SOPHIA

  Everyday I came to school early, so I could have time to prepare for class. I liked to take my time going to the locker and then to the classroom without needing to rush. Today was no different.

  I was walking slowly down the long hall, nearing my locker, when I heard two girls beside me talking. I wasn’t trying to eavesdrop, but they weren’t even trying to be discreet about their conversation.

  “Did you hear about the guy that transferred here? I heard his parents come from money and he’s next in line.” The blonde one said.

  “Oh, yeah, I saw him yesterday. I think he’s Italian. I heard his friends call him Marcello. He could totally be a model with those looks.” The brunette gushed.

  Wait, were they talking about that guy from yesterday? I knew I sensed an Italian accent when he was talking.

  “Oh?” The blonde mused and they both started giggling while walking away, probably to their first class.

  If only they knew what an entitled jerk he really was. They shouldn't be all giggly because of him.I don’t know why it bothered me that they were talking about him like that, but for some reason, I didn’t like it.

  I realized I had been staring in space for a minute and snapped myself out of it. I really needed to get it together. I had to forget about the mysterious guy and focus on getting to class.

  I had history first period, so I went to the classroom. I still had enough time to prepare.

  When I walked through the door I stopped abruptly and stared.

  As if I summoned him with my thoughts, there he was, looking all perfect, without a hair out of place. Just my luck. I would have turned around if not for the fact that I couldn’t afford an absence.

  He was like my own personal ghost, his presence haunting me everywhere I went.

  He was talking to one of the friends he was with yesterday. He didn’t seem that interested in the conversation they were having, looking around the room.

  Just then, he looked up and his eyes met mine. It was like electricity shot up my spine. I saw the moment he realized who I was and something flashed in his eyes, but I couldn’t tell what it was.

  He quickly looked away as if he was the least bit interested in me as he was engaging in the conversation and that made me irrationally irritated.

  Has he forgotten all about our encounter yesterday or does he just not care.

  Whatever. I wasn’t going to waste any more thought on him.

  The class started and I pointedly focused on Mr. Warren as he began to give us instructions.

  “You are going to work in pairs for this project.”

  I raised my hand, but he was faster than me.

  “No, Miss Odelle, you cannot work alone.”

  I lowered my hand and deflated back into my chair. I hated working in groups. Either I had to do all the work and then give away half the credit for my hard work. Or they insisted on doing their part and did it horrifically, so I had to fix it and basically rewrite the whole thing. There was no in between.

  And I had to do it, because the teacher didn’t give a damn who did the work. They wanted us to take care of everything by ourselves. So, at the end of the day, I had to accept that or get a bad grade. And that was not happening. No way.

  Mr. Warren started to put us in pairs and I mentally prepared myself for hearing my name. What I was not prepared for, though, was for the name next to mine be none other than Marcello Raduzzi.

  This couldn’t be happening. Out of everyone it had to be him. The universe was really testing my limits this week, it seemed.

  I could feel his eyes drilling holes in the back of my head. But I couldn’t turn around. I was still processing the teacher’s words and I wasn’t ready to meet his gaze. I was almost afraid of what I might find in it.

  He was probably going to make me do all the work. I could just see it. He was too good to do school projects like regular students. He probably made other people do all the work and then took the credit for it.

  I could feel the anger brewing inside me. I knew I shouldn’t judge people before knowing them, but based on our last encounter I could guess what was going to happen.

  The bell rang and I took a deep breath to calm myself down, stood up and turned to walk up to him. I would at least try to be civil with him. I let a seed of doubt inside my mind. Maybe he could be at least cordial for the sake of this project.

  But when my eyes landed on his desk, he was gone. In the back of the class I could just see his retreating figure walking through the door. And that made my anger burst out even stronger.

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

  He couldn't even pretend to try to do his work and that just wouldn’t do. I hurried out to face him, but he was already gone, lost in the crowd of students milling out of the classrooms.

  I released a quick sigh and stomped off to the next class. I’d deal with him later. I wouldn’t let him get away with it this easily. If no one else taught him manners, I would.

  After I was done with all my classes I went to look for him, but I didn't have any luck. That seemed to be a recurring theme these days.

  I had to go home anyway. I would get a head start on this project. So I decided I'd find him tomorrow.

  He seemed to appear right when I wanted to avoid him and disappear when I needed to talk to him.

  I walked home, since I lived near the school anyway and thought about the project. I made an outline in my head and decided to write all my ideas down when I got to my room.

  When I stopped in front of my house I opened the door and was immediately hit with the aroma of my mom's cooking. It led me to the kitchen where my mother was preparing lunch.

  I snuck behind her and gave her a kiss on the cheek.

  “Oh! You scared me, Soph.” She laughed. “How was school today?”

  She had warm eyes and a welcoming smile. Everyone that met my mother was immediately charmed by her. She had this motherly air around her that made you feel safe

  “Okay. Like usual.” I answered. I don't know why I didn't tell her about what happened. I wanted to keep it to myself.

  “Here.” She held up the spoon for me and I tasted some of the sauce she made. “More salt?”

  “No, I think it's perfect.”

  She ignored me and added some more salt. I rolled my eyes and smiled.

  Just then my father came through the door. His clothes and hands were covered in dirt. He was probably working on the garden. It was his prized possession.

  Since the start of the season that was all he'd been doing. Whenever I needed him I knew exactly where to find him.

  He was always so proud of everything he grew on it. As he should be. The tomatoes he grew were really the best I've ever had.

  “Hey, sweetie.” He greeted me.

  “Hi, dad. How are the carrots doing?” I asked. He loved it when people were interested in his work.

  “Just sprouted some leaves.” He replied with a self-satisfied smile.

  I smiled back at him and turned to the table where mom was just preparing the table. I helped her with the plates and we sat down to have lunch.

  We ate while enjoying each others presence.

  Afterward I went to my room and wrote down my ideas for the project.

  I decided I'd work on it some more in the library, so I packed my bag, put on my shoes and bid my mom goodbye.

  I waved to my dad and he waved back from where he was just planting some salad.

  I wasn't going to fail just because of Marcello. I would show him I'm not someone he could just walk over.

  MARCELLO

  I didn't know why I did that, why I just left the classroom.

  The second my name was placed next to hers my eyes moved directly to the back of her head. But she wouldn't look at me. All I could see was that tight bun of hers.

  She seemed to sense my gaze, because she tensed up. Still, she didn't turn around.

  Why was I bothered by that? If she didn't want to look at me, then fine.

  As soon as the bell rang I grabbed my bag and started for the door.

  I saw her in class. She wasn't talking to anyone and was dutifully taking notes.

  And then she wanted to do the work by herself. It seemed like she was someone who wanted to control everyone and everything around her. Like she thought she was better than everyone.

  But I wouldn't let her boss me around. I would do the project by myself and show her I could do it better than she ever did.

  It's not that I needed her approval or anything. I just wanted to show her I'm more capable than she thought.

  So, when I finished classes, instead of going home, I decided to go write in the library.

  I walked inside and chose a table in the back. There was a window next to it and the warm sunlight shone through.

  I sat down in the chair and opened my bag. I grabbed my computer and opened an empty document. I put my glasses on and started with the key words and titles, then worked my way from there.

  I was just writing the introduction to the topic, when I heard footsteps and a shadow settled on the table. I slowly looked up to find a pissed off looking brunette glaring at me. What did she have to be so angry about? She wasn't stuck with an uptight know-it-all.

  “To what do I owe the pleasure?” I questioned mockingly.

  She ignored my comment and instead said: “This is my table.”

  “I don't see your name on it.” Seriously, what was her problem? Out of all the tables she needs this one? We weren't in third grade.

  “I've been using this table for the last year. Move.” She said forcefully. Her brows were drawn together and she had a murderous look in her eyes. You'd think I killed her dog with the way she was looking at me.

  It was kind of entertaining - rilling her up. Besides, I didn't want this interaction to end just yet.

  I kept looking at her as if I was the least bit interested in her, even if it was the farthest thing from the truth.

  “Fine.” She bit out, when she realized I wouldn't budge. She released a sigh and plopped down on the chair opposite of me.

  She tucked her hair behind her ears - and that's when I noticed it. Her hair was loose, freed from the tight bun she sported the last two and only times I saw her. I couldn't help but think it suited her. The way her hair cascaded down her back almost looked beautiful. Almost.

  I suddenly realized I have been looking at her for longer than normal. I quickly looked away, but it wasn't long before her melodic voice brought my attention right back to her.

  “We have a project to do anyway, so we might as well work on it now. Unless you're too good for hard work like everyone else.” She said with narrowed eyes.

  That made a spark of anger ignite inside of me. What did she know about me? Just because I was rich, people always thought I would avoid my responsibilities.

  Fuck that.

  I wasn't going to take that disrespect. Especially since I was here for this exact reason - to work on the assignment.

  “Don't worry about it. I got it.” I said with a cold edge to my voice. I'd prove her wrong. I'd show her I'm not just some spoiled rich kid. It was important to me that she knew that. I didn't want her thinking I only relied on my parents' money.

  I also wasn't going to let her take over the whole thing. I already had a plan on what to do and it was perfect. That wasn't me being arrogant, it was a fact.

  “What?” She seemed confused, her anger subsiding a bit. She didn't expect me to actually do any of the work and now I was offering to take care of all of it.

  She quickly collected herself, but she still didn't seem satisfied.

  “So you think I'm not able to do it?” She started again. Seriously, nothing was good enough for her. Why was she being so difficult?

  “That's not what I said. Besides, didn't you want my help?”

  That made her clamp her mouth shut. But to no one's surprise, she opened it once again.

  “It's a group project. We have to work together. As much as I hate it.” She added scrunching her nose.

  I was about to argue, but she turned the computer before I could say anything, and started checking my work.

  Her brows furrowed while she was looking over my notes, deep in concentration. She was looking at the screen and that gave me time to observe her.

  Her skin was pale as if she didn't spend much time in the sun. It was so smooth. I wondered if it was as soft as it looked. There were multiple freckles sprinkled all over her face. I almost reached out to touch her before I caught myself.

  What was going on with me?

  There was just something about that skin, those deep blue eyes and light brown hair that sparkled like pure gold under the sunlight.

  She was messing with my head.

  “That's not bad.” She suddenly said.

  “What?” I was startled. Where were we again?

  “Your work?” She sounded confused. She was looking at me like I've grown another head. More like I lost mine.

  Right. My work. Get it together.

  “Of course it's not bad. Were you expecting it to be?”

  She had the decency to look sheepish. Without answering my question she began pulling out her books and settled in the chair next to me, so we could both look at the computer at the same time.

  We began writing and the hours passed so quickly, I couldn't believe my eyes when I finally saw the time.

  We were a surprisingly good team even if I would never admit it aloud.

  We decided to finish for the day and work on it again tomorrow after school.

  I put the things in my bag and stood up. I didn't know if I should say something or not, but then she looked up and smiled. She smiled.

  It brightened up her whole face and something inside me lit up. It felt like a fire eating me from the inside.

  I watched her, completely dumbfounded. I couldn't move or talk. All I could do was stand and stare.

  That seemed to make her realize what she'd done and who I was and her smile dropped. I wished she'd do it again. I started missing it as soon as it was gone.

  Instead she collected her things in a hurry and rushed out of the library without as much as saying goodbye.

  I stood there for the next few seconds, trying to make

  sense of the situation.

  Why did I have this feeling? I felt like I knew the answer, but didn't want to acknowledge it. It was a one time thing. An anomaly. Nothing more.

  I left the library with a weird feeling in my chest.