled with sandwiches, chips, and a pudding cup. “Hungry much?” Elies teased. “I need energy to deal with your drama,” Jenna quipped, shooting her friend a sly grin. Elies laughed softly but couldn’t deny it—her life seemed to be an endless sourc
As Elies and Jenna exited the cafeteria, the air seemed calmer, though the lingering buzz of students’ chatter echoed faintly in the halls. The two girls walked side by side, Jenna animatedly recounting how she thought Chris’s reaction earlier was adorable. Elies, however, remained silent, her mind tangled with conflicting thoughts about Damien, Chris, and the chaos they always seemed to bring. “You okay, Elies? You’ve been quiet since lunch,” Jenna asked, giving her a nudge. Elies forced a small smile. “Yeah, I’m fine. Just… thinking.” Jenna raised an eyebrow. “Thinking? About Damien or Chris?” Elies groaned. “Neither! Can we drop it already?” Jenna chuckled. “Fine, fine. Oh, hang on—I need to use the restroom. Wait for me, okay?” Elies nodded and leaned against the lockers, her eyes wandering around the hallway. It was relatively empty, save for a few students rushing to their classes or hanging out in groups. She closed her eyes briefly, trying to clear her head. “Loo
Elies walked into the classroom with Jenna by her side, their earlier confrontation with Tiffany and her gang still fresh in her mind. She was determined not to let it ruin her day, though the tension hadn’t entirely left her shoulders. As they entered, Elies stopped abruptly. Sitting at her desk, relaxed and exuding confidence, was Damien. His arms were crossed over his chest, and a small, knowing smirk tugged at the corners of his lips. “Seriously?” Elies muttered under her breath. Jenna nudged her playfully. “Well, it looks like someone has claimed your seat.” Elies rolled her eyes. “Great.” Damien’s eyes lit up when he saw her. “Took you long enough. I thought you got lost on the way back.” Ignoring him, Elies marched over to her desk. “Move, Damien. This is my seat.” He raised an eyebrow, clearly enjoying her annoyance. “There’s plenty of space. Sit beside me.” Jenna gave Elies an encouraging nudge. “I’ll sit at the back today. Have fun,” she teased before slippin
The next morning, the classroom hummed with the sound of students settling into their seats. Elies walked in, clutching her books, and immediately spotted Damien already seated in her usual spot, casually leaning back like he owned the place. She sighed. The day hadn’t even started, and he was already testing her patience.“Good morning, Sunshine,” Damien greeted, flashing his usual smirk.“Don’t call me that,” Elies muttered, sitting beside him. She tried to ignore his presence, but that was easier said than done when Damien’s aura seemed to dominate the room.Before she could say anything else, the teacher, Mr. Roberts, entered the classroom carrying a stack of papers. He placed them on his desk with a loud thud, silencing the chatter in the room.“Good morning, class,” he began, adjusting his glasses. “Today, we’re starting an important project. It’s worth 40% of your final grade.”The room erupted into murmurs. Students exchanged anxious looks, and a few even groaned.Mr. Roberts r
Elie’s was still smiling at Jenna’s words, her cheeks slightly flushed. She didn’t know if it was the attention from Chris or the way Jenna was hyping her up, but she felt different tonight—more confident, more seen.Chris had been sneaking glances at her all night, and every time their eyes met, he would smirk, making her heart race. This was the kind of night she had always dreamed of—a night where she wasn’t invisible.But while Elie’s was basking in this newfound attention, Damien was anything but pleased. His jaw was clenched, and his dark eyes were locked on Chris, who was laughing at something Elie’s had just said.Jenna noticed Damien’s expression and smirked. “Oh boy,” she whispered under her breath. “This is about to get messy.”Elie’s, oblivious to Damien’s growing rage, took a sip of her drink when Chris suddenly leaned in. “You look amazing tonight, Elie’s,” he said smoothly, his deep voice sending a shiver down her spine.Elie’s nearly choked on her drink, her eyes widen
Evening at Elie’s HouseThe sun had begun to set, painting the sky in shades of orange and pink as a soft breeze flowed through the neighborhood. Inside Elie’s house, things were quiet—too quiet for a night that was supposed to be one of the biggest events of the year.Elie’s was curled up on the couch, lazily flipping through channels, a bowl of popcorn resting in her lap. The house was empty, her parents weren’t home, and honestly, she preferred it that way. No one to force her to go to that ridiculous prom.She sighed as she settled on a romance movie, stuffing a handful of popcorn into her mouth.But just as she was getting comfortable, the doorbell rang.She groaned, already knowing exactly who it was.Dragging herself off the couch, she walked to the door and opened it slightly. Before she could react, Jenna stormed in like a hurricane.“Elie’s, I swear to God—” Jenna’s eyes widened when she took in Elie’s outfit. “You are sitting here, in pajamas, watching a movie, while the re
The entire school was buzzing with excitement. Ever since the announcement of the prom night on Saturday, students couldn’t stop talking about it. The girls, especially, were busy discussing their outfits, hairstyles, and who they would be going with.Elie’s sat at her desk, listening to the chatter around her. Jenna was beside her, flipping through her phone, looking at different dress styles.“Elie’s, have you decided what you’re wearing?” Jenna asked, nudging her.“I don’t even know if I’m going,” Elie’s admitted, playing with the hem of her shirt.Jenna gasped dramatically. “What do you mean you don’t know? It’s the biggest event of the semester! Everyone is going!”“I just don’t feel like dressing up and all that,” Elie’s said, shrugging.Jenna rolled her eyes. “Girl, I swear, you’re impossible. You have to come! Do you know how many guys are dying to ask you out?”Elie’s chuckled. “I doubt that.”“Doubt all you want, but it’s true.” Jenna smirked. “Besides, Damien is going to be
The air in the hallway was thick with tension as Tiffany stormed into the empty classroom where Bianca and her gang, Mandy and Lucy, were already seated. Her face was red with anger, her fists clenched tightly by her sides. Mandy and Lucy, still trying to process the humiliation they had faced in the cafeteria, muttered under their breath."How dare she!" Tiffany yelled, slamming her palm on the desk, startling the others. "That little nobody thinks she can humiliate me in front of everyone?"Mandy nodded, her face equally flushed. "She’s too bold for her own good. Elie's and that annoying Jenna—ugh, I can’t stand them!"Lucy added, "Tiffany, we need to do something. We can’t let them get away with this."Bianca, however, sat quietly in her seat, an odd smirk on her face. She was the only one who seemed unfazed by the situation. Her calm demeanor was unnerving, and it caught Tiffany’s attention."What’s so funny, Bianca?" Tiffany snapped, glaring at her. "Don’t tell me you’re not furi
The cafeteria was alive with chatter and clinking trays as students bustled around. Elie’s and Janna sat at their usual table near the window, eating and laughing at one of Janna’s terrible jokes. “I’m telling you,” Janna said through a mouthful of fries, “if this school had a competition for the weirdest cafeteria food combinations, I’d win hands down.” Elie’s shook her head, chuckling. “You’d also lose for originality. Who puts fries in their milkshake?” “It’s a delicacy!” Janna declared, pointing a fry at her. The lighthearted mood was interrupted when Tiffany walked into the cafeteria, flanked by Mandy and Lucy. They looked as though they owned the place, heads high and sneers on their faces. What caught Elie’s attention, though, was Bianca trailing behind them. Janna leaned closer to Elie’s and whispered, “Is it just me, or does it look like the Mean Girls have recruited Bianca?” Elie’s frowned. “What’s she doing with them?” Before they could speculate further, the
The day had ended, but Damien found himself wandering through the empty hallways of the school, his hands stuffed into his pockets and his usual smirk replaced by a pensive frown. He leaned against one of the lockers, the events of the previous day replaying in his mind like a movie he couldn’t turn off. The memory was sharp, vivid, and painfully fresh. --- It had been early morning, and the house was unusually quiet. Damien had been seated at the breakfast table, his plate untouched. His father entered the room, his face set with the same serious expression he always wore. “Damien, we need to talk,” his father had said, his voice calm but firm. “About what?” Damien replied, though he already had a sinking feeling about where this was headed. His father took a seat across from him, clasping his hands together. “I’ve been meaning to discuss this with you for a while now. I’ve decided to remarry.” The words hit Damien like a punch to the gut. He stared at his father, his h
The next day, Elie’s walked into the school building, her heart racing as she glanced around. The moment she spotted Damien near his locker, she felt an unexpected wave of relief wash over her. Without thinking, she rushed toward him, her steps quick and determined. Damien was casually leaning against his locker, his usual smirk playing on his lips as he chatted with Jake. The moment he saw Elie’s hurrying toward him, his eyebrows raised in amusement. “Damien!” she called, stopping right in front of him. “Good morning to you too, Elie’s,” he said, grinning. She ignored his greeting, her words tumbling out in a rush. “Why didn’t you come to school yesterday? Are you okay? Were you sick? Did something happen?” Damien chuckled, clearly entertained by her barrage of questions. “Whoa, whoa, slow down, Elie’s,” he said, holding up his hands as if to calm her down. “Take a breath.” Elie’s blinked, suddenly realizing how fast she had been talking. She took a step back, her cheeks
The next day, the school was buzzing with its usual noise, but something felt off for Elie’s. As she entered the classroom, she noticed Damien’s seat was empty. She frowned slightly but quickly shook the feeling away. “Maybe he’s just late,” she muttered to herself, heading to her seat. Jenna was already there, arranging her books. “Morning, Elie’s!” Jenna chirped. “Morning,” Elie’s replied, though her voice lacked its usual energy. Jenna gave her a curious look but didn’t say anything. As the class began, Elie’s found it harder to concentrate than usual. Her eyes kept darting toward the door, hoping to see Damien walk in with his usual confident stride and teasing smirk. But the door remained closed, and Damien’s seat stayed empty. When the teacher gave them an independent task, Elie’s turned to Jake, who was sitting a few seats away. “Hey, Jake,” she whispered. Jake looked up from his notebook. “What’s up?” “Do you know where Damien is? He’s not here today.” Jake s
Brittany entered the cafeteria, her heels clicking against the tiled floor as she scanned the room. Her eyes landed on Damien’s table, and as usual, he was surrounded by his friends. Her gaze softened momentarily as she observed him. His charm and effortless confidence were magnetic, but what truly enraged her was how his attention was focused elsewhere. Turning her head slightly, she followed his line of sight and saw Elie’s sitting at a table with Jenna. A scowl formed on Brittany's face, though she quickly masked it with a neutral expression. “Her, again,” she muttered under her breath. With calculated steps, Brittany walked toward Damien’s table, carrying her tray. As she reached the group, one of Damien’s friends noticed her and nudged the others. “Brittany, fancy seeing you here,” one of them said with a smirk, though his tone was more teasing than welcoming. Brittany ignored him, pulling out a chair next to Damien and settling down. She placed her tray on the table and