CHAPTER THREE: Partners Against Their Will
760 Words
Ariana had hoped the embarrassing coffee incident would fade into the background by the next morning.
It didn't.
The moment she stepped onto campus, she knew.
Students glanced at her, whispered to one another, and burst into laughter when they thought she wasn't looking. More than one person looked at her, then down at their phone, then back at her with a grin.
She frowned.
Why are they staring at me?
As she walked toward the Journalism building, Chloe Bennett came running after her.
"Ariana!"
Ariana turned around. "Morning."
"You haven't checked your student forum, have you?"
She blinked. "No. Why?"
Chloe slowly handed over her phone.
Ariana's heart sank.
A video was playing on the screen.
It was the coffee incident.
Someone had recorded the exact moment she crashed into Liam Carter.
The video had already been viewed over two hundred thousand times.
The caption read:
"Only one girl survives spilling coffee on Liam Carter... Meet the fearless freshman."
The comments were even worse.
She's actually cute.
Captain Liam looked ready to freeze her alive.
Best campus video this semester.
I ship them already.
Ariana groaned.
"This is a nightmare."
"It'll die down," Chloe said sympathetically.
"I hope so."
Although deep down...
She wasn't convinced.
Meanwhile...
Inside the Northcrest Wolves practice arena, hockey pucks slammed against the boards as players trained relentlessly.
Coach Daniel Foster blew his whistle.
"Again!"
The team groaned.
Liam skated across the ice, his movements fast and precise despite the dull ache in his right shoulder.
"Captain!"
Noah skated beside him with a mischievous grin.
"So..."
Liam sighed.
"What now?"
"Coffee Girl."
Liam ignored him.
"You've mentioned her six times since yesterday."
"I've mentioned replacing my jersey."
"Sure."
"And the fact that people should watch where they're walk—"
"So you were thinking about her."
Liam shot him a glare.
Noah laughed.
"I knew it."
"I was thinking about the ruined jersey."
"Whatever helps you sleep."
Coach Foster interrupted before Liam could respond.
"Carter!"
"Yes, Coach."
"I need you at the Student Leadership Office after practice."
Liam frowned.
"Why?"
"You'll find out."
At exactly one o'clock that afternoon...
Ariana arrived outside the Student Leadership Office.
A notice had been emailed to all transfer students requiring attendance.
She knocked softly.
"Come in."
The office was spacious and lined with bookshelves.
Behind a polished wooden desk sat Professor Eleanor Hayes.
She smiled warmly.
"Miss Brooks. Please have a seat."
Ariana obeyed.
"Thank you for coming."
"You said it was important."
"It is."
Professor Hayes folded her hands.
"Every semester, Northcrest runs a community outreach program."
Ariana nodded.
"I've heard about it."
"This year, transfer students will partner with senior student leaders."
Before Ariana could ask another question, the office door opened.
A familiar voice sighed.
"I hope this won't take long."
Ariana froze.
No...
Please no.
She turned slowly.
Standing in the doorway...
Still wearing his navy hockey jacket...
Was Liam Carter.
Their eyes met.
His expression mirrored hers.
Pure disbelief.
Professor Hayes looked between them.
"Oh."
"You two know each other?"
"No."
"Unfortunately."
They answered at the same time.
Professor Hayes smiled, completely missing the tension.
"Wonderful."
"It'll make working together much easier."
Both of them spoke instantly.
"No, it won't."
The professor raised an eyebrow.
"I wasn't asking."
She slid two folders across the desk.
"Congratulations."
"You've been selected as partners for this semester's Community Impact Project."
Silence.
Ariana stared at the folder.
Then at Liam.
Then back at the professor.
"There has to be a mistake."
"There isn't."
Liam crossed his arms.
"Can I request someone else?"
Professor Hayes shook her head.
"Not unless one of you plans on dropping the course."
Neither of them spoke.
The project was worth forty percent of their final grade.
Dropping it wasn't an option.
Professor Hayes smiled brightly.
"I have complete confidence you'll work wonderfully together."
Ariana nearly laughed.
Liam looked as though he wanted to argue, but stopped himself.
After a long pause, he picked up his folder.
"When's our first meeting?"
"Tomorrow afternoon."
Professor Hayes beamed.
"Excellent attitude."
"It isn't."
Liam turned toward the door.
As Ariana reached for her folder at the same time, their hands brushed.
Both pulled away instantly.
"This is going to be a disaster," Ariana muttered.
Liam glanced at her.
For the first time since they'd met...
A faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
"I finally agree with you."
He walked out.
Leaving Ariana staring after him.
Something told her this partnership wasn't just going to test her patience...
It was about to change her life.
- Writer
