Monday morning came with rain.The kind that clung to windows and made everything feel slower, heavier.Liora walked into class, hair slightly damp, her notebook tucked tightly under her arm.
She was just starting to relax after the chaos of the party — until she saw his name on the board.
Group Project – Partners:Liora Hale & Adrian Knight.
Her breath caught.No. No, no, no.
Maya leaned over, whispering, "You've got to be kidding me. That's—"
"I know," Liora muttered, sinking into her chair. "He did this."
Of course he did. Adrian always found a way to remind her who pulled the strings.
He walked in a few seconds later, perfectly dry despite the rain. His hair slightly tousled, his smirk sharp enough to slice through the tension.
"Morning, partner," he said smoothly, dropping into the seat beside her.
Liora didn't look at him. "If this is another one of your games—"
"It's not." He opened his laptop. "Professor assigned it. I just... didn't argue."
She narrowed her eyes. "You could have."
He smiled faintly. "Why would I? We make a good team."
Liora snorted. "In what world?"
"The one where you keep challenging me," he murmured. "And I keep wanting to see what you'll do next."
She stared at him, words caught somewhere between fury and disbelief. He wasn't even pretending anymore — not the arrogance, not the control, and definitely not the strange fascination beneath his calm.
"Whatever," she said tightly. "Let's just finish the project."
For the next hour, they worked in silence. Or tried to.
Every time she spoke, he watched her — really watched her.Every time he leaned closer to point something out on the screen, she could feel the heat of him beside her.
She hated how aware she was of it.
"Your layout's good," he said finally. "You've got an eye for this."
"Don't."
"Don't what?"
"Pretend to be nice. You're only doing this to mess with me."
He smirked. "Maybe. Or maybe I'm just impressed."
Liora's glare could've melted steel. "I'm not playing whatever twisted game this is, Adrian."
His voice dropped low, smooth. "Then maybe you're already in it."
Before she could respond, the professor called the class to a break. Liora stood instantly, grabbing her bag.
"I'll finish my half at home."
"Liora—"
She spun around, eyes blazing. "You think you can control everyone, don't you? You're terrified of losing even once."
For the first time, something flickered across his face. Not anger. Not arrogance. Something that looked almost like guilt.
Then it vanished. "You're giving yourself too much credit."
"Right," she said, voice trembling. "Because I'm just another project to you."
She turned to leave.
Adrian's hand shot out — not rough, just a gentle grip on her wrist. "That's not—"
"Let go."
He did. Instantly.
She walked out without looking back.
Adrian sat there, the sound of rain outside matching the pounding in his chest.He told himself it was all strategy — pairing them together, keeping her close, proving he still had control.
But sitting there, staring at the half-finished project and the empty seat beside him, he couldn't shake the truth.
He was losing the game.And worse — he was starting to want to.