Beneath his cruelty

Rumors

The whispers started before Emily even entered the classroom.

Which honestly should have impressed her.

People at Blackwood Academy worked faster than the internet.

As soon as she stepped inside, conversations immediately lowered.

Not stopped.

Just lowered enough to make it obvious people were talking about her.

Again.

Emily sighed quietly and tightened her grip on her books.

She already knew why.

Because yesterday—

Damon Blackwood defended her.

Twice.

And apparently that was considered breaking news.

“She’s definitely flirting with him.”

“No way Damon would defend someone for nothing.”

“Bianca looked furious…”

Emily dropped into her seat with a groan.

“I hate rich people.”

Beside her, Damon lazily flipped through his notebook.

“You say that a lot for someone living with one.”

Emily glared at him instantly.

“You are literally the reason I say it.”

“That sounds personal.”

“It is personal.”

A faint smirk appeared on his lips again.

At this point Emily was beginning to suspect Damon enjoyed irritating her more than breathing.

The classroom door suddenly opened loudly.

Bianca entered.

And immediately—

The atmosphere shifted.

She looked perfect as always.

Perfect hair.

Perfect makeup.

Perfect smile.

But her eyes?

Her eyes looked cold.

Emily noticed the exact moment Bianca saw her sitting beside Damon.

The smile disappeared slightly.

Bianca walked toward them calmly before stopping beside Damon’s desk.

“Morning,” she said softly.

Damon barely looked up.

“Hey.”

Emily could practically feel the awkwardness.

And honestly?

She wanted no part in it.

So naturally—

Life refused to let her escape peacefully.

Bianca’s eyes slowly shifted toward Emily.

“I heard about your locker yesterday.”

Emily crossed her arms lightly.

“I’m sure you did.”

The sweetness in Bianca’s smile became strained.

“You should be more careful,” Bianca continued calmly.

“Things happen very easily here.”

Emily immediately caught the hidden threat.

So did Damon.

Because his expression darkened slightly.

“You talk too much,” Damon muttered without looking up.

The classroom fell silent instantly.

Bianca blinked.

“…What?”

Now Damon looked at her.

Cold.

Uninterested.

“She heard you the first time.”

Emily nearly stopped breathing.

Not because Damon defended her again—

But because Bianca looked genuinely hurt.

For a split second—

Emily almost felt bad.

Almost.

Then Bianca looked at Emily again.

And whatever sympathy Emily had disappeared immediately.

Because that look?

That look promised revenge.

Before the tension could explode further, the teacher entered the classroom.

Saving everyone from disaster.

Unfortunately—

Not Emily.

Because halfway through class, the teacher made an announcement that immediately ruined her day.

“For this month’s academic project,” the teacher explained, “students will work in pairs.”

A collective groan spread through the classroom.

Emily rested her chin on her hand tiredly.

Please let her get paired with someone normal.

Just once.

The teacher smiled.

“I already selected the partners.”

Emily’s stomach dropped immediately.

Because teachers who pre-selected partners were dangerous people.

“Anderson with Claire.”

“Jason with Bianca.”

Bianca smiled slightly.

Then—

“Damon with Emily.”

Silence.

Absolute silence.

Then the classroom exploded.

“You’re kidding!”

“No way!”

“Again?!”

Emily slowly turned toward Damon.

He looked equally annoyed.

“This feels targeted,” Emily muttered.

Damon sighed dramatically beside her.

“I’m filing a complaint.”

The teacher ignored them both.

“You’ll submit the project together in two weeks.”

Emily raised her hand immediately.

“I would rather fail.”

A few students laughed loudly.

The teacher smiled patiently.

“That won’t be necessary.”

Damon leaned back lazily.

“She’s very emotional today.”

Emily kicked his chair instantly.

Damon looked down at the movement.

Then slowly looked back at her.

“Violence again?”

“You deserve worse.”

“That’s probably true.”

Emily blinked.

Why did he keep agreeing with her lately?

It was confusing.

And somehow more annoying than arguing.

After class ended, students immediately crowded around gossiping loudly about the project pairing.

Emily shoved books into her bag aggressively.

“This school is cursed.”

Damon stood beside her calmly.

“You’re overreacting.”

Emily stared at him.

“You publicly embarrass me every other day.”

“You survive every time.”

“That’s not the point!”

Damon looked at her for a second longer than necessary.

Then suddenly—

Very suddenly—

He smiled slightly.

Not mocking.

Not cruel.

Just real enough to make Emily’s stomach feel weird.

“You complain a lot,” he murmured.

Emily looked away immediately.

Because for one terrifying second—

She noticed something.

Damon Blackwood was actually attractive when he wasn’t acting evil.