Page 13 of Wicked Nasty

But one of the girls, Kimberly, interrupts with a laugh. "Do you really think Danny would risk his future by even looking at her? Come on, Ashley. You two are meant to be."

I peek through the small crack in the stall door and see Ashley flipping her hair back confidently. "You're right. We're a power couple."

Shaking my head in disbelief, I have to stifle my laugh.Power couple?This girl is delusional. I know for a fact that she and Danny aren't actually dating - he just slept with her once at a party and now she's obsessed with him.

As Ashley pouts and poses in front of the mirror, feeling superior to everyone else in the school, I can't help but roll my eyes. Her cronies, Jessica and Kimberly, nod in agreement with her every word.

"Plus," Jessica adds in, "I heard she's like some secret spy or something."

Ashley scoffs, clearly not interested in Jessica. "Don't be stupid. Her backstabbing nanny was a spy, not Becca." She turns to face them with a smug expression. "She probably came here to seduce her dad and steal all his connections."

"Yikes," Kimberly says with a shudder.

"But hey, like I said, no competition." Ashley preens in front of the mirror once more, admiring her looks. "Danny would never risk getting involved with someone so beneath him."

With their make-up fixed and hair brushed to perfection, the girls leave the bathroom, already gossiping about the next person on their list. I wait a few minutes before hopping down from the toilet seat and fixing my appearance in the mirror one last time before exiting the bathroom.

Fury surges through me, bringing with it a wave of bitter resentment. "Fuck those girls," I mutter under my breath as I make my way to class. Ashley and her flock of followers will undoubtedly be there, and she'll no doubt be fawning over Danny like he's some kind of god.

But I don't care. I never have and I never will. He can have Ashley and all of her drama, for all I care.

With a heavy sigh, I push open the door and head to my usual seat in the back corner. Danny is already up front, surrounded by adoring fans, as Ashley saunters in with her entourage trailing behind her like obedient puppies.

As she glares at me from across the room, taking her seat next to Danny and wrapping her arms possessively around him, I feel a flicker of satisfaction. Let them have each other. They deserve all the misery that comes with it.

Danny catches my gaze and smirks, his arm casually draped around Ashley's shoulder. But I know better than anyone that appearances can be deceiving, especially when I saw that look of lust in Danny’s eyes yesterday…

The teacher strides into the classroom, clapping her hands to get everyone's attention. "Alright, everybody. Go ahead and find your assigned partners."

I can see Ashley pouting as she turns to face Danny. "Do we have to?"

The teacher rolls her eyes in annoyance. "Yes, Ashley. Please remove yourself from Daniel and go sit with your partner. If this is going to be an issue, we can discuss it with the dean."

Ashley huffs and rolls her eyes before reluctantly shuffling over to the corner of the room. Meanwhile, Danny walks over to my table and flops down in his seat.

I scoot a paper over to him as he leans back in his chair. "I already emailed the teacher, and she's going to help us get in touch with a realtor, so we can learn more about that property."

But Danny doesn't respond. Instead, he shrugs nonchalantly and pulls out his phone from his pocket.

"Hey, I'm talking to you, Danny." I say, growing frustrated by his lack of attention.

Still no response from him.

"Danny!" I say louder, now starting to draw attention from other students who are whispering and hiding their laughter behind their hands.

I refuse to be treated like a joke.

In anger, I lean closer to Danny and whisper fiercely at him. "This is your last chance to get your act together. You will not embarrass me."

Danny glares up at me, his eyes darkening with anger before he looks back down at his phone.

I've had enough of this disrespectful behavior. I am not some timid little girl to be trifled with.

Without hesitation, I reach out and slam Danny's phone down on the table in frustration.

"I said, pay fucking attention,Daniel," I seethe through gritted teeth, causing the entire room to fall silent and turn their gaze towards us. I can see a faint flush creeping up Danny's cheeks in embarrassment.

"Now, look at the paper I just gave you and make some decisions," I say sternly, trying to conceal my annoyance. "Can you handle that?"

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