Steph's POV:

Nothing good can ever come from attending a midnight party the night before a big literature test.

So of course, that's what I did.

In retrospect, I should have probably said no, refused to go but come on. It was a really good party, one I enjoyed tremendously as I drank, danced and... well other thigs which were definitely not PG-13. However, the price to pay is that I am now struggling with a hangover while writing a literature test that I did not study for.

I hate literature.

I look beside me to see my best friend Kayla puzzling over the questions set, her face looking as confused as I felt. I turned to the paper again as I tried to understand the question but no hope at all.

I groan loudly.

"Stephanie is there something you would like to share with the class?", Miss Kensigner, the literature teacher and a literal pain in the you-know-where turns her bright eyes and big nose towards me.

"Not at all Miss Kensigner", I huff as I try to avoid the eyes of other students who have raised up their heads to look at me.

"Well if you are done distracting others from, maybe you can finally stop staring at the paper and begin your test."

My cheeks flush as red as my hair, but I simply arch my eyebrows sassily and everyone turns away from me and goes back to scribbling hurriedly on their papers. I let out a silent sigh as I glance at my watch.

What has felt like an hour has only been ten minutes. Which means I still have an hour and twenty minutes to puzzle out the answer to the literature questions.

What joy.

👓👓👓

"That was horrible", I say as Kayla and I walk out of the classrooms, raking my hand through my red hair to get it neat. I have an annoying habit of tugging at my hair when I get annoyed or frustrated and that test definitely frustrated me to the point where I had to pull on fists full of hair.

Kayla rolls her eyes. Luckily her dark-as-a-ravens-wing hair is gorgeous and as neat as always, cascading down her back and stopping just above her waist. Her tattoos are visible on her collarbone, and she wears a skull-shaped ring on her finger which she is currently twisting the way she does whenever she gets anxious or is deep in thought. "Miss Kensigner is so annoying. I really think she needs a prank or two played on her". Kayla's green eyes are glowing with mischief, and I can't help but laugh. My bestie is the bad girl of the school and normally doesn't hesitate to prank anyone, but for the past week or so, she's been slacking in the pranking department.

I roll my eyes as I laugh. "Girl you couldn't prank anyone if they begged you to. And you seemed to understand what was in the tests. Is this due to a certain someone?", I tease with a smile, jabbing her playfully in the ribs.

Kayla's olive skin flushes a bit. "Well while you were at the party last night, Aaron came over and tutored me a bit for the literature exam before we got a bit... distracted."

I laugh as Kayla hastily averts her green eyes from the probing stare of my hazel ones.

"Distracted, eh?", I quirk an eyebrow.

"It isn't what you think she laughs. "Aaron and I just ended up watching marvel movies that's all."

I am about to tease her some more when a voice comes from behind us.

"Talking about me?", and before we can even turn around, Kayla is plucked from my side and lifted into the air.

I turn around to see her boyfriend, Aaron Delany, twirling her around like a Disney princess, oblivious to the people around them who are giving us weird looks. I mean we are in a hallway so it's to be expected. Half of the looks are from jealous guys and girls.

Finally, Aaron drops Kayla back on her feet, and she leans up to kiss him, making him blush a bit which I think is cute. Everything about their relationship is cute to be honest, and watching them makes me smile.

"Keon and I were just going to the locker room.", Aaron says.

At that moment, I spot a head of straight blond hair appear behind Aaron and I stiffen.

"Hello Stephanie", he turns to me with a curt nod, and I feel my blood boil.

Two words. That's all it took for me to see red. There is nothing I hate more than hearing my full name. Except when that full name is coming from Keon Jacob.

I force a deep breath to calm me down as I take in his six-foot two frame. As usual, he was dressed in his neat uniform, the white shirt ironed so carefully that there isn't a wrinkle on it, blazer buttoned and tie neatly pulled up. His neatly polished glasses glasses frame his grey eyes which are looking at me with an expression that is both bored and judgmental at the same time, and his blond hair was properly combed and styled so that it falls just an inch below his gray eyes.

Keon probably spent more time getting ready than the rich prissy girls, and that's saying something. Those girls spend more time getting ready than a literature class takes to end.

"What's up Google", I quip, knowing how much it annoys him. I can thank Quinn – his twin sister and my close friend for that helpful nugget of information.

Keon doesn't even acknowledge my response, but from the way his ears turn red, I know he heard and is annoyed at me.

Mission accomplished.

Nothing gives me more pleasure than pissing off the self-righteous, judgmental jerk.

She is trouble Quinn. Gosh why do you always get yourself involved with bad company. She's on her way to getting expelled or worse, and I don't want you to be dragged down with her.

My face hardens at the memory of Keon's words to Quinn less than a month ago. He didn't know that I was listening at the edge of the corridor. I had never told anyone that I had heard his words or how much they had hurt me – didn't need to fees his ego even more

Kayla gives me a look from where she stands beside Aaron and I sigh dramatically, trying to relax my facial features.

"I was just telling Steph how you helped me study for my literature test", Kayla says to Aaron.

"Yeah, before you got distracted", I wiggle my eyebrows at him and he blushes. It's almost cute in a way.

"It's not what you think", Aaron starts, but I interrupt him with a with a laugh.

"I know you guys didn't do the deed", I smirk as they both glare at me very much embarrassed. I decide to take pity on them and change the subject. "I kind of wish I had studied instead though. I partied till late last night and I couldn't find time to study."

Out of the corner of my eye, I see Keon roll his eyes and mutter under his breath.

Judgmental much. Who's asking for his opinion anyway.

"Got something to say?", I inquire in a falsely sweet voice.

"Actually, we have to be on our way", Aaron interrupts before Keon can respond. He can probably sense that a fight might break out if Keon and I are within any distance of each other because he begins to pull Keon away. "I'll be in the library after school", he yells to Kayla.

"See you then, rulebook", Kayla waves and blows Aaron a kiss. They are such a cute couple.

"Bye dickhead", I say, loud enough for Keon to hear, even though he doesn't look around.

Kayla turns to raise an eyebrow at me, and I know that I am in for some explanation, but at that moment, Devin shows up, fist bumping me and nodding at Kayla.

"Hey Red", he gives me a grin. "Some party last night huh?"

I welcome the distraction since now Kayla doesn't have time to question me. I grin back at the tall guy in front of me.

Devin is one of the biggest party animals in the whole of Meadowbrook high, and he and I attend practically every party together. A lot of people assume that we are dating, but apart from one make out session we had ages ago, our relationship is one of friendship.

"Last night was amazing, but I think it cost me my Literature test today"

"Forget about the Literature exam", Devin rolls his eyes, reminding me again why we vibe so well together – we are both hopeless where classes are concerned. Devin is always having someone to tutor him but so far, it doesn't seem to be helping.

"Look I heard some college guys are throwing a party tonight and all the action is going to be there. Are you and Kayla going to be able to make it?"

I look at Kayla who nods with a smirk. I knew that she would be able to attend since tomorrow is Saturday so we don't have any school. Normally we'd be able to go on any day but ever since Kayla and Aaron started dating, she does not party as much.

"We'll be there", I nod to Devin. He grins and flicks at my red hair before sauntering off, hands in his pockets.

I turn to Kayla with a smile.

At least the day is looking up.

The bell rings, announcing the next period and I reach into my pocket to put in my airpods. Maybe some nice music will help me forget the literature test and my encounter with the demon from hell known as Keon.

A/N: Hi loves. Happy Valentine's day and all of that. hope you are enjoying yourselves with your loved ones or friends or even by yourself (I'm enjoying by myself anyway. Not lonely just self-love 🙃)

Anyway this is book two in the love and rules series and it's going to be quite interesting. I'll but updating on Wednesdays and Saturdays so keep tuned for new chapters. 

Don't forget to vote and comment your opinions. See you in the next chapter 💋💋💋