Chapter 7
Joycelyn’s POV
The hallway cleared out faster than the cafeteria during a surprise drug search, everyone suddenly remembering urgent appointments elsewhere.
Through the cracked door of Mr. Peterson’s empty chemistry lab, I watched Raven perch herself on Nathan’s lap at the lab table, her designer jeans contrasting with his practice–worn uniform pants. Her manicured fingers played with the collar of his jersey as she pressed against him.
“You’ve barely texted me all week,” she whined, her voice shifting to that baby–doll tone she reserved for getting what she wanted. “After she finishes those Harvard applications, you better kick her to the curb and come back where you belong.”
“I know what I promised,” Nathan mumbled, his eyes fixed on the periodic table poster behind her.
“Remember our deal?” Raven continued, dropping her voice to a whisper that still carried to where I stood. “Help me destroy that stuck–up bitch who thinks she’s better than everyone, and I’ll make it worth your while.”
She leaned in for a kiss, but Nathan turned his head just enough that her lips grazed his cheek instead. The rejection wasn’t dramatic, but in the context of their history, it might as well have been
a slap.
Even Nathan seemed thrown by his instinctive dodge. Confusion clouded his eyes as he stared at the chemical equations left on the whiteboard from fourth period.
I leaned against the wall outside, biting back a smile.
Nathan Darwin had been Boulder High’s resident heartbreaker since freshman year. The guy kept a Polaroid collection of cheerleaders from rival schools in his locker door. Even when he and Raven were Instagram official last year, he was notorious for disappearing into empty classrooms with volleyball players during pep rallies.
But after that night on the football field when he’d asked me out in front of everyone, I’d pulled him aside behind the bleachers and laid down one rule:
“I’m in,” I’d told him, my fingers tracing the number on his jersey. “But understand something—while we’re together, there’s nobody else. Not negotiable.”
Quarterback Kino
31.6%
Chapter 7
Nathan had flashed that cocky grin and agreed without hesitation. But old habits break hard. I will caught Brianna from dance team leaving notes in his gym bag. Still overheard Tyler teasing him about some freshman who kept sending him DMs.
I swallowed my pride and played dumb. What leverage did I really have?
Until that afternoon at Boulder Reservoir when I finally understood the rules of engagement
After that, I never mentioned exclusivity again. Instead, I created a new system. When he’d get too friendly with another girl at a party, I’d silently gather my things and head to the 24–hour coffee shop to study without a word.
Then, like clockwork, my name would climb a few positions on the midterm rankings posted on the bulletin board outside Principal Matthews‘ office.
Nathan connected the dots quickly. The transaction was clear: every girl who got his attention was costing him his mission.
And just like that, Boulder High’s most notorious player transformed. He started turning down after–parties. He’d walk with his eyes practically glued to the floor when passing the sophomore girls‘ hall. He even established a visible boundary with Raven–his childhood best friend and
co–conspirator.
In exchange, I maintained my end of our unspoken deal, consistently failing pop quizzes and turning in half–completed assignments.
The golden year of Nathan Darwin’s high school career–the peak that would be immortalized in yearbook photos and reminisced about at reunions–belonged exclusively to me.
Fair trade.
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