CHAPTER 3

Blair's POV

The final bell rang, echoing through the halls like a sigh of relief. I slung my bag over my shoulder and slipped out of the classroom before the rest of the students began to flood out. The class had been unexpectedly... lively. Different. Unlike the others where people whispered and stared but never dared speak to me. This time, someone actually talked. Tried to talk, I guess. I’m not exactly easy to approach—at least that’s what I hear. The dark eyeliner, deadpan face, silence like armor. People usually get the hint.

But not him.

He's still following me.

Why doesn’t he get it? I don’t do the whole buddy system thing. I move alone. Always have.

I reached my locker and swung the door open with a practiced flick, sliding my textbooks inside. I had cheer practice now, not that I was particularly excited. It’s just another obligation. Another mask I wear.

And then, just like a bad penny...

“You know, I can’t count how many times I’ve said hi to you since class, and yet—still—you’re ignoring me,” a familiar, annoyingly confident voice said.

George. That’s his name, right?

Whatever.

He leaned against the locker next to mine like he owned the hallway. His smirk came easy, casual, like he’d done this dance a hundred times before—with girls who probably fell for it too.

“Huh. I don’t normally get this from girls,” he added, rubbing his chin thoughtfully like he was genuinely puzzled. “They all wish I’d even look at them. And yet... here you are.”

I didn’t respond. I just stared at him, my arms crossed, lips pressed in a firm line. He talked like I was supposed to care. Like I was one of those girls that batted lashes and twirled hair.

Not even close.

Once he seemed satisfied with his own voice, I closed my locker and walked off, heading straight to the restroom to change into my cheer uniform.

“Hey, wait up! I ain’t done talking to you!” he called after me.

Of course he followed. Persistent much?

Just as I reached the bathroom door and gripped the handle, I felt a sudden push. My back met the door with a soft thud, and I found myself caged in by his arms.

George. Again.

His eyes—hazel, with flecks of gold that caught the light—met mine.

I should’ve been flustered. Startled. Something. But instead, I just crossed my arms again and waited. Let’s see what Mr. Charming had to say now. When he didn’t speak right away, I shoved him lightly. He moved back, surprisingly cooperative.

“Give me two minutes, would ya?” he asked, tilting his head with a grin.

Two minutes? He thinks he’s earned that?

Still, I checked my watch and started timing.

He blinked, amused. “Wait... you’re actually timing me?”

I just gave him a deadpan look. His smile grew, showing off a perfect row of pearly whites.

“Some girl you are,” he muttered with a low chuckle.

One minute left.

I tapped my watch, making sure he knew the clock was ticking.

He finally stepped back, running a hand through his ridiculously thick dark hair. It flopped into his eyes, partially hiding the brown in his right one. Honestly, if he didn’t talk so much, he might actually be tolerable.

“Are you mute or something? Or are you just too speechless ‘cause of my looks?” he teased.

I raised a brow. Seriously?

“You wish,” I muttered under my breath before slipping into the restroom, shutting the door quickly behind me.

I wasn’t sure if he’d try to follow me again, so I hurried into my practice clothes: a short maroon skirt and a cropped maroon-and-white top—our uniform. I tied my hair back into a high ponytail, eyeing myself in the mirror for just a second before stepping out.

And of course...

“Woooooooooo,” came a long whistle.

I sighed. Loudly.

“Oh my sexy lord!” George said, whistling again.

Ignore him. Just ignore him.

I rolled my eyes and walked past him, heading back to my locker to stash my clothes. I hated changing in the girls’ locker room—too crowded, and it always smelled like sweat and cheap perfume. Gross.

“Babe? Why are you ignoring me?” he asked, still trailing behind like a lost puppy. “You don’t seem like the shy type. At least not after what I saw last night.”

I froze.

What?

I turned and glared at him.

He smirked at my reaction.

What the hell did he mean by last night? What did he see?

I slammed my locker door shut with a loud bang. Enough of this.

I stalked off to the gym, the clack of my sneakers echoing on the tiles. As I entered, everyone was already waiting for me. Great. Late.

“Sorry, not sorry for being late, people! Let’s get to work,” I announced, clapping my hands.

Everyone stood up, instantly attentive. I took my place at the front.

“Wow! She talks!” George quipped from behind.

Of course he followed me here too.

I ignored him. Again.

“Come on, everyone! Five, six, seven, eight!”

We moved into our routine. The team actually looked decent today. Better. Sharper. Like they’d practiced. I joined in when the sequence called for me.

“Wooooooaaaah!” George cheered, clapping obnoxiously from the bleachers.

What. The. Actual. Fuck.

Some of the girls started giggling, flipping their hair, striking suggestive poses mid-routine. I rolled my eyes so hard it hurt.

“Focus, people!” I hissed.

The rest of practice was surprisingly smooth. We got the routine down after a few tries. Everyone seemed surprised when I gave them praise.

“Good job, guys,” I said flatly.

Their wide eyes said it all.

Even I was a little surprised I said it out loud.

“Tomorrow, I want no mistakes. Finals are around the corner. Dismissed,” I added.

As everyone gathered their things, George walked up to me again, hands in his pockets.

“Was it me, or did everyone look surprised when you appreciated them?” he said with a grin.

Oh, he doesn’t know anything.

I smirked—just a little—then turned and walked off without a word. Maybe now he’d finally take the hint.

After about half an hour, I noticed I hadn’t seen or heard him since. Relief washed over me.

Finally. Message received.

I grabbed my skateboard from my locker, slinging my bag over my shoulder. The sun was beginning to set, casting an amber glow over the parking lot as I stepped outside.

Just as I was about to skate off, the peace shattered.

“Want a ride home?” George’s voice drifted behind me.

I didn’t answer. I didn’t even look at him. I just pushed off and let the wind carry me down the street.

The fresh breeze tangled through my ponytail. My wheels hummed against the pavement. For the first time today, I felt peace.

Until...

“Seems you enjoy doing this,” he called, keeping pace in his car.

Seriously?!

I rolled my eyes, speeding up to pass him.

“Would you quit following me?!” I finally snapped, turning my head.

He grinned. That damn grin again.

“Wow. I’m making progress. You spoke directly to me,” he said, rubbing his chin dramatically like he was pondering some great philosophical truth. “Now to figure out how to get you to talk without all the rage.”

Creep.

I glared at him once more and skated ahead, finally ditching him as he babbled to himself.

By the time I got home, I was drenched in sweat, muscles sore. The house was quiet—no sign of her. Good. I still had time to shower, eat, and crash before she came in with her endless drama.

I tied my hair up in a messy bun and stepped into the shower, letting the cold water rush down my body. The chill made me shiver, but it was better than the day clinging to me. Part of me wanted to just fall asleep right there under the spray.

Eventually, I turned it off and stepped out, wrapping a short towel just above my thighs—what can I say, I like short things—and walked into my room.

I hadn’t even made it three steps before I heard it.

“Ouuu, that was so sexy.”

I froze. No. No. No.

I turned around, heart hammering.

And there he was.

George. In his room? Shirtless. His window open. His chest still damp from a recent shower. His hair dripping wet, curling slightly at the ends.

You’ve got to be kidding me.

He crossed his arms, showing off muscle I had no business noticing.

He's the new neighbor? Moved in two days ago. I never saw him around—definitely didn’t know they had a kid.

But now?

Classmate. Stalker. And now... neighbor?

Fate clearly hated me.

“Honey, I’m home!” Caroline’s voice echoed from downstairs.

Shit. Now I had to pretend to be normal. Or at least not get caught drooling at the guy next door.

George’s voice brought me back. “Well? Ain’t gonna say anything?”

I clenched my jaw, ruffled my hair a bit, then walked toward the window. His smirk widened like he thought he’d won something.

I pulled the curtains closed with a wink.

Let him chew on that.

Because this girl?

I’m not that easy.