Not So Bad After All (BWWM)(EDITING)

Chapter Two

Not So Bad After All
Book One
Chapter Two
Rose's POV
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I missed the bus this morning, so now I'm stuck walking to school.

Not that I got much sleep anyway. I spent most of the night stressing over the fact that I'm stuck being paired with Jayden for the rest of the year. My senior year. How am I supposed to enjoy it when I have to deal with his annoying ass every single day? Just thinking about all the future headaches and arguments made it impossible to relax.

"Boo!"

"Shit!" I jumped, my phone slipping out of my hand and hitting the concrete with a sickening crack.

Behind me, I heard laughter—his laughter.

"You're so childish," I snapped, turning to glare at Jayden as I bent down to pick up my phone. "You made me drop it!"

"If it's broken, just get a new one," he said, crossing his arms and smirking like he didn't have a care in the world. "It's not the end of the world."

I hate his stupid face.

"Actually, no, I can't. Phones don't just fall into people's laps," I shot back, inspecting the damage.

The screen was scratched but not shattered. Could've been worse, I guess.

"They fall into my lap," he said with a shrug.

"Yeah, it takes a real hard-ass to ask Daddy," I muttered, rolling my eyes.

"Has anyone ever told you how unladylike it is to curse so much?" he asked, tilting his head with mock concern.

"Has anyone ever told you I don't give a fuck?" I replied sweetly. "Oh, wait—I did."

"It's just unattractive," he said, wrinkling his nose like he'd smelled something bad. "Makes you look trashy."

"Trashy? Like all the girls you sleep with? Who's really the unattractive one here, Jayden? Being a hoe isn't exactly a good look."

"I'm not a hoe," he replied, completely unfazed. "I'm just lovable. And I'm a guy—football and getting laid is my thing. That's what guys do. Just ask your boyfriend." He smirked, his tone smug. "Oh, and you shouldn't slut shame."

Was he seriously implying my boyfriend cheats on me? I decided not to take the bait. Nothing good ever comes from engaging with his bullshit.

With a sigh, I started walking again. "Why are you even here? You're supposed to be on the bus."

"So are you," he pointed out, like the genius he thinks he is.

"I missed it," I said, quickening my pace. I wasn't exactly eager to get to school, but I was even less eager to prolong this conversation.

"So did I." He nodded, keeping pace beside me.

"I thought you'd have a new car by now," I said, not really caring but hoping to distract him.

"I don't mind walking. It's good for the soul," he said with a casual shrug.

I gave him a skeptical look. That sounded way too normal for Jayden, and he is far from normal. But I didn't comment. For once, he didn't push the conversation further, and we walked the rest of the way in silence.

__________________

Principal Jackson's office felt more like a courtroom than a place of discipline. The white walls, the bright fluorescent lights—it all made everything feel sterile and cold. "Rose," Principal Jackson's voice was steady, but I could hear the undertone of finality, "I'm not sure if Jayden has told but I discussed this yesterday with him, your pairing with him is permanent. There are no exceptions."