Mr. Barker clapped his hands like he’d just announced free pizza. “Partners for the midterm project are up!” The screen behind him blinked to life. My eyes scanned the list with zero hope. Until I saw it.
Noah Linwood + Luca Reyes
I blinked. Then blinked again.
Next to me, Luca casually leaned back in his chair. “Guess we’re stuck together.”
“You did this.”
His grin was unapologetic. “Maybe I asked. Maybe I bribed. Maybe I told Barker you’d cry if you got paired with anyone else.”
“Please tell me you didn’t actually say that.”
He shrugged. “You’ll never know.”
Class buzzed with chatter, but it all sounded tinny, background static compared to the sudden drumroll in my chest. I didn’t know if I wanted to throttle him or thank him. Possibly both.
Mr. Barker passed out the assignment sheet like it wasn’t about to ruin lives. “Due in two weeks. You’ll be graded together.”
I glanced at Luca. “We’re going to fail.”
“We’ll be fine.”
“Last time you said that, you nearly set the science lab on fire.”
“That was one time.”
“It was last month.”
“Still counts as one.”
I didn’t have time to argue. Because as soon as class ended, hell opened its mouth and spat out Jace Morrison.
He stopped directly in front of our desks, voice loud and lazy. “Still babysitting your nerd, Reyes?”
Luca stiffened beside me, but didn’t say anything. He didn’t need to. I was already on my feet.
My voice was sharper than I meant it to be. “I’m not a toy.”
Jace raised a brow, feigning confusion. “Didn’t say you were. Unless… Luca’s been playing a little rough?”
“Don’t,” I warned. “Just don’t.”
He smirked, like he enjoyed pressing the bruise. “It’s funny, though. Watching you pretend this is real. Watching him pretend he’s not just bored.”
“That’s enough,” Luca said, standing. His voice was calm, but the tension in his jaw wasn’t.
“Oh, look,” Jace laughed, “Prince Charming speaks.”
Luca stepped forward. “You don’t get to talk to him like that.”
“Why not?” Jace tilted his head. “Isn’t this what you wanted? The drama? The spectacle?”
I could feel the eyes on us. Half the class had paused on their way out. People loved a good fight more than they loved lunch.
“I said,” Luca growled, “stop.”
But I didn’t want him to fight for me. I wanted to fight for myself.
“You know what your problem is, Jace?” I snapped. “You think everything revolves around you. That you’re the main character in everyone’s story. But not this one. Not mine.”
His smile faltered, just slightly. “You’re overreacting.”
“No, I’m finally reacting.” My hands were shaking, but my voice wasn’t. “You treat me like some pawn in whatever game you’re playing with Luca. I’m not your prop. I’m not your punchline. I’m not a toy.”
Luca’s hand found mine without hesitation. “You’re not.”
Silence dropped like a curtain. Jace looked between us, something unreadable flickering behind his eyes. Then he scoffed, stepped back, and vanished down the hall.
My heart was still racing when we turned to leave.
“You okay?” Luca asked quietly.
“No.”
“Want to skip class?”
“Yes.”
We walked the rest of the way in silence, except it wasn’t really silent. His fingers were still curled around mine. His presence buzzed like static in my bloodstream.
When we reached the corner of the hall, I tugged him to a stop. “You shouldn’t have to defend me.”
“I didn’t do it because I had to.”
“Then why?”
“Because you matter.” His eyes met mine, steady and sure. “And because I want everyone to know I’m not playing games.”
I hated how much I wanted to believe that.
“You keep saying that,” I whispered. “That it’s not a game. That you mean this.”
“I do.”
I bit the inside of my cheek. “Then prove it.”
Luca didn’t blink. “Come over tonight. We’ll work on the project. Just the project.”
“That sounds like a trap.”
He leaned in, voice low. “It is. But a very educational one.”
I rolled my eyes, but the smile tugging at my lips betrayed me. “You’re ridiculous.”
“Ridiculously into you.”
The bell rang overhead, a shrill reminder that reality still existed. Luca brushed a hand through his hair. “We’ll meet at six?”
“Fine.” I turned to walk away, but not before glancing over my shoulder. “Try not to set anything on fire.”
“No promises.”