"ᴛʜᴇ ᴡʜᴏʟᴇ ꜱᴄʜᴏᴏʟ ɪꜱ ʀᴏʟʟɪɴɢ ꜰᴀᴋᴇ ᴅɪᴄᴇ, ʏᴏᴜ ᴘʟᴀʏ ꜱᴛᴜᴘɪᴅ ɢᴀᴍᴇꜱ, ʏᴏᴜ ᴡɪɴ ꜱᴛᴜᴘɪᴅ ᴘʀɪᴢᴇꜱ."

︵‿︵‿︵‿︵‿︵‿︵‿︵

⋆·˚ ༘ *

Trusting people is a horrible paradox. Humans are hardwired to think about our own interests, not the interests of others. Therefore, the most logical explanation as to why somebody is being nice to you, it's probably because they have ulterior motives. For example, Kyran was nice to me, because otherwise, he wasn't going to end up at his dream school, which I presumed to be Notre Dame. Yashna was nice to me because she was part of a miniature fan club that idolized me for being a great student.

This is ultimately just proof that people don't actually like you for who you are, but because they need something from you. You may immediately be thinking that I have serious trust issues, but that's very true.

I don't trust anyone. Because people are assholes.

"Yes, Ms. Walton. Everything's filed," I said, rummaging through the pile of grade files for sophomores. "They're done alphabetically."

"That's great. Thank you, Avery," she clicked her pen. "How is Kyran getting on?"

I smiled. "Yes, he's doing great. He's gotten As in Biology and Bs in Calculus so far so he's doing pretty well."

"Thank you Avery," she replied, grabbing her coffee mug on the desk. She seemed much more tolerable than she did last semester, and my hypothesis was that she had a lot less work to do.

"Avery. I want you to drop a subject," she said nonchalantly, and I gaped at her in confusion. Turning around, I knocked my knee off the desk and winced ever so slightly.

"Ms. Walton. I'm doing well in everything. I can handle it," I said, disappointment filling my voice because she knew very well that I could handle the work. Immersing myself in work is one of the most rewarding parts of my life. It is also a great excuse to not deal with family matters.

"I know that, Avery. You need to be more socially active. You don't socialize with others," she explained, furrowing eyebrows in thought, "Although I'd never tell any student go out and party-"

I nodded. "Of course, because parties are useless."

She shook her head. "I'm telling you to go to a party. Avery, not everything you do in life has to have a meaning. Sometimes, doing something that means nothing can be good for you!"

I hesitated. "Ms. Walton. I'm not exactly someone people would invite to a...social gathering", my circumstances never allowed me to trust or believe in someone other than myself. Ms. Walton doesn't need to know that. "I'm not sure how parties will improve my life. If anything, they seem like a colossal waste of time," I replied, crossing my arms defensively.

She leaned back in her chair, studying me intently. "Avery, life is not just about grades and getting into an Ivy. Building connections and experiencing life – these are equally important!"

I sighed, feeling the weight of her words. I knew that she was correct, and her advice only sought to help me. Trusting people was a difficult task for me and putting my trust in others felt like stepping into a realm of unpredictability. "I don't see the point, Ms. Walton. I have my goals, and I'm focused on them. Socializing just distracts me from what's important."

She just chuckled at my words. "You can be focused and still have a social life. It's about finding a balance, Avery. I won't make you drop any subjects but consider giving yourself a break once in a while. One reason I wanted you to tutor Kyran, was because I thought you'd start making friends. But I can see that's not happening."

I nodded, unconvinced but willing to entertain the idea. "I'll think about it, Ms. Walton. Thank you."

"Fair enough," she said, picking up a stack of papers. "I'm reducing your shift here from three hours to two for the same pay. What kind of a hypocrite would I be if I overworked you here and told you to let loose once in a while?"

Ms. Walton, will you please adopt me?

As I resumed organizing the grade files, I couldn't shake off the conversation. The idea of attending a party seemed alien to me, but a small part of me knew that there was truth in Ms. Walton's advice. Stepping out of a comfort zone, that was designed for me, wouldn't be the end of the world.

Just need to make sure that my mom doesn't find out.

The bell rang, signaling the end of my shift for the day, and I gathered my things. As I walked through the crowded hallway, my mind wandered between thoughts of how I convince my mom to let me go...anywhere. It was a conflicting internal battle, one that left me feeling uncertain and frightened.

My mind had wandered off so far, that I didn't notice bumping into a girl head-on, knocking over her textbooks from her hand. The collision snapped me out of my thoughts, and a wave of guilt washed over me as I saw the scattered textbooks on the floor. I quickly bent down to help her gather the fallen books.

"I'm so sorry. I wasn't paying- ", I began, but I stopped when my eyes met hers as she crouched down to pick up her things. Gemma stared at me with her eyes filled with anger, when she noticed that it was me.

"Ah, I know you. You're the girl Kyran's been hanging out with." Her eyes narrowed and her glare sent shivers down my life. If looks could kill, I would've been cremated by now.

"My name is Avery Turner", I said, handing her a textbook off the ground. She continued staring at me with an assessing gaze, and her frown faded into a smirk. "Avery, huh? So, you're the one sleeping with that math teacher."

What the actual fuck did she just say?

I blinked in disbelief, the shock of Gemma's accusation freezing me in place. I was shaking with fury, and the bustling hallway seemed to fade away, leaving only her accusatory words hanging in the air. My mind raced, trying to comprehend the absurdity of her claim.

"What the hell are you talking about? There's nothing going on between me and any teacher," I responded, my voice steady despite the unease building within me. "I apologize for bumping into you and wasting my time talking to you."

I turned away from her, only to hear a scoff. A cynical laugh escaped her lips. "Save the innocent act. Everyone knows that you're his favorite student. You can't hide it."

My pulse quickened as I processed the insanity of her words. I knew that rumors and gossip had always been a part of high school life, especially Oakland High, but this accusation struck at the core of my reputation. It tarnished everything I had worked so hard to build.

"Look Gemma. It seems like everyone else's problem is that they suck at math. The reason teachers like me is because I get perfect grades. Okay? Maybe if you're so desperate for teachers' attention, you should perhaps, go and study."

She huffed. "People are right when they said you were a stuck-up little bitch!"

So much for making new friends. I would rather be friends with a bullworm.

"One of these days, I'm going to have to put a leash on you so that you don't fall over," a voice rang behind me and I rolled my eyes, recognizing the irritating entity that usually talked to me.

"I'm not a dog," I replied and Gemma's glares at me became intense stares at Kyran. Her demeanor changed entirely and suddenly, her façade changed much like mine did at home, and she was lovingly looking at Kyran.

"Why are you here?" I asked as he picked up the remaining books on the floor like a gentleman. I ignored the pang of jealousy I felt because when he knocked over my books yesterday, he didn't pick them up for me.

"Because I would like to receive an education, Turner. And by education, I meant the sessions with you", he stated, and Gemma gasped in exasperation. I glared at her, confused as she shrieked.

"You and him? Kyran, how could you stoop so low? She sleeps with teachers," Gemma accused, her tone dripping with judgement.

My jaw tightened and the composure that I usually maintain in school disappeared. My arm moved upwards, involuntarily and against my better judgement before Kyran grabbed my wrist.

Ow, that hurts asshole!

"Gemma, you need to calm down. Who the fuck is telling you shit like that?" he asked remaining surprisingly calm. Well, this rumor doesn't exactly concern him.

Gemma scoffed. "Why are you defending her Kyran? Everyone in school knows how she gets those grades!"

I opened my mouth to recoil before Kyran interrupted my train of thought. "I've been with her for the past few weeks. I think I'd know if your stupid rumor was true."

I gaped at him. I knew what he meant to say. We both knew what 'being with me' meant. However, Gemma stared at us, especially at his arm gripped around my wrist and gritted her teeth.

"I can't believe you'd choose her over me. She's just using you, Kyran. You could literally have anyone, and you choose her?", she shouted at us, her voice filling the hallway. By now, everyone was staring at us. The hallway had suddenly gone silent, and it wasn't metaphoric this time.

"No, Gemma. You've got it all wrong. Kyran and I are just friends. I'm tutoring him. There's nothing-", I insisted, my voice shaking from this entire ordeal. Who would've thought I'd create a major drama just by accidentally bumping into Kyran's ex?

"Friends? Please. I'm not stupid. No one is just 'friends' with Kyran. He has a reputation, and you're just another conquest. Right Kyran?" she whispered seething, so only Kyran and I could hear. Kyran's grip on my wrist was probably causing a bruise by now because of how hard he was holding it. I winced slightly and his hand dropped off mine instantly.

Kyran rolled his eyes at Gemma's dramatics, and I couldn't fathom why Gemma was so fixated by us. I felt the eyes of the passing students fixated on our confrontation. My attempt to blend into the background had backfired spectacularly.

So much for trying to stay drama-free.

"I don't care about your gossip, Gemma. I'm not sleeping with teachers and I'm not with Kyran. If you paid attention to anything other than yourself and your shallow friends, you might know that." I shot back, placing the last textbook in her hands.

Gemma's laughter echoed in the hallway as she stood up, unfazed by my rebuttal. "You can't fool anyone, Avery. I know what I see, and everyone does too."

I glanced at Kyran, silently pleading for him to intervene and end this ridiculous debacle. As much as I could argue that Kyran and I were not dating, Gemma wasn't going to believe me until Kyran admitted it. He met my eyes briefly, his expression revealing a mix of annoyance and amusement.

I glared at him.

"Avery, there's no point in hiding anymore," he said, his tone firm.

My eyes widened in disbelief at Kyran's unexpected statement. What was he doing? He couldn't just confirm Gemma's stupid rumors. Was he making sure that I suffered more? Panic surged through me as I tried to process the implications of his words.

"Kyran, what the hell are you doing?" I demanded, my voice a mix of confusion and frustration. He was trying to play a dangerous game that he seemingly found amusing.

He seemed to notice that I was going to slap him in front of everybody, because he grabbed my hand, not as harshly as he did earlier and laced his fingers through mine. My feeble attempt to pull away didn't work and my action only made it look like I was more desperate.

Ten minutes to class. I need to go. Help.

Gemma's smirk widened, triumph dancing in her eyes. "I knew it! What is your transaction? Sex for grades?"

I never thought there would be a time that I would beg Kyran with my eyes. I shot him a pleading look, silently begging him to clarify his statement. He sighed, seeming to weigh his words carefully.

And by weighing his words carefully, I meant that he said nothing. Absolutely nothing.

I felt a knot tightening in my chest. As Gemma's triumphant laughter echoed in the hallway, Kyran cast me an apologetic glance. "We'll talk later. I'll explain. Don't kill me."

His grip on my hand tightened slightly, not releasing me from the charade he just initiated. The eyes of everyone bore into us, and the hallway remained eerily silent, save for the whispers and gasps that floated through the air.

"I need to get to class. Let go," I said shortly as I caught his eye. He looked awfully sorry for what just happened. But there's no way I was going to let him off the hook.

"Avery, I'm sorry."

I pulled harder out of his grip, and he winced, realizing the gravity of the situation he had just thrust us into. "Look, I didn't plan for it to go like this. We'll talk later."

"That's if I don't kill you by then. Let go, Kyran!" I whispered harshly to him, my eyes darting around the hallway. "I don't care where you need to be, but I need to get to class."

He reluctantly released my hand, and I felt a mix of relief and frustration. He opened his mouth to say something, but my glare seemed to remind him that it was better for him to let everything cool down.

I was not going to cool down.

⋆·˚ ༘ *

I'm starting college again today and as much as I don't want to go, I'm not entitled to make such decisions. Who would've thought I'd dread attending the lectures for a degree I chose myself?😫

I need to really stop watching rom-coms because they're giving me more ideas for what do with Kyran and Avery's lives. This is probably why I ended up writing a 4800 word chapter in...2 days? 😂 I was also planning to pre-write chapters and have them scheduled for at least two weeks but I KEEP PROCRASTINATING!! 🤭

Anyways, wish me luck as I embark on a tumultuous journey this semester, taking harder modules, a part-time job, extra-curriculars, writing AND reading. 🤯

Q: What's your favorite rom-com?

That's all for this week. I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter, if you did pretty please leave a vote! I'll send you virtual hugs.🫂🤗

Alive, and un-burnt out for now...

Audrey. 💕😘