Rejected By The Alpha Quarterback

HAZEL Have the fluorescent lights in chem class always glowed like fireflies? They twinkle like fairy wings, almost teasing in their brilliance. “Alright everyone. Time’s up!” Peterkin slaps a piece of paper on his desk and the lecture hall rumbles with the groan of students. There’s a light skip to my feet as I march up to the front desk to turn in my test paper. Peterkin recognizes me from always being the first one to answer questions in his chem class. “Hi Hazel,” I’m one of the few students that he’s on a first name basis with. “I noticed you finished answering your test questions a long while ago.” “Hi Peterkin. That’s only because the questions were so easy.” “Tell that to these dunderheads,” he snorts, tone teasing. I wave goodbye to him and skip out of the hall. Nick hates it when I skip. Says it makes me look even more of a dork. Of course, he doesn’t mean anything bad by it. Just his own special way of looking out for me. Nick Warren—my boyfriend of two years. We’ve been dating since freshman year of college and we’d met on the football field. He had been trying out for the football team while I had been rushing to get to math club for my very first meeting. I was crossing the field when a football came barreling towards me. It hit me square in the face and I must have blacked out for a moment. The next thing I knew, someone was helping me up. It was Nick. Golden boy Nick, with his shiny blonde curls and million-dollar smile. I remember thinking back then, how gorgeous he was. The most beautiful boy I had ever seen. Like a god. And he was smiling at me. Me. The nerdiest, most snotty chick in the entire school. In that moment, I had thought that if I died right then, I would die happy. What we had that day was a meet cute. But that wasn’t even the real surprise. The real surprise was when the most popular guy in the entire freshman class had asked me, a total nerd-face, to be his girlfriend. Two years later, we’re still together and it still doesn’t feel real. Most days I feel like Cinderella but there are also times when I worry that I’m living a dream. That one day, my prince is going to wake up and realize that he doesn’t want me anymore. That he never did. I’ve got model UN at three pm. Crestmoon and Duskville packs have got a huge score to settle on the panel today and they are counting on the representative from Bay falls to act as mediator. I’m the representative from Bay falls. I’m not originally from the Bay falls pack but I am, for the sake of model UN. “Where are you going in such a hurry freckle Bell?” a smooth baritone calls from behind me. I turn around and my steps nearly falter as I catch sight of Asher James jogging towards me. Why is he talking to me? And what’s up with the freckle Bell comment? He’s been calling me that since freshman year. You’d think by now, the star quarterback would have grown bored with it. But no. He’s still as cheeky and annoying as ever. It’s usually easier to just ignore him; pretend I don’t hear him calling to me. “Are you ignoring me? Hey, wait up.” He rounds me, blocking my path. I’m too wound up to notice his new hair cut and how good he looks in his customized leather jacket. Asher has got a timeless sort of handsomeness and I think it’s got something to do with those soul sucking eyes. Right now, they look like a pair of leeches. “Gotcha,” he grins, enjoying the exasperated look on my face. “I saw you hurrying out of the lecture hall. You must have really aced that test.” “Is there something you want to say to me? I suggest you say it fast. I’ve got model UN to get to.” I grip the straps of my backpack, trying not to squirm as he assesses me with those sizzling black orbs. “Must be nice to be number one in class.” “Any specific reason why you’re spilling facts?” I ask and he smiles at that. “Yes actually. I was wondering if you’ve got any room for tutoring?” “Tutoring.” I blink, adjusting my oversized glasses. Yes, I keep forgetting to get one that fits. “I don’t understand. You want me to tutor—you?” “Before you turn me down, I want you to know that I’ll pay you.” “What? No,” I take two steps away from him. “I’m sorry but I can’t.” “Why not?” he actually looks taken aback. Like he hadn’t considered the possibility of me rejecting his offer. Serves him right for being cocky. “Because,” I purse my lips. “My boyfriend won’t like it. You’re rivals. He won’t take it lightly if I was to suddenly start tutoring his nemesis.” “Wow. I didn’t realize you ran all of your life decisions through that d**k face.” “What? Don’t call him that.” “I bet you jump when he tells you to.” “I don’t.” I’m going to be late for model UN. “If you’re done being annoying, Asher, I’m leaving.” “Alright freckle Bell. It’s fine if you don’t want to tutor me. No hard feelings.” He steps out of my way and just as I walk past him, he adds, “Hey. We’re throwing a party at the frat house tonight. You should come.” A party? Nick didn’t mention anything about a party when I saw him last night. I narrow my eyes at the quarterback. He’s grinning at me. There’s a hint of something eerie in those intense black pools as he quips. “Come on freckles. It’ll be fun. Nick will be there.” Something about the way he says the last part unnerves me. But I chug it down to muscle memory. It’s probably nothing. Just Nick trying to mess around with me as usual. “Fine. I’ll come.” I give him a pointed look. “But only because I want to see my boyfriend. Not because you’re the one inviting me.” He smiles wide. “Great, freckles. I can’t wait to see you tonight.”