Chapter 3 Strong Word

Samira's POV

Mondays were always the worst, but today felt personal.

I pushed through the sliding doors of Saint Trenton High, my backpack snug against my shoulder, and immediately saw him.

Why is he everywhere lately?

Of course he had to be leaning casually against his locker, talking to Frederick, Denver, and Chris as if they owned the hallways. His raven hair fell perfectly over his forehead, and he was smirking at something Chris said. He looked effortless, untouchable, and infuriating.

I groaned under my breath and adjusted my bag strap. Two weeks until my birthday. Two weeks to make my plan real. And yet I was stuck in the same hall with the one person who made me want to tear my hair out.

"Morning, Sam!" Novia's voice cut through my internal panic.

I forced a smile. "Morning."

Amanda tugged at my sleeve, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Did you see him yet?"

"Yes. I saw him. And yes, I still hate him." I muttered.

Novia smirked. "Hate is a strong word for someone you cannot stop noticing."

I rolled my eyes and stepped aside to avoid a rushing freshman. Observing Calvin Simms from a safe distance was purely scientific. At least, that was the lie I was telling myself. Actually, I was perfectly fine before they suggested him as the perfect candidate.

Still, I could not help it. There was something about the way he carried himself, calm and confident with a quiet danger hidden in his relaxed posture, that made him impossible to ignore. He made it far too easy to notice him.

I shoved the thought away and made my way to Advanced English. Mrs. Huntington was calling roll, and the room buzzed with whispers about last weekend's football game and fresh gossip about Ashley Johnson's latest scheme.

Ashley. Perfectly curled hair, a designer bag swinging from her shoulder, and a smile sharp enough to cut glass. She spotted me, and her expression shifted instantly. Her hatred mirrored mine perfectly.

I ignored her and sank into my seat, hoping to blend into the background. She continued whispering to her friends, tapping her manicured nails and plotting. I looked out the window, letting the slow drift of the clouds draw my attention.

My heart skipped a beat. Calvin had walked in with his friends. He scanned the room, and then his gaze landed on me.

Great. Fantastic.

I shoved a pencil into my bag and tried to focus on Mrs. Huntington's lecture about symbolism in Romeo and Juliet. Classic tragic lovers doomed by hate and circumstance. How original.

"Samira." Mrs. Huntington called.

"Yes, ma'am?"

"Read the passage aloud."

I cleared my throat and walked to the front of the room. Calvin's gaze followed me, unwavering and heavy. I refused to meet his eyes. From their desks, Novia and Amanda gave me subtle gestures, reminding me to stay calm and follow the plan.

I read the passage steadily, even as my mind screamed to glare at him, storm off, or throw the book across the room.

"Very good. Sit down."

I returned to my seat, my cheeks warm. Calvin's eyes lingered a moment longer than necessary. Then he looked away as if nothing had happened at all.

The day dragged. Math, history, and chemistry each passed with stolen glances and whispered comments. Denver passed by, grinning. Chris waved at Novia. Frederick laughed at Calvin's joke. I sat in the corner of the cafeteria, burrito in hand, plotting my escape before Ashley could try to corner me again.

By third period, the halls were alive with chaos. Lockers slammed, friends yelled across the corridors, and Calvin's crew strolled past like they owned every tile on the floor.

I tried to walk straight toward my locker when Ashley Johnson blocked my path, arms crossed over her chest.

"Look who it is." she purred.

I raised an eyebrow, matching her tone. "Ashley. Always a pleasure."

She smirked. "I hope you survive senior year without collapsing under the pressure. You do know about the senior party, right?"

I ignored her jab and fumbled with my locker combination. "Not interested."

She leaned closer, lowering her voice. "Everyone is curious, especially Calvin Simms."

I could tell she was fishing for a reaction.

"What should I do with that information?" I asked, leaning forward slightly.

"Oh, you know." she said, stepping back with a fake smirk. "We all know you only pretend to hate him." Her minions laughed right on cue. "He will always choose me."

I slammed my locker shut. "Cute. You really need a hobby, Ashley."

Before she could respond, Calvin and his friends appeared at the other end of the hall. I froze.

"Hey, ladies." Denver said, nudging Frederick. Chris smirked at Novia and Amanda as they walked over to stand with me.

Calvin stopped, his gaze locking on me as if he could read every one of my thoughts. I looked down, pretending to tie my shoe, though no one was fooled. By the time I looked up, the crew had disappeared.

Ashley raised an eyebrow, clearly upset that his attention had not been on her, and walked off down the hall.

Novia nudged me. "Smooth, Sam. He definitely saw you."

"I did not. He did not. Novia, stop!" I hissed, shoving her lightly.

Amanda giggled. "Sure, Sam. Keep telling yourself that."

"He seemed distracted in English." Novia jeered.

My stomach twisted. "Distracted? By what?"

I wondered if they had noticed the same tension I felt. The hallway erupted again, and I hurried to class, hoping the next period would feel normal. It never did.

Lunch ended, and I found myself in English again, this time partnered with Calvin for a project. Fantastic. My plan to avoid him had failed miserably.

He leaned back in his chair, arms crossed and eyes sharp. "Don't waste my time, Sam."

I rolled my eyes. "Please. You look like you are waiting for me to mess up."

He smirked, that infuriating, arrogant smirk. I fought the urge to punch him and grabbed my notebook instead. The assignment was to analyze the themes in Romeo and Juliet.

"What is your take?" he asked, leaning closer than necessary.

"Sometimes people hate each other so much they cannot see what is right in front of them." I cleared my throat, trying to sound professional.

His smirk faltered briefly. "Cute. Very literary."

"Shut up." I muttered.

We spent the next thirty minutes silently competing. Every glance, sigh, and correction became a small battle. Every movement twisted my stomach in ways I refused to admit. By the time class ended, I was mentally drained and emotionally furious.

"Good luck surviving the rest of the day." Novia whispered as we exited the room.

"I will survive." I muttered, ignoring the flutter in my chest when Calvin's gaze lingered a fraction too long as I walked away.

Then came the announcement I had hoped to avoid.

"Attention, students." the PA crackled. "The senior party will be hosted at the Simms residence this Friday. Invitations are going out today."

My stomach dropped. Calvin's house. My enemy's territory.

Ashley definitely didn't know the venue yet, or she would have rubbed it in my face.

Novia elbowed me. "Looks like our plan just got a lot more interesting."

I clenched my fists. "Great. Just what I needed. Him, his friends, and a party where everyone will stare at me like I am supposed to swoon."

Amanda sighed. "Sam... two weeks until your birthday. You are working on our plan, right?"

I exhaled slowly. Two weeks to stick to my rules, stay detached, and avoid falling apart in front of him. And yet I had a sinking feeling that by Friday, nothing would be the same. Calvin Simms had a way of showing up everywhere I did not want him to be.