Dani pov
The next morning I walked into the class feeling more tense than I wanted to admit. The moment my eyes landed on Ethan seated on our shared desk with my notebook in front of him my stomach dropped.
" What are you doing with my book?" I said as I approached.
A few students paused mid -conversation and looked our way. I heard one of them say "There they go again".
He didn't look up, "just accessing your capabilities"
I snatched the notebook from him, "Get off my seat".
This time he lifted his gaze slowly and unbothered, "It is our project seat now, deal with it" he said.
I exhaled quietly and slid into the chair beside him. I could feel the warmth of his arm through the air between us , it unsettled me.
Mr. Grant walked in, called the class to order "You will spend the first part of the period outlining your project, get started ".
We leaned over the notebook, our shoulders brushed together unavoidable but too noticeable. I slightly pulled away.
"You made an outline without me" I said staring at the notebook .
"It is an outline Rivera not a marriage contract, I don't need you to make decisions" Ethan said unbothered
" We agreed on fifty-fifty yesterday" I said
. "Yeah I know but we're already lagging, I'm trying to keep up to speed" Ethan said plainly
Although annoyed, he was right and I hated it.
"Working with you is impossible", I said
"That's only because you challenge everything I do" Ethan said
"That's because you always try to override everything" I shot back
"I override because you are slow" he fired back
I leaned forward, "Listen, you son of a …"
"Enough" Mr. Grant's voice sliced through the tension. "You two better stop this bickering unless you'd like to finish your outline in detention".
The room dissolved into low giggles and whispers Ethan dragged a hand through his hair then leaned in not close enough to touch but close enough that I felt it.
"Meet me in the library after school," he said, low enough only I could hear. "We need to fix this"
He stood and slung his backpack over his shoulder and left the class The moment he was gone, Maya and Lena rushed to my desk, eyes huge.
"You almost set the room on fire" Maya whispered
Lena leaned in, "That was a 10 out of 10 drama" I ignored them trying to focus on writing an outline.
****
Ethan POV
I got to the library before she did. If I was going to be partnered with the most impossible girl in school I needed every second I could steal to calm my nerves before she came and set it on fire again.
I sat at the table near the window flipping through the project requirements but not actually reading them.
All I could think about was her The way she looks at me is like she is ready to commit murder. I've never met someone who could get under my skin so deeply and easily as she.
When the door opened, I knew it was her , her footsteps always sounded like someone going to battle.
"You're early" she said as she set her bag down.
"And you're late" l said keeping my expression as neutral as possible.
"I'm only three minutes late" she said after checking the time.
"We can't afford to be just 'three minutes late' when we are behind" I said, irritation beginning to build up in my chest.
She rolled her eyes "We are not behind, we are disorganized"
"And whose fault is that" I murmured
"What do you mean by that?" She asked with flames visible in her eyes.
I let out a slow breath "You love arguing more than bringing up suggestions" I said trying to keep my voice even.
"That is because you love picking fights with me" she shot at me.
I looked up, directly at her, maintaining eye contact "Is that you really think of me?" I asked.
Her mouth opened slightly and closed back , she didn't expect that question from me, and neither did I.
She looked away first, pulling the project outline from her bag. I forced my eyes back to the table.
"Let's just work" she said softly
"Yeah" I agreed
"Your outline earlier wasn't all that terrible" she began.
I blinked "Did Dani Rivera just compliment me or are my ears failing?"
"Don't get used to it" she said quickly.
"Fine, let's continue" I smirked.
We worked for the next hour, serious and productive. When we finally finished the outline, she leaned back with a soft sigh escaping her mouth.
"This should do" she said quietly.
"Of course it will, it is after all my idea "I said
She just rolled her eyes. She stood up and grabbed her bag, "Same time tomorrow?" She asked.
"Yeah, don't be late" I replied.
"No promises" she said and walked away.
I watched her go and for the first time working with Dani wasn't all that bad.
****
Ethan pov
I took the long walk home, which gave me time to think and prepare myself for what awaited me at home. I reached our apartment and climbed the stairs two at a time, I was late.
"Ethan is that you?" My mom called from the kitchen.
"Yeah," I shouted dropping my bag by the door.
"You're late" she said.
"Yeah right" I mumbled going to my room.
My little sister, Mia sat at my table with her math book in her hands, pencil clenched between her teeth like it offended her.
"You're late again" she pouted walking up to me.
"So I hear" I muttered. Mom came into the room wearing her work clothes, "help her with her homework, I've another late shift today and I won't be back till morning" she said and left.
I pulled out a chair, "So what is the problem?" I asked Mia.
She shoved the book at me and of course, it was math.
After an hour, Mia was finally asleep with her pencil still in her mouth, smiling. I stared at her for a while before picking her up and taking her to her room.
My desk was piled with unfinished work. I stared at them, exhaustion pressing down on me.
I quickly did most of it before picking up my phone, which has been buzzing with messages. I was replying to messages then I saw a picture of Dani that was posted in the class group chat, when she was explaining her idea in biology class, so serious and composed as always.
I scoffed then tossed the phone aside and went to bed , tomorrow was another day.