The day started like any other, with Elies hoping she could keep a low profile. However, the reality of her current situation meant that low profile and peace were luxuries she no longer enjoyed. From the moment she stepped into the school building, Damien’s presence was impossible to ignore. Whether it was the way he lingered near her locker, his sharp eyes scanning anyone who so much as glanced in her direction, or how he suddenly appeared in the same hallway she was in, Damien was everywhere. His possessiveness was suffocating, and Elies had no idea how to escape it. Her latest encounter with Damien had left her jittery. The whispered “You’re mine” from earlier that morning replayed in her head, and she could still feel the way his eyes bore into her as she hurried away. She tried her best to focus on her classes, but every time she thought she was safe, Damien’s shadow loomed again. It was during lunch when the situation escalated. Elies had decided to sit at a quieter tab
The school hallways buzzed with the usual chatter, lockers slamming shut, and footsteps echoing on the polished floor. Elies moved quickly, clutching her books tightly to her chest as if they were a shield. Her hope for a drama-free day was fleeting, as she felt Damien’s presence even before she saw him. It was like the air changed when he was near—heavy with confidence and a touch of mischief. She didn’t have to turn around to know he was leaning casually against the locker beside hers, arms crossed, watching her every move. “Elies,” he drawled lazily, a smirk audible in his tone. “Running away already?” “I’m not running,” she shot back without looking at him. “Good. Because we wouldn’t want anyone to get the wrong idea,” he said, stepping closer until he was right beside her. “You’re mine, after all.” Elies froze, her grip on her books tightening. She turned to face him, her eyes blazing. “I told you to stop saying that, Damien. I’m not yours, and I never will be.” “Hmm,
Elies navigated the bustling hallways with her usual determination to avoid unwanted attention. Her interactions with Damien had already painted a target on her back, and she wasn’t in the mood for any more drama. She kept her head down, clutching her books tightly, when a voice rang out behind her. “Elies! Wait up!” The familiar voice sent a ripple of surprise through her. Turning around, she saw Kayla approaching, her long hair bouncing with each step and a confident smile plastered across her face. Elies frowned. She and Kayla had never interacted beyond polite nods in passing, so this sudden attention was more than suspicious. “Hey,” Elies said cautiously, her tone neutral. Kayla’s smile widened. “I’ve been meaning to talk to you. Do you have a minute?” Elies glanced at the clock on the wall. She still had time before her next class, but every instinct told her to find an excuse and leave. Unfortunately, Kayla wasn’t someone you could easily brush off. “Sure, I guess,”
The library was Elies’ sanctuary, a quiet haven where she could escape the chaos of the school. Rows of neatly stacked books and the faint scent of paper created an atmosphere of peace. It was the one place she felt truly invisible, away from the prying eyes of her peers and, more importantly, Damien’s relentless antics. She settled into her usual corner, her back against the wall, and opened her notebook. Her history assignment was due soon, and she was determined to finish it without distractions. The hum of muffled whispers and the occasional turning of pages filled the space, blending into white noise that allowed her to focus. Until it didn’t. The hairs on the back of her neck stood up, a familiar prickle of awareness creeping over her. She glanced up and froze. There he was. Damien stood at the entrance to the library, his broad frame silhouetted against the light from the hallway. His dark eyes scanned the room until they landed on her. A smirk tugged at his lips, and
Elies sat in the back row of their chemistry class, trying to keep a low profile. She focused on her notebook, pretending to scribble notes while silently praying that Damien wouldn’t notice her. For the past week, his relentless teasing had left her frazzled, her emotions a tangled mess of irritation and... something else she didn’t want to name. But of course, her prayers went unanswered. From the corner of her eye, she saw Damien saunter into the room, his trademark smirk firmly in place. He scanned the seats until his gaze landed on her. Her stomach flipped, and she quickly looked down, hoping he’d change direction. No such luck. “Morning, sunshine,” he drawled, sliding into the seat next to hers. Elies didn’t even glance at him. “Don’t call me that.” “But it suits you,” he said, leaning closer. “You brighten my day.” She rolled her eyes, keeping her attention on her notebook. “You’re insufferable.” “Only for you.” The heat crept up her neck, and she pressed her
Elies slammed her lunch tray onto the cafeteria table, her face a perfect blend of irritation and embarrassment. Jenna, already seated with a small carton of milk in hand, raised an eyebrow at her friend’s dramatic entrance. “Rough morning?” Jenna asked, biting into her sandwich. Elies threw herself onto the bench with an exasperated groan. “You have no idea. Damien is *so* annoying!” Jenna smirked. “What did he do this time?” “Everything!” Elies gestured wildly, almost knocking her drink over. “He sat next to me in class and wouldn’t stop whispering ridiculous things. Then in the hallway, he cornered me—again—and started calling me ‘sunshine.’ Who even does that?” Jenna laughed. “I don’t know, Elies. Sounds like he’s got it bad for you.” Elies glared at her. “This isn’t funny. He’s relentless. I can’t even look at him without feeling…” She trailed off, her cheeks flushing. “Feeling what?” Jenna asked, grinning knowingly. “Like I want to slap that smug look off his fac
The school was buzzing with anticipation for the upcoming game. Posters covered every bulletin board, students practiced cheers in the hallways, and every conversation seemed to circle back to strategies and predictions. It was impossible to avoid the excitement, and Elies, as much as she tried, was caught in the middle of it all. She had barely sat down in the cafeteria with Jenna when Damien appeared, striding toward their table with the confidence of someone who believed the world revolved around him. His friends flanked him like loyal soldiers, but he didn’t seem to notice anyone else. His eyes were locked on Elies. “Elies,” Damien began, sliding into the seat next to her without waiting for an invitation, “you’re coming to the game on Saturday, right?” Elies sighed, taking a slow bite of her sandwich in a futile attempt to ignore him. “Why would I do that?” Damien grinned, leaning in closer. “Because it’s the event of the year. And because I’ll be on the field. Obviously,
The evening air was thick with tension as Elies stepped into the house, her bag slung over her shoulder. She expected the usual routine: her father sitting in his chair, glancing up briefly to greet her, and her mother bustling about the kitchen. But tonight, something was off. Her father, James, was seated at the dining table, his arms crossed, the remnants of his dinner untouched in front of him. His expression was a storm cloud of worry and disapproval, and her mother stood nearby, fidgeting with a dishcloth. “Elies,” James said, his voice unusually stern. “We need to talk.” Elies froze in her tracks. She couldn’t recall the last time her father’s tone had been this serious. She dropped her bag by the door and slowly approached the table, her pulse quickening. “What’s going on?” she asked cautiously, sitting down across from him. James let out a heavy sigh, his piercing gaze locking onto hers. “What’s going on is that your name has been the subject of some rather unsavory
Bianca sat with a forced smile plastered on her face, surrounded by Damien’s friends—Caleb, Lucas, Jake, and Ryan—while Damien himself was noticeably absent. She had watched him walk off toward Elie’s without a second thought, leaving her standing there, humiliated. Caleb smirked, leaning back casually. **“So... that didn’t go as planned, huh, Bianca?”** Bianca’s jaw clenched, but she maintained her composure. **“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”** Lucas chuckled. **“Come on, we all saw it. You were laying it on thick, talking about that gala. Thought you had him hooked... until Elie’s walked by.”** Bianca’s fists tightened on her lap, nails digging into her palms. **“Damien was just being polite. He’s coming to the gala. He said he’d think about it.”** Ryan raised an eyebrow. **“Yeah... after ditching you to run after Elie’s. Face it, Bee, you’re not his priority.”** Her smile faltered for a split second before she covered it with a cool laugh. **“Damien and I ha
The school courtyard buzzed with activity as Damien sat with his group of friends at their usual hangout spot near the basketball court. His closest friends included Jake, the charming prankster; Ryan, the athletic captain of the soccer team; Lucas, the tech genius with a quiet but intense aura; and Caleb, the smooth-talking ladies’ man. Together, they were known as the “Elite Five” — admired, envied, and practically untouchable. Jake playfully tossed a basketball between his hands. **“So, who’s ready for the game after class? We’re totally crushing them.”** Caleb smirked. **“As long as you don’t miss another free throw like last time.”** Jake laughed. **“I was distracted! Not my fault the cheer squad was practicing right behind the hoop.”** Ryan rolled his eyes. **“Excuses.”** Just then, Bianca approached with her usual air of confidence. Her long blonde hair shimmered in the sunlight, and her perfectly styled outfit turned heads as she made her way toward the boys. **“He
Elie’s walked into the school parking lot, her mind swirling with anticipation. Today was the day Mr. Carter would announce the results of their project presentations. As much as she hated to admit it, she was nervous. She adjusted her bag and headed toward her first class, trying to suppress the uneasy feeling in her chest.From the corner of her eye, she saw Damien approaching from across the school grounds. He walked with his usual confident stride, his hands casually tucked into his pockets, exuding effortless charm."Hey, partner," Damien greeted smoothly as he fell into step beside her. "You look like you’re about to sit for another test. Nervous about our results?"Elie’s gave a small, tense laugh. "A little... I just hope we did well."Damien smirked. "Hope? Seriously? We crushed that project. You’ve got me as your partner—there’s no way we’re not getting a perfect score."She rolled her eyes. "You and your oversized ego...""Confidence," he corrected with a wink. "Trust me, M
The classroom buzzed with excitement and nervous energy as students prepared to present their projects. Mr. Robert, their literature teacher, stood at the front, clipboard in hand. His sharp gaze scanned the room.“Alright, class,” he announced. “Today, you’ll be presenting your projects. Each pair has ten minutes to present and defend their work. Impress me.”The students exchanged anxious glances. Elie’s tapped her pen nervously while Damien, seated beside her, appeared perfectly relaxed, twirling a pencil between his fingers.“We’ve got this,” Damien whispered, noticing her tension.Elie’s nodded, still unconvinced.First Pair: Chris and Tiffany“Chris and Tiffany, you’re up,” Mr. Robert called.Chris and Tiffany rose from their seats, walking confidently to the front. Tiffany adjusted her flawless hair, flashing a dazzling smile.“Our project is on Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, focusing on how impulsive decisions led to tragedy,” Tiffany began, her voice clear and steady.Chris
Elie’s stormed out of the cafeteria, her mind swirling with unwanted thoughts. Her feet carried her toward the quiet school courtyard as she tried to push away the image of Bianca smiling at Damien, her heart pounding despite her attempts to stay calm. Just as she reached a shaded bench under a large oak tree, she heard hurried footsteps behind her. Turning around, she saw Janna jogging toward her, looking concerned and slightly out of breath. **“Elie’s!”** Janna called, waving her hand. **“Wait up!”** Elie’s groaned inwardly but stood still, knowing she couldn’t avoid her best friend forever. **“Why did you run out like that?”** Janna asked, panting as she finally reached her. **“What’s going on?”** Elie’s crossed her arms defensively, shifting her gaze to the ground. **“Nothing’s going on. I just... needed some air.”** Janna narrowed her eyes, unconvinced. **“Air? Really? You were perfectly fine before Bianca walked in.”** Elie’s scoffed, avoiding her gaze. **“Her show
The morning air buzzed with excitement as Elie’s parked her car in the school parking lot. She grabbed her bag and adjusted her jacket, preparing for another long day. As she walked toward her first class, she couldn’t help but notice the unusual amount of chatter coming from every direction. Groups of students huddled together, whispering and giggling, their eyes sparkling with curiosity. Elie’s frowned, wondering what all the fuss was about. Near the school’s entrance, two girls were talking loudly, clearly too excited to keep their voices down. **“Did you hear? She’s finally coming today!”** one girl squealed, practically bouncing with excitement. **“I know, right?”** her friend chimed in. **“Her father owns part of the school. Can you imagine being that rich and beautiful?”** Elie’s slowed her pace, straining to catch more of their conversation. *Who are they talking about?* As she neared the school hallway, Chris appeared beside her, wearing his usual laid-back smirk.
Jake leaned back in his chair, a playful grin stretching across his face as he watched Janna settle into the seat beside him. The teacher’s words still echoed through the classroom: “The person beside you is your partner for the project.”Janna glanced sideways, catching Jake’s smirk. “Why you smiling like that?” she asked, raising a brow. Jake shrugged. “Just thinking how lucky I am to be paired with the prettiest girl in class.” Janna scoffed but couldn’t hide the small smile tugging at her lips. “Flattery won’t get you out of doing your share of the project.” He leaned closer, resting his chin on his hand. “Who said I’m trying to get out of anything? Maybe I just want to spend more time with you.” “Yeah, right,” Janna rolled her eyes. “Bet you say that to every girl.” Jake chuckled. “Nah, you’re special.” She shook her head, biting back a laugh. “Smooth talker.” Mr. Roberts clapped his hands from the front of the classroom. “Everyone! Focus on discussing your project
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
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