HAYDEN

This assignment sounded really stupid. Like, really fucking stupid. I don't see why Waters thought this would be a good idea. Or why the hell he thought putting us in groups would be a better idea, but I was hating every moment of it.

Until I heard fucking Collin.

"I'm assuming you have a matching number six with mine, since you haven't gotten up yet."

Collin and I had a falling out when I caught him trying to take a seriously drunk girl into a room of a party. I called him out, he didn't like it. Ever since that day, we've had a secret mutual hatred for one another that only Brooks knows about.

In my haste to rise to my feet, I collided with someone. A girl, can't remember her name. Her shit fell to the floor and my stupid slip of paper flew off my desk. I grunted as she tried to apologize, but I just went to reach for the paper.

I didn't have six, so when I saw that hers landed right side up with the number six on it, it was almost like fate. I grabbed hers and handed mine back to her. I know she knew it was the wrong one, but she didn't dare say anything to me. She just walked on past me.

"Must be my lucky day."

I wanted to punch that stupid grin off his face. Lina may be a self-righteous bitch, but not even she deserves Collin Zuckerman.

"I'd say so."

When I walked behind her, Collin gave me a knowing smirk. "And we got West, too? Hell yeah!"

His words were forced, even I could tell. It took everything I had to move my glare from him to Lina.

"What luck, huh, sunshine?"

Lina inhales and rolls her eyes, moving her gaze back to Collin, who was already pulling a desk up right beside her. I just sit on the empty on beside her, not bothering to get closer than I need to.

I open the slip, reading the actual letter I had.

Aureate, 6.

Really? That's it? That should be pretty fucking simple.

"So Lina," Collin starts. "What do you plan on doing when you graduate?"

She raises her brows. "You know I'm not a senior, right?"

"You're not?"

"No."

"Then how are you in this class?"

"Because I'm a fucking genius."

I snort, causing them both to look at me. Lina just narrows her eyes at me, but I slightly raise a shoulder in defense.

Lina definitely isn't a genius, but she isn't a total idiot either. From what I know, she struggles in math and science. But she's excellent in English and stuff like that.

Collin grins, making me glower at him.

"Well, I'm thinking of politics. Maybe city consoler, maybe president some day."

"Aiming pretty high there, aren't you?"

"Oh, you know it, babe."

I wanted to bang my head on the desk, repeatedly. He was trying to make some kind of move on her, but it was terrible.

"Confident," Lina hums. "That's sexy."

I whip my head so fast I nearly hurt myself. What the hell did she just say?

Collin's disgusting grin only widened. "What are you doing tonight?"

Lina flips her hair over her shoulder, but I don't miss the split-second glance she gave me.

"Have something in mind?" She leans forward.

"You, me," he leans in with her. "Dinner, a movie. Who knows where the night will take us."

I see Lina smile, placing her chin on her palm. "I think I have a good idea where it might go."

"I'm pretty fucking sure we're supposed to be talking about this dumb project, not about you two wanting to fuck."

Lina looks at me and I swear, she has the smallest hint of a satisfactory smile on her face.

"You can leave." Lina shrugs. "Not like you'll be missed."

When she shrugs and turns back around, I never felt such rage. Lina Andrews is so fucking full of herself, it's maddening. She thinks that she can just talk to me like that, she's fucking wrong.

I take a deep breath and look away from her, shaking my head slightly. I take my phone from my pocket, scrolling through some social media posts. I honestly couldn't care to listen to Lina's conversation anymore, but I couldn't stop myself.

Ever since I heard Lina getting herself off over the weekend, all I've been doing is thinking about her. What I wouldn't do to get my hands on her. To explore her body. To make her scream and come apart.

I glance over at her, her creamy, thick thighs crossed over one another, enough to make any man weak at the knees. I grow more annoyed with myself at the fact that she's even having this effect on me. At first, I didn't know her. I had an excuse. But now? I know just how much of a snob Lina is, so I don't know why I can't stop thinking about what she'd be like under me.

She thinks she's better than me.

Well, I'm about to give her a rude awakening.

When the dreaded hour passes and the bell signals that we can go home, I gag when I see Collin and Lina exchange numbers and when Lina gives him a wink before walking off.

I follow close behind her, waiting for the perfect opportunity—which presents itself when we pass by the bathrooms. I grab her elbow and tug her inside the boys bathroom, pressing her against the wall.

"It stinks in here," her nose wrinkles as she looks around. "And it's actually disgusting. Why the hell am I here?"

"Collin is scum, sunshine. You're a bitch, but not even you should be succumbed to that."

She narrows her blue eyes at me. "You're so full of shit."

"Believe me, or don't. But Zuckerman isn't who you want to be spending your time with."

She crosses her arms. "And who is? You?" She scoffs. "I already told you to stop trying to get into my head, West. It's not gonna work."

"Not everything is fucking about you, Lina," I practically growl. "Stop being so self-fucking-centered and open your damn eyes. If I wanted to fuck you, I would have already."

I see the hurt flash in those deep blue eyes. But she lifts her chin up and steps forward, our chests almost touching.

"Fuck. You."

She then turns and opens the door, disappearing down the hallway. I, on the other hand, just stand for a moment.

That wasn't entirely true. I wanted to fuck Lina. I've thought about it way more times than I cared to admit since I've met her. And it's intensified since I heard her soft, panting moans coming from her room.

But she doesn't get to know that anymore.

Frustrated, I exit the building and head to my car. I drive, and drive, and drive.

The more I thought about everything Lina said today, the angrier I got. I hated when someone thought they were all high and mighty, and Lina has always thought she was so much better than me. I wasn't exactly sure in what aspect, because I know her needs are almost identical to mine—if not, more so.

So her casting judgment on me for it doesn't fucking sit right with me.

I drive around in circles, just wasting gas at this point. So I end up pulling over in the far corner of the park. Since it's still cold, I don't see really any kids out here playing. Just the occasional jogger passing through. So I take a few minutes to compose myself.

Brooks is my best friend, but his sister is fucking annoying.

Granted, I've spent as much time as I can trying to annoy her, but still. Today was the icing on the cake. I wasn't sure how much more of her I could take without snapping.

I sigh, checking the time. My mom is probably freaking out, so I send her a quick message that I'll pick something up on the way home and be there shortly. I also see an email about confirming me playing at a wedding this weekend, but I see a figure walking past my car, so I lift my head from my screen.

And sure enough, it's Lina fucking Andrews.

It's cold, the wind doesn't help. I see her arms crossed over her chest, trying to keep warm, probably. Her long hair was shifting slightly in the wind, her long legs almost begging for trouble in that short skirt.

I shouldn't care. She's not my problem. She's probably on her way to...who even fucking knows where. Why isn't she with someone? Or at home already?

I grunt a bit as I open the door and walk a few steps.

"Lina." She froze, not turning around, which means she knows it's me. "What're you doing?"

She ignored me and started walking again. Irritation pricks at my skin as I take a few more steps.

"I asked a question, Lina. Kinda rude to just ignore me."

She stops and turns around, very dramatically I may add, and gives me the most sarcastic look.

"I ignore you because I don't like you. And I don't have to answer to you."

I shrug. "That's cool. I'll just ask Brooks then, right? Cause he'll know."

I see the sudden change in her demeanor. She shifts on her feet and takes her bottom lip between her teeth gently.

"Brooks knows I'm going to Avrey's, okay? So just back off."

I narrow my eyes at her. "Brooks knows you're going to Avrey's, or Brooks thinks you're already at Avrey's?"

She doesn't answer. I figured as much. Brooks gives Lina a ride to school almost daily, and if he has practice, Avrey gives her a ride home. But he already thinks she's with her. And she's not.

"Get in, Lina." I motion to my car.

"Um," she chuckles. "No."

I raise my brows. "No?"

"No."

"Do you even know where you're going, sunshine?" I smirk, crossing my arms.

"Yes."

"Bullshit."

"I don't have to answer to you, you freaking irritating piece of—"

"Alright. Well, I'll just get in my car, and let Brooks know that his precious little sister is out here wondering the streets looking like..." I slowly scan her body. "That. I'm sure he won't be upset at all."

I shrug, turning around and walking back to my car. I open the door, but not before I see Lina rolling her eyes and pulling out her phone, walking towards me.

I grin as I duck my head and climb in. Lina yanks the door open and gets in, adjusting herself to cover her legs as much as possible. I take a quick peek to her phone, but feel something drop in my stomach when I see the message she sent out to Avrey.

Can I come over, maybe spend the night? Kinda already on my way LOL

I eye her side profile for a moment. She's looking out the window, facing completely away from me. I don't know what, but she's hiding from something.

She's hiding something from everyone.

And now I'm curious to know what.

A/N

hello my loves! I hope this chapter was okay? I felt like I rushed it a bit ;-;

Thanks for reading, lovelies! Don't forget to vote, comment, etc!! <33