Kip gazed at the mystical siren sitting diagonally from him. There was a certain finesse to the way she twirled her hair around her finger and then pushed it back behind her ear only to pull it forward a minute later. It's been weeks, and he still hasn't mustered the courage to talk to her. Some man he was.

"Okay, everyone! Partner up and workshop on the short story you have written."

Kip moved to the edge of his seat, seeing his chance, but then leaned back in defeat when he saw a muscular guy slide into the seat next to her, giving her a friendly hug. He couldn't help wonder how they can be friends. Beauty and the Beast.

For the rest of class, he tried his best to focus on his partner's work, but he found that his ears were too attuned to her angelic laugh.

When class was dismissed, he hoped that she would look his way but the brute seemed to be holding all her attention. At the last second, he shot up from his chair and almost bumped into them.

"Excuse you," said the jock.

Kip opened his mouth, then closed it, then opened it again.

"It's Kip, right?"

His breath got caught in his throat. She giggled.

"Your poem the other day was really good."

"T-Thanks. Yours was great as well, ummm..."

"Violet," she said softly, "My name's Violet."

Kip grinned.

"Just like the beautiful flower. How appropriate."

The words slipped from his lips like a whisper before he knew he was thinking them. His face grew warm at the look of surprise on her face. Violet smiled, showing her straight white teeth as she thanked him. Her friend raised a brow and looked between them before clearing his throat.

"And I'm Flynn," said the jock, dryly.

Violet looked to Flynn before turning back to Kip.

"I have to go. I'll see you later."

Before Kip could breathe, she followed Flynn out the door.

*Plot twist! Did you see this coming or was it a surprise? Please let me know :) *