Chapter 3
"Micah." I softened my voice, giving him my best puppy eyes. "I just can't figure out this derivative problem. Will you teach me, pretty please?"
With that, I was seriously about to puke.
Micah's pen clattered onto the desk. "You..." he stammered, his Adam's apple bobbed.
Oh, so that was how it was. He liked this kind of act.
If silence could echo, the whole classroom would be ringing with my mental "fuck you" right now.
Micah gulped. "Since you're asking so nicely, I guess I'll be generous and help you out. Lucky for you it's me. No one else would bother."
I sat down obediently. Men, always so predictable.
I tucked my hair behind my ear, exposing my neck. Then I scooted closer, letting my arm brush against his.
"Wow, Micah, you're so smart! How did I never think of that?" I gushed.
Micah's hands were trembling. His handwriting, which started out neat and flowing, had now devolved into a messy scrawl.
"This... here, use... this method," he stammered, his voice sounding strained.
[Oh crap, she's touching me. Her shoulder's so soft. I'm doomed, I'm totally reacting. Wait, no, it's just a mental thing
[She's praising me! She worships me! I'm the king of the world! The master of the universe.
[Stay cool, Micah. You must look awesome right now, side profile, 45-degree gaze to the sky... Wait, no, focus on the problem. Hold the pose, make her fall head over heels.
[Wait... did I mess up the problem just now? Who cares! Even if it's wrong, it's right. When I'm with her, I'm the law of the universe.]
Just as I thought, guys really couldn't resist this type.
At this rate, Micah would be so excited tonight he wouldn't get a wink of sleep, and tomorrow he'd be nodding off in class for sure.
All for first place, I'd just have to put myself on the line for that top spot.
"Thank you, Mr. Avery, I totally get it now," I said, snapping my notebook shut with a sweet smile. "To show my gratitude, I'll buy you a milk tomorrow morning."
With that, I got up and made a stylish exit.
Micah acted nonchalant. "Like I even care about your milk. And don't get the cheap stuff. Make sure it's whole milk. It's good for the brain."
[Yes! Tomorrow I'm getting a breakfast made with love. Nicole's buying me milk. It's basically official now. We're practically married.
[Tonight, I'm totally framing this workbook. It's got Nicole's fingerprints on it.
[I should get Nicole a gift too. What should I give her? My reserved valedictorian trophy? The deed to my house? Or maybe... just offer myself to her?]
Stupid man. Let you gloat for a few days.
"Micah and Nicole, the reigning champ and the eternal runner-up, had dinner together yesterday."
I'd barely stepped onto campus when I caught people gossiping.
"What's going on? Aren't they like oil and water? I've never seen them say more than a few words to each other in three years."
"No clue. They were even doing practice problems together yesterday. Micah's ears were bright red, and he was smiling so wide it was almost embarrassing."
"Wait, could it be true? Are rivals in novels really destined to become lovers?"
"The enemies-to-lovers ship I've been rooting for is actually coming true."
I pulled out my phone. "Hey, is this the head of discipline? I want to report someone sneaking a novel during class.
"Yeah, no clue which class they're from, but I've sent you the picture."
That was satisfying. Romance novels, game over.
With no men clouding my mind, I was unstoppable. Actually, I was doing this for their own good.
Watching those girls walk away, I lifted my chin coolly. No need to thank me.
"Who snitched on me? Whoever it was, I'm putting a hex on you... Ugh, I was only halfway through my brand new romance," one of the girls complained.
I quickly lowered my head, taking back my swagger.
Got cursed out. Time to get out of here.
As soon as I got to the classroom, my bestie, Matilda, came over.
She squinted at me, her face full of gossipy mischief. "So, what's going on with you and Micah? Don't tell me you two are together?"
"Matilda, don't lose your cool. You were just a few points behind him last time. He's definitely nervous," I replied.
"Just saying, don't blame me if you get blindsided. That jerk Micah is totally scheming. He just wants to keep you in check so you don't end up beating him," Matilda warned.
"Him?" I scoffed. "Seriously, what are you even looking at? Men are just a distraction when I'm on a roll."
Matilda pulled out her phone. She shot me a look, like, "Come on, drop the act. I know exactly what's going on."
But she warned, "Just don't fall for him, okay?"
"The hottest thread on the school gossip board is about you two, isn't it?" Matilda said.
I squinted at the post.
Anonymous Poster: [OMG!! The secret to turning your arch-enemy into your wifey. Want to know who? Want the recipe? Well, tough luck, I'm not telling!]
There was a photo attached to the post.
No way anyone could figure it out. They both 'accidentally' only showed half their faces.
Posted just ten minutes ago.
It felt like a whole herd of horses was stampeding through my mind.
Why did he get the perfect 45-degree angle, and mine just looked so awkward?
Ugh, why did my face look so big in this?
Great, now I looked even uglier. Wait, that was not it. That was not what mattered.
I shot back, "Nope, not gonna happen, and honestly, he's not even my type."
Right after, I whipped out my phone.
Matilda grabbed my hand. "Wait, are you seriously about to report them for using your photo without permission?"
That was why Matilda was my ride-or-die. She really got me.
Less than three minutes later, that post got nuked.
The dean was lightning quick. No wonder I loved hitting him up.
Back in the classroom, Micah was reading, looking like he hadn't slept a wink. He couldn't hide his tiredness.
Knew it. Sooner or later, I'd wear you out. Then I'd finally claim the throne.
Step two: struck while he was weak and went for the kill.
I stealthily stretched my foot over and nudged his calf.
Micah stiffened, and his book dropped to the floor. He looked up and shot me a cold stare.