Ashley finished another paragraph of her story in her math notes. It was really coming along great. She used to only work on it in math class but she was too deep into her own story to just only write it in math. Mrs. Brook tapped her pen against the whiteboard, the sound cutting through the usual end-of-class chatter. "For your semester project," she announced to her Creative Writing class, "you'll be working in pairs to craft a personal narrative about identity and masks – the faces we show the world versus who we really are."

Ashley sat up straighter, her usual perfect posture somehow becoming even more rigid. This was exactly the kind of assignment she excelled at. Her essays always earned perfect scores, carefully crafted to be just personal enough without revealing too much.

"I've assigned partners based on contrasting writing styles," Mrs. Brook continued, pulling up the list on the projector. "Sometimes the best stories come from unlikely collaborations."

The moment Ashley saw her name paired with Arek Thompson's, her heart plummeted. She turned instinctively to where he usually sat at the back of the class, only to find his chair empty. Again.

And so began Operation: Track Down Thompson.

Attempt #1: The Direct Approach

Ashley found him during lunch behind the science building, sprawled under his usual oak tree like some brooding romantic hero. She squared her shoulders and marched forward, Mary Janes clicking against the pavement with determined precision.

"We need to talk about the project."

Arek didn't even look up from his phone. "No, we don't."

"It's worth 40% of our grade."

"Your grade," he corrected, still focused on his screen. "I stopped caring about grades somewhere between detention number three and suspension number two."

Attempt #2: The Stake-Out

Between third and fourth period, Ashley positioned herself by Arek's locker. She'd memorized his schedule (purely for academic purposes, of course). He had to show up eventually.

Forty minutes later, a janitor informed her that Arek hadn't used his locker in weeks. Apparently, he kept his books in his car "like some kind of rebel without a backpack."

Attempt #3: The Classroom Ambush

She arrived early to every class they shared, selecting strategic seats near the door to intercept him. But somehow, Arek had mastered the art of slipping in exactly three seconds after the bell, when teachers were too busy starting class to notice he'd managed to teleport to the back row.

Attempt #4: The Library Trap

The school librarian had mentioned Arek sometimes came in during study hall. Ashley set up camp at a table with clear sightlines to all entrances, armed with project materials and color-coded sticky notes.

Two hours later, she discovered he'd been in the reference section the whole time, hidden behind a towering stack of philosophy books.

Attempt #5: The Messenger Network

"Please?" Ashley begged Brian Chen, who shared detention duty with Arek on Thursdays. "Just give him this note about the project."

"Sorry," Brian adjusted his glasses nervously. "Last time I tried to give Arek something, he quoted Nietzsche at me for twenty minutes. I'm still recovering."

Attempt #6: The Coffee Shop Strategy

She staked out the local café where Arek supposedly got his morning coffee. After three days of watching the wrong door, a barista helpfully informed her that Arek had switched to tea two weeks ago and now frequented a shop across town.

Attempt #7: The Art Room Reconnaissance 

A tip from a freshman led her to the art room during lunch. She found evidence of Arek's presence – a half-finished charcoal sketch that made her breath catch – but no actual Arek.

By Friday, Ashley was running out of options and patience. She'd tried every route to and from his classes, mapped his usual haunts, and even considered hiring a freshman to trail him (which felt a bit too close to stalking for comfort).

She found him, finally, in the last place she expected – the school garden, tucked away behind a cluster of rose bushes, completely absorbed in a battered copy of The Stranger.

"How," she demanded, making him jump, "do you keep disappearing like that?"

Arek blinked up at her, genuinely surprised. "Like what?"

"Like some kind of... philosophical ninja! I've been trying to talk to you all week!"

"Have you considered that's why I've been avoiding you?"

"You can't avoid me forever." She crossed her arms. "We have to do this project."

"No, you have to do this project. I don't have to do anything."

"Really? That's your philosophy? Just... existing without participating?"

"Pretty much." He turned back to his book. "Camus would argue the absurdity of participation itself—"

"Don't you dare quote existentialism at me right now." She snatched the book from his hands. "I have spent the last week trying every possible way to get you to work with me on this project."

"I noticed." A hint of amusement crept into his voice. "The color-coded surveillance schedule was particularly impressive."

"You saw that?"

"You dropped it outside the art room. Nice use of highlighters, by the way. Very organized stalking."

Ashley felt her face heat up. "I wasn't stalking! I was... pursuing academic collaboration."

"With maps of my usual routes and a list of my potential hiding spots?"

"I..." She deflated slightly. "I really need this grade."

Something shifted in his expression. "Why?"

"Because..." She caught herself before spilling everything about the party, about Luca, about her one chance at freedom. "Because it matters to me."

Arek studied her for a long moment. "You're really not going to give up, are you?"

"Not a chance."

He sighed, running a hand through his messy hair, “You’re stubborn, but not a chance will I work on this “real” project with the fakest person in school. Do the project yourself or get someone else to do it and leave me alone.” He took the book back from her and walked away just like that. 

Ashley found Luca at their usual spot in the cafeteria, collapsing onto the bench beside him with none of her usual grace.

"That bad, huh?" Luca didn't look up from his phone, but she could hear the smile in his voice.

"I got paired with Arek Thompson for the Creative Writing project."

Now he did look up, eyebrows raised. "Arek? As in 'hasn't turned in a single assignment all year' Arek? 'Probably thinks homework is a government conspiracy' Arek?"

"The very same." Ashley groaned, letting her head fall back. Her perfectly arranged hair cascaded over the bench. "And I had to practically become a private investigator just to get him to talk to me. I guess really attractive people are hard to talk to."

“You didn’t have trouble talking to me.”

“I know”

Luca looked at her in disbelief that made her laugh.

“I’m kidding, I’m kidding. You’re like A tier attractive”

"Mhmm..” he eyed her before he did a double take, “Wait," Luca's grin widened. "Isn't this the project you need an A on? For the party?"

"Don't sound so happy about it."

"I'm not happy." But his smile said otherwise. "I'm just appreciating the irony. You know, since you were so sure you'd get that A..."

Ashley shoved him lightly. "You're enjoying this way too much."

"Maybe a little." He nudged her back. "Look on the bright side – if you fail, we can spend Halloween watching bad horror movies instead of going to that party."

"Not helping, Lu."

"I'm just saying, it might be fate stepping in. Saving us both from what would definitely be an awkward social situation."

Ashley sat up straighter. "No. I'm not letting Arek Thompson ruin this. I'll figure something out."

"Like what? You can't write the whole thing yourself. Mrs. Brook knows everyone's writing style too well."

"I know." She twisted a strand of hair around her finger, mind already racing with new plans. "But maybe... maybe I can find a way to get through to him."

Luca's smile faded slightly. "Ash..."

"No, think about it. He's obviously got this whole rebellious act going on, right? Nobody tries that hard to seem like they don't care unless they're hiding something."

"Or maybe he actually just doesn't care."

"No one's that simple, Lu. Not even mysterious bad boys who read French philosophy in rose gardens."

"When did roses enter this equation?"

"Not important." She smoothed her skirt with determination.

"If you say so." Luca looked skeptical. "Just... be careful, okay? Guys like that—"

"Are more than they appear?" She grinned. "That's what I'm counting on."

The cafeteria buzzed with its usual lunchtime chaos when Olivia Chen made her move. Ashley watched in fascination as the student body president approached their table, her designer heels clicking against the linoleum with precise determination.

"Luca!" Olivia's voice carried that practiced warmth she used during morning announcements. "I was hoping to find you here."

Ashley noticed how Olivia deliberately positioned herself to block her from the conversation, angling her body to face only Luca. Classic power play.

"Oh, uh, hi?" Luca looked like he wanted to disappear into his hoodie.

"So, about the Halloween party," Olivia perched on the edge of their table, her skirt arranged just so. "I was thinking you could come early? Help set up? I've got this amazing playlist planned..."

"Actually, I—"

"And there's this haunted maze thing I'm designing. You like horror movies, right?" She leaned closer, her perfume creating a cloud of expensive flowers. "I remember you mentioning The Conjuring in Film Studies."

Ashley bit back a smile. Olivia had definitely not been in their Film Studies class. She'd been doing her homework.

"That's... impressive?" Luca shot Ashley a panicked look.

"I pay attention to the important things." Olivia's laugh tinkled like expensive wind chimes. "Speaking of which, what are you wearing to the party? We could coordinate. I'm thinking maybe angels and demons? Or famous Hollywood couples?"

"Oh, um, actually—" Luca's voice pitched higher. "Ashley and I were going to—"

"Ashley?" Olivia finally acknowledged her existence with a perfectly arched eyebrow. "Oh, right. You two are... friends?"

The way she said 'friends' carried more questions than a college entrance exam.

"Best friends," Ashley supplied helpfully, enjoying how Olivia's perfect smile twitched.

"How... sweet." Olivia turned back to Luca, determination radiating off her like designer perfume. "But you know, Luca, you should really branch out more. Meet new people. Maybe someone who shares your... interests."

Under the table, Luca's leg bounced with nervous energy. Ashley recognized his "flight risk" signs – the way his eyes darted toward the exits, how his fingers twisted the strings of his hoodie.

"His interests?" Ashley couldn't help herself. "Like what?"

"Well," Olivia brightened, clearly having prepared this list. "I heard you love indie music. I've been getting into some really obscure bands lately. Have you heard of The Smiths?"

Luca made a strangled sound that might have been a laugh.

"And horror movies, of course." Olivia continued, oblivious to his discomfort. "I'm usually too scared to watch them alone. Maybe we could... watch some together? Before the party?"

"That's—" Luca's voice cracked. "I mean, I—"

"He's busy," Ashley cut in. "We have this whole horror movie marathon planned. Very exclusive. Best friend tradition."

Olivia's smile could have frozen helium. "I'm sure you could skip one movie night. For the right company?"

The tension stretched between them like expensive silk about to tear. Ashley watched Luca shrink further into himself, caught between social obligation and personal truth.

"Actually," he finally managed, "I really can't. The marathon is... important."

"More important than making new connections?" Olivia's tone suggested these connections could be very intimate indeed.

"Yes?" It came out as a question, but at least he got the word out.

Olivia straightened, smoothing her already perfect skirt. "Well, think about it. The party's still a few weeks away. Plenty of time to... reconsider your options."

She glided away, leaving behind a cloud of perfume and awkward silence.

"That was..." Luca let out a shaky breath.

"Intense?" Ashley supplied. "Terrifying? A masterclass in subtle stalking?"

"I was going to say exhausting." He dropped his head onto the table. "How does she know what classes I'm in? I swear she quoted my English essay from last month."

"She's definitely done her research." Ashley patted his head sympathetically. "Though The Smiths? Really?"

"Please stop."

"Should we tell her your taste in music is less 'mainstream indie' and more 'sad boy with a guitar'?"

"I hate you."

"No, you don't." She grinned. "But Olivia might when she realizes she's barking up the wrong tree."

Luca lifted his head just enough to glare at her. "Can we please focus on the real issue here?"

"That Olivia Chen has a detailed dossier on you including your class schedule, movie preferences, and probably your coffee order?"

"That I have to see her at the party!" He groaned. "She's going to try to coordinate costumes and make me dance and—"

"And nothing." Ashley reached across the table to squeeze his hand. "Because you'll be with me, in our absolutely-not-couple's costume, far away from any romantic plotting."

"Promise?"

"Cross my heart." She smiled. "Though we might want to avoid the haunted maze. Something tells me Olivia's designed it with plenty of opportunities for 'scared cuddling.'"

"I'm staying home."

"No, you're not." Ashley's voice turned serious. "We're going to that party. Together. And no amount of designer perfume or indie band references is going to change that."

Luca managed a small smile. "Thanks, Ash."

"Anytime." She stood, gathering their lunch trash. "Though maybe we should get you a shirt that says 'Not Interested' in big letters. Or would that be too subtle for Olivia?"

"I hate you so much right now."

"Love you too, Lu. Love you too."