Maya Thompson had always been on top of her game. She had to be. Her future depended on it. As she sat in the front row of her senior class, her fingers anxiously tapping against her notebook, she mentally rehearsed the goals she’d set for herself since freshman year: perfect grades, top college applications, and a scholarship that would take her far away from this small town.

Everything was falling into place, except for one small problem. Or rather, one tall, irritating problem sitting a few seats behind her.

Lucas Carter.

He was everything she couldn’t stand: laid-back, charming, and effortlessly popular. It didn’t matter that he barely paid attention in class or that he seemed to breeze through life without a care. He always managed to match her grades, sometimes even beating her, as if he wasn’t even trying.

“Alright, class,” Mr. Reynolds began, snapping Maya out of her thoughts. “We’re kicking off the final semester project. And this one is going to count for a major portion of your final grade.”

Maya’s stomach tightened. This was it—the project that could make or break her chances of securing that scholarship. She glanced at the board as Mr. Reynolds began writing out the assignment, her mind already calculating how she would approach it. She wasn’t leaving anything to chance.

“And to make this more interesting,” Mr. Reynolds continued, “you’ll be working in pairs.”

Maya froze. Pairs?

“I’ve already assigned partners,” Mr. Reynolds added, flipping through a stack of papers on his desk.

Maya’s heart raced. She glanced around the room, her gaze quickly sweeping over her friends, silently hoping she’d be paired with someone responsible. Anyone but—

“Maya and Lucas.”

Her head whipped around so fast she thought she might’ve strained her neck. Lucas was lounging in his seat, a lazy grin spreading across his face as he raised an eyebrow at her.

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” she muttered under her breath.

Lucas leaned forward, resting his elbows on his desk. “Looks like we’re gonna be spending a lot of time together, Thompson. Try not to look too excited.”

Maya shot him a withering glare. “Trust me, excitement is the last thing I’m feeling right now.”

---

Later, in the Hallway

Maya shoved her books into her locker with more force than necessary, the frustration bubbling inside her. Lucas Carter. Of all people. It was like the universe was conspiring against her. She’d spent three years trying to avoid him, and now she was stuck working with him on the most important project of the year.

As if on cue, Lucas sauntered up to her locker, hands in his pockets, that signature smirk plastered on his face.

“So, partner,” he began, leaning casually against the locker next to hers. “Any grand ideas on how we’re going to ace this thing?”

Maya slammed her locker shut and turned to face him. “Look, Carter, I don’t know how you usually do things, but I actually care about this project. It’s not just a grade for me—it’s my future. So if you’re planning to slack off, just tell me now and I’ll do the whole thing myself.”

Lucas raised an eyebrow, clearly amused by her outburst. “Wow, defensive much? Relax, Thompson. I didn’t say I wasn’t going to help.”

Maya crossed her arms, narrowing her eyes. “You don’t exactly have a reputation for taking things seriously.”

“And you don’t exactly have a reputation for loosening up,” he shot back, his smirk widening. “This might be good for you.”

Maya’s jaw clenched. “This isn’t a joke, Lucas.”

“Hey, I get it,” he said, raising his hands in mock surrender. “This project is important. But maybe you should trust me a little. I’ve got some ideas. I’m not just the slacker you think I am.”

Maya blinked, momentarily thrown off by the sincerity in his voice. For a brief second, she almost believed him. But then she reminded herself who she was talking to.

“Fine,” she sighed, turning on her heel. “We’ll meet after school tomorrow to work on it. But don’t make me regret this.”

Lucas grinned as she walked away. “Wouldn’t dream of it.”

---

After School: The Library

Maya arrived early, as expected, settling into her usual spot at the back of the library where it was quiet enough to concentrate. She pulled out her laptop, already working on an outline for the project, when she heard footsteps approaching.

Lucas slid into the seat across from her, his presence immediately disrupting the carefully crafted bubble of focus she’d built around herself. He wasn’t carrying a notebook. Or a pen. Or anything remotely useful for the project.

“You didn’t bring anything,” she stated flatly.

He shrugged. “I’ve got it all up here.” He tapped the side of his head with a grin.

Maya rolled her eyes. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”

But to her surprise, Lucas leaned forward, his expression softening. “Look, Maya, I know you think I’m not taking this seriously, but I am. I know this matters to you, and I’m not going to let you down.”

His voice was steady, and for the first time since they’d been paired together, she saw a glimpse of something real in his eyes. It wasn’t the usual sarcasm or cockiness. It was sincerity.

Maya opened her mouth to respond, but before she could say anything, their hands brushed as they both reached for the same book on the table. The contact was brief, but it sent a strange, electric jolt through her.

Lucas seemed to feel it too because he pulled his hand back quickly, his eyes flickering with something unreadable.

For a moment, the air between them shifted, the playful tension from earlier replaced with something heavier, something that made Maya’s pulse quicken.

She cleared her throat, breaking the silence. “Let’s just... focus on the project.”

“Right,” Lucas agreed, his voice a little too casual as he leaned back in his chair. “The project.”