The Girl in the Hoodie is Mine

Ella POV:

Sitting through class with Jason next to me was like trying to ignore an overly excited puppy. For once, he was keeping his hands to himself, which was a relief, but that didn’t stop him from bombarding me with questions.

"What color is your gown?" he kept asking, as if my answer would solve all the world’s problems.

Why does it even matter? I thought, rolling my eyes. "Just wear whatever you want, Jason," I said, brushing him off for the hundredth time. But he was persistent, as if coordinating our outfits was some kind of life-or-death situation.

"Come on, El, just tell me. I want to match," he insisted with that annoyingly charming smile. Argh. This guy.

I managed to hold back a sarcastic retort when, just in time, the lecturer finally wrapped up the class. As everyone started packing their things, the professor made an announcement that caught my attention.

"So, the party this week is officially a masquerade ball," he said, barely hiding his own excitement.

Wait, what? My mind raced back to the conversation I’d had with Jason when he’d so casually mentioned he could make it happen. I figured it was just him being cocky, trying to impress me. But... no. Apparently, the guy wasn’t all talk. He actually did it.

The party was going to be a masquerade. Just like I asked.

I glanced sideways at him, trying not to let my surprise show. He didn’t say anything, just gave me a knowing look, a smug grin spreading across his face like he’d pulled off the greatest trick in the world.

Okay, I had to give him credit where it was due. He did deliver on his promise. Fine, Jason, you win this round.

Still, that didn’t mean I was going to tell him the color of my gown.

"Guess you really pulled it off," I muttered under my breath, trying not to sound impressed. He just smirked, clearly enjoying the small victory.

"See? I told you I know people who know people," he replied, looking ridiculously pleased with himself.

Great, I thought. Now he was going to be insufferable about this.

But at least, with the mask in place, I wouldn’t have to worry about anyone recognizing me. No one would see my face, and that was all that mattered.

---

At the diner that day, as usual, the three goofballs strolled in. Max was already in one of his moods, sighing loudly and giving me those puppy-dog eyes.

"Elly, give me a beer. I need to drown my sorrows," Max exclaimed dramatically, his voice full of fake misery.

Oh, brother.

I rolled my eyes but took their orders anyway. When I returned with their drinks, Max clutched my hand dramatically, like I was the last lifeline to his sanity.

"Why, Elly? What does he have that I don’t?" he asked, his voice filled with exaggerated heartbreak. "Did he threaten you?!"

Max continued his performance, acting like some tragic Romeo. I still had no clue what he was babbling about until I noticed him giving Jason the stink eye.

Ah. It clicked. Jason must have bragged about me being his plus-one for the party.

Just great.

"Max, let go of my hand before I dump this drink on your head," I said through gritted teeth, trying to pull my hand free. Max had that over-the-top dramatic look in his eyes like a rejected Romeo, and I wasn’t in the mood for his theatrics.

"Come on, Elly, don’t do me like this," he pleaded, still clutching my hand like it was the last lifeline to his sanity. "What does he have that I don’t? Is it the hair? The muscles? Is it because he’s taller? Did he threaten you? Blink twice if you’re in trouble!"

Oh, for heaven’s sake.

"Max," I warned, glancing at Jason, who was sitting there looking too smug for his own good, arms crossed as he leaned back in his seat like the king of the world. Dylan sat between them, just shaking his head, clearly used to Max’s antics by now. But Jason? He was eating this up, and the smirk on his face made me want to toss a drink at him too, just for good measure.

Max was still looking at me with puppy dog eyes, and I could feel the entire diner watching. "Let go. Now," I said, my tone leaving no room for argument.

"Fine, fine," Max mumbled, releasing my hand dramatically like I’d broken his heart. "But just know, I’m drowning my sorrows tonight," he added, raising his beer in mock sadness.

"Enjoy," I muttered under my breath, rolling my eyes again. I wasn’t about to entertain his dramatics any longer.

As I turned to walk away, I caught Jason watching me with that same self-satisfied grin plastered across his face. Ugh. Of course, he had to make a big deal about this party.

Max sighed dramatically again from behind me, "If you need me, Elly, I’ll be here... heartbroken..."

I shook my head, deciding I’d let him wallow in his imaginary heartbreak. The last thing I needed was to get sucked into whatever weird energy was circulating between Jason, Max, and Dylan. After a while they walked out. Good, they should go sulk else where.

At least for tonight, I was just going to focus on my shift and forget about the crazy world of overdramatic boys and masquerade parties.

Amber POV:

A masquerade party? Are they freaking serious? I don’t want to hide my face! How will the world know that the most gorgeous woman in the room, wearing the most expensive dress, is me—Amber, daughter of the Prescott’s? Is the CEO of this company insane?

Whoever came up with this idea must be insane. Who turns an official company event into a masquerade ball? And wasn’t the CEO supposed to reveal himself? How in hell is he going to do that if everyone’s wearing masks?

Oh well, I guess I’ll just have to make do with a half mask. At least that way people will still recognize me. No way am I letting all this beauty—and this stunning dress—go unnoticed. Besides, everyone knows a mask can’t hide perfection.

JASON’S POV:

This has been the best day of my life. The moment Ella agreed to be my plus one—it’s like the universe finally aligned. I noticed Dylan and Max sulking all day, but I wasn’t going to let their gloom dampen my mood. They weren’t happy that I managed to convince Ella to go with me. Oh well, she chose me. Sure, I had to make some adjustments for it, but that didn’t matter. I’d change the entire world if it meant having her by my side.

Now all I had to do was make her fall for me... like I’ve already fallen for her.

I couldn’t stop thinking about her. The way she always pushed back, never let me get too close. She was strong, independent, and didn’t need anyone. Definitely didn’t need me. But that didn’t stop me from wanting her.

I drummed my fingers against the streetlight, trying to think of how to get through to her. Ella wasn’t the kind of girl you could impress with expensive gifts or over-the-top gestures. She’d probably roll her eyes if I showed up with flowers or tried to take her out to some fancy restaurant. No, that wasn’t her style.

Just like the past few nights, I found myself waiting for her again. This time, though, I wasn’t hiding in the shadows of the alley like I usually did. Nah, that wouldn’t work anymore. If I wanted her to see me as more than just a nuisance or some guy hanging around for no reason, I had to change my approach.

It was midnight when her shift ended. The streetlights flickered overhead, casting long shadows on the wet pavement from the earlier rain. I leaned against a streetlamp across the diner, watching as Ella said goodbye to her coworkers. Her face, always serious, was slightly softer in the dim light, but I knew it wouldn’t last long. The moment she spotted me, her guard would be up.

I needed to start fresh with her. Not as the guy who bugged her about being his plus one, or the guy who hovered too close. I had to start by being her friend. And knowing Ella, that was going to be a challenge. She wasn’t the type to let anyone in easily. She had walls—high ones—and while I had chipped away at them a little, I knew I had a long way to go.

As she walked out, I stepped forward, making sure I didn’t seem too pushy. I wasn’t about to make her feel cornered.

"Hey, Ella," I called out, trying to keep my tone casual. "Want some company on the walk home?"

She looked up, surprised, and immediately narrowed her eyes. "What, you don’t have something better to do?" she asked, her voice sharp but not as hostile as it could’ve been. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

I chuckled softly, shoving my hands into my pockets. "Finished early. Thought I’d catch up with you." I shrugged like it wasn’t a big deal, even though my heart was racing. I wasn’t trying to impress her tonight, just be there.

She rolled her eyes, but after a moment of hesitation, she started walking, and I fell in step beside her.

The night was quiet except for the distant hum of the city. I didn’t push her to talk, and she didn’t tell me to leave. That was a start, right? The silence between us wasn’t uncomfortable—it was just... there.

"Long shift?" I asked after a while, glancing at her out of the corner of my eye.

Ella shrugged. "Same as usual. Nothing exciting."

"Maybe that’s a good thing," I replied with a small smile. "No drama."

She smirked, though I could see her trying to hide it. "I’d take boring over drama any day."

We continued walking, the conversation light, nothing too deep. I wasn’t pushing her. I was just... there. Maybe that’s all she needed from me tonight—to see that I could be present without expecting anything in return. No pressure. No agenda. Just walking her home.

As we neared her place, I knew I hadn’t broken through any major walls, but that wasn’t the point. Tonight was about small steps. Befriending Ella was going to take time. But if that’s what it took, then I was willing to be patient.

When we reached her door, she turned to look at me. "Thanks, I guess," she muttered, her usual tough-girl mask slipping just a bit.

I smiled, not too big, just enough. "Anytime."

And with that, she disappeared behind her door, leaving me standing there. It wasn’t a victory, but it wasn’t a loss either. It was progress—slow, steady progress. And I’d take it.