Chapter 2

Chapter 2: An Unwanted Partner

The first week of school passed more quickly than Amelia expected. Classes became busier, assignments started piling up, and the peaceful routine she had carefully planned for herself was slowly taking shape. Everything would have been perfect if Ethan Hayes had not made it his personal mission to appear wherever she was.

Every morning, he somehow arrived just as she reached her classroom. During lunch, he always found an excuse to sit near her table. Even in the library, a place Amelia considered sacred, Ethan occasionally appeared with that irritating smile that made her want to throw a book at him.

Naturally, Amelia spent the entire week pretending he did not exist.

Unfortunately, Ethan seemed to enjoy challenging that decision.

On Friday morning, their homeroom teacher entered the classroom carrying a stack of papers. The moment Amelia saw them, she knew trouble was coming.

"Class," the teacher announced, "next month our school will hold the annual Academic Showcase. Each pair will prepare a presentation and compete against other classes."

A collective groan immediately filled the room.

Amelia, however, paid close attention. The Academic Showcase was important. Winning would look impressive on university applications.

The teacher smiled. "I have already chosen the pairs."

Amelia silently prayed for anyone reasonable.

Anyone.

Literally anyone.

The teacher began reading names one by one. Students exchanged relieved smiles when they were paired with friends. Some complained dramatically. Others seemed excited.

Then Amelia heard her name.

"Amelia Carter..."

She straightened immediately.

"...and Ethan Hayes."

The entire classroom exploded with laughter.

Amelia froze.

Across the room, Ethan looked just as surprised.

For three full seconds, neither of them spoke.

Then Amelia raised her hand.

"There must be a mistake."

At the exact same moment, Ethan said, "I think there must be a mistake."

The class laughed even harder.

The teacher adjusted her glasses. "No mistake. I chose the pairs carefully."

Amelia felt her headache arriving.

"But—"

"No arguments."

The teacher's voice left no room for discussion.

Amelia slowly lowered her hand.

This was a disaster.

A complete disaster.

When the bell rang for lunch, she immediately gathered her things and marched toward Ethan before he could disappear.

He noticed her approaching and raised an eyebrow.

"Well, this is new."

"We need to talk."

"Sounds serious."

"It is serious."

Ethan leaned back against a desk, waiting.

Amelia crossed her arms.

"Listen carefully. This project is important to me."

"Okay."

"I don't want jokes."

"Okay."

"I don't want excuses."

"Okay."

"I don't want you forgetting meetings."

"Okay."

His calm responses only irritated her more.

"Are you even listening?"

Ethan stared at her for a second before laughing.

"I'm listening."

"Then why are you smiling?"

"Because you're acting like we're preparing for a mission to save the world."

Amelia glared at him.

To her annoyance, Ethan only seemed more amused.

After a moment, however, his expression softened slightly.

"Relax, Amelia."

"I'm perfectly relaxed."

"No, you're not."

She hated that he was right.

Ethan pushed himself away from the desk and adjusted his backpack.

"For what it's worth, I want a good grade too."

Amelia blinked.

That answer surprised her.

For years she had assumed Ethan didn't care about school. He always looked too relaxed, too carefree.

As if reading her thoughts, Ethan smirked.

"You know, I'm not actually stupid."

"I never said you were."

"You were thinking it."

"I wasn't."

"You were."

Amelia looked away first.

Unfortunately, she really had been thinking it.

The corner of Ethan's mouth lifted in victory.

The sight made Amelia roll her eyes.

A few moments later, they began discussing the project. To Amelia's surprise, Ethan actually contributed useful ideas. Not only that, but some of them were genuinely good.

The realization annoyed her far more than it should have.

Because if Ethan was capable of being responsible, then she would have one less reason to dislike him.

As they continued planning, Amelia found herself noticing things she had ignored before. Ethan listened carefully when people spoke. He remembered details surprisingly well. And whenever another student asked for help, he never refused.

It was strange.

Almost as if there were two versions of Ethan Hayes.

The annoying boy who loved teasing her.

And another version that rarely appeared.

A version she didn't understand yet.

After nearly an hour of discussion, they finally finished organizing their schedule.

Ethan stood up first.

"Looks like we're partners now."

Amelia sighed.

"Unfortunately."

He laughed.

"You really don't like me, huh?"