6

Twirling her pencil between her fingers, Nicole's head rested in the palm of her hand as she read over her notes in third period. She was feeling much calmer—all until she felt a nagging presence shadowing over her. 

She lifted her head, sighing softly when she locked eyes with Seth. 

Of course, smirking down at her. "Darling." 

"Don't call me that." 

"Don't tell me what I can and can't call you, darling." He lifted an eyebrow, challengingly. 

"God, just—shut up." She dropped her head back in her palm and figured it be best to ignore his presence. Leave me be, for the love of God. 

Seth sucked in a sharp breath, dramatizing. "Don't tell me to shut up." 

"I can do whatever—" Nicole cut herself off, wincing faintly. She actually could not do whatever she pleased. She had to do what he pleased. 

"Ah, she's learning quickly." 

Nicole tossed a flat look. "Excuse me?" 

"Our little agreeme—" 

"Ah—" Nicole held up her finger. "Page four, second article. You cannot bring up the topic whenever you want, just for the fun of it." 

A smirk grew across Seth's face. "I knew it. You stayed up all night reading it, didn't you?" 

"I don't trust you, whatsoever. Of course, I did." 

"No wonder you're extra cranky." 

"Yes, very." She nodded, not bothering to deny it because she was indeed cranky.

Seth breathe out a laugh before he moved past her to get to his seat. "Oh," he glanced over his shoulder. "I'll see you at lunch—where you'll be sitting with me, by the way." 

Nicole's mouth fell open yet she was given no room to protest, not that she could if she wanted to. She'd best get used to her new circumstances sooner than later. 

—

By the time lunch rolled around, Nicole was highly debating spending the entire hour in the abandoned hallway if it meant getting her out of this. It wasn't just Seth, but Jason, who she'd prefer to get as far away as possible from. Insufferable assholes. 

Before she could decide what to do, Chase appeared, swinging an arm around her shoulders. "Care to join me for lunch?" 

Nicole was trying to fight a grimace when an idea occurred to her. She glanced at Chase, beaming a hopeful smile. "Actually—do you want to sit with me? Maybe at a different table than usual though?" 

Chase gave her an odd look but shrugged. "Sure. I don't mind."

She guided Chase over to the table where Seth sat with the other boys. Jason was first to huff an irritated breath, having assumed Nicole was here for him. "We're not studying until after schoo—" 

"She's here for me, actually," Seth cut Jason off, eyes trained on Nicole. 

All three of his friends shared confused looks. "What?" Jason muttered, glancing between Seth and Nicole. "Since when?" 

Seth's eyes narrowed on Chase for a moment, before settling on Nicole again. "Why is he here?" 

"Do you want me to answer that, Lee?" Nicole asked innocently, knowing very well that neither of them were allowed to speak of their truce—meaning the only way to explain what both her and Chase were doing here, would entail mentioning that she was prohibited from saying no to Seth. 

"Not going to take a seat?" He asked instead, catching onto her devious little response. They both shared the same insincere smiles. 

"I don't know what the fuck is going on," Jason grumbled tiredly, still glancing between everyone seated at this table in utter confusion. 

Chase gave Nicole an odd look, appearing more than uncomfortable. "Neither do I, actually." He nudged Nicole slightly but she had no answers herself. 

"Ask Seth." 

"That's how you want to play it?" Seth laughed, looking at Nicole with his eyebrows raised. 

"What the—" Parked groaned quietly. "Seriously guys, what the fuck?" 

"Well," Seth began calmly, amused. He swung an arm around Nicole's shoulders, being seated next to her. "We've become acquaintances." 

Nicole gritted her teeth through a forced smile, before quietly murmuring so only Seth would hear, "Violating article six already." 

"It's friendly, not intimate," he countered, in the same hushed tone. 

Nicole awkwardly coughed, shaking his arm off her shoulder.

When an awkward silence floated around the table as everyone remained utterly confused as to what the hell was really going on, Nicole finally stood. "You know, I just remembered—I have an assignment I was supposed to hand in." She turned to look at Chase. "Wanna accompany me?" 

"Of course, yes, please." Chase stood just as fast and followed behind Nicole who hardly offered a salute goodbye. 

As she rushed out of the cafeteria, she was more than convinced that she had barely entered hell. She had no idea what more to anticipate.