Spell Bound : An High School Romance

wasn't just popular; he was practically untouchable. His flawless looks, expensive clothes, and cool demeanor made him the envy of the guy

almost

ool" thing a bit ridiculous. She watched as he strutted through the halls, with his

usual, the students parted like the Red Sea to let Cole pass, a phenomenon

"Isn't it hilarious how everyone treats him like royalty? It's l

ike Prince Ego. I bet he's never had an

tended. "Yeah, and I'm pretty sure if his crown fell off, one

und, raising an eyebrow as he caught sight of Brenda, who was still giggling at her own j

his deep voice cutting throug

realized Cole had overheard her. Maya stifled

g to sound casual. "Just admiring ho

widened. "A

fidence surprising even herself. Maya nudged her, eyes wide with d

eing anyone talk to their leader that way. But ins

girl," he said, taking a step clo

her chest. "And you don't need to call me 'new

ad. "Well, Brenda, if you think you can keep up

s entourage following close behind, leaving Brenda standing

out?" Brenda aske

k you just caught Cole's attention. And let me tell

. Just what I needed-a

ces he normally wouldn't-like the library, where Brenda spent most of her free time. He didn't approach her dire

with two of his friends, Parker and Jesse. They strolled over to the same section of the lib

book and pretended to read the

actually in the library? Did someone

Cole shot them a look to keep quiet. He tur

art kids are up to." He glanced at her b

alled How to Stay Humble While Ruling

n't suppress his grin. Cole, however, simply ra

on't you?" Cole asked, lea

ing to focus on the book in her hands and igno

would do anything to be noticed by him, but for some reason, Cole seemed more interested

mirked. "You know, you're differen

p from her book. "Because I'm not falling

one teasing but not unkind. "Most

im. "You're used to being treated like royalty, so when s

hat Brenda said had struck a chord. But just as q

I think I'll stick around a

is friends turned and left the library,

Whether it was in the cafeteria, the hallways, or even during gym class, he found ways to tease her, challenging

g lunch, Cole walked by, his entourage in tow. He paused whe

ugh for the entire courtyard to hear.

ting a sequel called How to Stop Thinking You're the Cen

ents nearby turned to watch the exchange. Cole's friends looked like they w

someone who claims not to be interested in me,

yes. "Please, you'r

nd warm and genuine.

off, leaving Brenda with a m

ry now and then, she caught glimpses of something beneath his facade-like when she saw him sitting alone in the bleachers after scho

if there's more to him than just the

m not about to waste my time tr

ecause it seems like he's alre

ole was curious about her, and as much as she didn't w

ly, but enough to witness the verbal jousting between the "King" and the new girl who dared to challenge his reign. It wasn't just

that the dynamic between the

about some trivial topic when Cole strutted over with Parker and Je

drawing all eyes in the cafeteria toward them. "Since you're so smart and

st? What's this, Cole? You challengi

more... exciting. Let's say, a challenge. You know

ued despite herself. She wasn't one to back do

hile. "Through the obstacle course in gym next week. You and me, one-on-one. Winner gets bragging rights, and the lo

a narrowed her eyes. This was classic Cole-trying to assert his domin

da asked, her voice

d before he regained his composure. "T

dared to challenge Cole like this before. The thought of him possibly

wipe that smug grin off Cole's face. On the other, she wasn't exactly athletic, and Cole, with his y

down wasn't in

arms. "You're on. But don't c

h, I won't. But you should probably star

Yeah, right. See you on t

zzed with excitement. Maya looked at

renda. Cole is, like, a beast

just agreed to. "I know, but I couldn't just let hi

fidence. But you might want to pract

to admit it, but Maya was right-she was at a serious disadvantage when it came to physical activity. While Col

key bars, and even a balance beam that had caused more than a few students to take a

repare. They spent afternoons after school practicing o

enda attempted (and failed) to make it across the monkey bars.

und with a thud. "This is hopeless.

w. Besides, you've already won half the battle by agr

, I suppose getting under his

ming race. He spent most of his time in gym class casually practicing on the obstacle co

fident grin, as if to remind her that he was still the king of

y of R

he gym that afternoon, a crowd of students had already gathered to watch the showdown. Word had spre

standing at the starting line of the obstacle course with his a

he called out, drawing la

to admit, Cole looked every bit the athlete, with his perfectly toned arms and easy c

Just remember, it's all about pacing yourself. And if you lose

. "Thanks, Maya. You always know

Alright, everyone. This is a friendly competition, so no foul play. Th

dded, taking their plac

the whistle, an

ver. Brenda managed to keep pace with Cole, her heart pounding as she focused on each challenge

e the mo

Brenda, however, struggled, her arms burning as she tried to pull herse

ice from the sidelines. "Com

keep going, swinging awkwardly but managing to make it

nd her lungs burned as she pushed herself harder than she ever

ole's face, the certainty that he had won. But just as he was about

ll Brend

printed forward, crossing the finish

collapsed to the ground, gasping for

ted, looking up at Maya, who was

pulling Brenda to her fee

walked over, shaking his head in

to you, Brenda. You a

a tired but triumphant grin. "To

made Brenda feel like, just for a m

his hand. "A deal's a deal. I'm your

ibilities. "Oh, don't worry, Cole," she said with a

vered, his curiosity clearly piqued. "Just go easy

e sweat from her forehead

s they began to disperse, and Maya walked ove

de history at VINKO High. No one's e

he couldn't hide the pride in her eyes. "It wa

se race I've ever seen. And now you've got Cole Ken

with all the possibilities. "I'm not sure y

Afte

ay, everyone was talking about how the new girl had taken down the king. Even teacher

re intrigued by Brenda now. Whenever they passed each other in the hallways, he would flash her a gr

n't just the usual smug confidence-there was curiosity, i

r locker, Cole appeared out of nowhere, le

e going to do with your victory

her books inside. "I'm still thinking about it. Why? Wo

But I've got to admit, I didn't expec

Figure out? What's there to figure out, Cole? I'

thing deeper in his gaze. "Yeah, but th

y brushed it off with a laugh. "Don't try to psyc

enjoying their banter.

e

r decision. She had been thinking about what to do with her victory over Cole, and an idea had form

tray down with a grin. "I know

eager to hear. "

But not just any assistant. He's going to carry my books, run errands, and

's genius! You're going to make th

actly. Let's see how he likes being o

Day of

tude. He didn't look particularly thrilled about it, but he wasn't complaining eithe

ext?" he asked, his voic

pression serious. "Well, first of all, I need my

. "Really? Coffee? Tha

sistant for the day. You've go

cafeteria to fetch her coffee. As he walked a

fun," Maya whispered, barely

cks, and even held her spot in the lunch line while she chatted with her friends. Every time someone saw him following

to be enjoying himself in a weird way, throwing playful comments Brenda's

next class, Brenda couldn't help but ask, "Y

nestly? It's kind of fun. Besides, I th

ipped a beat. "Don't get too full of you

kled. "We

w Dy

her and Cole. Their teasing had always been lighthearted, but now there was a

an packing up to leave, Cole handed Bre

u say we do it again sometime?"

"Don't push your luck, Cole. You

ith amusement. "Oh, I haven't forgotten. But

eird fluttering thing again. "I'm always lu

there, watching her with a smile that suggested their rivalry

the beginning of something much more complicated-an