David spotted Betty at her locker after school, slamming it shut with a little more force than necessary. She was clearly still in a mood, and he couldn’t help but smirk as he sauntered up to her. Leaning casually against the row of lockers, he blocked her way just enough to catch her attention.
“Thought you were bold in the cafeteria,” he said, his tone dripping with mockery. “What’s your deal, Red? Think you’re better than me?”
Betty didn’t even flinch. She turned to face him, her green eyes sharp and unapologetic. “No,” she replied smoothly. “But I know you’re not.”
That threw him. For a split second, his smirk faltered. “You don’t even know me,” he said, his voice hardening just a fraction.
“And I don’t want to.” Betty shoved past him, her shoulder bumping his as she walked away without another glance.
David stood there, watching her go, his jaw tightening. Nobody walked away from him like that—especially not some fiery new girl with too much attitude. It wasn’t just about the cafeteria now. It was personal. He had to wipe that smug look off her face.
That night, David met Nate in their usual spot in the parking lot behind the school. Nate was leaning against his beat-up car, a cigarette hanging lazily between his fingers.
“You’re quiet,” Nate said, exhaling a stream of smoke. “Let me guess: Red got under your skin.”
“She humiliated me,” David muttered, running a hand through his dark hair. “In front of everyone.”
Nate laughed, flicking ash to the ground. “Yeah, and now you can’t stop thinking about her.”
David didn’t respond right away. He stared at the cracked pavement, his mind racing with ways to knock Betty off her high horse.
“Tell you what,” Nate said, his grin wicked. “Bet you a hundred bucks you can’t get her to fall for you by prom.”
David scoffed. “A hundred? Make it a grand.”
“You’re that confident?” Nate challenged, raising an eyebrow.
David’s smirk returned, though it didn’t reach his eyes. “I’ll have her eating out of my hand in no time.”
Nate extended his hand, and David shook it firmly. The bet was sealed.