The Girl in the Hoodie is Mine

Jason’s POV:

Who the hell does she think she is? I thought. No one in their right mind would ask to switch from working with me. I’m Jason Knight. Even if I was dumb as a rock—which I’m not—everyone in this school would kill for a chance to partner up with me. Yet here she was, the hoodie girl, practically begging to get away from me.

I could feel all eyes in the room on us, and it only fueled my annoyance. The professor, of course, shut her down. Good. But that didn’t stop the room from buzzing like a damn beehive, as if she’d just done something unheard of. What did they expect? That I’d let her just walk away? Hell no.

As I watched her sit back in her chair, clearly frustrated, I couldn’t help but feel like this was a challenge. No one had ever made me feel like I wasn’t good enough. People tried so hard to get into my good graces, and here she was trying to slip out of it. That wasn’t going to fly with me.

Amber’s voice echoed in my head—so concerned with my damn allergies this morning. She’d probably have a meltdown if she knew my latest conquest was now a hoodie-wearing, partner-switch-requesting nobody. Maybe Amber was what I deserved: pretty, submissive, and always so eager to please. But this girl? She was something different, something... untouchable. And I hated it.

I didn’t even know her name before today, and now it was stuck in my head—Ella. The name didn’t match her weird, anti-social vibe, but something about her made me want to crack that shell she kept so tightly wrapped around her. I didn’t care if it took this stupid project or something else, but I was going to get under her skin like she was already getting under mine.

As the lecture wrapped up, I watched her dart out of the room without even glancing my way. All the other students were whispering, their gazes flickering between me and the door she just walked out of. Everyone thought I had the upper hand, but for the first time, I wasn’t so sure.

If she thought she could avoid me, she was wrong. This assignment was just the beginning.

Ella’s POV:

I was officially doomed. Fate was no longer just screwing with me—it was laughing in my face.

As soon as the lecture ended, I practically flew out of the room, pulling my hoodie tighter around me, feeling everyone’s eyes on my back. I didn’t even need to look to know that the whispers were about me. Of course they were. The girl who asked to not be partnered with Jason Knight, the school’s golden boy.

Seriously, what was the big deal? Did they think I was some desperate groupie who should be grateful to be in his orbit? Hard pass. I didn’t need to deal with the Jason Knight fan club and their ridiculous obsession with him. I had enough problems.

Like how I had to work two shifts at the diner tonight, on top of doing this stupid project, which I now had to share with him. Ugh. Jason probably wouldn’t lift a finger and I’d be stuck doing all the work. He was probably just a pretty face with no brain—just like Max and Dylan, who were already acting like overgrown toddlers trying to get my attention.

And then, of course, there was the fact that Jason was the guy I pepper-sprayed last night. Talk about horrible luck. Why did he have to sit at the back in class today? I had no idea if he recognized me, and I wasn’t exactly eager to find out. Knowing him, he’d probably think up some twisted way to get back at me. He wasn’t exactly subtle with his petty vendettas.

I kicked at the ground as I walked to my next class, trying to calm down. My heart was still racing, partly from the embarrassment of the partner thing and partly because my nerves were shot from being in the same room as Jason freaking Knight. If he knew I was the waitress who’d kneed him in the junk, I was dead meat.

I could feel my pulse in my ears, and I cursed under my breath. My whole plan of staying invisible was quickly unraveling. First the diner drama with Max and Dylan, and now this school assignment with Jason. What next? Were they all going to show up at my apartment, too?

I was so lost in thought that I nearly walked into a group of girls whispering in the hallway. They glanced at me, then at each other, and I could already tell from their smug faces that they knew. Great. Just what I needed—more people watching my every move.

Fate, seriously. I get it. You hate me.

As I slid into my next class, I couldn’t help but think about what a disaster this assignment was going to be. I didn’t want to deal with Jason outside of school, much less sit with him and pretend like we were a normal, functioning duo. But avoiding him now wasn’t an option.

One thing was clear: I was going to have to play this smart. I’d lay low, stay on task, and try to keep my distance. But knowing Jason, that wasn’t going to be easy. He had this way of pulling people into his orbit, even if you didn’t want to be there.

I sighed, feeling my headache starting to form.

This project was going to be the death of me.

Amber’s POV:

Damn that stupid bitch. How the hell did the hoodie girl—that nobody—get partnered with my man? Jason was mine. Everyone knew it, even if he hadn’t made it official yet. It was only a matter of time. His father and mine were already in business together, and Daddy said he’d speak to Mr. Knight about arranging an engagement. I could practically feel the diamond ring on my finger.

And then her. That ugly hoodie-wearing freak had the nerve to sit near him, and now she’s paired with Jason for the project? What made it worse—she dared to reject him as if he wasn’t good enough for her. As if he should be embarrassed to work with her. I almost choked when she asked to switch partners. What a joke. Who wouldn’t kill to be Jason Knight’s partner? Dumb girl must be out of her mind.

But the real insult? She embarrassed my future fiancé in front of the entire class. I saw the way everyone gasped, the way they looked at Jason like he’d been slapped. He might’ve brushed it off like it was nothing, but I could see through his calm demeanor. He was furious. And when Jason’s mad, things don’t end well for the person who crossed him.

The problem was, I didn’t want to wait for Jason to deal with her. Oh no. This was personal now. That hoodie-wearing freak had the audacity to insult the man who was practically promised to me. She’d pay for it. And not just with a few harsh whispers in the hall or some petty gossip. No. This girl was going to regret ever setting foot in this school.

I could already see the jealousy on the faces of the other girls. Good. They knew Jason was mine, and now they saw how this little nobody was trying to steal his attention. If she thought she could come in here, insult Jason, and walk away unscathed, she had no idea who she was dealing with.

I’d show her. By the time I was done, that freak wouldn’t dare show her face around Jason—or anyone else—ever again. I could already see her squirming. She was probably already regretting her little stunt. And if she wasn’t yet, she would be soon.

Daddy always said I was a Prescott, and Prescotts don’t lose. Not to people like her. Not ever.