In love with a playboy

Chapter 5

Grace’s POV

I still don’t understand why he came to talk to me.

Elijah.

That’s his name. Everyone in school knows it. The guy who walks like the hallway was made for him, talks like he owns the air, and flirts like it’s a language he invented. He doesn’t even try — girls just fall for him. The way they look at him, like he’s some kind of celebrity. I never got the hype. Still don’t.

But today, he walked up to me. Me.

And I wasn’t ready for that.

It was just a regular Tuesday. I was by my locker, trying to get my Biology textbook. My mind was on the test next week and how I needed to revise more. Then, out of nowhere, this guy shows up with that voice and confidence like he rehearsed it in front of a mirror.

I didn’t even look at him properly at first. I knew who it was just from the scent of his cologne and the whispers that followed. Elijah always smelled like trouble with a side of expensive.

He said hi. I said yeah.

He tried to sound casual, friendly, charming. But I wasn’t buying any of it.

I’ve seen his type before. Flashy. Smooth. Dangerous.

The kind of boy that would break a heart just to prove he could.

I didn’t want to give him the satisfaction of thinking I cared. So I kept it short. Told him I didn’t have time for games. And I meant it. I’ve worked too hard to let some guy with a nice face and pretty eyes distract me.

Because that’s what he is.

Distracting.

And honestly, kind of tempting. Which is why I needed to be even more careful.

After I shut him down, I walked away fast. I could feel his eyes on me, probably shocked that I didn’t giggle or blush or fall into his arms. Good. Let him be shocked.

I walked into the cafeteria and sat next to Becky. She was already halfway through her bottle of juice, scrolling through t****k and chewing gum like her life depended on it.

“You won’t believe who just spoke to me,” I said, pulling my chair out.

Becky looked up, eyebrow raised. “Who?”

“Elijah.”

Her mouth dropped open like I just said Jesus walked through the hallways.

“Elijah who?” she asked, already knowing the answer.

“Elijah Elijah,” I said, unwrapping my sandwich.

Becky blinked. “Like... fine Elijah? Trouble Elijah? The one with the jawline that could slice through steel?”

I rolled my eyes. “Yes, that one.”

She leaned in closer. “Girl. What did he say? Tell me everything.”

I took a bite before answering. “He came up to me near the lockers. Said he wanted to get to know me.”

Becky’s mouth hung open. “Shut up.”

“I’m serious.”

“What did you say?!”

“I told him I didn’t have time for games.”

Becky clapped. “Period! You better shut him down.”

I smiled a little. “I don’t know what he wants, but I’m not giving him any impression.”

“He definitely wants something,” Becky said, sipping her juice. “Guys like that don’t just talk to girls like us for nothing.”

I nodded. “Exactly. He’s not the type to settle down or mean anything real. He probably thinks I’m some challenge he can beat.”

Becky paused. “You think it’s a bet?”

I shrugged. “Maybe. I wouldn’t be surprised. I heard he and his friends do dares all the time.”

Becky leaned in again. “Then be careful, Grace. Seriously. That boy is fine, I won’t lie, but he’s dangerous.”

I looked over to where he was sitting with his crew. He was laughing like nothing happened, arms stretched on the back of the chair, sunglasses on indoors like he owned the damn place. Girls surrounded them, giggling, touching their hair, hoping to get noticed.

But he wasn’t looking at any of them.

He was staring at me.

I looked away immediately, my heart skipping in a way I didn’t like.

Becky saw it too. “Yup. He’s plotting.”

I sighed and stuffed the rest of my sandwich in my mouth.

Later that night, while I was in bed trying to study, I couldn’t stop thinking about it. Why me? Why now?

I knew I was different. I didn’t dress like the other girls. I didn’t go to parties or wear tight jeans or post selfies every hour. I was a church girl. That’s what they called me. The quiet one. The serious one. The one who wouldn’t even hold hands before marriage.

And I liked being that girl.

I didn’t want to change that for anyone.

Especially not for someone like Elijah.

Still, I couldn’t lie to myself. He was fine. Like, movie-star fine. And when he looked at me, it felt like he actually saw me. Like I wasn’t invisible for once. That kind of attention can mess with your mind if you’re not careful.

But I knew better.

I wasn’t about to become just another story he tells his friends. Another name on a list. Another girl he tossed aside once he got what he wanted.

No way.

I closed my book, laid back, and stared at the ceiling.

“Elijah,” I whispered to myself. “You picked the wrong girl.”