Chapter 3: “Clashing Minds”
The bell rang, signaling the end of class. I slowly packed my bag, stealing glances at him, of course.
Alex Ford was leaning back in his chair like he owned the place, that infuriating smirk plastered across his face.
“Don’t think that smile will scare me,” I muttered under my breath.
Of course, he heard me.
“Oh? I wasn’t trying to,” he said, tilting his head, grin widening. “But if it does… well, that’s on you.”
I scowled, shoving my books into my bag and moving toward the door only to find him blocking my path.
“Going somewhere, Avery?” he asked, arms crossed.
I crossed mine, standing my ground. “Maybe. But I can go around you if I have to.”
He chuckled, low and teasing. “Good luck with that. You know I never back down.”
“Neither do I,” I snapped.
For a moment, neither of us moved. The tension between us was almost tangible. It wasn’t exactly hatred, but it wasn’t friendship either. It was something sharp, like fire and ice, and I hated that part of me that felt… curious.
Finally, the teacher dismissed the class for lunch, and we backed away from each other. My heart was pounding not from fear, but from pure frustration.
Once outside, I grabbed my phone and immediately messaged Elaiza.
Me: Elaiza… I swear that fuckboy in my class is going to be the death of me.
Elaiza: Wait… Alex Ford again?? What did he do this time?
I rolled my eyes and typed furiously.
Me: Everything. He’s arrogant, teasing, and knows exactly how to annoy me.
Elaiza: Haha omg Alexandra… are you sure you hate him? Because you keep talking about him.
I groaned. I DO hate him!
Elaiza’s laughter echoed through her texts anyway. I shoved my phone back in my bag. Some things never changed.
Four months had passed since the first day of school.
Four months of Alex Ford smirking, teasing, and somehow making my life at school… more complicated than it should be.
And then today, the teacher announced a debate activity.
My stomach twisted when she paired us together.
“Alex Ford and Alexandra Avery,” she said.
I froze. The classroom murmured softly, entertained by the pairing.
Alex leaned back in his chair, clearly enjoying it.
“Well, this should be interesting,” he said casually.
I shot him an annoyed look. “Don’t get too excited. I’m not planning to lose.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Who said anything about winning?”
The debate hadn’t even started yet, but the tension was already thick.
Finally, Alex leaned slightly closer to me and said quietly,121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTVFlBeYCoB
“Not bad… Avery.”
I blinked. Avery?
Earlier, he always called me things like “nerdy baby” or some sarcastic nickname just to tease me. But this time… it sounded different. Almost serious.
I furrowed my brows.
Why was he suddenly calling me Avery?
Could it be… was he mad because of that prank I pulled months ago—slipping salt into his coffee just to see his reaction? It had been hilarious… but maybe he didn’t find it funny.
My stomach twisted. I wasn’t sure if it was fear, guilt, or curiosity. Probably all three.
Before I could even process it, a whisper spread across the classroom.
“Did you hear? Alex Ford asked someone out today.”
I glanced at him. He looked completely calm, like nothing had happened. But the faint smirk at the corner of his lips made me suspicious.
I quickly looked away, pretending I didn’t care.
But honestly? I couldn’t stop thinking.
Why did he call me Avery?
Was he mad because of the prank?
And who did he ask out?
The teacher clapped her hands to get everyone’s attention. “Alright, everyone, start your debates! Today’s topic is Should social media influence school grades?”
I swallowed and glanced at Alex. He was leaning back in his chair, looking annoyingly calm, that smug grin plastered across his face.
I bit my lip. Not today, Ford. Not today.
The debate began, and it immediately felt like stepping into a battlefield.
Every time I suggested an idea, Alex questioned it. Every argument he made, I tore apart.
“You really think that will work?” I snapped, glaring at him.
“And you think yours will?” he shot back, raising an eyebrow.
“At least mine makes sense,” I retorted.
“Debatable,” he said, smirking like the world revolved around him.
I wanted to throw my notebook at him. But I didn’t. I had to stay calm, cool, and undefeated.
I couldn’t help noticing the girls in class glancing at him. Whispering. Smiling. Some of them were probably thinking he was charming. Ugh.
I rolled my eyes so hard it almost hurt. Could they not see what I saw? A cocky, irritating flirt. The kind that made me want to scream.
Alex seemed to notice them too. He leaned a little closer to me and whispered, “Careful, Avery. Looks like they’re all on my side.”
I glared at him. “I’m not scared of them, Ford.”
He chuckled softly. “Good, because I was starting to worry you might be.”
Minutes passed like this. Pens scribbled, notebooks flipped, voices rose just enough to draw attention without getting us in trouble.
Every time he argued, every time he smirked, I felt my blood pressure rising. Not because I was afraid, but because no matter how much I wanted to, I couldn’t ignore him.
“Really, Avery?” he said, leaning forward slightly. “You honestly think that’s the strongest point?”
I snapped my notebook shut and glared at him. “Better than whatever excuse you’re using to look smart, Ford.”
A small laugh escaped him. Ugh, so irritating.
The debate ended, and the teacher called time.
I leaned back in my chair, crossing my arms. I was exhausted, annoyed, and something else I wasn’t ready to name.
The teacher cleared her throat and smiled. “Both teams did really well today. But the point goes to… Alex Ford and his argument. Congratulations.”
I froze. What? Seriously?
Alex tilted his head toward me, that smirk still teasing, and whispered, “See? Told you it wouldn’t be that hard.”
I shot him a glare sharp enough to cut glass. “Hard? You mean lucky. Don’t think that this means you won.”
He chuckled softly. “Lucky? Oh Avery, I think you’re confusing me with someone else.”
I shoved my notebook into my bag and marched toward the door, doing my best to ignore the whispers and giggles of the girls who were still staring at Alex.
Alex casually stood up, stretching like he hadn’t just spent the last twenty minutes arguing. He caught my eye and smirked, that infuriating smirk that made my blood boil.
“Don’t look so grumpy, Avery,” he said, his voice low and teasing as we started walking down the hallway.
I froze mid-step. Grumpy? Me? I wasn’t grumpy. I was furious. Infuriated. Outraged. And maybe… slightly curious.
“Grumpy?” I repeated, narrowing my eyes at him. “You mean furious that you got lucky and won.”
He chuckled, shaking his head. “Lucky? You really think it was luck?”
I bit my lip, trying not to roll my eyes too obviously. Of course he would say that. Of course he would make me feel… something. Something I wasn’t supposed to feel.
The girls kept glancing at him as we walked past, whispering and giggling. My annoyance spiked. “Ugh, and now they’re all staring at you. Happy?” I snapped.
Alex just smirked wider. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, Avery. Maybe they just appreciate my charm.”
I groaned, shoving past him, but he matched my pace, still smirking. “Hey, don’t forget,” he added softly, just loud enough for me to hear, “we make a pretty good team, you and I.”
I stopped dead in the hallway, glaring at him. “Team? Don’t even think about it, Ford.”
He winked and started walking ahead, still calm, still teasing, still impossible to ignore.
I clenched my fists, muttering under my breath, “Why do you have to be so infuriating?”
And deep down, I hated that part of me that wanted to know the answer.
Then the debate was finally over, and I shoved my notebook into my bag, muttering under my breath. I needed a break. I needed space from Alex Ford and his irritating smirk.
Elaiza had texted me earlier, telling me she would be in her classroom for a study session. Perfect. I could just leave all the chaos behind.
I walked briskly down the hall, ignoring the whispers of students still talking about the debate and Alex’s “victory.” My mind was buzzing, part of me still annoyed, part of me… confused by that “Avery” thing.
When I reached Elaiza’s classroom, I paused at the door. She was sitting at her desk, working on something, and she looked up the second she saw me.
“Alexxxxx!!!” she shouted, grinning.
My cheeks flushed. I hated that nickname. I hated it, but honestly… I couldn’t help smiling. I crossed the room quickly and practically hugged her, ignoring my better judgment.
“Ugh, don’t call me that,” I muttered into her shoulder, though my arms stayed around her anyway.
Elaiza just laughed. “You’re impossible!”
Then, from the back of the room, a deep laugh echoed.
I froze. Slowly, I turned.
And there he was. Alex Ford. Sitting casually in the corner, smirking like he owned the place.
“What… what the?” I stammered, stepping back, eyes wide. “What the fuck are you even doing here?”
He leaned back in his chair, still smirking, and pointed casually to a boy beside him. “Oh, nothing much. My friend’s here. He’s one of your best friend’s classmates, so… I thought I’d tag along.”
I blinked, confused. “Wait… your friend? Elaiza’s classmate?”
He shrugged, looking way too calm for my liking. “Yeah. And then I heard something very interesting…”
“Interesting?!” I said, narrowing my eyes.
He laughed, loud and unrestrained, clearly enjoying my reaction. “Elaiza called you… Alex.”
My face burned. “I… I didn’t… that’s not”
He raised his hands in mock surrender. “Relax, Avery. Don’t get mad. I’m just… curious. That’s all.”
“Curious? Curious? You just… you just laughed at me!” I shouted, trying to balance fury and embarrassment.
Alex leaned forward now, grin widening, and called teasingly, “So… what’s your name again?”
I froze. My hands clenched the straps of my bag. “Alexandra! Alexandra Maria Avery!” I snapped, voice sharp.
He burst into laughter again, clearly enjoying the chaos he had caused.
I groaned, rubbing my temples. “Why are you even here?!” I demanded, voice sharp and exasperated.
“Why not?” he said, smirking wider than ever. “I like surprises. And apparently, surprises involve nicknames.”
I wanted to throw something at him. Something heavy. Something… lethal.
But all I did was step closer to Elaiza, gripping her shoulders, glaring at him with pure fury.
And deep down, despite how mad I was, I couldn’t stop thinking about why Alex Ford even knew I had that nickname, and why it made me feel… something.
Ugh. He was impossible. Infuriating. And utterly maddening.
I grabbed Elaiza’s hand and tugged her toward the door. “Come on, let’s get out of here before he drives me completely insane,” I muttered, muttering under my breath and trying to keep my cool.
Elaiza giggled. “Oh my gosh, Alex Ford is too much!”
I rolled my eyes, shooting a glare back at him. But of course, he noticed.
“Leaving already, Avery?” he called, smirking like he owned the hallway.
I froze mid-step. “Don’t call me that,” I snapped, my voice sharp.
He leaned casually against the doorframe, arms crossed, grinning. “But it suits you. Short, simple… and very annoying for you, I guess.”
I groaned and dragged Elaiza faster down the hall. “Annoying?! I’m not ugh whatever!”
Elaiza was laughing so hard she nearly tripped. “You’re blushing! Admit it!”
I stopped in my tracks, glaring at her. “I am NOT blushing!”
Behind me, I heard Alex laughing again, that loud, irritating laugh that echoed down the hall.
I spun around. “What are you still doing here?!” I shouted, furious, arms crossed.
He leaned on the wall, smirk wide, and shrugged. “My friend’s classmate needed help, remember? I told you. But now… I just couldn’t resist seeing the nickname in action.”
I groaned and shoved my face into my hands. “I can’t believe this.”
He laughed even harder. “Oh, come on. Admit it, Avery you love that I heard it.”
I whipped my head up. “WHAT?! No! And stop calling me Avery!”
“Okay, okay,” he said, holding his hands up, still smirking, clearly enjoying my meltdown. “Maybe just Alexandra… for now.”
I huffed, dragging Elaiza down the hallway again. “I don’t know why you even exist, Ford.”
He jogged a few steps to keep up, leaning closer, teasing me effortlessly. “I exist to make your life more… interesting. You’re welcome.”
I groaned, muttering under my breath, “I hate you so much…”
He chuckled. “I think that’s my favorite line, Avery.”
Elaiza shook her head, trying not to laugh as we exited the school building. “You two are impossible,” she said.
I muttered something incomprehensible, glaring at Alex one last time before we turned the corner. He just waved casually, that smirk never leaving his face.
And I couldn’t stop thinking… why did he even have to be there? Why did he have to hear that nickname?
Ugh. He was impossible. Infuriating. Maddening.
And deep down, I hated that a tiny, annoying part of me… wanted him to stick around.
Once we were safely around the corner and away from Alex, I leaned against the wall, taking a deep breath.
“I’m so sorry, Allie… I didn’t know that was Alex Ford!” I muttered, exasperated.
Elaiza laughed, shaking her head. “Haha, you really freaked out! Did you see him up close?”
I groaned, burying my face in my hands. “Ughhh, yes! And he’s… actually… kinda handsome. But I’m disgusted, okay? Don’t even try to argue.”
Elaiza laughed even harder. “Haha! I knew it! You’re blushing, admit it!”
I whipped my head up, glaring at her. “I am NOT blushing! And stop saying that!”
Elaiza grinned mischievously. “Sure sure… totally furious, huh? Furious and… secretly noticing?”
I groaned again, pinching the bridge of my nose. “Ugh, I can’t believe this… he’s impossible.”
Elaiza just shook her head, still giggling.
But even as I said it, a tiny part of me couldn’t stop thinking about that smirk, that laugh, and the way he called me Avery.
Ugh. Alex Ford was infuriating. Maddening. And somehow… unforgettable.
I huffed, straightened my bag, and shook my head. “I’m never letting him make this easy. Not now, not ever.”
And with that thought, I pushed off the wall, ready to leave the school for the daythough deep down, I knew this was only the beginning.
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and then Add to home screen.