The new school year is here.

The first class of the day is Economics, so I make my way to the lecture hall and take a seat in the back. I love Economics, mostly because Stone and his goons don’t take this particular class.

As the lecture is about to start, a girl comes running towards me. She’s very pretty with curly black hair and hazel eyes. I’ve never seen her before, but I can’t help but feel myself blush as she comes near where I’m sitting.

She smiles brightly at me, and points to the chair next to me, “Is this taken?”

“Oh? No, no, you can take it,” I sputter. Wow, a pretty girl wants to sit next to me? I was not what you would call model handsome. I think I’m okay in the looks department, I just look average. But this girl, she’s way out of my league.

But as soon as she takes a seat, she turns to me and grins again, “Hello, I’m Kayla. Kayla Sherwin. It’s nice to meet you.”

I stare at her hand that is stretched towards me for a moment before taking it, “Hi, my name’s Jace Greyson. And the pleasure is all mine.”

“Oh,” she tucks her hand under her chin to give me a coy look. “You’re a charmer, aren’t you?”

I laugh awkwardly at that, “Oh, I was not trying to be creepy or anything.”

“Aww, you’re precious. I love polite boys,” She giggles, “I’ve never seen you around here, are you new?”

“No, no. I’ve been attending here since last year.”

“Me too. Hey, your accent is familiar. It’s not an Empire city one.”

“Haha, you noticed that?”

“Are you by any chance from Clandestine city?” She asks and my eyes widen.

“Yeah, wait, are you from there too?”

“Yes!” She looks overjoyed, “I can’t believe you’re from the same city I am! Talking about coincidences.”

We talk about our home city after that, and with each passing second, I find myself falling for this girl. Kayla is so open and talkative, and she sounds polite and honest, which is a nice change from other kids who attended this school. I’ve never been a believer in love at first sight or instant attraction, but with her, it feels inevitable

Maybe this meant my bad luck was turning better.

At the end of the Economics lecture, we get up to leave, and Kayla asks, “So, where are you headed next?”

“I’ve got Creative writing next. It’s a minor I take this year.”

“Oh, that’s nice. I have world history,” She looks sad at that, “I wish we had the same class. I had such a great time with you!”

“Me too,” I don’t normally do this, but with her, it feels just right, “Hey, if you’re free later this evening, would you like to grab a coffee with me or something?”

Kayla raises a brow, “Are you asking me out, Jace?”

“I mean, yeah,” I gulp, “yeah, I am.”

“Oh, you’re so sweet. I’d love to go out with you, but I’m more of a dinner date kind of girl.”

“That’s cool. We can go wherever you like!”

“Awesome. It’s a date then!”

I feel like the day just got a bit brighter.

***

I did not anticipate her choosing one of the trendiest, most expensive restaurants in the city for us to go to dinner at. I mean, that one is on me, she is a girl from King’s College after all. But a dinner there would cost me an entire month’s salary! At a moment like this, that kind of a place wasn’t affordable.

I try to ask her if we can change the location just for tonight, but she looks at me pleadingly.

“Please Jace, I’ve been wanting to go here forever,” she clings to my arm, and directs her shining, puppy dog eyes at me, “I promise I will make it up to you later.” She strokes my chest, and I immediately understand what she is implying.

I sigh, “Okay, then.”

I’ve always been a sucker for puppy eyes.

It’s just one night, right?

The food was delicious, but the prices were off the roof. I let Kayla choose whatever she liked, but got only two side dishes for me. When she asked why I was being so frugal, I made up the excuse of being on a restrictive diet.  

When the bill comes, I try not to cringe at the sum.

After dinner, Kayla gives me a kiss on the cheek as we walk out of the restaurant.

“Tonight, was great. Thank you, Jace,” she murmurs, her lips still on my cheek.

“It was my pleasure,” I reply, blushing from her ministrations.

“So, I booked us a room,” Kayla says, “And I’d love it if you accompany me there. I promised I’d make it up for you, didn’t I?”

I’m pretty turned off after the whole thing with dinner, but at the mention of the room I think, ‘why not?’ It’s been months since I last had some fun with a girl.

We make our way to her hotel room, and as soon as we enter, Kayla starts to kiss me. I kiss her back enthusiastically, and her ferociousness comes out. She starts to unbutton my shirt as she holds me to the wall. My timidness takes over me, and I stand there awkwardly.

God, I’m such a wimp.

“I’ve been wanting to do this for hours,” she gasps into my mouth as she pushes the shirt off my shoulders, “take off your pants, baby.”

My body heavily reacting to her touches, I follow her command and strip off my pants.

However, the moment I take off my underwear, the door opens, and in bursts a bunch of people. Shocked, I freeze on the spot as I register the faces of the mob.

It’s Stone and his goons!

“Prank, bro!” Stone yells out in glee, and to make matters worse, produces a camera, “You’ve been pranked! You fell for our trap, you idiot, and now you’re being live-streamed on the internet!”

I try to cover myself, my brain reeling from humiliation, hurt, and shock. I look at Kayla for help, but she is laughing with the bullies.

“What?” Catching my eye, she grins nastily, “Did you really think I was into you? You’re pathetic. Greg’s my boyfriend!"

That’s when I get over my shock.

“Stone, this is too much,” I tell him, “Beating me up at the streets in one thing. Turn off that camera and get lost!”

“Yeah, no,” Stone grins, “You think you can get rid of me, you pathetic loser?! I will make sure you’re little weeny is pasted all over the internet, so even the dean will find out.”

“No, you will not.” Suddenly, a familiar voice comes, and I can’t help but gasp.

Everyone turns to the door, and Gerald enters the room.