CHAPTER 4

CARTER

“Practice tonight?”

“I’ll text the rest of the guys the time.”

“Are you sure you need to take this class, Carter? Kinda last minute, don’t you think? Besides, you don’t need to impress your dad any more than you already do.”

“No, Asher. This has nothing to do with my dad.” I shoved my hands into my pockets. “I’m taking the class for the extra credit. I need to get my grades up. I’m tired of seeing fake grades when I know I’m barely taking most of these classes. I’d also like to believe my dad practically owning half the school has something to do with it.”

“You get fake grades because you’re the star hockey player. You practice too fucking much for your own good and barely have enough time to study. Those are two completely different things.”

“Yeah.” I huffed. “Doesn’t change the fact that I still suck in class.” I stepped into the classroom first, Asher trailing behind me.

“I still think you should smooth things over with your dad. He deserves another chance.”

I stopped in my tracks and swung around, glaring at him.

“He lost that chance the day he drove my mother to her death.” My voice came out a little too cold. “Drop it.”

“Ally, grab my notebook! Quick! Carter!”

“Carter!”

“Oh my God, Carter!”

“I need an autograph!”

“Carter!”

“Fucking hell!” I cursed to myself, ruffling my dark hair as I backed a good damn distance away.

I glanced at Asher.

The bastard was already chuckling, casually slipping into a seat and leaving me for dead.

Within seconds, I was swamped by a throng of manic fans. I giggled awkwardly, my eyes roaming over their frantic faces as they flocked around me.

“Everyone!”

A deep voice came cutting through the chaos. “Leave Carter alone and take your seats. This is a classroom. Have some self-respect.”

“We have no self-respect when Carter’s concerned,” one girl muttered, winking at me before finally walking away with the others.

And then…

I saw her.

I scoffed.

Was fate on my side or what?

I sauntered toward her, deliberately filling her line of sight with my body. There was no way she could keep pretending I didn’t exist.

“You.”

She lifted her head from the biology textbook she’d been buried in, looking at me with those enticing blue eyes.

Beautiful eye.

Beautiful nose.

Extremely beautiful face…

Everything about her was —breathtaking, only looked at me with complete indifference.

“You’re blocking my view.”

“Are you stalking me?”

I narrowed my eyes on her, trying to figure out the odds of us ending up in the same class.

She let out a small laugh, shaking her head.

“You walk into class late, besieging yourself adoring fans desperate for your attention and signature, yet somehow you’re so self-centered you don’t even realize I was already here.” She flicked her wrist, glancing at her watch. “I get here fifteen minutes early every day. Even if I had absolutely nothing to do with my very limited free time, I’d rather poke needles into my eyes than follow you around like some lost puppy.” She sighed, locking her gaze with mine. “ For the second time… you’re blocking my view.”

I stared at her, speechless and dumbfounded.

There was nothing about me that remotely suggested she was attracted. Absolutely nothing. But that was beside the fact that, no girl had ever spoken to me like the way she just did.

Not once.

The craziest part?

Instead of walking away, I found myself wanting to stay. I kept getting drawn to her, wanting so desperately for this ridiculous plan to work.

“Everyone, resume to your seats.” Mr Turner’s voice was clear. Loud and clear yet strangely I couldn’t move a muscle. I just stood there staring at her.

“OMG, Carter! I’m your biggest fan! Your autograph is scribbled on practically every page of my notebook.”

“Take your seats,” Mr Turner repeated. “Mr Hayes, that includes you.”

“Ally… Allison!” A shrill voice snapped me out of whatever trance I’d fallen into, turning toward the girl sitting beside her.

Did she say Ally?

Was that her name?

“Allison,” I whispered beneath my breath.

“Hayes.”

“Sorry, Mr Turner.” I tore my eyes away from her, making my way to my seat, occasionally glancing back to catch a glimpse of her face but she never looked back.

Fuck.

Dropping into the chair beside Asher, I scribbled her name across the corner of my notepad.

Allison.

“For your next project, you’re going to work in pairs. Your sitting partner automatically becomes your partner.”

I raised my hand.

“Today, we’re going to dive deeper into Human Anatomy—”

Mr. Turner finally noticed my raised hand and stopped mid-sentence.

“What is it, Hayes?”

“Actually, I have a problem with the pairing.”

Asher jerked his head to me, frowning. “We do?”

Mr Turner flicked his finger, motioning for me to come forward. I did, the class going dead quiet.

“I actually want to pair with Allison. Asher and I just joined this class. I don’t think pairing us together would be a good idea.”

Mr. Turner nodded thoughtfully.

“You have a point. I’ll switch the pairs.”

A smirk tugged on my lips. “Thank you, Mr Turner.” I returned to my seat as he glanced through his textbook.

“Change of pairs,” he announced to the class. “Carter will partner with Allison, and Sienna, you’ll partner with…” His eyes drifted toward Asher. “… Walker, right.”

“Yes, sir. Asher Walker.”

“Great. You’ll be working with Sienna.”

Allison’s head whipped toward me, scowling.

I smiled. She went to speak.

“Mr Turner, I’d like to maintain my original partner for this group project.”

“I’m afraid that’s not possible, Allison. You and Sienna have been in this class since the beginning of the semester. The boys just joined. It would be a disservice to pair them together when they’re both trying to catch up.”

Ally slowly swirled back, glaring at me. Her eyes burning red with irritation.

My smirk only deepened.

Watch out, Ally. I’m about to turn your world upside down. I thought to myself, leaning back in my chair and spreading my lips into a thin line as I gazed back at her with equal intent.