Episode 4
Caleb's POV
"Mariel, you'll be working with Caleb."
The teacher's words dropped into the classroom like music to my ears. I couldn't help but smirk. Honestly, I hadn't even been listening when she gave out the assignment details—I just knew I'd been handed the perfect excuse to spend time with Mariel.
Her face, however, was priceless. Pure annoyance. The way her brows knit together, the way she refused to even glance my way—it was like she thought she could melt me with that glare.
"So," the teacher continued, "you're all going to research the history of Majestic High. It's not in the syllabus, but I want you to understand the roots of the school you attend. Work together. Ask your teachers questions. Dig into archives. You have one week. The grade will contribute to your aggregate mark for the term."
With that, she swept out of the room, leaving a trail of groans and whispers behind her.
I leaned closer to Mariel, lowering my voice just enough so it brushed her ear. "Hey, partner."
She stiffened. No response.
I grinned and stretched out a hand to tap her shoulder, but she spun on me so fast you'd think I'd tried to commit a crime.
"Don't even think about touching me," she snapped.
"Woah. Relax, sweetheart," I said, my tone laced with mockery.
She looked like she wanted to fling her notebook at me. "We'll start the assignment tomorrow," she said curtly, before walking back to her seat.
I raised both hands in surrender and leaned back with an amused smirk. No need to rush. The best games are played slowly.
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Mariel's POV
I was seething. Rage burned in me, though I forced my face to remain calm. If only I had chosen a partner earlier—any partner—this nightmare could've been avoided. Now I was stuck with him. Caleb Hollies. The king of arrogance. The self-declared playboy. The headache wrapped in perfect cheekbones.
The thought of having to spend a week on an assignment with him felt like a punishment straight from the underworld. And knowing his type, he probably wouldn't even lift a finger. I'd end up doing all the work while he collected the grade.
I flopped onto my seat beside Ellie. She gave me that look—the one that says spill it now.
"So… what are you going to do?" she asked, confirming my suspicion.
I groaned. "I don't know, Ellie."
She tapped her pen against her desk, eyes narrowing thoughtfully. "Well, I think you should loosen up a little."
My head shot up. "What do you mean?"
"If you're too strict, it'll just make things harder," she said matter-of-factly.
I scoffed. "Ellie, he is the definition of hard. He'll make it impossible. I'll be dragging a boulder uphill."
"Then you act mature."
I crossed my arms, pouting like a child. "But why do I have to be the mature one?"
"Because you're the one who actually cares about her grades," she shot back with a grin.
I groaned again, louder this time. "Fine. I'll… loosen up. Just a little. For one week. And then I'm done."
"That's my girl," Ellie cooed, reaching over to ruffle my hair like I was some stray puppy she'd decided to adopt.
"Hey! Stop it! You're acting like my mom." I swatted her hand away.
She leaned in, smirking. "And you're acting like a baby."
I gasped dramatically. "Excuse me?" I lightly smacked the top of her head, and she squealed before chasing me around the class.
"Mariel, come back here!"
"Catch me first!" I laughed, dodging between desks.
For a moment, the heaviness that had been sitting in my chest all day lifted. Ellie had that effect on me. She pulled me out of my storms and dragged me into laughter, even if it meant looking ridiculous.
We were mid-chase when the classroom door opened.
The room froze.
The Chemistry teacher stepped in, arms crossed, eyes narrowing at the sight of us.
I stopped dead, my heart thudding. Ellie crashed into my back with an ungraceful oof.
Oh. My. Gosh.
We were finished.
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Caleb's POV
From the back row, I nearly laughed out loud. Mariel—the same girl who barked at me not to touch her—was sprinting across the class like a little kid, Ellie hot on her heels.
The teacher's glare could have turned the walls to ice.
I leaned back in my chair, smirking to myself.
Looks like my "serious, no-nonsense" partner wasn't as untouchable as she pretended.
And suddenly… this assignment was going to be a whole lot more fun than I thought.
TBC
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