The Girl in the Hoodie is Mine

Jason’s POV:

What the hell is happening to me? I, Jason, the guy who never lets anyone get under his skin, sneaked out of class like a lovesick fool just to make sure Ella was okay. I even went through the trouble of calling in favors, getting some top contacts on standby in case she needed help with the dean. And what did I get in return? A lecture about keeping Amber on a leash and a cold, dismissive brush-off. It was like she didn’t see, didn’t care how much I was losing my mind over her.

I’ve never been this rattled, this out of control. No one—literally no one—makes me feel like this. It’s as if she owns me already, and it’s terrifying. Body, mind, soul... it’s all wrapped around Ella, and she doesn’t even give a damn.

I’ve got to do something fast. This isn’t me. I don’t lose myself over girls. But with Ella, it’s different. She’s different. And I’m in way deeper than I ever planned.

Who am I kidding? She’s already consumed me. Every thought, every breath—it’s all about her. Damn it, this was never supposed to be my life. I was supposed to ruin hers, not get trapped in the chaos of her dark, intense eyes, her mystery, her fire.

I need to pull myself together, but how the hell do I even do that when everything about her draws me deeper? Maybe it’s already too late...

I searched for her, but it was like Ella had vanished into thin air. No matter how much I tried to keep my head clear, the frustration was building. Where the hell did she go?

With no other option, I headed to the cafeteria. A cold bottle of Coke was probably the only thing that could calm my nerves right now. I needed to reset, to clear my head before the next class. I couldn’t let myself spiral any further because of her.

But, damn, I couldn’t help it. I was anxious to see her again. I wanted to make sure she was okay, but at the same time, I just wanted her near, even if she was pushing me away. It was like some sick addiction. Every part of me was pulling toward her, and no matter how hard I tried to stay cool, I couldn’t shake her from my mind.

Grabbing the bottle, I took a long drink, trying to drown out the heat rising inside me. Just keep it together, I told myself. Keep your cool. You’ll see her in the next class. Maybe then, maybe just then, I can figure out what to do about all this chaos she’s got me tangled in.

Ella’s POV:

An hour can really slip away when you’re busy. One minute, I was tucked away in the corner of the library, peacefully drowning out the world, and the next, I realized I was almost ten minutes late for my next class.

Great. Just great.

I hurried down the hallway, cursing under my breath. Luckily, when I peeked into the classroom, the professor hadn’t arrived yet. But still, I hated walking into class late—especially with everything going on. It meant all eyes would be on me. I could already feel the stares, the judgment, the whispers.

Ugh. Why couldn’t I just disappear into the background like I used to?

Taking a deep breath, I pulled my hoodie a little lower over my face and adjusted my earbuds. I could do this. I just needed to get through the day. I was strong, and I wasn’t about to let a bunch of idiots define me.

I pushed open the door and walked in, feeling the weight of the room’s attention on me. Eyes flicked in my direction, some lingering longer than others. My heart pounded in my chest, but I kept my head down and headed straight for my seat.

Just another day in paradise...

Or might I say hell. As I slid into my seat, I realized Jason had taken the one right next to mine. Of course. Why couldn’t he sit anywhere else, like he usually does? Just my luck. The lecturer walked in, telling everyone to settle down, and there was no way for me to switch seats now.

I glared at Jason, who had the audacity to smile at me like this was some kind of game. I clenched my teeth. Why was he sitting here? What was his problem?

Pulling out my books and pen, I could feel his eyes on me, watching every little movement I made. It was irritating, to say the least. I leaned over, whisper-shouting, "Stop creeping at me!" But of course, the idiot just smirked and continued, clearly enjoying how much he was getting under my skin. 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

The one upside? No one else in class was bothering me. The jeers and taunts from earlier had stopped, and I couldn’t help but notice that sitting next to Jason seemed to shield me from the usual mockery. Who would’ve thought? Sitting with him was like an unintentional shield, but he was still *him*—an annoying, infuriating disturbance I didn’t need.

Throughout the entire lecture, Jason couldn’t keep his hands to himself. At one point, a strand of my hair had slipped out from under my hoodie, and he immediately started playing with it. Twirling it around his fingers like it was the most interesting thing in the world. I couldn’t take it. I slapped his hand with my pen—not gently, either. The sudden movement made the lecturer glance in my direction, and I had to make up some excuse about hitting a large, irritating fly.

Jason snickered, and I had to bite my tongue to keep from snapping at him. As if that wasn’t enough, his hand "casually" found its way to my thigh. I froze, my body going rigid. Stupid fly. Stupid Jason. Why did this day have to get worse?

I swatted his hand away again, this time more forcefully, but it did nothing to wipe that infuriating grin off his face. I swear, the rest of this class couldn’t end fast enough.

As the lecture dragged on, I tried my best to focus on what the professor was saying, but Jason was making it impossible. His constant need to poke, prod, and irritate me had me on edge. I could feel his gaze burning into the side of my face, and every time I glanced his way, he’d flash that smug, annoying grin.

I took a deep breath, deciding to ignore him. Just focus on the lecture, Ella. But that was easier said than done, especially when I felt his fingers grazing the back of my neck again. He wasn’t even trying to be subtle this time—he was outright testing me.

I whipped my head toward him, glaring. "Do you have a death wish?" I whispered sharply, smacking his hand away once again.

Jason’s grin only widened. "I thought you liked when I touched you," he whispered back, voice dripping with mischief.

My eyes nearly popped out of my head. Was he serious right now? I was fuming. "Oh yeah?" I hissed under my breath. "I also like stabbing things, so maybe you should back off before I test my aim with this pen."

He chuckled, low and irritating. "Violent today, aren’t we?"

"Always with you," I shot back, narrowing my eyes. "Just... stop." I shifted slightly, putting my arm between us like a barrier.

Jason leaned in a little closer, lowering his voice. "You know, you act all tough, but I think you secretly love this."

I blinked, stunned for a second. "What? You think I love you annoying me? You’ve got some seriously twisted fantasies, buddy."

"You don’t hate it, though," he teased, and his eyes twinkled with that irritating confidence. "I see the way you react when I’m around."

My brain short-circuited for a moment. Was he implying...? No, no. There was no way he was reading this situation like that. I felt my pulse quicken, but I wasn’t about to let him think he had any sort of control over me.

"Oh, you see the way I react?" I tilted my head, my voice full of sarcasm. "Because I thought I was doing a pretty good job showing how much I don’t want you anywhere near me. Maybe I need to slap you harder next time."

Jason’s eyes sparked with amusement, but instead of backing down, he leaned even closer, his voice barely a whisper now. "You know, you’re kinda cute when you’re mad."

I clenched my jaw, the heat rising to my face. "Keep pushing me, Jason. I swear, you’ll regret it."

"Maybe," he said, grinning as if I was joking. But I wasn’t.

The professor called for attention, and I forced myself to focus on the board, but I could still feel Jason’s presence beside me. His knee nudged mine under the desk, and I nearly lost it.

"Seriously, Jason, one more move, and I will—"

"What?" he interrupted, his tone still playful but lower now, more serious. "What will you do, Ella?"

I stared at him, momentarily at a loss for words. What would I do? Punch him in the face? Storm out? I felt this weird mix of anger and something else—something I didn’t want to acknowledge. I hated the way he made me feel, how he managed to get under my skin in ways no one else ever had. He was frustrating, but part of me wondered if I really hated it as much as I claimed.

"Try me and find out," I said quietly, my voice a little too breathy for my own comfort.

Jason’s grin didn’t falter, but something shifted in his gaze. There was that same look from earlier, the one that made me feel like he saw more than I wanted him to. Like he wasn’t just teasing anymore—like he was daring me.

"Okay, maybe I will," he murmured, leaning back into his chair, but his eyes never left mine.

I clenched my fists under the desk, trying to steady myself. This was not a game I was going to lose.