The air in Riverview Academy felt heavier than usual.
I had decided: today, I was going to take control. No more sitting quietly, no more letting Adrian toy with me. He thought he had the upper hand teasing me, brushing against me, making me burn with frustration but today, I was going to push back.
I straightened my bag straps, squared my shoulders, and walked toward the classroom, determined.
Adrian was leaning casually against the lockers, dark eyes scanning the hallway. That smirk… the one that always made my blood boil… was already plastered across his face.
"Well, look who's looking so serious," he said, voice smooth and teasing. "Trying to fight me today?"
"I'm not trying to fight you," I said sharply, keeping my eyes on him. "I'm just… focusing."
He smirked knowingly. "Sure. Focusing. That's what they all say before they break."
I ignored him and strode past. I refused to give him the satisfaction.
First period was lab. Naturally, we were paired again. Naturally, he leaned closer than necessary.
I had a plan. Today, I wouldn't flinch. I wouldn't react. I would stay calm.
"Chelsea," he whispered under his breath as I reached for a microscope, letting his hand brush mine deliberately, "you're tense."
"I am not tense," I snapped, deliberately moving my hand away without looking at him.
He tilted his head, dark eyes glinting. "Oh? Then why is your pulse racing?"
I froze. That was bold. But I refused to answer. I focused on my work.
During lunch, I tried a new tactic: I would challenge him directly.
"I don't know why you think teasing me is fun," I said quietly as we walked side by side. "It's annoying. It's childish. And you're… overconfident."
Adrian smirked, the corner of his lips twitching. "Overconfident? That's harsh. Maybe you mean… irresistible."
I rolled my eyes. "You're unbelievable."
"And yet," he said softly, leaning slightly closer, "you can't stop noticing me."
I clenched my fists, trying to keep my face neutral. I hated that he was right.
After lunch, the library was empty. Perfect. Or so I thought.
"I'll show you this formula," he said, leaning over my shoulder. His arm brushed mine. I stiffened.
"You're trying to distract me," I said, glancing at him sharply.
"Distract you?" He tilted his head, dark eyes glinting. "No. I'm… educating you."
I groaned inwardly. Why does he have to be so infuriating?
Later, walking home, I thought I had a chance to assert control. I strode ahead of him, pretending not to notice him walking beside me.
"You're ignoring me again," he said, voice low and teasing. "I love this game. Makes you so… cute when you're angry."
I stopped abruptly, turning toward him. "Cute? Don't you dare call me that!"
He smirked, stepping closer, so close that our shoulders brushed. "I didn't call you cute. I said you're cute when you're angry."
I felt my face burn. Rage and something else I refused to name tangled inside me.
That evening at home, the tension reached a new level.
Mom was busy in the kitchen, leaving Adrian and me in the living room.
I sat on the couch, determined to ignore him. He appeared in the doorway, smirk wide.
"Mind if I sit?" he asked casually.
"Do what you want," I muttered, avoiding eye contact.
He walked over, deliberately slow, and sat beside me close enough that our knees almost touched.
"So quiet," he murmured, voice low and teasing. "I like this side of you. Calm, collected… but I can feel the tension beneath the surface."
I swallowed hard. "I am not tense."
"Sure," he whispered, leaning slightly closer, so our shoulders brushed. "Not tense at all."
My heart raced. My chest tightened. I hated that I noticed.
Adrian smirked knowingly. "You know," he whispered softly, "you trying to push me away is adorable. But I like it when you fight back. Makes it… fun."
I glared at him, cheeks burning. "Fun for you, maybe. Not for me!"
He leaned back, eyes glinting with dark amusement. "Oh, it's fun for both of us. You just don't know it yet."
My hands gripped my bag. My pulse raced. I hated that he could make me feel like this. I hated myself for it.
Later that night, I lay in my bed, notebook pressed to my chest, heart racing.
I hated Adrian. I hated the way he teased. The way he flirted. The way he made me burn with frustration.
And yet… I couldn't stop thinking about him.
I clenched my fists. I hated him. And maybe… a small, terrifying part of me didn't.