Eddie should have known something was off the moment Maya started failing exams.
Not that she wasn't capable of failing—she barely paid attention in class. But Maya always had a way of scraping by when it counted. So when their English teacher announced she would need tutoring, and Maya immediately shot her hand up to request him, Eddie knew he was doomed.
"Mr. Thompson is one of our best students," the teacher said. "I think that's a great idea, Maya."
"Wait—" Eddie started, but the decision had already been made. Maya turned to him with a victorious smirk.
"Looks like we'll be spending lots of time together, nerd."
Eddie groaned. "I hate you."
Maya winked. "No, you don't."
From that day on, Eddie's life turned into a nightmare.
Maya made sure she was everywhere.
At the library, she was supposed to be studying, but instead, she kept scribbling notes and sliding them over to him.
Eddie, I don't get this part. Explain it again.
He sighed, whispering, "I just did."
Explain it slower, she wrote, batting her lashes dramatically.
Eddie clenched his jaw and rewrote the explanation, only for Maya to write back: Still confused. I think you need to hold my hand and guide me through it.
Eddie slammed his pen down. "Maya."
"Yes, tutor?" she whispered sweetly.
He glared. "Shut up and read."
She giggled, twirling a strand of golden-brown hair around her finger. "You're no fun, nerd."
And then, out of nowhere, Maya pulled a stunt that had Eddie questioning his entire existence.
She slid into the seat next to him with such casual confidence that it took him a moment to register what was happening. They were in the library, studying (sort of), and Maya was… well, making herself way too comfortable.
"Maya—what are you doing?" Eddie asked, turning to see her practically sitting on top of him.
"Oh, there's no space," she said innocently, but her smirk told a completely different story.
"There's literally a whole bench to the left of me," Eddie deadpanned.
She tilted her head, giving him the sweetest, most innocent look she could muster. "Nah, this works. You don't mind, do you?"
He opened his mouth to protest but quickly realized there was no point. The battle was already lost. "Maya, seriously, you're practically on top of me!"
"Am I?" she asked, blinking slowly. "Oh, oops. Guess I didn't realize."
Eddie stared at her, trying to keep his cool. "You're unbelievable."
She leaned in, narrowing the gap between them further. "Thanks. You're adorable when you're flustered, you know that?"
He didn't respond, instead letting out an exasperated sigh and glancing around the room to see if anyone was watching. He was hoping for a distraction, but of course, Maya knew exactly what she was doing.
At lunch, he thought he could escape. He was wrong.
Maya and her friends—Luna, Sally, and a few other girls—casually sat at his table as if it was the most natural thing in the world.
Zeke, Eddie's only ally, didn't even protest. He was too busy laughing and talking with Sally.
"Eddie, want my fries?" Maya asked, pushing her tray toward him.
"No."
"Why not?"
"Because they're yours."
She grinned. "I know. I'm being generous."
Eddie sighed, rubbing his temples. "Maya—"
"Oh, come on, nerd." She picked up a fry and held it to his lips. "Just one bite?"
He yanked her wrist down. "Are you insane?"
Maya laughed, triumphant. "Wow, you're so fun at parties."
Zeke snickered. "Dude, just take the fry."
Eddie shot him a glare. "You're supposed to be on my side."
"Nah, this is too funny," Zeke said, slinging his arm around Sally. "Besides, I think she's growing on you."
Eddie groaned.
He even tried to escape in class. No luck.
If he moved seats, Maya followed.
If he complained, she hit him with, "You are my tutor and my project partner. I need to be close to you."
And then there was the accidental physical closeness.
At his locker, she "accidentally" blocked him in.
"Oh, oops," she said, leaning against the lockers. "No space."
"There is literally space," Eddie snapped.
Maya gasped dramatically. "Are you saying you don't want me here?"
"Yes."
"Liar."
He exhaled through his nose. "Maya, move."
She stretched her arms out lazily. "Nah. I like it here."
Eddie stared at her. "You're unbelievable."
She grinned. "I know."
Then came the fake guilt-tripping.
Eddie was heading to his car when suddenly, Maya appeared out of nowhere, bumping into him—then dramatically falling to the ground.
"Ow," she gasped, holding her ankle.
Eddie groaned. "Oh, come on."
She looked up at him with teary eyes. "You're just going to leave me here?"
He pinched the bridge of his nose. "Maya. You are not hurt."
She sniffed. "Wow, you're heartless."
Eddie clenched his fists. "You planned this."
"No, I suffered this," she corrected.
He sighed heavily, holding out his hand. "Get up."
She grinned and took his hand, yanking herself up. "See? You do care."
He glared. "I regret this already."
Maya beamed, hooking her arm through his. "Too late, nerd. You're stuck with me."
Just when Eddie thought he had adjusted to this insanity, Maya changed the game.
She disappeared.
For an entire day.
No teasing. No bets. No annoying notes in the library.
Eddie should have been relieved.
Instead, he found himself looking around more than usual, expecting her to pop up behind him with some ridiculous scheme. But she didn't.
By lunch, he caught himself staring at the doors, waiting.
By last period, he was irritated.
Where was she?
Zeke raised an eyebrow. "Dude, you okay?"
Eddie scowled. "I'm fine."
Zeke smirked. "Really? Because you've been looking around all day like a lost puppy."
"I have not—"
"Oh, you totally have."
Eddie scowled. "I just—" He paused. "She's just annoying."
Zeke hummed, unconvinced.
Eddie crossed his arms. "I don't care."
"You sure?" Zeke grinned. "Because you've talked about her all day."
Eddie froze.
Zeke's grin widened. "Ohhh."
Eddie slammed his book shut. "Shut up."
Zeke laughed. "Man, this is gold."
The next day, Maya was back.
She waltzed into class as if nothing had happened, sitting beside Eddie with a sweet smile. "Morning, nerd."
Eddie turned to her, arms crossed. "Where were you yesterday?"
Maya blinked. "Oh? You noticed?"
His eye twitched. "Answer the question."
She smirked. "Why? Did you miss me?"
"No."
"Liar."
Eddie clenched his jaw. "I was just curious."
She beamed. "Aww, that's cute."
"I hate you."
"No, you missed me."
Eddie groaned. "You're insufferable."
She winked. "And yet, you love it."
Eddie slumped over his desk in defeat.
This girl was going to ruin him.
He didn't know when it happened, but somehow, he had become her personal punching bag—whether she was pranking him with weird notes, throwing random comments his way, or just messing with his head, Eddie was always in the middle of her chaos.
But deep down, he couldn't help but think maybe… maybe he kind of liked it.
And he really hated himself for it.