Chapter 3 An unexpected collision

ELENA'S POV

Tuesday morning.

My second day at Westbridge High, and I was already beginning to regret transferring.

I stood in front of my bedroom mirror, adjusting my school uniform.

"Please, God, let today be peaceful," I whispered.

Yesterday had been exhausting enough. Between Adrian Blackwood's attitude, Chloe's unnecessary warnings and Mia's mysterious comments, I was beginning to wonder whether everyone at Westbridge had a problem.

I grabbed my bag, said goodbye to my mother and headed downstairs.

"Elena!" Mum called from the kitchen.

"Yes, Mum?"

"Don't forget your lunch."

I returned to collect the small lunch bag she had prepared.

"Thank you, Mum."

She smiled.

"And remember, sweetheart, focus on your studies. You're there to build a future for yourself."

"I know, Mum."

I kissed her cheek before leaving.

If only she knew how determined I was to avoid distractions.

Especially one particular distraction with dark hair and an irritating smile.

---

WESTBRIDGE HIGH

"Elena!"

I turned and spotted Mia waving from near the entrance.

"Good morning!" she greeted me.

"Morning. How was your evening?"

"Fine. Yours?"

"Peaceful. Thankfully, nobody called me princess."

Mia burst into laughter.

"You're never going to let that go, are you?"

"Never."

We walked towards our classroom, discussing the assignments our teachers had given us.

Just as we reached the hallway, Mia suddenly stopped.

"Oh, I forgot something."

"What?"

"I left my notebook in my locker. Go ahead. I'll catch up."

Before I could answer, she hurried away.

I sighed and continued walking.

I was checking the timetable on my phone when someone suddenly stepped out of a classroom.

BAM!

I collided with a hard chest.

My books slipped from my arms, and my phone nearly fell.

"Oh my goodness! Can you not watch where you're going?"

"Maybe you should look up when you're walking."

I froze.

That voice.

Not again.

I slowly raised my head.

Adrian Blackwood.

Of course.

Because apparently, the universe had decided that my peace was too much to ask for.

He looked down at the books scattered across the floor.

"Seriously? Again?"

I stared at him.

"Do you have a problem with me?"

"You're the one who keeps walking into me."

"Because you suddenly appear everywhere!"

He raised an eyebrow.

"Interesting. I didn't know you were keeping track of my movements."

I opened my mouth, then closed it.

This boy was unbelievable.

I bent down to collect my books.

He picked up one of them and glanced at the name written on its cover.

"Elena Carter."

"Congratulations. You can read."

He gave me a sarcastic smile.

"Always this rude?"

"Only when necessary."

He handed the book back.

Our fingers briefly touched.

I immediately pulled my hand away.

"Thanks."

"Don't mention it."

For one second, his expression changed. It was almost as though he wanted to say something else.

But then his usual arrogant look returned.

"Try not to walk into anyone else today, Carter."

I shook my head.

"Try not to stand in everyone's way, Blackwood."

I walked away before he could respond.

Behind me, I heard someone laugh.

I didn't bother turning around.

---

MIA'S POV

When I returned from my locker, Elena was standing outside the classroom with an expression that could frighten anyone.

"What happened?"

She looked at me.

"Your favourite person."

I frowned.

"Adrian?"

"Who else?"

I laughed.

"Please tell me you didn't fight again."

"He walked into me!"

Mia raised an eyebrow.

"Or you walked into him?"

Elena gave me a warning look.

"Don't start."

I laughed harder.

"Okay, okay. I'm sorry."

We entered the classroom together.

Unfortunately, Adrian was already sitting at his desk.

Marcus, his best friend, was beside him.

The two boys were laughing about something until Adrian noticed Elena.

His smile disappeared.

Marcus followed his gaze.

"Is that the new girl?"

Adrian leaned back.

"Unfortunately."

I heard Elena mutter something under her breath.

I pretended not to notice.

This school year was going to be interesting.

---

ELENA'S POV

By the afternoon, I had managed to avoid Adrian for almost three hours.

It was a personal achievement.

Our final class was English Literature.

The teacher entered carrying a stack of books.

"Good afternoon, everyone."

"Good afternoon, ma'am."

She placed the books on her desk.

"For your next assignment, you'll be working in pairs. I want you to analyse a novel and present your findings next week."

I opened my notebook, ready to write down the instructions.

"Your partners have already been selected."

I smiled.

Perfect.

At least I wouldn't have to worry about choosing someone.

The teacher began reading the names.

"Marcus and Mia."

Mia gave me a thumbs-up.

"Chloe and Daniel."

A few more names followed.

Then-

"Elena Carter and Adrian Blackwood."

My pen slipped from my fingers.

I looked up immediately.

"What?"

The teacher glanced at me.

"Is there a problem, Elena?"

I swallowed.

"No, ma'am."

From the back of the classroom, I heard Adrian sigh.

"Seriously?"

The teacher looked at him.

"Something you'd like to share, Adrian?"

"No, ma'am."

"Excellent. Then I expect both of you to work together."

I lowered my head.

This couldn't be happening.

Of all the people in Westbridge High, why him?

When the lesson ended, I packed my books as quickly as possible.

"Hey, Carter."

I closed my eyes briefly.

"What now?"

Adrian approached my desk.

"We need to discuss the assignment."

"Fine. What about it?"

He took out his phone.

"Give me your number."

I stared at him.

"Excuse me?"

"For the assignment, obviously. Unless you expect us to communicate through telepathy."

I folded my arms.

"There's email."

He laughed.

"You're difficult."

"And you're annoying."

He shook his head.

"Fine. Give me your email address."

I wrote it on a small piece of paper and handed it to him.

"There. Happy?"

"Not particularly."

"Good. We agree on something."

He looked at me for a moment before slipping the paper into his pocket.

"Library. Tomorrow after school. Don't be late."

I picked up my bag.

"Don't tell me what to do."

He smirked.

"See you tomorrow, Carter."

I watched him walk away.

I hated how easily he could irritate me.

I hated his confidence.

I hated his sarcastic comments.

And most importantly, I hated that I was already being forced to spend more time with him.

---

ADRIAN'S POV

"You're enjoying this."

I looked at Marcus.

"Enjoying what?"

He laughed.

"Being paired with Elena."

I scoffed.

"Don't be ridiculous."

"Then why are you smiling?"

I immediately stopped.

"I wasn't smiling."

"Sure."

I picked up my bag.

"She's just irritating."

Marcus shook his head.

"Funny. You seem to have a lot to say about someone you supposedly don't care about."

I ignored him.

There were things about my life Marcus didn't understand.

And there were things I wasn't ready to explain to anyone.

Especially not a girl who had known me for barely two days.

---

ELENA'S POV

That evening, I sat at my desk trying to complete my homework.

My phone vibrated.

An email notification appeared.

I opened it.

From: Adrian Blackwood

Subject: English Assignment

Don't forget we have to meet tomorrow. Bring your ideas. I'm not doing all the work.

I stared at the screen.

Then I typed my reply.

Don't worry. I wasn't planning to let you do anything.

I pressed send.

A few seconds later, another notification appeared.

Good. For once, we agree.

I shook my head and closed the email.

I looked out of my bedroom window, wondering how one person could make my life so complicated in just two days.

I had come to Westbridge to study.

Not to argue with a boy.

Not to deal with jealous girls.

And certainly not to become interested in someone like Adrian Blackwood.

But tomorrow, I would have to sit beside him in the library.

And something told me it wouldn't be peaceful.

END OF CHAPTER THREE