04

"What are we doing here?"

"Didn't you say you were going to buy me lunch earlier?" Adhaya asked. I lazily nodded my head.

"You said you'd treat me, but I still ended up paying for my own meal earlier." She pouted and crossed her arms.

"I'm sorry, okay? I was just really preoccupied back then," I explained.

She sighed. I expected her to get mad at me, but she suddenly smiled. "That's why we're here! You're accompanying me."

"You should've just asked Alexis to come with you. Why did it have to be me? I'm exhausted, Adhaya." I frowned, folding my arms tightly across my chest.

"Alexis? She's way too busy flirting with guys," she answered with a dismissive wave of her hand.

I glanced around our surroundings. "It's so noisy here," I complained.

"Is there ever a quiet shopping mall?" she asked sarcastically. I rolled my eyes and shook my head.

She chuckled, hooking her arm through my right one. "It'll be quick, I promise."

I sighed in defeat. "Where are we even going?"

"I just need to pick up a designer bag my mom pre-ordered," she answered, busy scanning the storefronts as we walked.

"Just make it quick. I'm running on empty."

She nodded and kept walking, leaving me with no choice but to follow along. A few of our schoolmates walked past us, and every single one of them greeted Adhaya warmly.

She was the Student Council Vice President, after all. It made me wonder who the President was. How did anyone manage to beat Adhaya for the top spot?

After a few more minutes of walking, we finally reached the boutique. But when we got there, the staff instructed us to wait about an hour while they processed her mom's order.

I exhaled sharply. God, I just wanted to go home.

"I'm so sorry, Dri. I had no idea it was going to take this long." Adhaya rubbed the back of her neck, offering an apologetic, awkward smile.

I gave her a quiet nod. I didn't want to make her feel bad; it wasn't her fault that the store was taking forever.

"It's fine. It's not your fault," I replied.

"Why are you being so sweet all of a sudden? Do you need a favor or something?"

I shook my head. "I just wanted to ask you something."

"Sure, what is it?"

"About Claude..." I started carefully.

She nudged my arm, her eyes lighting up. "Ooh! Don't tell me you're interested in him?"

I immediately shook my head and waved my hands in defense. "Of course not!"

"Alright, alright. What did you want to know about him?"

"Just tell me whatever you know. Even just the basics," I answered.

"Hmm, okay. Claude is basically the definition of a model student. Top of the class, hardworking, super active in discussions, and the school's star representative for quiz bowls. His good looks are just an added bonus."

I nodded slowly, taking in the information.

"Wait. Are you sure you're not interested in him?"

I rolled my eyes and shot her a glare. "I said no! Whatever. I'm just going to call Keith to let him know I'll be home late," I said, stepping away. She answered with a simple nod and a casual wave.

I walked a few paces outside the boutique and dialed Keith's number, hoping he'd pick up.

"What do you want? I don't have any money," he said by way of greeting.

I rolled my eyes. "What is your problem? You didn't even say hi," I complained.

He chuckled on the other end. "Do I really need to?"

I rolled my eyes again. "Whatever. Just tell Mom I'm going to be home late. Adhaya dragged me to the mall."

"The mall or a bar?"

"Keith!" I snapped loudly, earning a few startled looks from passing shoppers. I ducked my head in embarrassment. Ugh!

"Fine, fine. I'll tell her," he surrendered. "Wait, you're at the mall, right?"

"Yeah, why?"

"Pick up a book for me. You already know what I like, right?"

I sighed softly. Here he goes again. "Fine. I'll see you at home later. Bye," I said, hanging up before he could add anything else.

I was looking down at my phone as I walked back toward the shop when a hand suddenly grabbed my wrist. Before I could even react, he yanked me along with him without a second thought.

My voice completely trapped itself in my throat. I couldn't even form a sentence as he dragged me through the hallway by my wrist.

"H-Hey..." I stammered, trying to pull back.

He didn't answer, pulling me even harder. He was wearing our school uniform, so I assumed he was a student from our school. Unfortunately, I couldn't see his face—just his broad shoulders leading the way.

My eyes went wide when he pulled me into the alcove leading to the restrooms. What the hell?

"Hey!" I yelled out. Surprised by my sudden raise in volume, he stopped dead in his tracks.

"Let go of me!" I shouted loudly.

Panicking at my reaction, he quickly clamped his hand over my mouth and dragged me into the single-occupancy restroom, locking the door behind us.

"Oh my god! Help! Someone's trying to—"

"Trying to what? Ew, gross!" he complained, instantly yanking his hand off my mouth.

"Who do you think you—You?!" I gasped as I finally caught a clear look at his face.

"So you do remember me, Andriette," he remarked, a playful smirk spreading across his face.

I was about to ask how he knew my name, but then I remembered I had given it to him yesterday before jumping over the school wall.

Right. This was Morris.

"What do you want?" I ran a hand through my hair, exasperated.

"I just saw you walking around," he answered with a crooked grin.

I snapped my fingers at him. "So you dragged me all the way into a bathroom just to tell me you kidnapped me because you saw me walking?"

"Huh?" He looked at me, completely lost.

I let out a heavy sigh. "Whatever. Move out of the way. I'm leaving."

Instead of stepping aside, he spread his arms wide, blocking the doorway entirely.

"What is your problem?!" I yelled.

"I just wanted to ask you something," he started smoothly.

I drew in a long breath. "Spill."

"I couldn't talk to you during lunch because you were sitting with Moore..."

"I don't care," I cut him off instantly.

"What were you two talking about?" he asked, leaning in slightly.

"None of your business."

"It actually is," he insisted.

"Why do you even care?" I crossed my arms, raising an eyebrow.

"Are you mad at Moore, too? We could team up against him!"

"No," I deadpanned.

"What? But the rumors said—"

"I'm not mad at him, okay? He just annoyed me," I explained.

Honestly, I didn't even know why I was wasting my breath talking to him. He seemed slow and completely useless to converse with.

"If you're not mad at him, then who are you mad at?"

"You," I deadpanned.

He froze, pointing a confused finger at his own chest. "Me?"

I shook my head and shrugged. "His girlfriend."

"Miss Maisie?"

I nodded.

"She's so—"

"Fake," he finished my sentence.

My eyes widened slightly. He hit the nail right on the head.

"See? We're meant to be!"

I rolled my eyes as he practically beamed with pride. "Sorry, I'm not looking for a relationship."

"Who said I liked you like that?" He stopped, giving me a bewildered look.

He was... so weird.

"Then what do you mean?"

"We're meant to be partners. Partners in crime," he clarified with a grin.

I tilted my head, trying to process his words. "Sorry, I'm also not into organized crime or whatever you're planning."

"Crime? What on earth are you talking about? Do I look like a criminal to you?" he asked, looking thoroughly amused.

"You're cute, but no. I don't trust guys," I answered flatly.

His mouth dropped open, and he burst into applause. "You really are something else," he remarked.

"Yeah, whatever. Just get straight to the point. I don't have time for your nonsense," I ordered.

"I want you to be my ally."

A crease formed between my brows. "For what?"

"I hate Claude, and you hate Miss Maisie. Let's work together to bring them down."

I let out a dry, humorless laugh. "Do you really think I'm that petty?"

He shook his head, shoving his hands into his pockets. "But you like a good thrill, don't you?"

My brows furrowed deeper. "Were you eavesdropping on my conversation with Miss Maisie earlier?"

"Maybe, maybe not. Who knows?"

I just shook my head. What was this guy's deal?

"I like excitement, sure. But ruining someone's reputation? Hmm... I'd have to think about it," I answered honestly.

"I don't care what you do to Miss Maisie. I'll even give you a hand if you want. I just need a partner."

"Why me? There are plenty of other people in school."

He chuckled softly. "I don't know. You're just... interesting."

I rolled my eyes again. He was like a broken record.

"Why don't you ask your friends to help you? I'm a complete stranger to you," I pushed further.

"I don't have friends," he cut in simply.

I pressed my lips together, shifting my gaze away. Oops.

"Just you," he added.

My eyes widened as I looked back at him in utter disbelief. "Since when are we friends?"

He chuckled lightly. "As of right now," he answered casually.

"Before I even consider your offer, answer one thing. Why do you hate Claude so much?" I pried.

"I just do. I hate his attitude, his face, his smug aura—everything about him."

I nodded slowly. It was the exact same way I felt about Miss Maisie. I just hated her. Plain and simple. That was my reason.

I sighed deeply. "How am I supposed to make a deal with someone I barely know? I don't even know your actual name, man."

He laughed mischievously. I crossed my arms and rolled my eyes yet again.

"It's Dixon. Dixon Morris."

I nodded. "Decent name," I commented.

He smirked, shaking his head. "Yours is better."

My eyebrows drew together. "You're a massive flirt. Sorry, not my type."

He laughed out loud as I rolled my eyes. "I love how blunt you are. You really are fascinating."

"Whatever. I'm leaving now—"

"Excuse me, young man, is someone inside?" an elderly woman's voice suddenly called out from right outside the restroom door.

"It might be locked, ma'am. Let me go grab the master key," a man's voice—probably a janitor—replied.

Grab a key? Don't tell me they're going to open the door? Well, obviously!

The color drained from my face. What the hell?

"You were about to leave, right?" Dixon whispered, a mischievous glint in his eye.

I glared at him. "How are we supposed to walk out now?!"

My eyes went wide as he suddenly unlocked the door and pulled me out into the hallway. My gaze locked with an elderly woman's, who looked utterly scandalized by our sudden appearance.

"Kids these days... no sense of decency, making trouble in public restrooms," she muttered loudly under her breath.

A hot flush crept up my cheeks. Dixon burst out laughing while I threw him a deadly glare. He managed to sober up just enough to grab my hand and drag me away from the restrooms and down the corridor.

"So, what's the verdict, Miss Rule-Breaker? Do we have a deal?" he asked once we were a safe distance away.

"Let go of my hand first," I commanded coldly.

He laughed and released my hand instantly. "All set." He grinned.

I straightened my blazer and looked him dead in the eye. "Fine. It's a deal."