The announcement came on Monday morning, slipped casually into homeroom as though it weren’t about to set the entire school on fire.
“Debate assembly this Friday,” Mr. Benton declared, adjusting his glasses. “Pairings have been posted.”
The room hummed instantly—whispers, groans, excited chatter. Aria didn’t look up from her notebook. She was already bracing herself.
“Aria Moretti and…” Benton’s pause stretched, almost cruel. “…Damian Cole.”
The room erupted.
Laughter, whistles, low gasps. Someone muttered, “This’ll be bloody.” Another: “Place your bets now.”
Aria froze. Slowly, she lifted her gaze. Across the room, Damian lounged in his seat like a king bored of his court, his hand tapping lazily against the desk. When he felt her stare, his eyes flicked up—sharp, gleaming.
His smi
