Four:An Unwanted target
650 Words
Scarlett arrived at Dulwich Academy earlier than usual the next morning. The campus was still quiet, with only a handful of students walking through the halls.
She preferred it that way.
Less attention.
Less trouble.
Or so she thought.
As she reached her locker, she frowned.
A bright pink sticky note was plastered across it.
Scholarship Girl.
She peeled it off and tossed it into the nearby trash.
"Didn't like our welcome gift?"
Scarlett turned around.
Vanessa Carter, one of the school's most popular girls, stood there with three of her friends. She wore a smug smile, her perfectly styled hair resting over one shoulder.
"I was expecting something more creative," Scarlett replied calmly.
Vanessa's smile falved.
"You're funny."
"I've been told."
The girls exchanged glances.
"We hear you embarrassed Ashton yesterday."
Scarlett shrugged.
"He embarrassed himself."
One of the girls gasped.
"You really have a death wish."
Before Scarlett could respond, the bell rang.
"I'll see you around," Vanessa said, stepping aside. "Enjoy your stay while it lasts."
---
By lunchtime, the rumors had spread throughout the school.
"She's the scholarship girl who talked back to Ashton."
"She threw his basketball into a puddle."
"She actually insulted him."
Scarlett ignored every whisper as she carried her tray to an empty table.
She had barely taken a bite when someone dropped into the seat across from her.
It was Ethan Brooks.
"You've got courage," he said with an amused grin.
Scarlett looked at him.
"So I've heard."
"I'm Ethan."
"I know."
"You know me?"
"The whole school seems to know you."
He chuckled.
"Fair point."
He stretched out his hand.
"Friends?"
Scarlett stared at it for a moment before shaking it.
"Scarlett."
"Nice to officially meet you."
Across the cafeteria...
Ashton watched the exchange with narrowed eyes.
Ryan noticed.
"Why are you glaring?"
"I'm not."
"You've been staring at them for three minutes."
"I have not."
Noah smirked.
"You're jealous."
Ashton almost choked on his drink.
"Jealous? Of Ethan?"
Ethan looked over and waved cheerfully.
Ashton rolled his eyes.
"Idiot."
---
That afternoon, the chemistry teacher paired students for a semester-long project.
Scarlett silently prayed for anyone...
Anyone but Ashton.
"Scarlett Brown..."
The teacher looked at his list.
"...you'll be working with Ashton Smith."
The class erupted into laughter.
Scarlett slowly closed her eyes.
Of course.
Ashton leaned back in his chair, looking far too pleased.
"This is going to be interesting."
"No," Scarlett muttered. "It's going to be exhausting."
The teacher clapped his hands.
"I expect excellent work from both of you."
Scarlett raised her hand.
"Sir?"
"Yes?"
"Can I work alone?"
"No."
"As a trio?"
"No."
She sighed.
"I tried."
The class laughed again.
Even Ryan struggled to hide a smile.
---
After school, Scarlett waited outside the laboratory with her notebook.
She had been there for nearly fifteen minutes.
"Ashton is late," she muttered.
"Fashionably late."
She turned to find him strolling toward her with his hands in his pockets.
"You kept me waiting."
"I didn't ask you to come."
"You need me for the project."
"I need your contribution."
He grinned.
"So you admit you need me."
"I admit you're impossible."
Instead of arguing, Ashton laughed.
A genuine laugh.
For a brief moment, Scarlett forgot how annoying he was.
Then he spoke again.
"Let's get one thing straight."
"I'm listening."
"I don't do boring projects."
She folded her arms.
"And I don't do lazy partners."
Their eyes locked.
Neither of them looked away.
From the second-floor balcony overlooking the courtyard, William Smith watched the exchange while waiting for Ashton.
A faint smile tugged at his lips.
There was something unusual about this girl.
She didn't fear his son.
She challenged him.
And for the first time in years...
Ashton looked genuinely alive.
William quietly got into his car without interrupting them.
Something told him this wouldn't be the last time he'd hear the name...
Scarlett Brown.
- Writer
