Chapter 2. Stuck with him

Keep your hood over your head, eyes down, never speak a word and you can get out of this alive.

My breathing was not even, my trembling hands were on my laps. He was sitting right next to me. How did it happen? I don't know. I was on my own, preparing to sleep through the class when he walked in, straight towards me. He was just a seat away, but we were close enough to hear each other. I hoped he wasn't a shifter or a vampire, or he would hear my heart fighting to die on me.

Five more minutes…

"Okay, class, that's it for today," yes! Early finish! "We'll be starting off with an assignment. Two of you would pair up and work on a given topic together, and submit by the end of next week. You will be given topics from the last two semesters. The report would be reread in class and retaught, to refresh each and every one of your memories…"

"Oh, come on, Mr. Ayton, do we have to!"

"Yes, because I say so," I rolled my eyes. "Justice," he called harshly, making me furrow my brows in confusion. "Larissa Justice," oh no! I almost shrunk into the chair when everyone turned to look at me, except him. "Because of your beautiful failure for the last two semesters, you will be working with someone who actually knows what he is doing so you won't fail. I don't want to have to see any of your ugly faces one more semester so no failing allowed. Because you are a disgraceful failure and I'm a good teacher, you will be working on this assignment with Peacock Nitwit," everyone laughed. That was his way of calling the class's cocky bastard.

"Sir," my heart sank to my stomach. I wasn't the only one affected. A sharp intake of breath from the female population made it obvious. His voice was the softest and most melodious of his brothers, so silken and gentle. I didn't give in to the urge to sigh dreamily, I reacted with a gulp. "Pasco died during the holiday, hit and run case." He blurted out blankly.

"Oh," Mr. Ayton said thoughtfully, "that's unfortunate," he shrugged. "New plan, you are stuck with him, Larissa," he inclined his head to Zayne. My mind went into shock, causing me to blink perplexedly while a mournful cry broke out from the female population. I blinked again, trying to get out of the shock.

I am stuck with… Oh no!

"I object!" I shouted, jumping to my feet, and mentally palming my face afterward.

"Excuse me?" Mr. Ayton asked frowningly. "And why are you objecting, Future Mrs. I'm living in abject poverty because I didn't listen to my amazing teacher?" Deciding to play it cool and ignore his usual harsh words, I returned to my seat, throwing my booted feet on the desk and clasping my hands behind my head. His frown deepened.

"You see, I'm in love with you, Mr. Ayton, so much I have very naughty dreams about you. If I don't fail, I'll have to graduate and move on, meaning no more seeing your face or fucking you in my dreams. Now, that's not very acceptable to me. So, you see why I should fail? My dream sex depends on it." I ended with a flirtatious wink. I successfully made the great man speechless. He opened his mouth and closed it back repeatedly, face almost as red as Odette's lipstick.

I chuckled to myself, tapping my foot in the air. "T-th-that Y-y- Wh… Detention!"

I snorted dismissively. "I'm getting detention for being honest? Come on, hotcake, you can do better than that," he opened and closed his mouth over and over again. I was enjoying it until Zayne chuckled. I bit the inside of my cheek to stop myself from blushing.

"Stop teasing him, Larissa, before you completely freeze his brain."

He called my name! He knows my name! Oh my God!

"Don't worry, Mr. Ayton, I'll make sure she passes and gets out of your hair,"

"He doesn't have any hair," I deadpanned, throwing the class into a fit of laughter. Let's just say I ended up with three days of detention.

After class, I grabbed my bag and made the leap of the skedaddle, but I was caught outside the door. "Larissa, wait up!" Why!

Twirling on my toes, I offered him a sweet smile and placed my hand in my pocket. "Yes, Zayne?"

"About the project, where would we work? I'm not coming to your house and neither are you coming to mine," he said coldly. I found myself rolling my eyes.

"I live under a bridge," oh great. To my surprise, he smiled, he fucking smiled at me. I squeezed my lips as he chuckled to himself.

"Larissa, you are awfully weird,"

"How would you know that?"

"Who doesn't know that? Your nickname is Wacky McPussiness, you gave yourself the name," I grinned at him, nodding with pride. I'm really proud of that name. That was until I registered what he said. He freaking knew me! He knew me! He loves me!

Okay, that's just going too far.

Breathe, Risa, breathe.

"I'm sorry, are you in love with me because I'm loveable," he chuckled again, running his eyes over my body. I felt very happy knowing I was wearing my wacky ripped jeans and my father's favorite black tee. I look hot!

"Not likely, or ever. But, I agreed to this because I know you are not like most girls here, you won't bother me," he sighed, then raised his brow, "right?" Are you kidding me? I was ready to say I do. But I guess I understood what he meant.

Zayne wasn't on the football team, basketball team, or any other team, but he was one of the hottest guys in school. He was always in art class, the star student but it was understood because he was a teen artist after all. I'm not saying "I just know how to paint" artist, I'm talking "I'm a big-time young professional artist". He had been painting and selling his artwork since he was ten. He is from a rich home and had rich siblings, relatives, acquaintances, and money himself. That's far better than high school football players.

That was just the additional reason girls threw themselves at him. The main reason was because he was hot. I liked the guy, but I'd never been one to throw myself at guys. If I want to force myself on you, I'll kidnap you and keep you all to myself. Yes.

"Nope," I said with a pop, "except if you are Becky Hill,"

"She's a woman," he scowled.

"Exactly!" I spun on my heels once again to strut away but came face to face with my teacher, my math teacher. Groaning, I rolled my eyes and huffed. He had been bugging me about getting a tutor to save my dying brain, but my brain is just fine. The heavy man stood there with arms folded and a smirk on his face. "Good morning, Mr. Skull… I mean, Stone," I murmured.

"Zayne, I'm surprised you already met her," come again?

"Wait, is she the one?" Hold on. I stepped aside and looked between them. Zayne sighed and rubbed the back of his head.

"Me? What about me?"

"Dear Larissa, meet your tutor for the rest of the semester, and no refusal,"

"Huh?" I blinked.

"Yes, you are stuck with him, Justice."