I am 15 chapters ahead on my patreón, check it out if you are interested.
https://www.patréon.com/emperordragon
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Chapter 11: Lunch, Flirting Failures, and Unwanted Surprises
Monday lunchtime. Like always, Alex found herself sitting across from Jon at their usual table. It had become a routine at this point—just the two of them, engaged in their usual dry, sarcastic banter while the rest of the cafeteria buzzed around them.
Jon took a bite of his sandwich and tilted his head. "So, weekend recap: I joined an MMA gym, got checked out by social services, and found out Jay might actually like me more than his own kids."
Alex smirked. "Wow, you've had a productive weekend. I mostly just studied and resisted the urge to murder my siblings."
Jon nodded. "Respectable. Though, let's be real, you'd probably get away with it."
Alex chuckled, but then she suddenly remembered her conversation with Haley. Her sister had given her a whole list of "tried and tested" ways to flirt with a guy—things like subtle touches, leaning in while talking, and playful teasing.
She figured now was as good a time as any to try them out.
Alex leaned forward slightly, resting her chin on her hand. "You know, Jon, for someone who spends so much time training, I have to say… you don't look half bad in a T-shirt."
Jon blinked. "Uh… thanks?"
Alex resisted the urge to groan. Come on, Jon, at least acknowledge the flirt.
She tried again, this time brushing her fingers lightly against his arm. "Must be nice having all those muscles. Lifting books must be so easy for you."
Jon raised an eyebrow. "I mean… yeah, I guess?"
Alex clenched her jaw. How dense can one guy be?
Before she could try again, Jon suddenly perked up, his eyes lighting up as he waved at someone across the cafeteria. "Hey, Sam!"
Alex turned her head—and her heart instantly sank.
A girl was walking toward them, and not just any girl. She was gorgeous.
Tall, fit, and effortlessly cool, she had long, wavy blonde hair, sharp, confident eyes, and the kind of presence that made people turn their heads. Dressed in a leather jacket over a fitted top and jeans, she looked like she had walked straight out of a movie.
To Alex's horror, the girl didn't just sit down—she hugged Jon.
"Hey, handsome," the girl—Sam—said with a grin.
Jon looked just as surprised as Alex felt. "Wait, you go to school here?"
Sam smirked. "Of course. I'm a senior. Didn't think I'd let you have all the fun, did you?"
Alex felt something twist in her chest. Senior. Of course, she's older. Of course, she's hot. Of course, she's all over Jon.
Jon chuckled. "Well, this is unexpected."
Yeah, tell me about it.
Realizing she had been staring, Alex forced herself to speak. "Uh, hi. I'm Alex."
Jon smiles. "Alex, this is Sam. She also goes the MMA gym I was talking about. Sam, this is Alex."
Sam turned to her and smiled. "Hey! Jon's told me about you. Smart, sarcastic, and too good for most people in this school."
Alex blinked. Okay, that was… nice?
But before she could say anything, Sam casually leaned over and—
Kissed Jon. Right on the lips.
Alex felt like she had been punched in the stomach.
Jon didn't seem too fazed—he just kissed her back briefly before pulling away, a bit embarrassed. "Uh, we're in school."
Sam grinned. "So?"
Alex clenched her hands into fists under the table. So?! So maybe you could not make out with him in front of me!
She forced herself to smile. "Well… it's nice to meet you, Sam."
Sam beamed. "You too! We should all hang out sometime."
Alex wanted to scream.
Later That Day
After lunch, Alex stormed through the hallways, searching for her sister. She found Haley at her locker, flipping through her phone.
"Haley."
Haley looked up. "Whoa. You look like you just watched someone drop your favorite book in a puddle."
Alex crossed her arms. "What do you know about Samantha?"
Haley raised an eyebrow. "You mean the Samantha? The insanely hot senior who basically makes guys trip over themselves? Why?"
Alex exhaled. "Because she's dating Jon."
Haley's eyes widened. "What?!"
Alex nodded. "Saw them kissing at lunch."
Haley shut her locker. "Well, that was fast. I didn't even know they knew each other."
"Neither did I," Alex muttered.
Haley studied her for a moment, then smirked. "You're jealous."
Alex scoffed. "I am not—"
Haley gave her a look.
Alex sighed. "Okay. Maybe a little."
Haley grinned. "Welcome to your first real crush, Alex."
Alex groaned. "This sucks."
Haley patted her on the shoulder. "Yeah, it does. But don't worry. Super hot senior or not, you've got something she doesn't."
Alex frowned. "And what's that?"
Haley smiled knowingly. "You're already in Jon's life. Every day. Every lunch. Every class. That's more time than she gets."
Alex thought about that. It didn't fix the problem, but… it made her feel slightly better.
"Now," Haley continued, "wanna talk strategy?"
Alex hesitated. "You mean like how to sabotage their relationship?"
Haley gasped dramatically. "Alex! How dare you suggest such a thing?" Then she grinned. "But, uh… yeah."
For the first time after meeting Samantha, Alex laughed. Maybe this wasn't over just yet.
By the end of the school day, the entire campus was buzzing with one piece of news.
Jon Hale—the new guy, the ridiculously athletic, and unfairly good-looking junior—was dating Samantha, the hottest senior in school.
Jon wasn't sure how the news had spread so fast, but by the time he made it to his locker, he had already heard at least three different versions of the story.
One guy claimed that he had swept Sam off her feet in some dramatic movie-style moment.
Another girl whispered that they had been dating before he even transferred.
And someone else had started a completely absurd rumor that he had won her in a fight.
Jon just sighed. "High school, man."
As he grabbed his books, he spotted Alex down the hall. She was with Haley, who seemed to be whispering something in her ear. Alex was listening intently, nodding.
Jon tilted his head.
Huh.
He had a feeling that whatever they were plotting… it wasn't good for him.