Chapter 3
September
Jazmine Allen
O ne hundred fucking percent.
Theodore Knight is in my Introduction to Psychology class. He has answered every single question posed by the lecturer and his response is always correct. How is this happening?
This year was supposed to be about me—acing every class and networking with professors to pursue my career. Does this make me sound like an ungrateful brat?
Yes, but I don’t care. My senior year of high school was overloaded so I could be prepared for everything college could hurl at me.
Theodore fucking Knight is someone I wasn’t prepared for.
I scribble down annotations on the lecture slides. My grip on the pencil tightens, turning my knuckles white. My gaze flickers between the professor and the screen. The information is easy to understand, giving me the chance to fall back into a routine with no challenge.
I need to have a schedule outlining my entire life, otherwise I will fall apart. After being hired at Strong Beans—one of the cafes on campus, I have to balance study, work and play to stay afloat this year.
My eyebrows scrunch together after reading the final slide. An opportunity for an internship, sign me up.
“As per the last slide, we are privileged to give one student in the class the opportunity to intern for Cooper and Byrd over the summer break next year.”
My spine straightens and my eyes never stray from the professor unless it is to read the lecture slides. Cooper and Byrd are leading researchers in sports psychology, mainly focusing on the effects of concussion on an athlete's mental health.
It’s my dream company to work for in the future. They have offices all over America as well, so there is the chance to explore a new place.
I need this internship.
Professor Hart continues: “The student with the highest grade at the end of the semester will earn the position.”
Being top of my classes has always been important but now it is non-negotiable. Sports psychology is a growing field in the medical industry, however, like most things in life, knowing the right people is key.
This internship is the pathway I have been searching for since I left high school. After I graduated, I researched every company that provides opportunities to students, so believe me when I say: limited chances are available.
Students file out of the lecture theatre after being dismissed, I follow behind, picking at my nails. My overactive mind forms a to do list despite being three weeks into the semester.
Breaks have been limited as deadlines appear closer every day. I barely see Sofia and Athena. It's like I’m a ghost—haunting our apartment at night and invisible during the daylight.
I slam into a wall of muscle. Every thought in my mind disappears as impatience and irritation builds in my veins. An angry sigh leaves my throat. The guy in front of me continues to block the doorway. I understand people are trying to leave the lecture theatre but he is clearly making it worse.
“Can you move? Some of us have places to be,”
The person shifts, revealing his face. Oh great. Just the person I was trying to avoid. My teeth grind against each other while I press my uneven nails into the palms of my hands. The harder I push, the closer I am to drawing blood.
“Knight,”
“Princess, I didn’t know you were in this class.”
I step out of the walkway so students can move through the door. Theodore lingers behind me. I tilt my head up, unable to tear my gaze from his piercing blue eyes.
The memories of Frankie’s Bar invade my mind without permission. The last thing I should be thinking about is Theodore Knight. My traitorous body doesn’t heed my warnings as my skin burns under his gaze.
I push my reaction to the back of my mind and lock it there before replying to Theodore.
“Yeah, well, I’m studying sports psychology, so it makes sense.”
His face falters at my disgruntled tone. “Did I do something wrong?”
Is he usually this aware? Either way I don’t want him infiltrating my thoughts any longer. If I have to be a bitch to get him to leave me alone, so be it.
“Nope. Just didn’t think I’d see you in this class,”
Theodore’s nose scrunches and his lips form a straight line. Bingo. Now, he’s angry. I will probably regret this later but currently, protecting myself is the most important thing.
“Why is that? Thought I was just a dumb jock,”
“I didn’t even know you played sports, but now that you say it—” My eyes move down his body. That explains why he is built of pure muscle. “—I probably did.”
Frustration remains written on Knight’s face. “Let’s make another bet, Princess.”
I can’t help but roll my eyes at the nickname. Unfortunately, I think it will stick. He lost the last bet to me weeks ago and is in the mood for another one. Clearly, I wounded his ego.
“Whoever wins the internship, gets bragging rights.”
“Your ego is astoundingly large. Are you trying to overcompensate for something else?”
Theodore’s eyes flare, the same lust covered ones from the bar coming back to haunt me. Boys really are easy to rile up.
“May the best person win,” I say.
The arrogant smirk on Knight’s mouth was begging to be wiped off. And like before I want to be the one to do it.
Game on, Theodore, game on.