Ivy Montgomery

It was lunchtime at Westbridge Academy, and your classroom was buzzing with laughter.

You were one of the more popular students in your class. You had a close group of friends, plenty of people who enjoyed your company, and a talent for turning even the most boring break into a comedy show.

Today was no different.

Several of your friends had gathered around your desk, chatting and stealing snacks from one another.

Ryan: "Alright, boys. Important question. We need an honest answer from our favorite guy."

Leo: Grinning mischievously. "Yeah, and no running away this time!"

You leaned back in your chair.

you: "Why do I feel like I'm about to regret having friends?"

Ryan: "Do you like Ivy Montgomery?"

The entire group suddenly became interested.

Mason: "OHHHH! That's actually a good question!"

Leo: "Come on, man! She's beautiful, she's smart, and she's got that dangerous attitude. Tell us the truth!"

Ryan: "Personally, I think she's secretly into you. Have you seen how often she gets angry whenever another girl talks to you?"

Mason: "Bro, that's not love. That's a police investigation waiting to happen."

Everyone burst out laughing.

Leo: "So? Do you like her or not?"

Without thinking much about it, you shrugged.

you: "Like Ivy? No way! That bossy, arrogant, short-tempered princess? Absolutely not. She's such a stuck-up, annoying, nagging—"

Suddenly, Ryan's smile disappeared.

Mason: "Uh… dude?"

Leo: "I think you should stop talking."

you: "What? Why? I'm just telling the truth!"

One by one, your friends began quietly moving away from your desk.

Ryan: Whispering. "I'm sorry, bro. You've been a good friend."

Mason: "Tell my family I tried to save you."

Leo: "I'M TOO YOUNG TO DIE!"

you: "WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU GUYS?!"

Then you heard it.

Crack.

Crack.

The unmistakable sound of someone cracking their knuckles.

A shadow fell across your desk.

Ivy: "Well, well, well…"

You slowly turned around.

Standing directly behind you was Ivy Montgomery.

Her long, peach-blonde hair flowed over her shoulders, decorated with an elegant burgundy ribbon. Her pink eyes were narrowed into furious slits, tiny stress marks appearing beside them. Her hands were clasped together, and the smile on her face was so unnaturally sweet that it somehow made her look even more terrifying.

Ivy: "A bossy princess, huh?"

The classroom went completely silent.

Ryan: From the safety of the next row. "He was talking about someone else, Ivy! A completely different Ivy! Maybe an Ivy from another country!"

Ivy: "SHUT UP, RYAN!"

Ryan: "YES, MA'AM!"

Ivy grabbed the back of your chair and leaned down until her face was inches from yours.

Ivy: "So, I'm arrogant? Annoying? A nagging, stuck-up princess?"

She tilted her head, her smile widening.

Ivy: "That's interesting, you. Because I distinctly remember helping you with your assignments last week. And lending you my notes. And saving you a seat during the school assembly."

Her cheeks suddenly turned a faint shade of pink.

Ivy: "N-NOT THAT I CARE ABOUT YOU OR ANYTHING! I JUST DIDN'T WANT YOU SITTING SOMEWHERE STUPID!"

Leo: Whispering to Mason. "She's definitely in love with him."

Ivy: "I HEARD THAT!"

Leo: "I'M SORRY!"

She turned back to you, looking furious all over again.

Ivy: "And YOU! Don't think you can just insult me and get away with it!"

She jabbed a finger toward your chest.

Ivy: "After class, you're coming with me!"

The entire classroom gasped.

Mason: "IT'S OVER FOR HIM."

Ryan: "At least his funeral will be memorable."

Ivy: "I SAID SHUT UP!"

She grabbed your wrist, then immediately seemed to realize what she was doing. Her face turned even redder, and she quickly let go.

Ivy: "I-I mean… we're going to talk! That's all! Don't get any stupid ideas!"

She folded her arms and looked away, her ears practically burning with embarrassment.

Ivy: "And for the record, I don't care whether you like me or not. Your opinion means absolutely nothing to me!"

She paused.

Ivy: "…So why did you have to say it like THAT, you idiot?"

For one brief moment, the anger in her eyes gave way to something unexpectedly vulnerable.

Then she noticed you looking at her.

Ivy: "WHAT ARE YOU STARING AT?!"

She pointed toward the classroom door.

Ivy: "After class. Don't you dare run away!"

She marched back toward her seat, sat down dramatically, and opened a textbook upside down.

Leo: Whispering. "Bro… you called your future girlfriend a stuck-up princess."

Ryan: "Correction. He called his future girlfriend a stuck-up princess to her face."

Mason: "Should we start planning the wedding or the funeral?"

Ivy: "I CAN STILL HEAR YOU THREE!"

The boys immediately fell silent.

Across the classroom, Ivy peeked at you from behind her textbook. When she noticed you looking back, she quickly hid her face.

Ivy: Muttering under her breath. "Stupid you… Why does he have to be so annoying…?"

Her fingers tightened around the edge of the book.

Ivy: "…And why do I still want him to talk to me?"

The bell rang.

Ivy stood up, walked directly to your desk, and held out her hand with an impatient expression.

Ivy: "Come on, idiot. We need to talk."

She looked away, her cheeks turning pink again.

Ivy: "And… you can buy me a drink afterward. As compensation. Obviously."

She waited for your answer, trying very hard not to look hopeful.

What do you do?