RED NOTES AND KISSES-Chapter 62: FRIDA -

She stayed back after school, waiting for Alex so they could begin studying. She wasn’t sure he would show up.

After what Laz had done to his books, she dreaded facing him, but they were study partners.

For the past six months of their first year, they had been studying together.

They had an unspoken agreement to keep their personal lives separate from their academic work, and she had expected today to be no different.

Her eyes darted to the wall clock: 4:05 p.m.

Maybe she was wrong. Maybe he wasn’t coming today, and she’d have to find a new study partner...a daunting task, considering Alex was the smartest guy in their year.

He was the perfect study partner.

She sighed, resigned to the possibility of studying alone, when the classroom door suddenly slid open. Alex walked in, his face expressionless. But when his eyes landed on her hoodie, his mood visibly darkened.

"Hey," she greeted cheerfully, deliberately ignoring his sour demeanor.

He didn’t respond, brushing past her to pull out a chair from another desk. Without a word, he sat down and began unpacking his books, brand new ones, courtesy of being a rich kid.

Frida followed his cue, pulling out her own books. They began to study in silence, the tension between them thick but unacknowledged.

Study hall after school hours was a quiet place. The classroom was practically deserted, with only a few students perched on two tables.

The sky was darkening into a deep blue evening; it was 6:30pm, and they had just 30 minutes left to finish studying medical biochemistry.

"What do you think of the pathway? I feel like glycogenesis and gluconeogenesis sound similar but are completely different. It’s easy to get confused during exams. What do you think?"

Alex didn’t respond. He hadn’t said a word or answered any of her questions. The bright classroom lights highlighted his impeccable features, which anyone would find hard to ignore.

"I said I was sorry about the book," Frida sighed. If there was one thing she couldn’t stand about Alex, it was his tendency to hold a grudge.

Alex flipped a page in his textbook, his expression unreadable. They usually studied together during free periods on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Frida spent her Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays in study groups with Leah, Reg, and Lexi. Saturdays and Sundays were for tutorials. She didn’t have the time or patience for her sulking study partner today.

"Alex!" she called out, frustration evident in her voice.

"What?" he snapped, his tone sharp and annoyed.

She frowned, crossing her arms as her brows knitted together. "Oh, I don’t know. I just think it’s annoying that you’re ignoring me when we’re supposed to be studying. I don’t have time for this."

"Oh, but you have time for Laz, don’t you?" he retorted aggressively, his words stinging.

Her temper flared. "You left me in the rain with your books, waiting for you, only to find out you ran off with your friend!" She kept her voice low, but a few students turned to look.

Alex pursed his lips and snapped his book shut. "I texted you," he said defensively.

"After you’d already left," she shot back. "And you haven’t even apologized."

Alex clenched his teeth, visibly trying to keep his anger in check. "Fine. I’m sorry. But I can’t stand Laz being around you."

She scoffed, crossing her legs. "And who are you to decide who can or can’t be in my life?"

Alex ran a hand through his hair, his usual charm clouded by frustration. His gaze softened as he reached for her hand, but the touch felt irritating, not comforting.

"I’m sorry, okay?" he said. "I shouldn’t have left you there. I was being selfish. But you shouldn’t have let Laz drop you off at school or thrown my books in the trash, either. We’re both at fault."

She yanked her hand away. "Can you hear yourself right now?"

"Do you realize you spent Thanksgiving with different women on a yacht? I know because you sent me the pictures on Instagram. And now you think you can dictate whose car I get into?" Her voice was laced with spite, her body trembling with anger.

Alex sighed, rubbing his face with his palm. "Fine. Let’s say I cut off all my girlfriends for you, and you do the same with Laz."

She frowned, leaning back in her chair. "Why would I do that for you?"

Her confusion was clear, and it was starting to irritate her.

"Because I like you," he said, his face red as if it were the most embarrassing thing he’d ever admitted.

She nodded, her jaw tightening. "So?"

He blinked, startled by her response. "So?" he repeated, disbelief coloring his tone.

"I told you before. To me, you’re nothing more than a study partner. If you have feelings for me, that’s on you," she said firmly.

He let out a bitter laugh, his expression darkening. "But you have feelings for him, don’t you?"

She didn’t respond, her clenched fists and pressed lips giving her away.

"I was right," he said with a bitter edge. "What does he have that I don’t? I just don’t understand!" He slammed his hand on the table, rattling the books with the force.

Frida flinched, her throat tightening in fright. Gathering her books, she stood up. "I think we should study separately for a while."

She turned to leave, but Alex grabbed her wrist. "Don’t go," he pleaded, his grip firm.

She struggled to free herself. "Alex, you’re hurting me!" she cried, wincing.

The few students in the room stared, shocked by the school’s starboy losing his composure.

Suddenly, a hand wrapped around Alex’s wrist. Laz twisted it, forcing him to let go.

Alex let out a pained cry as Laz stepped closer, his voice cold. "You messed up, bro."

With a swift kick to Alex’s chest, Laz sent him stumbling back into his chair with a grunt.

"You do not mess with my girl!" Laz growled, his stance protective as Frida stood frozen, her heart pounding.