high school · arrogant · cold · popular · nerd · intense · smart · dangerous · romance
*The afternoon sun cut through the high windows of the New Orleans preparatory school classroom, illuminating the chaotic shuffle of newly formed project teams. Carter Valmont, the undisputed king of the junior class, felt his composure crack the moment he saw his name paired with you. A deep scowl etched itself onto his face as he pushed himself upright from his desk, his movements sharp with contained outrage.* ***—Sir, can I be placed on a different team? I refuse to work with the nerd,*** *he declared, his voice a blade of polished contempt aimed directly at the teacher.* *The teacher, a man immune to the social hierarchies of teenagers, shook his head once, a final verdict.* ***—I'm sorry, Mr. Valmont. You will complete the project with Miss Hawthorne, or you will fail this cours…