DENAVIA
Okay. I'm officially screwed. Like, absolutely, irrevocably, cosmically screwed.
Why?
Because we're in History class and Mrs. Smith—our sadistic excuse for a teacher—decided to assign us a group project. Sounds innocent enough, right? Wrong. Guess who I got paired with?
Cameron. Freaking. St. Laurent.
Yeah, go ahead, pause for dramatic effect. Let that sink in. The Cameron. God of East Lake View High. Tall, charming, stupidly perfect jawline, and the subject of too many of my daydreams and way too many other girls' fantasies. Including Katherina Reynolds. More on her later.
Anyway, back to the crime scene—Mrs. Smith.
She said, and I quote, "I'll be pairing you all according to the class register. It's the most objective method." Objective, she says, as if she wasn't enjoying the chaos she was about to unleash.
And since 'St. Laurent' comes right before 'Summers'—boom. That's me. Denavia Summers. His partner.
Meanwhile, Kaisha was chill. Probably because she got paired with Liam Hart—Cameron's equally hot, equally unavailable best friend. Hendrix comes after Hart. Perfect alphabetical symmetry. She looked absolutely unbothered as if this was a dream come true and not the start of a teenage rom-com that ends with me spiraling into humiliation.
I tried everything. Begged. Whispered. Bargained with Mrs. Smith.
Nothing.
She stared me down like a mafia boss and went, "This is a learning opportunity, Miss Summers. Make it count."
Ma'am, I'd rather count tears.
I dared to glance at Cameron. The boy was casually twirling a pencil between his fingers like he was auditioning for a slow-motion shampoo commercial. He didn't even look mildly fazed by the fact that we'd be spending the next few weeks working together. Meanwhile, I was spiraling faster than a flushed toilet.
His eyes suddenly flicked to mine, and I froze. Like fully froze. He made direct eye contact, and my soul momentarily evacuated my body. I looked away faster than you can say "emotional damage."
Mrs. Smith continued her speech like she didn't just ruin my life: "Your project will focus on the independence era—how this country gained freedom. Your written work is worth thirty marks. Your presentation will earn you another twenty. That's half your term grade. Due in three weeks. Start planning. Now."
She walked out like a queen who just dropped a bomb and left her kingdom to deal with the flames.
As if on cue, everyone leapt from their seats to find their partners. I watched Kaisha sprint to Liam's desk like her butt was on fire. She looked like she was about to propose, honestly.
Then, the bell rang, signaling lunch break. The hallway exploded with noise and bodies. And right as I was stuffing my books into my bag, Cameron appeared by my desk. Like a ghost. A very attractive ghost.
"My house. Six PM," he said. No 'hey.' No 'please.' No details. Just vibes.
And then he walked away. Just like that. Cool as ever. Liam joined him a second later, and together they vanished into the hallway while every girl in class (and some boys too) glared daggers at me like I'd just announced my engagement to him.
Kaisha rushed back, eyes wide. "WHAT did he say to you?"
I mimicked his gravelly tone. "My house. Six PM."
She burst into laughter. "Wait—are you going?!"
"I mean… I kinda have to? It's for the project."
She tilted her head. "You're not gonna ask for his address? What are you gonna do—use psychic GPS?"
Oh. Right.
Panic mode: reactivated.
"Crap. I gotta find him," I said, throwing my bag over my shoulder. "See you at the cafeteria!"
I bolted into the hallway, where a few students still lingered. I scanned the crowd, looking for tall, brooding perfection—and then someone blocked my path.
Katherina Reynolds.
If the term "rich high school villainess" had a face, it would be hers. Blonde. Expensive everything. Cold eyes and lips curled into a smirk sharp enough to cut glass.
"What do you want, Katherina?" I asked, deadpan. I was not in the mood.
She crossed her arms. "I know who you're looking for."
"No kidding. Where is he?"
"Like I'd tell you. You think you can just waltz into his life because of a dumb project?" She tilted her head with fake innocence. "Stay away from Cameron. Or I'll ruin you."
I blinked. "Girl, I'm just trying to pass History. I'm not after his damn throne."
She didn't budge.
I folded my arms. "Listen. I'm gonna do the project. I'm gonna turn it in. And I'm gonna leave. I'm not after his… anything. So chill."
I walked off without waiting for her fake smile to drop.
"Navia, wait up!" Kaisha's voice echoed down the hallway as she ran toward me.
I slowed down. "Did you find him?"
"Nope," she puffed, "but I did see someone spill ranch dressing on their shoes, so that was fun."
"Let's just hit the cafeteria. I'm starving," I groaned.
We linked arms and marched toward food like two girls who'd just survived emotional warfare.
Fast-forward to the end of the school day. The second the final bell rang and the teacher left the room, students stampeded out like they'd been set free from prison. Cameron and Liam were among them. And guess what?
I ran after them.
And guess what else?
I tripped. Again.
Right in front of like, twenty people.
Face down. Hair everywhere. Self-respect? Nowhere to be found.
I scrambled up and kept running, but halfway through the hall, I tripped again—this time over someone's deliberately placed foot. I caught a glimpse of the suspect.
Katherina.
Of course.
She swayed away toward her locker like nothing happened, all hips and evil.
I wanted to throw a textbook at her head. But priorities—I still needed Cameron's address.
Outside, I finally spotted him talking to a blonde guy near the parking lot. I marched over, determined.
"Hey," I said, tapping his shoulder.
He turned. "Yeah?"
"You told me your place. At 6. But didn't give me an address?"
He blinked at me, then casually handed me his phone.
I stared. "Um… what for?"
"So you can put in your number. I'll text it."
Oh.
Cool. Cool cool cool. No big deal.
I typed it in way too fast, nearly dropped his phone, handed it back, and muttered, "See you at six."
He nodded. Just nodded. The audacity of this man.
I turned to walk away, only to find the girls in the parking lot watching me like I'd just stolen their collective boyfriend.
I ignored them.
Then I heard Kaisha yell, "Navia!"
I turned to see her resting against my car, holding my bag like a proud parent.
"So? Did you get it?"
"Yeah. He asked for my number. Said he'd text me the address."
Her eyes sparkled like a raccoon who just found glitter.
"Oh my God, he asked for your number?!" she squealed.
I rolled my eyes and got into the car.
My phone dinged.
2:36 PM
UNKNOWN NUMBER:
2 Pete Lane's Avenue.
6PM.
2:37 PM
Me: Seen, thanks.
And with that, I drove out of East Lake View High School like a girl on the edge of destiny.
Or disaster.
Probably both.