Detention

"Hey, Stacey! Let go of her!"

Sebastian? Am I dreaming?

"Stay out of this, Seb!" Stacey said while still pulling my hair.

"Do you want Charles to get mad at you?" Wait—was he actually defending me?

"Damn you!" Stacey finally let go of me."You're lucky you're Charles' sister!" She walked away with her minions, and soon, the people around us also started leaving.

Now, it was just me and Seb. My heart was pounding. "Ah... T-thank you, S-Seb." Ugh, how embarrassing—I was stuttering.

This was the first time I ever talked to him. It was humiliating, but he didn't even acknowledge me. He just put his earphones in.

This ridiculously handsome guy is such a snob. Still, I was happy. Whether he helped me on purpose or not, it didn't matter. At least, for once, I didn't feel so unlucky.

I headed to the back of our building—there was no one here. It was better than the cafeteria, where people would just mess with me. That video… Whoever spread it is the worst. The absolute worst for making it go viral.

I leaned against a tree.

"Aha!"

"Ah! You frog!" I jumped in shock.

"Me? A frog? With this level of handsomeness?"

Wow, so full of himself. I turned to see who it was, and of course, I wasn't even surprised. No one could be as arrogant as Theo. "Haha! You? Handsome? Spread that joke around!" He was seriously getting on my nerves.

"Do I even need to? Everyone already knows how insanely good-looking I am."

"Oh, really? Sorry, I had no idea." I rolled my eyes at him.

"Why do you keep denying it? It's so obvious you have a crush on me."

Where in the world did he get that idea?!

"Excuse me?" I didn't care if he was one of them. It was just the two of us here, and besides, he was the one starting this nonsense again. I wasn't going to back down. "I don't like you."

"Playing dumb, huh? Ugly nerd. That's why you're hanging out in my spot, right?" He smirked. "You must be my stalker."

"Is that supposed to be a joke? You should've just used your face as the joke—maybe then I'd actually laugh." I shot back at him.

He stepped closer to me—too close. His face was right in front of mine. What the hell was he planning to do? "If you like me, just say so. No need to make up stories. If you want me to kiss you…" He leaned in even more. I shoved him away with all my strength, even though he was so much bigger than me.

I quickly stood up. "Pervert!"

"Me? A pervert? If anything, I bet you want me to kiss you."

Slap!

That asshole! What does he take me for? He better not lump me in with the girls he's had one-night stands with. Him and me? Gross. Not in a million years! What kind of messed-up thinking does he have?!

"You've got some nerve slapping a face this gorgeous!"

You totally deserved that! "Not every girl falls for you, Theodore Carlson!"

He froze at what I said. Before he could react, I stormed off. Whenever I'm around that guy, it's like I get possessed or something. I turn into a feisty, hot-tempered person. But seriously, who wouldn't get pissed off at his arrogance? He acts like he can get anyone he wants.

Well, sad to say, I'm not one of them. There is no way I'd ever like that guy!

I was on my way back to the classroom when it hit me—ugh, Theo is my classmate! Just the thought of him was already ruining my mood.

Me? Have a crush on him? Be his stalker? That has to be the biggest joke of the century! Even if I don't look like much, I still have the right to choose who I like. And I definitely don't like him. Sure, he's handsome, but with that attitude? No thanks.

As I walked down the hallway, I passed by the music hall. Someone was inside. I checked the time. I still had a few minutes before my next class. Might as well see who it was.

Wait… Seb?

He was the only one there. The lights were off except for the ones on the stage. Good thing he didn't notice me when I entered. I quickly hid in the corner where he wouldn't see me.

Damn, this guy is stupidly good-looking.

And he plays the piano too? When God showered the world with good looks and talent, was he wide awake? Because I was clearly asleep.

He suddenly stopped playing. Oh no… did he see me?! I held my breath, then he started playing again.

"Die with a smile" by Bruno Mars .

And just like that… my heart was gone. My jaw practically dropped at how beautiful his voice was. He sounded like an angel who had fallen straight from heaven.

Thank you, Lord, for dropping this angel here on Earth.

I think I'm falling for him even more.

I don't care if he's one of them. To me, he's not a bad boy.

"If the worlds was ending, I'd wanna be next to you," I unconsciously sang along with him.

Oh no! My voice was too loud! I'm so dead. Double dead.

"Who's there?"

"Meowww… meoww." Oh my god. That was the dumbest excuse I could come up with. Ellie, what is wrong with you?!

"Oh, just a cat. I thought it was something else."

He scratched the back of his head and shrugged. Wait… he actually bought that?!

I quietly slipped out of the music hall. Thank goodness he didn't see me. If he had, I'd be doomed.

Honestly, if there's anyone I'd actually call myself a stalker for, it's Seb. But Theo? Never.

"Hey!"

"AH! Frog!" Ugh. Why does someone always have to startle me?!

"What are you doing here? Don't we have math class now?" Just my luck. Theo again.

I checked my watch. Crap—I was already 30 minutes late. I'm so dead. I'm definitely getting detention for this. "Huh? Oh, I just went to the restroom." I tried to make a run for it, but then I heard him speak again.

"What's so special about this music hall, anyway?"

I quickly turned back and blocked him. "Nothing! Don't open it! There's a teacher inside!"

He cannot see Seb in there. If he does, he'll know why I was there. Worse, he might even tell Seb that I came from inside. Then they'd really think I'm his stalker. And if Seb thinks I'm some kind of creepy stalker, he'll start avoiding me!

That cannot happen! He doesn't even know me yet—what if he distances himself before he gets the chance?!

"Why are you sweating?"

"Huh? Oh, it's hot! Come on, let's go!" I grabbed his wrist and pulled him away from the music hall—even though I hated touching him. Ugh. Ew.

Now he's probably going to assume I have a thing for him. I don't. I just don't want anyone finding out about my crush on Seb, because if they do, they'll never let me live it down. Especially my brother!

"Hey, ugly nerd! Let go of me! Who said you had the right to touch me?"

Psh! As if I wanted to. I was already disgusted enough.

"Just admit you like me!"

Yeah, no thanks. If only you were Sebastian. I let go of him just in time—we had arrived at the classroom.

"Mr. Whitmore! Miss Winslow! You're 35 minutes late!" Our teacher was furious.

I was panicking. I had never been late to class in my entire life. "Sir, I'm sorry, I—" Before I could explain, Jeydon interrupted me.

"Sir, I'm sorry I was late. But I caught Ellie trying to ditch class, so I had to chase her down and drag her back here."

…WHAT?!

"That's not true! He's lying!"

"I'm disappointed in you, Miss Winslow. Thank you, Mr. Carlson, for telling me what happened."

…Huh? Did he just believe Theo over me? Seriously?!

"Here's your detention slip. I'll be informing your parents about this. Now go, Ms. Winslow."

"Sir! What about Theo?! He was late too! And I didn't even—"

"Ms. Ellie! Don't drag Mr. Theo into this. If it weren't for him, I wouldn't have known you were trying to ditch class. Now, get going unless you want another detention."

And with that, he went inside. "Serves you right!" Theo smirked before winking at me.

I glared at him, but he just kept laughing.

Ugh! That jerk!

I stomped my way to the detention room. Theo, you freaking menace! You're the worst!

He's so good at making up stories.

When I walked into the detention room, I saw the usual types: the kid who always sleeps in class, the one who actually ditched school, and the guy who punched another student.

Never in my life did I imagine ending up here. I mean, I'm a good student! My life only became a mess because of them. Especially Theo Carlson, the king of bad boys.

After detention, I headed home on foot. Charles is not around anyway.

"Nerdy ugly girl!"

I knew exactly who that was. Oh, come on! Even after school, he still won't leave me alone?!

"Hey, Ellie! Need a ride home?"

I turned to see who it was—not Theo, but TJ.

And Sebastian is in the back seat, too?!

"Come with us. We're headed to your place anyway."

Should I? I mean… I'd get to sit next to Seb!

Yeah, I'm not gonna be picky here.

"Sit in the front," TJ said.

Next to jerk? Absolutely not. "No way! I'd rather walk than sit next to Theo!"

Their eyes widened at my words.

"Wow. Ellie's got some fire," TJ said, looking surprised.

"Ugh, so dramatic. TJ, just get in already!" TJ sighed and climbed into the car. "And you, stop acting all high and mighty."

I was about to snap back at him, but before I could—

VROOOM!

Theo suddenly sped off, hitting a puddle—sending water splattering all over my clothes and face!

That. Was. On. Purpose!

That JERK!

And I'm the one acting all high and mighty? I just don't want to sit next to you! I hate you so much, Theo Carlson!