Under His Spell

The hunt was on. Maya, Sally, and Luna sat at their usual table, eyes darting across the cafeteria like seasoned detectives. Their mission? Find the perfect nerd. Not just any nerd—he had to be smart, serious, and, most importantly, a challenge.

"What about him?" Luna pointed at a guy with thick glasses, hunched over a laptop, his face buried in a book.

"Too easy," Maya dismissed. "One smile and he'd be at my feet."

Sally nudged her. "What about Mark? Always reading, top of his class."

Maya tilted her head, analyzing the boy in question. He was awkward, fumbling with his books as he walked. "Nah. He looks like he'd pass out if I talked to him. I need someone who won't be easy to break."

They continued their search, but every nerd seemed either too intimidated or too boring. Hours later, exhausted from their stalking, they admitted defeat.

"This is harder than I thought," Luna groaned as they left school.

Maya smirked. "Don't worry, I'll find him."

That evening, Maya barely had time to relax before her father's voice echoed through the house. "Get dressed. We have an event tonight."

She crossed her arms, leaning against the doorframe. "I have plans."

Her father's eyes darkened. "You don't have a choice. Since your mother left, you need to do your part."

The words stung, but Maya masked it with indifference. "Fine. But I'm wearing what I want."

The event was as dreadful as she expected—old men discussing business deals, expensive champagne, and an atmosphere that felt suffocating. She felt out of place, like a doll being paraded around for show. Her father was too busy mingling to notice her boredom.

When her phone buzzed with a call from Luna, she seized the excuse to step outside. As she paced the dimly lit balcony, she spotted a familiar figure standing alone by the railing. Eddie Thompson.

Curious, she hung up and approached him. "Didn't peg you for the party type."

Eddie barely glanced at her. "I'm not."

She leaned against the railing, tilting her head. "So why are you here? Don't like people much?"

He hesitated. "Something like that."

Maya watched him, intrigued. He was different from the boys who crumbled under her charm. He wasn't nervous. Just… detached.

"What's the deal with you?" she asked. "I mean, I know everyone at school, but you're like some mystery character."

Eddie exhaled sharply. "I prefer it that way."

Maya scoffed. "Mysterious and broody. How original."

Eddie finally turned to her, arching an eyebrow. "And what about you? You're the school's personal chaos generator."

She grinned. "Thank you. I take that as a compliment."

"Wasn't one."

Maya pouted dramatically. "You wound me, nerd. I thought we had something special."

Eddie rolled his eyes. "Are you always like this?"

"Only around people I like," she said with a wink.

He huffed a quiet laugh, shaking his head. "Unbelievable."

She studied him for a moment. "What about your family? My dad seems to know yours."

His jaw tightened. "Not something I talk about."

Maya didn't push. Instead, she studied him, a slow smile forming. He was perfect. This was exactly what she needed. Someone who didn't fit into her usual world of easy targets.

Pulling out her phone, she dialed Luna and Sally. "Girls, I found him. The perfect nerd. It's going to be Eddie."

Eddie turned to her, brow raised. "Found what?"

Maya just smirked. "Nothing you need to worry about… yet."

Eddie gave her a suspicious look. "Why do I feel like I should be concerned?"

Maya tapped her chin in mock thought. "Oh, no reason. Just destiny."

"That sounds ominous," he muttered.

Maya gave him a teasing nudge. "Come on, admit it, you like the attention."

He let out a dramatic sigh. "Oh yes, being stalked by the school's biggest troublemaker is a dream come true."

She gasped. "Flattery will get you everywhere, nerd."

Eddie fought a smile. "You are exhausting."

"And yet, here you are, still talking to me."

He went quiet for a moment, then shook his head. "I really don't know what to do with you."

Maya grinned. "That makes two of us."

She lingered for a moment, letting the silence settle between them. Eddie was stiff, like he wasn't used to this kind of attention. It made her even more curious. What was it about him that was so different? She was used to boys practically throwing themselves at her. Eddie, though? He seemed to enjoy the distance. The challenge.

"So, if you hate parties, why are you really here?" she asked.

Eddie hesitated before answering. "Family obligation."

"Same here," Maya muttered, staring out at the city lights. "My dad drags me to these things to make it look like we're a perfect family."

Eddie glanced at her. "And are you?"

Maya let out a dry laugh. "Not even close."

Something flickered in his expression, something almost understanding, but he didn't say anything.

She turned back to him, mischief in her eyes. "You never answered my question earlier. Do you not like people, or do people not like you?"

Eddie smirked. "A little of both."

Maya nodded solemnly. "Tragic. But don't worry, nerd, I like you."

Eddie stared at her for a beat, as if trying to figure out if she was serious. "Should I be honored?"

"Absolutely," she said with a grin.

Eddie shook his head, amused. "You're ridiculous."

Maya shrugged. "And yet, you're still talking to me."

He sighed. "Unfortunately."

She laughed, genuinely entertained by how unshaken he was. This was going to be fun. Maya could feel her interest in him grow. He wasn't like the other boys she'd flirted with. She didn't quite know what it was, but Eddie had this strange, magnetic quality. His stoic demeanor was just… fascinating.

Maya checked her phone. Her father was probably looking for her. She turned back to Eddie. "Well, this was fun, nerd, but duty calls."

"Try not to cause too much trouble," he said dryly.

Maya smirked. "No promises."

As she walked away, she could still feel Eddie's eyes on her. This was only the beginning. She hadn't even begun to see what kind of game she could play with him.

For the first time in a long while, Maya felt genuinely intrigued. Eddie wasn't someone she could easily win over, and that was exactly what she liked. The perfect nerd—her challenge.