The hallway was alive with chatter and footsteps, students bustling to and from classes, but Elies barely noticed the noise around her. She walked with purpose, her head down, hoping to stay invisible for once. It wasn’t that she feared anyone—it was more about avoiding unnecessary drama. Her thoughts, however, betrayed her calm exterior as they wandered to the one person who had occupied far too much of her mind lately: Damien. She sighed and turned the corner near the main lockers. Her attention was immediately captured by a familiar figure leaning casually against the row of lockers. Her steps faltered. There he was—Damien. The infamous smirk tugged at the corners of his lips, his arms crossed, exuding that effortless confidence he was so well-known for. Surrounding him was a small group of girls, each laughing a little too loudly, their eyes shining with the unmistakable look of infatuation. Elies slowed her pace, her stomach twisting uncomfortably. She told herself it wasn’
Elies sat under the large oak tree in the school courtyard, nervously clutching her notebook. She had been casually chatting with Jenna moments earlier, but the sudden presence of Chris changed the dynamic. He strolled over, his carefree grin lighting up his face. Elies felt her stomach twist in a mixture of excitement and dread.“Hey, Elies,” Chris said, dropping his bag next to hers and sitting cross-legged on the grass. His eyes glimmered with friendliness that felt magnified under the sunlight. “What are you working on?”Elies’s cheeks flared instantly. She fumbled with her notebook, pretending to search for something. “Oh, um... just notes. Nothing exciting.”Chris chuckled, his voice warm. “Notes can be exciting. Maybe not chemistry notes, though. Unless you find titration thrilling.”His casual humor caught her off guard, and Elies let out a nervous to the present moment. She looked up at Chris, forcing a smile, trying to hide the fluster building inside her. “Oh, nothing. I wa
Elies was leaning against her locker, lost in thought as Janna approached with her usual cheerful energy."What's up? You look like you've just fought a war," Janna teased, tossing her bag over her shoulder.Elies sighed, running her fingers through her hair. "Just Damien being Damien. He’s really trying my patience."Before Janna could reply, a sharp, mocking laugh rang out, drawing their attention. Tiffany and her two minions, Mandy and Lucy, were striding toward them. The hallway suddenly felt heavier, the chatter of other students dimming as the trio closed the distance."Well, look who it is," Tiffany sneered, stopping a few feet from Elies and Janna. Her perfectly styled blonde hair bounced as she tilted her head, her lips curling into a smug smile."Let me guess," Janna said, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "You’re here to give us the weather report? No? Then why are you wasting our time?"Tiffany ignored Janna, her cold gaze locking onto Elies. "I’ll make this simple for you,
Elies leaned against her locker, catching her breath after the unexpected scuffle with Tiffany and her gang. Her hair was slightly tousled, and her cheeks were still flushed with the adrenaline of the moment. Janna stood beside her, grinning ear to ear as if she had just won a championship match."Did you see their faces? Absolutely priceless," Janna said, nudging Elies with her elbow.Elies shook her head, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "I can’t believe that even happened. I thought we were going to get in serious trouble.""Trouble? Please. They started it, and we finished it," Janna replied confidently.Just as Elies was about to respond, a familiar voice called her name."Elies!"She turned to see Chris walking toward her, his brows furrowed with concern. His athletic frame and warm smile made him stand out, and as he approached, the other students in the hallway began whispering."Hey," Chris said, his voice soft but firm as his eyes scanned her for any sign of injury. "Are y
Elies tapped her pen against the desk, her mind replaying the events of the past week. Damien’s smirks, his sarcastic notes, and most recently, his shameless flirting with other girls in front of her had all piled up into a seething pit of frustration. Janna, sitting beside her, noticed the furrow in her brows. "Still thinking about him?" Janna asked, leaning closer. Elies sighed, glaring at her friend. "It’s not what you think. It’s just...he’s so full of himself, Janna. He acts like he can flirt with half the school and get away with it. It’s maddening." Janna grinned mischievously. "So, what are you going to do about it?" Elies paused, a devious idea forming in her mind. Her lips curled into a sly smile. "Maybe it’s time Damien got a taste of his own medicine." Janna’s eyes widened with excitement. "Oh, I like where this is going. What’s the plan?" Elies glanced at the boys sitting a few desks away, casually chatting and joking around. She gestured toward them. "I’m goi
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 cafeteria buzzed with its usual lunchtime chaos. Students crowded the long tables, talking, laughing, and sharing stories about the latest school gossip. The aroma of freshly baked pizza and fries filled the air as trays clattered against tabletops. Tiffany, Mandy, and Lucy sat at their usual spot near the large windows that overlooked the school courtyard. Tiffany’s tray remained mostly untouched, her fork hovering over her salad as she stared intently across the cafeteria. Her focus was locked on one particular table—where Damien and his friends sat. Damien’s usual crew—Jake, Lucas, Caleb, and Ryan—were laughing loudly at some joke Jake had cracked. But what made Tiffany’s stomach twist with irritation wasn’t their laughter—it was the presence of Bianca sitting far too close to Damien. Bianca was practically glued to Damien’s side, tossing her long, shiny hair and flashing her perfect white smile. Every few seconds, she would touch his arm, giggle at something he said, or
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