Samira's POV

The moment I stepped into Novia's house, I knew trouble was waiting for me. The air was thick with the scent of vanilla candles and the kind of high octane energy my friends only radiated when they had a scheme.

"Finally!" Novia exclaimed, practically dragging me into the living room by my elbow. "I thought you would never get here. You looked like you were surviving a battlefield out there."

"I was." I muttered, dropping my heavy backpack by the door with a satisfying thud. "Hallways should come with hazard pay, especially when Ashley is involved."

Amanda laughed, flipping her dark hair over her shoulder as she crossed her legs on the couch. "You are being dramatic, Sam. She is just annoying, and honestly, completely irrelevant."

"Annoying is putting it lightly." I said, flopping into the velvet armchair. "She is like a human paper cut. Persistent, painful, and impossible to ignore."

Novia leaned in, her eyes glinting with a mischievous light. "That is why we are here. To help you survive the rest of senior year and your big eighteenth birthday."

I blinked, suspicious of the sudden change in tone. "Wait, what do you mean 'help me'?"

"You need guidance." Amanda said slowly, carefully choosing her words like she was handling a fragile artifact. "Because, let's face it, Sam, you have no experience at all."

I groaned, leaning my head back against the chair. "I know. I do not need a lecture."

Novia tilted her head, a stray curl falling over her eye. "No, it is not a lecture. It is strategy."

I raised an eyebrow, my skepticism mounting. "Strategy?"

"Yes!" she said, practically bouncing on the edge of the cushion. "You have been saying all year that you want someone, but no attachment. Someone fun, no strings, just a little experience before we head off to university."

"That is exactly what I have been saying." I muttered. "And it is not your business to help me pick someone."

Amanda's lips curved into a small, knowing smile. "Oh, but it is our business because we already know the perfect candidate."

I blinked, my mind racing through a list of acceptable classmates. "And who would that be?"

Novia leaned back, smirking like she was about to reveal a master plan for a heist. "Calvin Simms."

I almost choked on the water I had just sipped. "Excuse me?"

"Yes, him." Novia said, unfazed. "Think about it. He is hot, smart, and famously unattached. Commitment free. Best of all, he is the last person who could ever get emotionally attached to you."

My stomach flipped in a way that had nothing to do with the burrito from earlier. "You want me to use Calvin?"

Amanda shrugged. "Call it controlled chaos."

Controlled chaos. Fantastic. My two best friends had officially lost their minds.

"I do not use people." I said slowly, trying to ground the conversation back in reality. "That is not me."

"Exactly!" Novia countered, pointing a finger at me. "That is why this is perfect. He will not try to trap you, you will not get emotionally involved, and you get the experience you're looking for. It is a win-win."

I stared at her as if she had grown a second head right before my eyes. "You really think he would go for that? You do not know him."

"Yes, we do." Amanda said, wagging a finger. "We have watched him. Studied him from afar. He does not do commitment, he does not get emotionally attached, and he is Calvin Simms. He's the gold standard for a temporary distraction."

I laughed bitterly, the sound sharp in the quiet room. "You are insane. Absolutely insane."

Novia leaned closer, her eyes sparkling. "No, we are brilliant. You are just stubborn, but you are smart enough to make this work if you are careful."

I buried my face in my hands, the heat of a blush starting to bloom. "This is ridiculous."

"You know it is not." Amanda said softly. "You have already spent years hating him. You know exactly how he behaves, and you can handle it."

I peeked through my fingers at them. "You do realize this is morally questionable, right?"

"Morally?" Novia laughed, a bright, carefree sound. "Sam, we are talking about surviving senior year with style, grace, and a little fun. Calvin Simms is the perfect foil for that."

I groaned again. "Fun does not usually involve glares, insults, and endless teenage angst."

"Exactly." Amanda said, smiling widely. "That makes it perfect."

For the next hour, they outlined their plan. It mostly involved me projecting a sense of casual interest, testing his boundaries, and refusing to let my guard down for even a second. They even made me rehearse a few lines to use if Calvin gave me that look, the one that made me want to punch him and melt into a puddle at the exact same time.

"Do not look at him like you care." Novia instructed, pacing the floor. "Smile, roll your eyes, tease him, but stay in total control. If he tries to corner you, escape immediately."

I tried not to groan as the absurdity of the situation sank in. "I cannot believe I am taking advice on this."

"Yes, you can." Amanda said. "Because you want it. You want to be prepared for college, for the next step in your life, and you want to prove that you can handle Calvin Simms without falling apart."

I frowned, the word sticking in my throat. "You make it sound like a game."

"It is a game." Novia said smugly. "High school is a battlefield, and you are about to learn the art of war."

I groaned again and buried my face in a decorative pillow.

"Look." I said finally, sitting up and trying to find my resolve. "Even if I wanted to do this, it is going to be complicated."

Amanda tilted her head, her expression serene. "Complicated makes it fun."

I rolled my eyes. "Fun? You mean stressful, humiliating, and emotionally exhausting."

Novia leaned back, her smirk widening. "Exactly. That is the point. You get all the thrill without the messy attachment."

"Attachment." I muttered. I thought of Calvin, the way his eyes lingered on the back of my head in English class and the way his smirk made me want to scream.

I shook my head vigorously. Do not think about it. Do not think about it.

Novia's grin widened. "You see? You cannot help thinking about him. That is why it will work. You just have to keep your wits about you."

I glanced out the window, watching the clouds drift lazily over the suburban rooftops. Two weeks until I turned eighteen. Two weeks until I could technically do this fully, until I could test myself without worrying about crossing some invisible line.

But I knew it would be harder than I was letting on.

Calvin was not just popular or infuriating. He was smart, observant, and dangerous in a way that made me hyper aware of my own heartbeat whenever he was within a five foot radius. The thought of being near him made me curious, not in the way my friends wanted, not yet, but enough that I had to fight the heat creeping across my cheeks.

Novia elbowed me, breaking my trance. "Earth to Sam. You are thinking about him again, aren't you?"

"Shut up." I muttered, hiding my face behind my hair.

Amanda laughed, a gentle sound of victory. "Exactly why this is perfect. You get to test the waters, Sam. No emotions, just fun."

I groaned again, burying my face back into the pillow. "You two are truly insane."

"Maybe." Novia admitted. "But you are going to love it."

By the time I left Novia's house, I had a plan, or at least a rough sketch of one. Keep Calvin guessing, do not let him see me flinch, and have fun, whatever that actually meant in practice. Two weeks. That was all I had to prepare.

Walking down the quiet, tree lined streets toward my own home, I could not shake the nagging feeling that this plan might backfire spectacularly. Calvin Simms was too unpredictable, too sharp, and dangerous in ways I did not yet understand.

And yet, my pulse raced every time I imagined him looking at me, even for a fleeting second, as if he already knew more than he let on.

Two weeks. The clock was ticking, and the game had already begun.

Samira's POV

Mondays were always the worst, but today felt personal.

I pushed through the sliding doors of Saint Trenton High, my backpack snug against my shoulder, and immediately saw him.

Why is he everywhere lately?

Of course he had to be leaning casually against his locker, talking to Frederick, Denver, and Chris as if they owned the hallways. His raven hair fell perfectly over his forehead, and he was smirking at something Chris said. He looked effortless, untouchable, and infuriating.

I groaned under my breath and adjusted my bag strap. Two weeks until my birthday. Two weeks to make my plan real. And yet I was stuck in the same hall with the one person who made me want to tear my hair out.

"Morning, Sam!" Novia's voice cut through my internal panic.

I forced a smile. "Morning."

Amanda tugged at my sleeve, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Did you see him yet?"

"Yes. I saw him. And yes, I still hate him." I muttered.

Novia smirked. "Hate is a strong word for someone you cannot stop noticing."

I rolled my eyes and stepped aside to avoid a rushing freshman. Observing Calvin Simms from a safe distance was purely scientific. At least, that was the lie I was telling myself. Actually, I was perfectly fine before they suggested him as the perfect candidate.

Still, I could not help it. There was something about the way he carried himself, calm and confident with a quiet danger hidden in his relaxed posture, that made him impossible to ignore. He made it far too easy to notice him.

I shoved the thought away and made my way to Advanced English. Mrs. Huntington was calling roll, and the room buzzed with whispers about last weekend's football game and fresh gossip about Ashley Johnson's latest scheme.

Ashley. Perfectly curled hair, a designer bag swinging from her shoulder, and a smile sharp enough to cut glass. She spotted me, and her expression shifted instantly. Her hatred mirrored mine perfectly.

I ignored her and sank into my seat, hoping to blend into the background. She continued whispering to her friends, tapping her manicured nails and plotting. I looked out the window, letting the slow drift of the clouds draw my attention.

My heart skipped a beat. Calvin had walked in with his friends. He scanned the room, and then his gaze landed on me.

Great. Fantastic.

I shoved a pencil into my bag and tried to focus on Mrs. Huntington's lecture about symbolism in Romeo and Juliet. Classic tragic lovers doomed by hate and circumstance. How original.

"Samira." Mrs. Huntington called.

"Yes, ma'am?"

"Read the passage aloud."

I cleared my throat and walked to the front of the room. Calvin's gaze followed me, unwavering and heavy. I refused to meet his eyes. From their desks, Novia and Amanda gave me subtle gestures, reminding me to stay calm and follow the plan.

I read the passage steadily, even as my mind screamed to glare at him, storm off, or throw the book across the room.

"Very good. Sit down."

I returned to my seat, my cheeks warm. Calvin's eyes lingered a moment longer than necessary. Then he looked away as if nothing had happened at all.

The day dragged. Math, history, and chemistry each passed with stolen glances and whispered comments. Denver passed by, grinning. Chris waved at Novia. Frederick laughed at Calvin's joke. I sat in the corner of the cafeteria, burrito in hand, plotting my escape before Ashley could try to corner me again.

By third period, the halls were alive with chaos. Lockers slammed, friends yelled across the corridors, and Calvin's crew strolled past like they owned every tile on the floor.

I tried to walk straight toward my locker when Ashley Johnson blocked my path, arms crossed over her chest.

"Look who it is." she purred.

I raised an eyebrow, matching her tone. "Ashley. Always a pleasure."

She smirked. "I hope you survive senior year without collapsing under the pressure. You do know about the senior party, right?"

I ignored her jab and fumbled with my locker combination. "Not interested."

She leaned closer, lowering her voice. "Everyone is curious, especially Calvin Simms."

I could tell she was fishing for a reaction.

"What should I do with that information?" I asked, leaning forward slightly.

"Oh, you know." she said, stepping back with a fake smirk. "We all know you only pretend to hate him." Her minions laughed right on cue. "He will always choose me."

I slammed my locker shut. "Cute. You really need a hobby, Ashley."

Before she could respond, Calvin and his friends appeared at the other end of the hall. I froze.

"Hey, ladies." Denver said, nudging Frederick. Chris smirked at Novia and Amanda as they walked over to stand with me.

Calvin stopped, his gaze locking on me as if he could read every one of my thoughts. I looked down, pretending to tie my shoe, though no one was fooled. By the time I looked up, the crew had disappeared.

Ashley raised an eyebrow, clearly upset that his attention had not been on her, and walked off down the hall.

Novia nudged me. "Smooth, Sam. He definitely saw you."

"I did not. He did not. Novia, stop!" I hissed, shoving her lightly.

Amanda giggled. "Sure, Sam. Keep telling yourself that."

"He seemed distracted in English." Novia jeered.

My stomach twisted. "Distracted? By what?"

I wondered if they had noticed the same tension I felt. The hallway erupted again, and I hurried to class, hoping the next period would feel normal. It never did.

Lunch ended, and I found myself in English again, this time partnered with Calvin for a project. Fantastic. My plan to avoid him had failed miserably.

He leaned back in his chair, arms crossed and eyes sharp. "Don't waste my time, Sam."

I rolled my eyes. "Please. You look like you are waiting for me to mess up."

He smirked, that infuriating, arrogant smirk. I fought the urge to punch him and grabbed my notebook instead. The assignment was to analyze the themes in Romeo and Juliet.

"What is your take?" he asked, leaning closer than necessary.

"Sometimes people hate each other so much they cannot see what is right in front of them." I cleared my throat, trying to sound professional.

His smirk faltered briefly. "Cute. Very literary."

"Shut up." I muttered.

We spent the next thirty minutes silently competing. Every glance, sigh, and correction became a small battle. Every movement twisted my stomach in ways I refused to admit. By the time class ended, I was mentally drained and emotionally furious.

"Good luck surviving the rest of the day." Novia whispered as we exited the room.

"I will survive." I muttered, ignoring the flutter in my chest when Calvin's gaze lingered a fraction too long as I walked away.

Then came the announcement I had hoped to avoid.

"Attention, students." the PA crackled. "The senior party will be hosted at the Simms residence this Friday. Invitations are going out today."

My stomach dropped. Calvin's house. My enemy's territory.

Ashley definitely didn't know the venue yet, or she would have rubbed it in my face.

Novia elbowed me. "Looks like our plan just got a lot more interesting."

I clenched my fists. "Great. Just what I needed. Him, his friends, and a party where everyone will stare at me like I am supposed to swoon."

Amanda sighed. "Sam... two weeks until your birthday. You are working on our plan, right?"

I exhaled slowly. Two weeks to stick to my rules, stay detached, and avoid falling apart in front of him. And yet I had a sinking feeling that by Friday, nothing would be the same. Calvin Simms had a way of showing up everywhere I did not want him to be.

Samira's POV

The second day back after the weekend always felt like walking into a war zone created by Monday.

Saint Trenton High smelled like cafeteria pizza and industrial hand sanitizer. The halls were a chaotic symphony of loud laughter, shouting, and the occasional slamming locker. I tried to walk calmly, keeping my backpack pulled tight against my shoulder, but of course he was there. He was standing by the lockers with his friends, arms crossed over his chest, smirking at something Chris said.

I groaned silently. Two weeks remained until my birthday. And yet, I could neither avoid him nor approach him with any sense of dignity. This was proving to be harder than I imagined.

Novia and Amanda appeared at my side like guardian angels or mischief incarnate.

"Good morning, Sam." Amanda said, nudging me with her elbow. "Ready for another thrilling day of high school survival?"

I rolled my eyes. "Thrilling? I would settle for uneventful."

Novia smirked, her eyes scanning the crowd. "Uneventful is boring, and boring does not get you ready for college or for him."

I groaned again, feeling my stomach twist into a complicated knot. "You two are truly insane."

First period was math, thankfully. It was a subject where I usually found some logic, but even there, I could not hide in the corner like I wanted. Calvin walked in five minutes late, his backpack slung carelessly over one shoulder, moving as if he owned the very air in the room. He caught my eye just briefly and then let that smirk play on his lips.

I quickly looked down at my notebook, pretending to be deeply focused on the equations Mrs. Talbot was scrawling on the board. My pen tapped a nervous, rapid rhythm against the paper. I could feel him watching me. I knew it. My heartbeat picked up speed, though I told myself it was just my imagination fueled by my friends' nonsense.

Passing periods were significantly worse. I tried to make it to my locker without running into the crew, but as I turned the corner, there he was again. He was leaning against a locker, one foot propped up casually against the metal.

"Fancy seeing you here." he said, the smirk dancing on his lips.

I rolled my eyes, refusing to be charmed by his proximity. "I am everywhere, apparently, just like you."

His smirk widened, reaching his eyes. "Touché."

I tried to keep walking, but he stepped slightly into my path. "Where are you rushing off to, Sam?"

"To avoid talking to you." I muttered.

He chuckled softly, a low sound that made an annoying heat rise to my cheeks. "Harsh. And here I thought we had a solid foundation of mutual disdain."

I scoffed. "We do. It is very mutual."

He leaned slightly closer, just enough for me to feel the sudden weight of his presence. "Then why do you seem so annoyed at me all the time?"

I narrowed my eyes at him. "Because you are infuriating."

"That is fair." he said lightly, finally stepping aside so I could pass.

I moved past him with my head held high, fighting the desperate urge to glance back over my shoulder. My stomach fluttered in a way that was definitely not annoyance.

By the time lunch rolled around, I was emotionally exhausted just from navigating the hallways. Amanda and Novia were waiting at our usual table, already deep in a discussion about some new gossip involving Ashley Johnson.

"You are late." Novia said, grabbing my arm to pull me into the seat. "Did Calvin harass you in the hall?"

I groaned, dropping my head toward the table. "Yes. He is everywhere."

Amanda smirked. "And you liked it."

I nearly choked on my soda. "I did not!"

"You did." Novia insisted, waving a salty fry for emphasis. "Do not lie to us. That little smirk you get? You know the one I mean. Your cheeks literally turn red."

I groaned again and buried my face in my hands. "You two are hopeless."

Novia leaned back, clearly enjoying my distress. "We are just trying to help you use your natural strengths."

"Strengths?" I asked warily.

Amanda tilted her head, looking thoughtful. "Your wit, your allure, and your ability to make him frustrated while you look perfectly composed."

I blinked, confused. "I am not trying to do that."

"Sure." Novia said. "Keep telling yourself that. But we all know you are going to enjoy the process."

I groaned again, feeling both irritated and something else I was not yet ready to put a name to.

Third period was English again. I had hoped that by partnering with someone else for the next stage of the project, I could avoid the storm that was Calvin Simms. Of course, my hopes were dashed before the bell even stopped ringing.

"Sam." Mrs. Huntington said, checking her clipboard. "You are with Calvin Simms."

My stomach sank. The boy I hated and had a complicated, confusing history with was now my forced collaborator once again. He leaned back in his chair, that smirk still firmly in place.

"Don't waste my time, Sam." he said.

I raised an eyebrow, finding my voice. "Excuse me? I was about to say the exact same thing to you."

He chuckled, and I wanted to throttle him. He was calm, composed, smirking, and infuriating. The perfect trifecta of annoyance. We got to work on our analysis, but our hands occasionally brushed over the notebook, causing me to tense with every accidental touch.

"You know..." he said softly, "You could actually be less hostile if you really wanted to."

I snorted. "I could say the same thing about you."

He leaned just slightly closer, enough that I could catch the faint, clean scent of his cologne. My pulse jumped, and I quickly looked away to the text. "Stop leaning." I muttered.

"Stop glaring." he countered, his voice low and teasing.

We spent the next forty minutes in a subtle war of words and glances. Every correction he made and every smirk he shot my way made my pulse race. I did not want to feel this way, and yet, I did.

After class, we headed back toward the cafeteria. I was halfway through my sandwich when I noticed Calvin talking to a girl from another grade. He was laughing, leaning in toward her casually.

Jealousy hit me like a physical blow before I could stop it. My friends noticed the shift in my mood immediately.

"Uh-oh!" Novia whispered, elbowing me sharply. "Look at you. Jealous already."

"I am not." I said, shoving another fry into my mouth to keep from speaking.

Amanda smirked. "Sure you are not."

I glared at them but could not tear my eyes away from him. He was laughing, so casual, and yet I found myself wanting him to notice me instead. Not that I would ever admit that out loud.

Ashley Johnson appeared behind him a moment later, whispering something into his ear with a triumphant look. My stomach twisted. I was not even sure what I was feeling-anger, jealousy, or something hotter-but I clenched my fists under the table until my knuckles turned white.

Novia leaned in. "See? We told you. He notices you, and now he is officially intrigued by the competition."

I groaned into my napkin. "I do not care."

Amanda snorted. "Sure. Keep telling yourself that, Sam."

By the end of the day, I was exhausted. It wasn't from homework or upcoming exams, but from surviving Calvin and my own body's betrayals. Walking out of the school, I exhaled a long breath and tried to collect my scattered thoughts.

Two weeks until my birthday. Two weeks until my carefully crafted plan could finally be put into motion. Even now, thinking about the upcoming party, the teasing, the hallway collisions, and his constant smirk, I knew something was going to go very wrong or very right.

And somehow, I was not entirely sure which one I wanted more.