forehead. She

nd try to focus on her studies, despite the cruel joke that had just been played on her. Clutching the black rose and the

f face-to-face with Ace. His smirk was unmistakable, an

day, dumbo," he teased, his

a mix of embarrassment and frustration. Ace took a step closer, hi

Hazel managed to ask, he

ually. "Just having a little fun. Beside

a step back, trying to put some distance between them, but Ace closed the gap effortlessly.

ow and almost intimate, "you shouldn't take

with indignation. "You think humiliating

, it's not the end of the world. And besides, it's not like it'

e point! You had no right to do this. If yo

his tone mocking. "Asked you n

furious, but she also felt a pang of something else-confusion. Why was Ace,

an to upset you. It's just... you caught my eye. You're different f

den change in demeanor. Was this some

e echoed, her v

pace. "Yeah, different. You're smart, and you don't try to

as wary of his intentions. She had seen how he treated other girls-charming them one

ng, "but I'm not interested in being a part of it. If you want to

e saw a flicker of genuine regret in his eyes. But it was go

k surrender. "I'll try to be more straightforward. But

the tension. "Just leave me alone, Ace. I have

ed down the hall, she resolved to stay focused on her goals and not let Ace's games distract her. But deep down, she couldn't

er making her all upset an unsecured. She turned around to find his eyes completely focused on her. She faste

etter excuse. Hazel gulped nervously and looked down. Before she could for