truth or dare - game on series #1

Stella

Bree and I walk down the hallway toward our next class, the chatter of students all around us. The hum of voices is usually enough to drown out my own thoughts, but today, it feels louder. More overwhelming. Maybe it's because I can still hear the boys from the basketball team in my head, their laughter echoing from the library. Maybe it's because my mind is still scattered, and I'm having a hard time pulling it all together.

Just as we approach the door to the classroom, I hear it—the unmistakable sound of laughter. I don't even have to look up to know who it is.

"God, they're so loud," I mutter under my breath. "I forgot they're in this class too."

Bree glances over at me, her face a mix of amusement and frustration. "You know, you'd think they'd get tired of hearing their own voices."

There they are, the entire group of them, taking up the back row. Cameron is sitting next to Drew, his broad shoulders casually relaxed in his chair, eyes glancing over the room like he owns the whole damn building.

I try not to stare. I really do. But there's something about the way they carry themselves that gets under my skin. It's not just that they're popular, it's that they don't even try to hide it. It's like they're all royalty, and the rest of us are just their subjects.

The professor walks in a few moments later, briefcase in hand, and the room falls quiet as he sets up. Professor Reynolds is one of those teachers who expects students to respect the classroom, but I'm not sure how he's going to handle these guys today.

After a quick introduction, he starts assigning partners for a new project we'll be working on for the next few weeks. I'm trying my best to focus, but my mind feels foggy again.

"Alright," Professor Reynolds says, tapping his pen on the desk. "I'll pair you all up for this project. It'll be a two-person assignment. Please make sure to collaborate with your partner and meet up outside of class to work together."

The professor starts calling out names. I hear my name, and then... Cameron's.

"Stella Davis and Cameron Clark," Professor Reynolds announces, glancing around the room. "You two are partners for this project."

I freeze.

Cameron Clark. As in, the Cameron Clark. The captain of the basketball team. The guy with the perfect smile, the one who seems to have everything handed to him. The one who always manages to make the whole room stop whatever they're doing just to notice him.

I try not to look over at him. I know he's probably looking at me. I can feel his eyes on me, though I don't want to acknowledge it. But as I look over at him, I catch him glancing around, his brow furrowed slightly as if he's confused.

I hear him whisper to Drew, "Who's Stella Davis?"

I feel my cheeks turning red, irritation bubbling in my chest. Of course he doesn't know me. Why would he? I'm not the kind of person whose name comes up in conversation with the popular crowd. I'm not the type of girl whose name is mentioned at the parties or the games or the VIP tables.

I grit my teeth, trying to push it out of my mind. I'm just his partner for a project. Nothing more, nothing less.

By the time class was over I managed to push it out of my head. At least partially.

I start to gather my things, ready to head out. But before I can leave, I hear his voice behind me.

"Hey, uh, Stella, right?" His voice is casual, but there's a hint of something else in it, like he's trying to act all laid-back and friendly. I turn around, half-expecting him to just keep walking, but he's standing right there, a small smile on his face.

"Yeah, it's me," I say. I'm really not in the mood for his charm right now.

Cameron doesn't seem to notice my lack of enthusiasm as he extends his hand. "I'm Cameron." He says it like I wouldn't have known that already. Like his name doesn't echo through the halls every time he walks into a room.

"I know who you are," I say, trying to keep my voice cool. "So... what do you need?"

He grins, like he's used to people reacting to him this way. "I just wanted to introduce myself, since we're partners now. So, uh... maybe we could exchange numbers so we can figure out when to meet up for the project?"

For a moment, I just stare at him. He seems completely at ease, as though this is a normal, everyday interaction. I wasn't expecting it, but maybe I should've.

I blink, a little confused. "Um, yeah, sure," I say, still a little unsure about this whole thing. He doesn't exactly seem like the kind of guy who cares about working together, especially when I'm sure he has more important things on his mind, like the next game or the next party.

But I give him my number anyway, still feeling a little weird about it.

"Cool. I'll text you later," he says, then turns to leave, his group of friends waiting by the door.

I watch him walk away, my mind a whirlwind. Why did he even bother introducing himself like that?

I shake my head, trying to push him out of my thoughts. For now, I've got a project to focus on. Just a project.