Secretly In Love With My Highschool Bully

Football Season

The holiday comes to an end far too quickly, and soon we’re back at school.

On the very first day back, excitement practically buzzes through the air. Everyone is hyped about football season, and honestly, it just makes me want to roll my eyes because I genuinely do not understand the appeal of football.

I walk toward my locker and soon spot Ceci bouncing down the hallway as though she has springs attached to her feet. That girl’s hyper energy seriously needs to be studied because no human being should naturally possess that much enthusiasm all the time.

“Hey, twinnie!” she greets once her imaginary springs finally allow her to stop in front of me.

“Hey. What’s got you so hyped up?” I ask.

“It’s football season, baby!” she squeals dramatically. “The only time we’re socially allowed to openly ogle those meatheads without judgment.”

She wiggles her eyebrows at me, and I burst out laughing.

Ceci has a very concerning obsession with ripped men, and while I understand the appeal, her level of dedication honestly deserves scientific research.

“Let’s just go to class,” I say, slamming my locker shut before grabbing her hand.

“You are literally the only person I know who isn’t excited about football season,” she says, shaking her head at me.

“Well, maybe that’s because I don’t see the appeal of grown humans fighting over a tiny ball,” I reply dryly.

“Oh, how dare you, Gavin Montez!” she gasps dramatically, placing a hand over her chest like I’ve deeply offended her.

I just laugh at her antics.

From day one, Ceci has known exactly how I feel about sports, yet she still hasn’t given up trying to convert me into a football fan. Honestly, I admire the dedication.

We make our way down the hallway and eventually reach our classroom.

Not long after we settle down, Madam Agatha walks in looking exactly the same as she did last semester—which, honestly, shouldn’t surprise me.

She still wears her oddly ill-fitting suits and giant glasses that seem way too large for her tiny face. Add that to the permanently severe expression she carries around like the world personally offended her, and I genuinely wouldn’t be shocked if someone told me she suffered from chronic constipation.

Without saying much, she starts handing out papers.

The second I realize they’re test sheets, my jaw nearly drops.

Judging by the horrified groans echoing around the classroom, I’m definitely not the only one shocked.

For goodness’ sake, it’s literally our first day back.

“Answer the paper seriously because I’ll be using it to assess whether you spent the holidays revising or wasting time,” Madam Agatha says, banging her ruler against the desk once the complaints grow too loud.

Then she adjusts her glasses before adding, “Mr. Montague, your performance will determine whether you qualify to continue playing for the team or not. Academics are also a priority for our athletes. The same applies to you, Mr. Wheeler.”

She directs the last sentence toward Ryan and one of his teammates, and I almost laugh out loud at how quickly they pale.

Ever since our argument during the holiday gathering, Ryan and I have mostly avoided each other. Somewhere along the way, we silently came to an agreement to simply pretend the other person doesn’t exist.

The test itself goes by quickly, but it completely ruins the mood for the rest of the day because now everyone’s paranoid that another teacher might randomly appear with yet another surprise exam.

So when the final bell finally rings, it genuinely sounds like the sweetest melody I’ve ever heard.

For the first time in my life, I’m the first person rushing out of the classroom.

“Twinnie, wait for me!” Ceci yells while hurrying after me.

“Hurry up!” I call over my shoulder.

“Can you believe that woman?” she demands the second she catches up to me.

I laugh because the dramatic outburst I’ve been expecting all day has finally arrived.

“How dare she do that to us?” Ceci continues angrily. “We weren’t even prepared!”

“Well, that’s kind of the whole point of a surprise test, luv. To catch us unprepared,” I point out.

Soon we reach the school gates and split up.

Ceci lives on the northern side of Saber Hills in the Rose Garden Villas, while I live in the Dream Villas down south.

I spot Dad waiting for me by the gate, and honestly, I’m relieved because I really don’t feel like walking home today.

“Hey, Dad,” I greet as I climb into the car.

“Hey, baby. How was your day?” he asks while starting the engine.

“Horrible. We had a surprise test, and let’s just say I’m not expecting much from it.”

Dad bursts into loud laughter like that’s the funniest thing he’s ever heard.

I just let him have his moment.

Not long after, we reach home, and I immediately disappear into my room without waiting around downstairs.

Later, we have dinner, and afterward I try to get some sleep.

The next morning, I arrive at school only to find most of my classmates crowded around the notice board.

I quickly spot Ceci and pull her out of the crowd.

“What’s going on?” I ask.

“They posted yesterday’s test results,” she says.

I blink in shock because that definitely isn’t normal practice.

“How did I do?” I ask cautiously.

“You got a B,” she replies. “And honestly, that’s better than me.”

I go quiet because, to me, a B really isn’t all that impressive.

We head back toward class, and everything seems peaceful except for a few loud troublemakers at the back of the room.

I really should’ve known that it was merely the calm before the storm because what Madam Agatha tells me after class later that day shocks me so badly that I can barely process it.