Girl from Parallel universe -Part 1

3 | Clever move

With a nod of agreement, Grace finished packing her bag and rose to her feet, a sense of anticipation tingling in the air as she followed Lucas out of the classroom. Little did she know, this impromptu lunch date would mark the beginning of an unexpected adventure that would forever change the course of their lives.

They strode into the bustling cafeteria together, a wave of whispers and curious glances following in their wake. But Grace and Lucas paid no heed to the attention they garnered; their focus remained solely on each other as they made their way to a pristine white table, distinct from the sea of yellow tables that filled the cafeteria. Reserved for selected students, it was a symbol of the privilege they held within the school's hierarchy.

Setting down their belongings, they ventured forth to collect their meals, the aura of anticipation palpable around them. As they traversed the cafeteria's expanse, heads turned, eyes lingering on Grace's graceful figure and Lucas's confident demeanor. They were the center of attention, but in that moment, they were lost in their own world, oblivious to the gazes that followed their every move.

Seated at the table, surrounded by a sea of staring eyes, Grace couldn't help but question Lucas's earlier remark about their lunch being an adventure. "What's adventurous about this?" she inquired, a hint of skepticism coloring her tone.

Lucas leaned back in his chair, a mischievous glint dancing in his eyes. "Just wait for it," he replied cryptically, his words laden with promise of something yet to come.

As they began to enjoy their meal in each other's company, the tranquility of the moment was shattered by an unexpected intrusion. A hand slammed down on the table with force, and all eyes turned to see Olivia standing before them, her expression contorted with anger and accusation.

"What the hell have you done to this school? You've hypnotized everyone, you fucking whore!" she spat, her voice laced with venom as she directed her rage towards Grace.

Beside her, Hazel chimed in with her own brand of vitriol, her words dripping with disdain. "She's even hanging out with your man," she added, a smirk playing on her lips as she sought to further incite conflict.

Lucas remained unruffled, his calm demeanor contrasting sharply with the chaos unfolding around them. With a knowing smile directed at Grace, he seemed unfazed by the accusations hurled their way, as if he knew something they didn't. And in that moment, Grace couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation, wondering what other surprises lay in store on this unexpected adventure they were embarking on together.

The tension in the cafeteria escalated as Olivia's outburst reverberated across the room, drawing the attention of every student present. Grace, unfazed by the hostility directed her way, maintained her composure as she took a casual bite of her mac 'n cheese, seemingly oblivious to the chaos unfolding around her.

Olivia's voice was sharp with anger as she continued her tirade, her words laced with venom as she hurled insults at Grace. "What are you smiling at, bitch?" she spat, her face contorted with rage as she glared daggers at Grace.

Grace met Olivia's gaze head-on, her expression calm and collected as she prepared to deliver her response. With a nonchalant shrug, she finally spoke, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Well, I never wanted to be with YOUR man, but he invited me," she retorted, flashing a smug smile in Olivia's direction before turning her attention to Lucas.

Lucas, who had remained silent throughout the confrontation, finally decided to intervene. His tone was calm yet authoritative as he addressed Olivia, seeking clarification. "Will you please clarify what makes me your man?" he inquired, his words cutting through the tension like a knife.

Olivia, caught off guard by Lucas's question, found herself at a loss for words. Tears welled up in her eyes as the realization of her folly sank in, her facade of confidence crumbling before her. With a defeated look, she turned on her heel and stormed away, her friends trailing behind her like loyal subjects.

As the commotion subsided and the cafeteria returned to a semblance of normalcy, the students couldn't help but buzz with excitement over the spectacle they had just witnessed. The drama had provided a welcome distraction from the monotony of lunchtime, leaving everyone with plenty to gossip about as they finished their meals. It was a rare moment of entertainment in the otherwise mundane routine of school life, and for that, they were grateful.

Grace's eyes widened with understanding as Lucas revealed the truth behind Olivia's outburst. The pieces of the puzzle fell into place, and she couldn't help but admire the cunning strategy he had employed to free himself from Olivia's grasp.

"Was it planned?" she inquired, her gaze fixed on Lucas as she awaited his response.

"Sort of. Actually, it was predicted," Lucas replied cryptically, casting a cautious glance around to ensure they weren't being overheard. Leaning in closer, he elaborated, "Actually, she had been annoying me from a couple of months, so I just wanted to get myself freed."

"From what?" Grace pressed, intrigued by the revelation.

"Actually, six months back, I lost a bet to her," Lucas admitted with a hint of chagrin. "She said that I couldn't deny any of her requests until there was someone to replace her position as the heartbreaker. And she asked me to accept her in front of everyone at lunch as my , well you know. So..."

Grace's lips curved into a wry smile as she connected the dots. "Clever move," she remarked, nodding in approval. "That's why you approached me in the library."

"Yeah," Lucas confirmed with a sheepish grin, relieved to have finally extricated himself from Olivia's manipulative hold.

Indeed, it was a clever move—one that had not only liberated Lucas from an unwanted obligation but also paved the way for a newfound alliance between him and Grace. As they exchanged knowing glances, a sense of camaraderie blossomed between them, forged through shared secrets and strategic maneuvering.