Page 60 of Offside Attraction

“Yes, sir.”

“Take a seat.”

I mutter under my breath and head toward my desk. As expected, a few students stare like I’m some kind of spectacle. I ignore them.

Then my gaze collides with his.

Brown eyes. Sharp. Unapologetic.

Hayes Griffin.

My worst enemy.

And apparently, the reason my focus has gone to absolute shit.

There’s something in his eyes—something that almost looks like concern. I try not to scoff as I walk toward my seat next to Tripp’s.

Brooklyn—Ezra’s supposed girlfriend—is sitting there instead, her attention fully on Tripp as he says something to her. She laughs softly.

I hope he’s not asking her to move so I can sit down. I wouldn’t want that. Tripp’s had a crush on Brooklyn for a while now, and I’m not about to get in the middle of that. Besides, Brooklyn usually sits with Hayes’ crew—Ezra’s crew. Watching her therealways made her look out of place, like she didn’t belong with them no matter how hard she tried.

But now she’s sitting with Tripp.

Which can only mean one of two things—either she and Ezra are fighting, or they’re done.

I take the empty seat behind Hayes instead, dropping into the chair next to Lance. Tripp glances back at me, something unreadable flickering in his brown eyes. I give him a small smile and hang my backpack before pulling out my Calculus notebook.

“You good?” Lance asks, turning toward me.

“Yeah,” I reply easily.

“What happened to your hand?” he asks, concern creasing his face.

“It’s nothing,” I say, tucking my bruised knuckles closer to my side as I flip my notebook open with my left hand.

“If it’s about the dare, you don’t have to do it,” he murmurs. “You and I both know it’s an impossible one.”

Jesus. What is it with everyone and this stupid dare?

“I’m good, Lance. Thanks,” I say, forcing a smile before turning my attention to the board.

“Okay,” he says, but I’m already gone.

My focus locks onto the back of the one person I fucking loathe.

And like he can feel it, Hayes turns his head just enough to glance at me—smug grin firmly in place—before facing forward again.

Fucking bastard.

Duringrecess,Igraba bottle of water and scroll through my phone. Seth texted earlier, and I ignored it—not because I wanted to, but because I was in a shitty headspace and didn’t feel like talking.

Hey yo, playa. You snubbing my messages now or what?

A smile tugs at my lips as I type back.

Shut up. I’m at school. Will call u wen I get home.

From the corner of my eye, I spot Tripp near the cafeteria entrance, talking to Brooklyn. She smiles, waves at him, then walks out with her friend Kris.