AMY'S POV
The windows turned blurry.
I blinked.
Once.
Twice.
Then I rubbed my eyes, wondering whether I was suddenly going blind.
"What in the world…?"
I walked closer to the nearest window and waved my hand in front of it. I could barely make out the courtyard outside.
"Okay, that's creepy," Kierra whispered beside me.
"Creepy? Girl, that's beyond creepy. Why does our school have a remote that can make windows blurry? Are we studying or living inside a suspicious secret facility?"
Kierra pressed her lips together, trying not to laugh.
"Keep your voice down, Amy!"
"Why? Is the remote going to hear me too?"
"Amy!"
"Fine, fine!"
I stepped away from the window and returned to my seat, but my eyes kept drifting toward Mr. Phill.
He was standing near the classroom door, holding the remote as if nothing unusual had happened.
And that smile?
Ugh. I didn't trust it.
A few students began whispering.
"Did you see what he did to Lucas and Tony?"
"I can't believe he slapped his own son."
"Something is seriously wrong with him."
Mr. Phill cleared his throat.
The entire classroom fell silent.
"I'm sure you all have questions about what happened earlier," he began, placing the remote on his desk. "However, I expect everyone to return to their lessons. There is no reason to spread rumors about a situation you don't fully understand."
I raised my hand.
Kierra immediately grabbed my wrist.
"Don't," she whispered.
I looked at her innocently.
"What? I'm just being a good student."
"No, you're about to get us both into trouble."
"Wow. You have so little faith in me."
"Because I KNOW you!"
Before I could argue, Mr. Phill's eyes landed on me.
"Yes, Miss Duke?"
I slowly lowered my hand.
"Actually, sir, I forgot my question."
A few students snickered.
Mr. Phill stared at me for a moment before turning toward the board.
"Then perhaps you should remember it after class."
"Yes, sir," I replied sweetly.
The moment he turned around, Kierra leaned toward me.
"You're unbelievable."
"And yet, you're still my best friend."
"Unfortunately."
I gasped dramatically and placed a hand over my heart.
"After everything we've been through together?"
"AMY!"
I burst out laughing, and for a moment, the strange atmosphere in the classroom faded.
Almost.
Because when I glanced toward Justin, he wasn't laughing.
He was staring at Mr. Phill.
His expression was cold, and his hands were clenched beneath his desk.
Beside him, Mendez leaned over and whispered something into his ear.
Justin shook his head.
Mendez's playful expression disappeared for a second before he leaned back in his chair.
I frowned.
What was going on with those two?
They were usually busy annoying everyone within a five-mile radius. Now they were acting like they had just received the worst news of their lives.
Not that I cared.
Obviously.
I had more important things to worry about.
Like my upcoming Academy trial.
And the fact that a certain arrogant idiot still owed me an explanation about my hair.
Speaking of which…
Justin suddenly looked in my direction.
Our eyes met.
He raised one eyebrow.
I narrowed mine.
He smirked.
I mouthed, You're so annoying.
He silently mouthed something back.
I couldn't quite make it out, but judging by his stupid grin, it probably wasn't anything nice.
I rolled my eyes and turned away.
Honestly, someone needed to humble that boy.
Preferably me.
Again.
The bell finally rang, and the entire classroom erupted into conversation. Students hurried to pack their things, eager to discuss the fight and Mr. Phill's strange behavior.
Kierra grabbed her bag.
"Come on. Library?"
I nodded. "Definitely. I need peace, quiet, and approximately five years away from Justin Morello."
"Five years?" she repeated.
"Minimum."
We headed toward the door, but before I could step into the hallway, someone blocked my path.
I looked up.
Of course.
Justin Morello.
"Move," I said.
"Good afternoon to you too, princess."
"It's not a good afternoon anymore."
Mendez appeared behind him, grinning.
"Wow, Justin. She really knows how to make you feel special."
"Shut up, Mendez."
I crossed my arms.
"What do you want, Morello?"
Justin glanced at Kierra, then back at me.
"Just reminding you about our deal."
I groaned.
"Your Academy trial. Yes, I remember. Unfortunately."
"Good. Meet me after classes tomorrow."
"Why?"
"Because we're going to study."
I stared at him.
Then I looked at Mendez.
Then back at Justin.
"I'm sorry. Did you just say STUDY?"
Mendez immediately burst out laughing.
Justin shot him a murderous look.
"What's so funny?"
"Nothing, bro! Nothing at all!"
I slowly shook my head.
"Wow. The mighty Justin Morello needs tutoring. I never thought I'd live to see this day."
"Keep talking, princess. See how much I care."
"Oh, I will."
I stepped around him, smiling sweetly.
"And don't worry. I'll bring a notebook so I can record this historic event."
Mendez doubled over laughing.
Justin closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
I walked away with Kierra, feeling much better about my afternoon.
Finally, something was going my way.
Unfortunately, I had forgotten one very important detail.
I had agreed to help Justin Morello pass his Academy trial.
And with that boy, nothing was ever going to be simple.
By the time I got home, I had already started regretting my decision.
I dropped my bag beside my bed and flopped onto the mattress. Then I grabbed my phone and opened Kierra's chat.
ME: I HAVE A PROBLEM.
KIERRA: What did you do now? 😭
ME: WHY DO YOU ALWAYS ASSUME I'M THE PROBLEM?!
KIERRA: Because I know you 😭
ME: I HATE YOU 😭
KIERRA: Love you too, bestie 💗
I tossed my phone onto the bed and groaned into my pillow.
Tomorrow.
I had to spend tomorrow with Justin Morello.
I could already imagine his stupid smirk, his annoying nicknames, and the endless number of times he'd probably call me princess just to get on my nerves.
I lifted my head.
Wait.
What if he actually failed his Academy trial?
Would that mean I'd have to keep helping him?
What if he needed me to study with him every day?
What if—
I grabbed my pillow and screamed into it.
"WHY DID I AGREE?!"
After a few seconds, I sat up and reached for my notebook.
Fine.
If I was going to help Justin, I was at least going to make sure he passed. I wasn't about to waste my precious time tutoring someone who couldn't even be bothered to understand the material.
I opened a fresh page and wrote his name at the top.
JUSTIN MORELLO — ACADEMY TRIAL STUDY PLAN
I stared at it.
Then I added beneath it:
RULE NUMBER ONE: DO NOT LET HIM ANNOY YOU.
I nodded in satisfaction.
Perfect.
A foolproof plan.
My phone buzzed.
I picked it up, expecting another message from Kierra.
Instead, I found a message from an unknown number.
Unknown: Don't forget tomorrow, princess.
I stared at the screen.
No.
Absolutely not.
How did he even get my number?
I typed furiously.
ME: WHO IS THIS?!
The reply came almost instantly.
Unknown: Wow. You already forgot me? I'm hurt.
I narrowed my eyes.
ME: Justin, I'm going to throw my phone at a wall.
Justin: That's an expensive way to say goodnight.
ME: HOW DID YOU GET MY NUMBER?!
Justin: Your best friend.
I immediately opened Kierra's chat.
ME: KIERRA.
KIERRA: WHAT 😭
ME: WHY DOES JUSTIN HAVE MY NUMBER?!
KIERRA: OHHHHHHHH 😭😭
ME: THAT IS NOT AN ANSWER.
KIERRA: HE ASKED FOR IT.
I froze.
He asked for my number?
Why?
Was this about the study session? Did he need to send me notes? Was he going to ask me questions about the trial at all hours of the night?
I looked back at his message.
Justin: Don't stay up too late. We have studying to do.
I frowned.
ME: STOP ACTING LIKE YOU'RE MY MOM.
Justin: Someone has to make sure you get enough sleep, princess.
I stared at the screen for several seconds.
Then I threw my phone onto the bed again.
"THIS BOY!"
I didn't know what annoyed me more: the fact that Justin Morello had my number or the fact that he somehow always managed to get the last word.
I turned off my light and pulled the blanket over myself.
Tomorrow, I would study with him.
Tomorrow, I would ignore his nicknames.
Tomorrow, I would focus on the Academy trial and absolutely nothing else.
And tomorrow, I would make sure Justin Morello understood one very important thing.
I was his tutor.
Not his friend.
Definitely not his girlfriend.
And absolutely, positively, NOT HIS PRINCESS.
At least, that's what I kept telling myself.