Chapter 48
*Pierce Quinn, you again!!!
“Still stuck at third place, huh? Guess some things never change. There was no hiding the mockery in Pierce’s voice as he leaned against the school gate, arms crossed and a crooked grin on his lips.
Ignatius Stone’s fists clenched at his sides, frustration flickering in his eyes. His friend, standing awkwardly by, tugged nervously at his sleeve, but Ignatius shook him off with a sharp jerk.
“Face it, Pierce. Without your family’s money, what do you have on me? All you ever do is gloat that I’m forever third. Honestly, you’re pathetic” His words were cutting, icy with resentment.
But Pierce only seemed amused. He wagged a finger at Ignatius, his expression infuriatingly smug. “No, no, you’ve got it wrong. Sure, my family’s out of your league, but let’s not forget–my looks are in a whole different stratosphere too.” He stroked his jaw, eyes glinting with self–satisfaction.
Annoying as he was, Pierce wasn’t lying. Where Ignatius still wore the awkward traces of adolescence, Pierce–with his bold red hair and effortless flair–managed to make even the wildest styles look cool. He was cocky, sometimes reckless, but undeniably popular. Every month, someone confessed to him through the school’s anonymous message board–sometimes even kids from Crestview High across town. The declarations got so over–the–top that his friends joked he must’ve hired people to write them.
Once again, Ignatius found himself outmatched, biting down hard as he glared at Pierce.
*Forget it, Ignatius, let’s just go,” His friend cast a worried glance at the gathering crowd, urging him to walk away before things escalated.
With a huff, Ignatius spun around and stormed off. Pierce just laughed and waved after him, making sure everyone could hear, “Hey, don’t forget, Mr. Third Place!“)
The crowd’s attention snapped to Pierce, but he didn’t seem to care–if anything, he played it up, his tone light and teasing. “And if I recall, you didn’t even beat me this time. Maybe you’ll do better next round!“!
“Nine points! It was only a nine–point gap, not ten or morel Ignatius shot back without thinking.
Laughter rippled through the students. The sound made Ignatius’s cheeks burn with anger. He lost his patience, shoving through the onlookers toward Pierce, who only smiled wider as more people–some from the rival academy across the street–gathered to watch. But before Ignatius could reach him, a clear, emotionless voice rang out.
“Pierce.” The single word was crisp, cool, and unmistakably female
Pierce’s eyes lit up. He turned, and the crowd instinctively parted, revealing Zachary and Alessia at the back.
“Alessia” Pierce called out cheerfully, though he was actually a year older than her. He turned his back on Ignatius without a second thought, striding over with a swagger.!
“Nice outfit, huh? Check this out.” He tugged at his collar, showing off the black shirt decorated with stick figure doodles, artful rips, and a chunky chain. Tm calling this look Dark Rebel. What do you think?” His expectant smile practically begged for praise.!!
Alessia just winced at the sight–between the clashing patterns, the holes, and the oversized hardware, it was a lot to take in.
“What are you doing hanging around the gates of someone else’s school?“8
“Nothing! Really, nothing: Pierce’s grin turned sheepish as he tried to charm her, a far cry from his earlier bravado.!
She didn’t buy it for a second. Alessia glanced past Pierce, locking eyes with Ignatius for a brief, tense moment. Sensing trouble, Pierce quickly shifted to block her view, then pivoted to Zachary instead.
“Well, look who it is–Mr. Perpetual Second Place himself. Alessia, what are you doing with Zachary?
