Chapter 4: Biology, Betrayal, and Bullsh*t
Rayan finally pulled into the school parking lot, his signature over-the-top turn earning a loud screech from the tires and a dramatic eye roll from Oliver. I slung my bag over my shoulder and stepped out, slamming the car door behind me. The day had barely started, and I was already tired tired of school, tired of people, and especially tired of dealing with fake smiles and high school politics.
Unfortunately, the universe wasn't about to give me a break.
As if on cue, the swarm approached or more specifically, Dylan, captain of the football team and the school's resident flirt, oozing smugness and cologne.
"Woah, Iris Hartley," he said, sauntering up to me with a grin that probably worked on every other girl in this godforsaken school. "Looking like that this early in the morning? You trying to kill me or what?"
He leaned in way too close. "Careful, if you keep dressing like that, I might start thinking you're doing it for me."
I deadpanned. "Or maybe I just have a mirror and decent hygiene."
He laughed like it was the funniest thing ever said. God, this guy was a walking cliché. Muscles, ego, and no brain.
What made it worse? He was dating Ariana.
Yes that Ariana.
The Queen Bee. The Glitter-Clad Snake. My former best friend turned worst enemy.
We used to be close. She was part of our group. Shared clothes, secrets, heartbreaks. Until one day, she saw Dylan glance at me longer than he did at her, and boom suddenly I was the villain in her love story.
Now, she hates me with the fire of a thousand suns. And I'm still trying to figure out how that's my fault.
I didn't bother replying to Dylan. Instead, I adjusted my bag strap and walked off toward my first class.
Biology. Great.
A perfect place to stare at dead things while trying not to become one myself from sheer boredom.
As fate would have it and let's be real, fate was clearly bored today I bumped into someone just outside the classroom.
Books scattered. A gentle hand reached for mine.
"Sorry about your books, Iris. Here you go."
It was Raven.
Cue internal malfunction.
His voice was low, soft, almost hesitant. His hands brushed against mine just a second too long as he handed the books back. And his eyes damn those eyes looked like they belonged in a vampire novel. Dark, quiet, mysterious.
"You look beautiful," he said, almost under his breath.
Panic mode. Code red. Abort mission.
"Ugh… thank you," I muttered, snatching the books and basically sprinting into the class.
Nope. Not today, Satan. Not dealing with crushes. Not dealing with feelings. I needed to graduate, not end up in a triangle of emotional damage.
The classroom was half-empty. The substitute teacher was nowhere in sight. I let out a breath and dropped into my seat near the window, silently praying for a few minutes of peace.
That's when I saw him.
Raven.
Sitting.
Right.
Next.
To.
Me.
Shit.
And of course, Rayan and Oliver had a different class this period. Those traitors. I had no backup. It was just me, Raven, and the suffocating silence that hung between us.
He looked like he wanted to talk. Like, really wanted to talk.
I avoided his eyes. Focused on my textbook. Counted ceiling tiles. Anything.
That's when she walked in.
Ariana.
Like a supermodel on a runway, dressed to kill metaphorically, I think, but honestly, I wouldn't put the real thing past her. Hair in perfect waves, lip gloss shining like a fresh coat of poison.
Say what you want the girl was gorgeous. But the inside? Rotten. Black. Hollow.
She walked in like she owned the place, and I could already see her eyes darting across the room. Calculating. Scheming.
Then, she spotted Raven.
I watched in horror as she sashayed yes, sashayed straight to our desk. She bent slightly, placing her manicured fingers on the edge of his table and flashing a dazzling smile.
"Hi, Raven," she said sweetly, her voice drenched in artificial honey. "You're in this class too? That's sooo lucky."
Her lashes fluttered. Her hair twirled. She leaned in like this was some CW teen drama, and he was her next conquest.
I gagged internally. Was she seriously flirting with him? While dating Dylan, who reminder was just whispering sweet nothings to me in the parking lot ten minutes ago?
Classy.
What made it even better?
Raven looked bored out of his mind.
He didn't even glance up from his notebook. Just gave a half-hearted "Yeah," and went back to scribbling.
I couldn't help the small smirk tugging at my lips.
And Ariana? Her smile faltered for a split second just enough for me to see the crack in her porcelain-perfect mask.
So, like clockwork, she turned her attention to me.
"Oh. Iris," she said flatly. "Didn't see you there. You know, this shirt is kind of cute did you get it at that budget store on 5th? What was it called again? Bargains & Regrets?"
I stared at her.
"Wow. Still talking. Haven't evolved yet, I see," I said, without even looking up.
She blinked. One of her minions giggled nervously.
Ariana's lip curled slightly, but she didn't respond. Just flipped her hair with a dramatic sigh and headed to her seat.
Raven turned his head slightly, and I swear I swear , I saw the corner of his mouth lift in amusement.
Biology class hadn't even started, and it was already a circus.
Welcome to senior year.