The Girl in the Hoodie is Mine

ELLA POV:

After demolishing that KFC like it owed me money, I turned to Jason and said, "I’ll return the book tomorrow, so you can go home and sleep."

Of course, Jason being Jason, asked me for the fourth time if I’d be okay. Honestly, I was this close to throwing a chicken bone at him. Instead, I settled for slamming the door in his face after a quick, "Goodnight." Polite enough, right?

What? I had things to do. Exams don’t study for themselves, and I’m absolutely terrible at focusing when someone’s hanging around distracting me. Besides, I wasn’t about to let him think he could just hang out here like it’s his second home.

Once he was out of my hair, I cleaned up the table and grabbed Jason’s book. But studying wasn’t my first priority. I had a project to finish, one that could land me a partnership with a major company. Yeah, you heard that right—a *mega company.* Just because I cut ties with Amber and declined the LBJ opportunity didn’t mean I was sitting around twiddling my thumbs.

Sure, people would have assumed my success was because of Jason if I’d gone with LBJ. No thanks. I’m carving my own path, thank you very much. My plan? Graduate, and then dive headfirst into my career. No distractions. No drama. Just pure ambition.

After tidying up, I finally opened Jason’s book. I figured I’d glance through it before getting back to my project. Turns out, the boy doesn’t listen in lectures, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t study. Oh no, he has his own personal notes. And let me tell you, they are neat.

Every page was organized, concise, and full of important points—targeted, efficient, and shockingly well-done. I had to admit, begrudgingly of course, that Jason wasn’t as much of an airhead as he pretends to be.

But don’t get me wrong—I’m still roasting him for being obnoxious next time I see him.

So, about today’s notes—credit where it’s due, Jason actually came through. True to his word, the guy wrote down everything, even the unnecessary stuff that most people wouldn’t bother with. I mean, I didn’t need to know the professor’s opinion on coffee, but hey, thorough is thorough.

And his handwriting? Surprisingly, not a disaster. It was readable—more than readable, actually. I didn’t have to squint or guess what any of the words were, so yeah, full points there.

Who would’ve thought, huh? Jason of all people, bringing me notes like some star student. And let’s not forget the chocolate and KFC situation. The guy actually went out of his way to make sure I ate.

It’s weird, right? Like, what alternate reality are we living in where Jason isn’t being obnoxious or picking fights with me? I mean, I’ll take this over the vendetta he used to have with me any day, but still...

Whatever is going on, it’s a step up. Let’s hope it stays that way.

And no, before anyone gets any ideas—that doesn’t mean I like him. Please. Let’s not go there.

It’s just... well, let’s call it getting along. Like two people who’ve decided to stop acting like they’re stuck in a never-ending war zone. Civilized, you know? I can appreciate the effort without it being anything more than that.

Sure, the guy has been unusually nice lately—notes, chocolate, KFC, the whole "checking if I’m okay" thing—but that doesn’t mean I’m suddenly swooning or anything ridiculous like that.

It’s... refreshing, I guess. Less exhausting than our usual back-and-forth. But that’s all it is. Just two people deciding not to be at each other’s throats for once.

So yeah, we’re getting along. Nothing more, nothing less. Let’s leave it at that.

And yes, before you start judging or whatever, I know he already told me he likes me. Like likey-like likes me. But that doesn’t mean I have to like him back, okay?

I’m just... trying to be nice. That’s it. No secret feelings or anything weird like that. I mean, come on, the guy brought me food and notes—I’d have to be a complete monster not to at least acknowledge the effort.

Aargh, why am I even explaining myself? My heart is off-limits, okay? Like, big, bold neon sign: FORBIDDEN TERRITORY. Got that? At least for now. Priorities, people.

On that note, I pushed all this nonsense out of my head and turned my attention to my studies. Exams don’t wait for personal drama, and I’ve got my sights set on acing everything.

By the time I finally crawled into bed at midnight, I was so exhausted I couldn’t think about anything else. Which, honestly, was a relief.

JASON POV:

By the time I got back to my apartment, I was still thinking about Ella. And no, not in some sappy, dreamy way—okay, maybe a little. But mostly, I was wondering what was going through that sharp, sassy mind of hers.

She let me in, ate the dinner I brought, and even said goodnight without threatening to stab me with a fork. Progress, right? But the way she shut the door, with this finality that said, Thanks for dinner, but don’t let this go to your head, stuck with me.

Not that I expected her to swoon or anything. That’s not Ella. But she didn’t seem completely immune to my efforts, either. A smile here, a softened tone there. Maybe she was just trying to be nice, but I’d take it.

Still, I couldn’t shake the feeling that Ella’s walls weren’t just high—they were reinforced, electrified, and possibly booby-trapped. She was focused, driven, with a fire in her that could burn through anything in her way. And that’s one of the things I admired most about her.

But damn, it made getting close to her a challenge. Not that I was giving up. No way. If anything, tonight gave me hope. She did slam the door in my face at the start, but she actually said goodnight instead of something snarky. Small victories, right?

I set my bag down and grabbed a water bottle, sitting on my couch as I replayed the evening in my head. What would it take to get her to really let me in? To not just tolerate me but actually see me as someone she could... I don’t know, depend on?

I’d promised her I’d bring her notes, and I’d keep doing that. And if she needed food, chocolate, or whatever else to get through her days, I’d bring that too.

Because the truth was, liking Ella wasn’t a choice—it just was. Even if she had her heart locked away, I wasn’t going anywhere. Not until she made it clear there was no chance.

But tonight? Tonight told me I might still have a shot.

What? A guy has to try, right? I’ve never had a hard time pursuing a girl before—never had to go the extra mile to impress anyone. But with Ella? Man, she’s a whole different ballgame. I’m out here picking up dinner, scribbling notes like a nerd, and trying to play Prince Charming, all while dodging her sharp tongue and that death glare she pulls out like it’s a superpower.

And you know what? I think I like it. Scratch that—I know I like it. Hell, I might even love it.

Yeah, you heard me. Love. That stubborn, complicated, sarcastic little she-devil has completely thrown me off my game. I’m used to girls making it easy, but Ella? She’s like trying to tame a hurricane while it laughs in your face. It’s infuriating. It’s maddening. And somehow, it’s everything I never knew I wanted.

She makes me want to be better—not because she asks me to, but because I want to be someone worthy of getting through those walls of hers. I want to prove to her that not every guy is a waste of her time, that maybe, just maybe, I’m different.

Does she see that? Probably not. But you know what? I’m not giving up.

Because at the end of the day, no matter how much she mocks me, roasts me, or acts like she doesn’t need anyone, I know there’s more to her. And I’m willing to put in the work.

Why? Because I love that she-devil.

And don’t tell her I called her that.

Seriously. She’d roast me alive, and knowing Ella, she’d make sure I felt every second of it. Probably throw in some snarky line about how I deserve it, too.

But hey, love makes you stupid, right? And apparently, I’m a prime example.

Okay, so this might be my best day so far. Waking up beside Ella—scratch the part where I was thrown to the floor. Ate breakfast and dinner with her—forget the door slamming in my face at the end of the night. So yeah, it was a good day.

I mean, considering how things were before, I’ll take the little victories. The fact that I even made it through a whole day without her roasting me alive is progress, right? The fact that she didn’t flat out reject me when I brought her food or notes? Big win.

I’d say things are looking up... as long as I don’t mess it all up by being my usual stupid self. But hey, I’m trying.

Tomorrow’s another day to impress. What? I’ve started living to impress? Nah, not really. But there’s something about Ella that makes me want to do better, be better. Maybe it’s the way she challenges me or how she just keeps me on my toes. I never thought I’d be the kind of guy who goes out of his way like this—yet here I am, trying to make her smile instead of running from her sass.

Maybe it’s the whole "like" thing that’s starting to mess with my head. But who knows? Maybe I’ll get better at this whole "charming" thing. Tomorrow’s another shot.