Ella’s POV:
At the end of the day, just like yesterday, we t at the library to continue working on the project. To my surprise, Jason seed to be in an unusually good mood. It was unsettling, to say the least. Every now and then, he’d look up from his work and smile at . That arrogant, knowing smile. I tried to ignore it at first, focusing on finishing the project as quickly as possible, but his strange behavior made it hard to concentrate.
After a while, I couldn’t take it anymore. I stopped what I was doing, looked up, and asked, "What?"
He didn’t answer right away, instead, he studied like I was so puzzle he was trying to solve. Finally, he leaned back in his chair, smirking, and said, "Now that I know who you are, don’t you think you could remove that damn mask?"
I snickered under my breath and went back to my work, amused by his assumption. The stupid narcissist thought I wore my hoodie and kept my face hidden to protect my identity as a diner waitress. How clueless. If he had any idea who I really was, I bet he’d be bending over backward trying to get in my good graces. But no, he could keep thinking that little piece of information was my deepest secret.
Jason sat there, watching for a mont, probably waiting for so reaction. But I gave him none. It wasn’t worth the effort. His inflated ego would keep him convinced he’d uncovered sothing important about , when in reality, he was nowhere close to figuring out the truth. Let him think whatever he wanted. It was better that way.
When we finally wrapped up the work, I stood up, feeling relieved. The project was done, and with any luck, I wouldn’t have to deal with Jason Knight again after this. It was like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. As I packed my things, I glanced at the ti and winced. My shift at the diner was about to start, and I knew I was already late. I should have left earlier, but the idea of finishing the project tonight—so I’d never have to be in the sa room as Jason again—had been too tempting.
"I’ve got to go," I said, slinging my bag over my shoulder. Jason gave that smug look again, but I ignored it.
He stood up too, a little slower, and crossed his arms as if expecting to stick around. "Leaving so soon? I thought we were finally getting along."
I rolled my eyes. "We’ve finished the project, and that’s all I cared about. I’ve got sowhere to be."
He tilted his head slightly, like he was curious about where I was rushing off to, but I didn’t give him the satisfaction of asking. If he wanted to keep thinking I was just so poor waitress trying to hide my identity, fine. Let him believe he had all figured out. But I had bigger problems to worry about than his misguided assumptions.
As I walked out of the library, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of freedom. Finally, I could leave this ss behind. Sure, I might get an earful from my boss for being late, but at least I wouldn’t have to see Jason Knight’s smug face every day. That alone was worth any trouble I’d face at work.
Max entered the diner, calling out my na as if he had sothing earth-shattering to share. I couldn’t help but groan inwardly. Why doesn’t their coach work them to exhaustion so they wouldn’t have any energy left to bother ?
As Dylan and Jason went off to pick a table, Max ca over, grinning like a child who’d been promised a shiny new toy. "So, Elly, how’s it going?" he asked, trying to make his voice sound smooth and attractive, but the excitent in his tone completely ruined the effect.
"About to be awful, because you guys ca in," I replied dryly, not even bothering to mask my annoyance. "Say, how can I get ahold of your coach? Maybe I could convince him to overwork you so you don’t have the energy to co here and bug ."
"Aah, Elly, you wound ," Max said dramatically, placing his hand over his heart like I’d just delivered so emotional blow.
"Yeah, yeah," I muttered, hoping he’d get the hint and move on, but of course, Max being Max, he continued.
"So, you know I had a dream about you," he said, leaning in as if that was supposed to intrigue .
"Was it of running away from you?" I jabbed, not missing a beat.
Max ignored my sarcasm. "Nah, it was about having this cool motorbike, and I took you out on it. We rode through the sunset together."
I couldn’t even hide the cringe that swept over . "Oh wow, cool dream," I said, lacing my words with as much sarcasm as humanly possible. Apparently, Max either chose to ignore it or he was genuinely oblivious to it.
"Yeah, and guess what? I’m gonna get that motorbike, and then I’ll drive you all around town!" He was practically bouncing with excitent.
"Uh-huh. Make sure you know how to drive and get a license first," I added, still trying to shake him off.
Unfortunately for , Max took that as an agreent. He spun around, practically skipping back to his friends, yelling loudly enough for half the diner to hear, "She agreed! Elly said she’ll ride with once I get my license!"
Both Dylan and Jason turned to look at in shock, their expressions a mix of disbelief and amusent. I just stood there, stunned for a mont, watching Max hype up a nonexistent agreent.
Fantastic. Now, thanks to Max’s runaway enthusiasm, the whole crew was under the impression that I’d agreed to ride off into the sunset with him on a motorbike he didn’t even own yet.
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