I stared at the teacher in horror.

Are you serious?

You just have to pair me with the person I least want to be with.

I couldn't help it. I groaned. The teacher turned to me, arching her eyebrow in surprise.

"Do you have a problem with that, Ms Richards?" She asked, threads of venom woven through her voice. I involuntarily gulped. I wanted to complain, that yes, I did have a problem. I did not want to be with that cocky, arrogant and frustratingly attractive player, who somehow is still trying to gain my forgiveness by doing sweet things for me and despite what he has done, still manages to make my heart flutter.

Wait- what?

Heart flutter?

No, you did not mean that, Noelle.

Yes you did.

Frustrated, I pushed the thoughts out of my head, being faced again by my menacing teacher.

"Well?" She asked, raising her other eyebrow as well. "Of course not, Miss," I hastily answered, my cheeks flushing red, as I looked down at my desk. It was already carved with I love Harper A and other various unspeakable things.

Ugh.

"Good," I heard her say, sensing the amusement in her voice. "Alright, I will let you get in your groups for five minutes so you can arrange your plans, and then on with the lesson. Alright?" I heard mumbles and the screeching noise of chairs being pulled across the floor. Soon the noises of chairs had stopped, and conversations rang through the air, yet still, I sat there awkwardly.

I turned forward, biting my lip and fidgeting with the ends of my hair.

Just go to him, Noelle.

No.

Why are you so scared? He's just a guy!

Well maybe because he hurt me, and he's a player and-

My train of thought stopped abruptly. That's not true. I wasn't avoiding him for those reasons. There was something else, something else that made me want to avoid him, but I couldn't place my finger on it.

The distant sound of a chair scraping towards me interrupted my confused thoughts. I turned slowly to see Harper pulling a chair towards my desk, bowing his head to the floor. My heart leaped. Wait, what?

I watched, astonished, as he made his way over to me. There was something about the way he was moving, so genuine and humble, he wasn't carrying himself around with his usual arrogant attitude. And in that moment he seemed so human, so real that it hurt me.

"Hey," he said in a hushed voice. I jolted away from my daydream of a decent Harper and looked up to see real Harper standing over me, his green eyes clouded, so clouded I couldn't see the flecks of gold. My eyes flicked over his face, the prominent shape of his jaw, the arch of his cheekbones, so much softer now. His shoulders were hunched, I could sense the aura of nervousness surrounding him. He wasn't smirking, his lips resting in a serious expression. He looked so cute.

No, Noelle, this is probably just a huge act from him, just to seem nice and make you fall, then he will ruthlessly break your heart. Just like those other girls. Remember?

No. I don't remember.

I shuffled my chair a bit to the side, allowing him to fit his chair beside mine in the spacious desk.

"Hi." I mumbled, my voice wavering. No, Noelle, you're angry at him, okay? I cleared my throat before repeating myself again, hoping he hadn't heard my first greeting. "Hello," I announced, my voice clear, firm and sharp. I saw him smirk as he looked down at the ground, his eyelids lowered. However his smirk was softer this time. He lowered himself into the chair.

"Thanks," he said amusement faintly heard in his voice. I looked at him suspiciously from the corner of my eyes. Why was he being so nice? He coughed.

"So... the project... " Harper said, turning to face me. My eyes quickly caught on his t-shirt sliding across his shoulders as he turned. Okay, stop.

What is wrong with me?

Why am I so distracted, and why is Harper, of all people, the cause of it?

Why does my heart flutter when he looks at me?

Why can't I stop staring?

"Oh, yes, the project. Um, well, we should start with the- " I started, before being interrupted by the teacher.

"Okay, five minutes done, now go back to your seats!"

I watched as Harper took his chair and walked back to his desk, looking at me and nodding before getting up. This time, when I saw him leave to his seat, which was a mere few meters away from me, my heart ached.

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Joshua found me. He found me. First in hallways at lunch time, where he discreetly nodded at me when Emma was dragging me to the cafeteria, and Mr Davis sat us next to each other in Art.

He only gave the seating plans at the end of the lesson, so I didn't manage to talk to him. But all through the day, he was staring at me. In a creepy way, even a few smiles. I was reluctant to return those smiles.

Emma had started to notice as well, her beautiful face widening as she noticed, and leaned over and whispered in my ear as we collected our books for fifth period.

"Noelle... that guy over there is so checking you out! You should go say hi! He is pretty cute... " She whispered in my ear, winking at me. I shook my head quickly, looking down at my shoes. I think she was talking too loud. "Come on, Noelle! You need a boyfriend! You haven't had your first kiss yet, haven't been on a date, never had a boyfriend! Come on, Noelle two years of school left before college! Maybe he is... " She leaned closer to my ear, whispering, "... The One."

"Emma, please, you already know that my fictional boys are 'The Ones' for me." She huffed in exasperation.

"Noelle, I'm serious! You need to find someone, fall in love, and have one of those cliché high school relationships!" I shook my head vigorously again, turning to glare at a very disgruntled Emma. Her frown dropped. Her chocolate brown eyes opened wide, her mouth parted.

Oh no.

Emma had an idea.

I grimaced, getting ready for the outburst.

"I know! Forget you and that blonde guy who was checking you out! I ship you and Harper!" she exclaimed excitedly, jumping up and down and waving her arms around.

"Emma, I don't like Harper." I announced firmly, crossing my arms. Instantly, I felt a pit of regret form in my stomach.

Noelle. You hate Harper, remember?

I'm not so sure.

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I got up from my bed at the startling ring of our doorbell. I had just returned from school an hour ago, and I had been deeply reading my book, entranced by the story. "I'll get it!" I yelled to my Mom, opening the door of my room and rushing down the stairs.

Being the completely uncoordinated person that I was, I tripped on the second step, sending myself flying down the stairs before landing with a thump. I groaned at the impact and picked myself up, my whole body aching as I re-adjusted my high bun and my black Ray-Ban reading glasses. "Honey, are you okay?" my Mom called out, worried, from the kitchen. "Just fine, Mom," I mumbled limping painfully to the door.

Trust that to happen to me.

I rested my hand on the cold door handle, shuddering as tme metal sent shivers up my spine. I twisted the door knob and opened the faded wooden door. As soon as it was almost fully open, I froze in shock, even more, electrifying shocks thrummed up my spine, as my heart began to race. My mouth parted in astonishment.

There, at my doorstep stood a very uncertain looking Harper, looking extremely embarassed and the school's book of adresses and phone numbers in his hand.

Okay, now he's stalking me.

Sorry guys for this sucky chapter... I won't be able to update as much as before because I have tons of work in and out of school :(

What do you think of the characters? Who is your favourite?

WHO DO YOU SHIP????

-A :)