Chapter 2

Okay, I admit he's good-looking. I mean he has a good pair of muscles and six-pack abs. Blue eyes. Honey gold skin. But those blue eyes hold much more than the façade mask he always wears.

The blank column in front of his name left me wondering if he deliberately chose not to write any topic (because he has a habit of riling teachers) or he doesn't truly have a topic.

"Mr. Reynolds, why haven't you written any topic?" , Mr. Smulders' resonant voice filled the classroom attracting everyone's attention towards Raymond.

I looked back too, the guy with the grey hoodie. Raymond.

He replied in the most casual tone anyone could use, "Because I haven't decided it yet.", he said.

"And may I know the reason why?" Mr. Smulders asked.

"Well, I have been busy lately", Raymond shrugged.

Mr. Smulders was giving him a pointed look urging him to continue.

"You know ...football practice and stuff." , finished Raymond.

"Very well", Mr. Smulders mumbled and started scanning the classroom as if trying to find something, well the hunt soon ceased as his gaze settled on me.

"Sophie, meet me after this period," he said before returning back to whatever he was doing.

Oh boy. This doesn't sound good, does it?

****

"Sophie, I want you to do me a favor", Mr. Smulders said. I couldn't deny whatever it was, so I told him I will do it.

"I want you to pair up with Raymond for this project", he said, his eyes locked with mine.

NO.

I wanted to say but couldn't. One look at Mr. Smulders face and anyone could tell how persistent he is on partnering me with Raymond.

So, I chose not to speak. At all.

"I know it is going to be a battle for you Sophie but I don't think you would like to lose your credits because of this."

What the...

Mr. Smulders is trying to blackmail me?

Ughhh. I hate my life.

I lowered my gaze in defeat. "So I thought", he said. "Thank you, Sophie. You may leave now."

How did I get myself in this situation, I had no idea. All I know is I have been paired up with my worst nightmare.

****

Walking down the corridor, it wasn't difficult to locate Raymond and his group.

Help me god

I summoned up all my courage and started walking towards their direction.

They were laughing, giving each other high five, doing some weird handshake and on the other side, I was standing right next to their group trying to figure out how to tell Raymond about the project.

Suddenly the noise died, I looked up to Raymond and my sight was greeted by a lopsided smirk and raised eyebrows.

I think I forgot to tell you that I'm an introvert and I don't have friends. Literally, the nearest thing to a friend that I have is my younger sister Lavy. Books in the library are more familiar with my face than our school's canteen.

"You can stop swooning, girl," said Ellen sarcastically.

"Speak girl", Ellen said again.

Bunch of students' gathered around started laughing. But Raymond didn't.

Well, meet Ellen Whitmore. Queen Bee? Right.

Ellen was a beautiful but arrogant girl. She always showed off because her parents were rich and since she was the only girl in Raymond's group she was always treated special and everyone flirts with her.

Raymond gave her a pointed look before grabbing my arm and pulling me towards the other end of the corridor.

"You fine?", Raymond asked.

"I-yeah. Yup", I replied, nodding.

"I actually wanted to tell you that Mr. Smulders asked me to pair up with you for our Physics project, apparently because you haven't decided the topic yet but that's just what I assumed he did not tell me the rea-"

"He-Hey!",Raymond's blue eyes were looking straight into mine.

"Calm down, take a deep breath", I followed his instructions.

"Good, now correct me if I'm wrong. You and I are paired up for the Physics project, right?" he gave me a quizzical look.

"Yeah", I replied.

"Cool. I think it is beneficial for you, munchkin", he replied winking at me.

Why is he winking at me?

Beneficial for me?

Hah.

Joke of the millennium.

"What?"

"Yeah, I mean you get to work with me, munchkin. You must be squealing inside"

"In your dreams", I replied exasperated.

"Well, I didn't know you earlier but after this-" He said pointing a finger at me and then at himself "- maybe in my dreams, princess."

What is he saying?

I scrunched up my eyebrows in confusion before shrugging.

"So give me your number and maybe I'll contact you...umm what is your name?"

We've been in the same maths and physics class for the past two years!

Idiot

"It's Sophie. Sophie Esinberg", we finally exchanged our number.

"Alright, Princess! I'll call you then", he said, winking at me again.

Did he just say, princess?

"Okay", mumbled softly as I turned around and started walking towards the library.

A voice echoed across the hallway and I although I knew the words were directed to me I scoffed at his words which said "Try not to think about me too much, princess", I ignored him and kept walking towards the library.

This guy is delusional

Egoistic nincompoop