Hadrian POV

"Wear this and this," Rhea ordered, handing me a lab coat and safety glasses.

"I'll look like a nerd," I protested.

"I don't see the problem."

Reluctantly, I put the coat on and rolled the sleeves. I dumped the glasses under the table. It was day two of Rhea's 'condition' and due to the situation, I had to stay with her otherwise I'd receive a mental headache from her intentional messages. I didn't mind it except when she had lab lessons. The other students stared at me as if I was an animal, wondering why I was there.

"Are you done?" Rhea asked. My attention turned to her and I whistled quietly.

"Damn, princess. You look like a very sexy nerd."

"Thanks," she rolled her eyes with a smile on her face. "Now, let's do some chemistry."

I sat myself down on a chair while she went to get the equipment. Each time she went, she would give me small glances, reassuring her that I hadn't bolted. With everything on the table, we were ready to begin. Rhea picked up a test tube that contained blue powder then heated it.

"This," she said, "is-"

"Aqueous copper sulfate," I finished for her. "I've done this experiment before."

"How come?"

"It was when I was trying to become smarter than Ryan."

"Did it work?"

"Nope. He's a f*cking genius."

"But you have a 3.7 GPA," Rhea's partner chipped in, finally arriving. Emily...Elizabeth...

"Ellie, you're late," Rhea said annoyed. So that was her name.

"I know," she giggled. "But you're doing fine."

"It's paired work. We both get the same grade."

"So make sure you do it properly. I don't want to fail this class."

That was the wrong thing to say. Rhea glared at the girl. "You are going to f*cking help me with this or the next grade you'll see is a F."

I smirked, finding the conversation hilarious. Ellie quickly moved to work with her then blushed as soon as she noticed I was sitting next to her.

"Oh, hi, Hadrian. Or can I call you Hade?" She started giggling.

"Hadrian is fine."

"Okay, Hade," she twirled her hair between her fingers. "So are you still with Rhea?"

"Can you stop flirting and help?" Rhea waved a test tube emphasising her point.

"Fine," Ellie grumbled.

They worked together in silence while I pulled out my phone and texted Seth. A smash caused me to look up. Ellie stood shocked at the glass on the ground. Rhea looked ready to kill her.

"We can start again..." Ellie said smiling.

"ARE YOU F*CKING STUPID?! This is a timed experiment. We can't start again and even scrap a C."

"Calm down! It's not my fault."

"Who dropped it?"

Ellie went quiet. I got up sensing that this was going to get out of hand.

"At least I'm not a stuck up b*tch!" She retorted.

Rhea opened her mouth to probably say something that would cause her partner to end up in tears. I moved between them, blocking her view of Ellie.

"Move, Hadrian," she said angry.

"No."

"She just called me a b*tch."

"And you are!" Ellie yelled.

"That's it." Rhea tried to go around me to reach her. I wrapped my arms round her waist and pulled Rhea away from her victim.

"Just ignore her," I said holding her arms to her side.

"Yeah, ignore me, Rhea. Hadrian, you can help me make some chemistry," Ellie taunted. Did the girl not have a mute button?

"He's not your f*cking boyfriend so stop being desperate and find someone who wants you," Rhea told her.

We now had most of the class' attention and I could see the professor coming over to check what was going on.

"It's time to go. Rhea, say bye." She raised her middle finger at Ellie who stuck her tongue out. I didn't have to force Rhea out of the classroom, she went willingly. Once we were outside, she let out something that was a cross between a growl and scream while I leaned against the wall waiting for her to finish.

"I hate her."

"I can tell."

"And you!" She pointed an accusing finger at me.

"What the f*ck did I do?"

"You led her on."

"How? By breathing?"

Her voice deepened to mimic mine. "'Oh, look at me. I'm Hadrian and I can make any f*cking girl fall for me. Hey there! Let me just flirt with you for a while.'"

"I don't talk like that."

"Yes, you do."

I didn't bother responding, knowing she would simply continue arguing with me.

"I can't fail this experiment," Rhea ranted. "If I do, it'll look bad and I'll be stuck with Ellie and-"

I took this as the perfect opportunity to shut her up. I pressed my lips to her, automatically ending her speech. A few seconds later, she responded, wrapping her arms around my shoulders. I smirked against her lips and deepened the kiss. Her eyelids fluttered closed, a sign that my plan worked. I slightly leaned away from her, leaving a small distance between us.

"You're not going to fail. If you want an A* then that's what you'll get," I told her.

"But-"

"But Ellie f*cked up the work. So I'll ask if you can redo it."

"You don't get everything you want in life, Hadrian."

"I know. I'll still make it happen."

She smiled softly, shaking her head. "You're too stubborn and maybe spoiled."

"Says the stuck up b*tch."

"F*ck you."

"You already have."

#

INTERVIEW with ELLIE

Nyx: (turns on the chair in the classroom) Was that Hadrian DiRomero?

Ellie: Yeah. (grins) He's so hot.

Nyx: I know. We've meet a...few times.

Ellie: Do you think he'll ever go on a date with me?

Nyx: (raises an eyebrow) You have less chance than a rabbit going on a date with a wolf.

Ellie: (giggles) You're so funny. Anyway, yes or no?

Nyx: (confused and slightly shocked by her slowness) You just insulted his should-be-could-be girlfriend.

Ellie: (confused) So?

Nyx: ... Seriously? Now, I see why Rhea almost slapped you. And stop stalking Hadrian. He's mine.

Ellie: No way. He's on my pillowcase, wallpaper, rug-

Nyx: You have issues.

Ellie: You do too. What kind of name is Nyx?

Nyx: (gasps) Turn the camera off. I'm about to do something that could land me in prison.

END of INTERVIEW