Chapter 6 6

Bryn walked into the AP US History classroom. She scanned the rows of desks and walked straight to the very back corner, taking the seat right next to the window.

In her past life, she always sat in the front row just so she could stare at the back of Keifer's head. Now, she just wanted to breathe clean air.

Dominic walked in right behind her. He saw her sitting in his usual territory. His dark eyebrows pulled together in a deep frown.

He walked to the empty desk right next to hers. He pulled the metal chair out with unnecessary force, sitting down with the annoyed energy of a dog whose bed had been stolen.

Mr. Alistair Finch, the Dean of Students and AP History teacher, walked to the front of the room carrying a massive stack of manila folders.

He tapped his knuckles against the chalkboard. He announced that today he would post the final list of students selected for the Ivy League prep seminar.

The air in the room instantly tightened. Getting on that list meant securing a guaranteed recommendation letter for the top universities in the country.

Keifer sat in the front row. He puffed out his chest and sat up perfectly straight. He considered himself the academic star of the school. He knew his name was on that list.

Bryn lazily spun a silver pen between her fingers. From the corner of her eye, she watched Dominic pretend to read his textbook.

She noticed his large hand gripping his pen. His knuckles were sharp, and there was a faint, jagged scar across the back of his hand that looked like it came from a blade.

Bryn relaxed her fingers. The silver pen slipped from her grasp, rolled down the slanted desk, and dropped perfectly right next to Dominic's black combat boot.

Dominic stopped reading. He stared at the pen on the floor, then slowly turned his head to glare at Bryn.

Bryn didn't apologize. She rested her chin in the palm of her hand and smiled at him. Her eyes sparkled with a dangerous, teasing light.

Dominic ground his back teeth together. He let out a heavy sigh, leaned over, and picked up the pen.

He held it out to her. Bryn reached for it, but instead of grabbing the plastic barrel, she intentionally dragged her warm fingertips across the scarred skin on the back of his hand.

The light touch sent a visible jolt through Dominic's body. He yanked his hand back so violently the pen clattered onto the wooden desk.

He leaned closer to her. He lowered his voice to a dangerous, raspy whisper, warning her to stop playing with fire. His dark eyes darted nervously to her lips.

Bryn leaned in to meet him. The sharp scent of cedarwood radiating from his uniform filled her nose. She whispered back that she liked the fire.

Mr. Finch cleared his throat loudly at the front of the room, shattering the heavy sexual tension between the two desks.

He began reading the names. He called out Keifer's name first. Keifer immediately turned around in his seat and looked at Bryn, waiting for her to look at him with awe.

Bryn didn't even blink in his direction. Her eyes were entirely focused on the side of Dominic's face.

Mr. Finch continued. He read Dominic Hutchinson's name, praising him for having the highest test scores in the entire district.

Finally, Mr. Finch pushed his glasses up his nose. He announced that the final spot went to the most improved student in the grade: Bryn Callahan.

The classroom erupted in shocked whispers. Keifer whipped his head around, his jaw dropping open. He couldn't process that the girl he thought was a brainless groupie had secretly beaten out half the class.

Bryn wasn't surprised. She remembered the countless nights she stayed awake until 4 AM studying in her past life, just trying to be smart enough for Keifer.

Dominic turned his head slightly. He looked at the confident smirk on Bryn's face. A flash of deep, hidden pride softened the hard lines around his eyes.

The bell rang. Mr. Finch yelled over the noise, reminding the students on the list that the after-school study group started next week.

Bryn shoved her notebook into her bag. She stood up, looked down at Dominic, and told him she would see him at the study group.

She didn't wait for him to respond. She turned and walked out of the classroom with a light, bouncy step, leaving Dominic staring at her empty chair with a tight chest.

Keifer stood by the door, trying to block her path. He opened his mouth to congratulate her, trying to use the list as an excuse to talk. Bryn walked right past him like he was a piece of furniture.