Page 19 of I Despise You
Chapter 7
THE FIRST TEST IN MYfight for the Richerville University scholarship comes too fast and I’m not as prepared as I’d like.
As I stroll down the hallway, trying to pretend that I don’t care about my score, my hands get clammy. I wish I’d studied more, but I’ve been so focused on Chase, and the time just flew me by.
It’s annoying that he already has such an effect on me, so I’ll have to do better next time and do something about him too. My heart thuds loudly in my chest as I approach the scoreboard. A crowd is already in front of it, and they’re shouting and laughing, and some are crying too.
I don’t know what I’m going to do if I didn’t make the list. Only the first fifty students on the list can keep taking the tests while the rest are considered ineligible.
Deep down, I know that I didn’t do so badly, but the seed of doubt is there. Until I see my name on the list above the line, I won’t be able to calm down.
I push my way through the crowd, ignoring everyone around me. It’s just me and the board now, and my eyes fly over the list in search of my name.
Joy erupts in my chest when I find it.
12th.
I’m 12th!
That’s even better than I was hoping for. It still gives me a good chance to catch up with the first person on the list.
My gaze lifts to the top.
Chase Campbell.
I press my lips into a tight line. Right. Was there even any doubt he’d be first?
Luckily, there are still plenty of tests left. This is just the beginning, and I won’t make it easy for him. Unless he resorts to cheating.
“You should give up.”
A shiver runs down my spine as I feel Chase’s breath on my ear. He’s so close to me that I can feel the warmth of his body. His presence is like a menace looming over me, but there’s no space to get away, unless I shove the rest of the students out of my way.
I don’t say anything, pretending as if I didn’t hear him.
Pretending as if he isn’t so close, which is impossibly hard because he makes goose bumps rise on my skin.
“You’re only wasting your time. I’m sure you’re aware of that,” he says with all the confidence in the world.
I spin around, my hands clenching into fists, and find myself staring into his eyes.
For a second, I’m breathless. It’s hard to concentrate when he’s looking at me like that, as if he can see straight into my soul.
We’re too close. Way too close.
But I can’t let him distract me.
Not ever again.
“Why do you want it?” I ask, not looking away from his eyes.
There’s something in them. I’m not sure what it is, but it’s like I’m staring into a deep lake of nothingness.
“The scholarship,” I add when he doesn’t respond. “Why do you want it? I’m pretty sure your family can get you into any college, including Richerville University. So why even bother?”
His face grows serious, his eyes even more closed-off that they were just a moment ago. “It’s not my fault you’re not good enough.” A grin spreads across his lips. “Are you going to beg everyone on the list to let you win? If you are, then you should at least offer them something in return. But who says you have to go to college? You’d be a very hot waitress.”
I want to punch him in his stupid, smug face.
