CHAPTER 2 ' THE BET'
805 Words
"They’re at it again.”
“When will those two ever stop?”
“They’re smart, sure—but they act like total kids.”
“Just ignore them when they start arguing. Their day can't possibly go by without bickering with each other.”
“Honestly, they kind of look cute together. Like… a couple or something.”
I shot a glare at the girl who just said that, still gripping the guy’s necktie as I pinned him to the wall.
“So, you’re starting rumors now?” he said with a smirk.
“Shut up! It was you, wasn’t it? The one who drew a flower on my face?”
He didn’t answer—just gave me that annoyingly sheepish smile.
“You wanna get punched?” I hissed, tightening my grip on his tie, making him choke.
“Argh—!” He tapped my hand, coughing. “Okay, okay! Let go first!”
I sighed and released his tie, stepping back.
“What were you even doing inside the music roo—” I slapped my hand over his mouth before he could finish.
“Keep your voice down,” I whisper-shouted, pressing a finger to my lips. “Do you want the whole school to know?”
I pulled my hand away and quickly dragged him out of the hallway toward the gym, which was thankfully empty.
“Can I speak now?” he asked, picking up a stray basketball. I just nodded.
“How’d you get into the music room? It’s supposed to be off-limits.”
“I have my ways. And don’t you dare tell anyone,” I warned, giving him my best glare.
He raised an eyebrow. “And why would I? Unless... you have something to bribe me with?” He stood up, dribbling the ball casually.
“I have nothing. And could you not do that? It’s annoying.” I groaned, leaning back on the bench.
He finally stopped dribbling and sat on the bench—right above my head.
“Then how about this? Let me use the music room with you,” he said, grinning.
“WHAT?”
I sat up so fast we were suddenly face to face. My heart did a weird little skip—probably from rage. Yeah, definitely rage. Right?
"Why not?” he said, tilting his head. “Or I can just tell the teachers…”
“No! Okay, fine! How about this: you can ask for anything as a bribe—but not that. Why would you even want to share that room with me? We’ll just argue the whole time and get caught, stupid ”
He shrugged, still smiling. “If I can’t have the room, then no deal. I’ll just expose your little secret.”
He gave me this ridiculously cute expression like he knew exactly how to get on my nerves.
“You jerk!” I shouted, grabbing his collar and shaking him.
“You’re so annoying! I’ve completely run out of patience with you!”
The bench wobbled under us, and he still had the nerve to grin.
So I pushed him. Hard.
He was right on the edge and almost fell off—until he grabbed my hand at the last second. My eyes widened as he pulled me down with him.
I landed right on his chest. For a moment, we froze.
I could hear his heart racing. Or maybe that was mine. Either way, our eyes locked—and something… shifted. I didn’t know what it was, but it made me forget to breathe for a second.
I looked away first and cleared my throat.
I quickly sat up, and he did the same, neither of us meeting the other’s gaze.
“Uhm… I—I gotta go,” I mumbled, about to stand, but he gently held my arm.
“Wait,” he said, still avoiding eye contact. “I have an idea.”
“What now?”
“If you beat me this semester, I’ll keep your secret and won’t ask to share the music room.”
I raised an eyebrow. “And if I don’t?”
“Then you let me use the music room too,” he said, finally meeting my gaze—his eyes unreadable, serious for once.
“Fine. Deal.” I yanked my arm away. “But tell me one thing—why do you even want to be there? What are you really planning?”
He just smiled, c*****g his head. “You’ll find out… if you win.”
“Stop smiling. I hate your smile,” I muttered, rolling my eyes as I walked away.
Behind me, his voice called out:
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“Well, I’d like to see your smile, Alseana.”
- Writer
