Chapter 57 : The Game Just Got Interesting
ELLA’S POV
If someone had told me a month ago that I’d be sitting across from Hayden Carter in the library helping him study, I would’ve laughed in their face.
Now here we are.
The quiet section of the campus library smells like old paper and coffee. Sunlight filters through the tall windows, stretching across the long wooden table between us.
Hayden sits across from me, leaning back in his chair, as he would rather be anywhere else.
His textbook is open but his notebook is empty……Typical.
I tap my pen against the page. “You know you actually have to write things down, right?”
His eyes flick up to mine, unimpressed. “I’m listening.”
“You’re not.”
“I am.”
“You’ve been staring at the same paragraph for five minutes.”
He exhales through his nose like he’s already exhausted by this entire situation.
“You enjoy this, don’t you?”
“Enjoy what?”
“Watching me suffer.”
I tilt my head slightly and give him a sweet smile. “Oh, absolutely.”
He shakes his head, but there’s a flicker of something in his expression but it wasn't annoyance. It was something closer to reluctant amusement.
I push the book toward him. “Focus, Cross. This section is literally half the midterm.”
He sighs but leans forward, scanning the page.
For a few minutes, the only sound between us is the quiet rustle of paper and the faint tapping of keyboards from other students nearby.
And despite myself… It feels strangely normal. Dangerously normal.
I clear my throat. “Okay,” I say, pointing at the page. “Explain this concept to me.”
Hayden looks down at the paragraph, then back at me. “You’re the tutor.”
“And you’re the one who needs to pass.”
He drags a hand through his hair before muttering something under his breath.
Then he starts explaining and surprisingly…He’s not terrible at it.
I watch him carefully as he talks. His brows pull together in concentration, his voice low as he works through the material.
For someone who claims not to care, he picks things up fast.
“See?” I say when he finishes. “That wasn’t so painful.”
He shrugs. “Debatable.”
I glance at the clock on the wall.
It’s already been almost two hours. “Alright,” I say, closing the textbook. “That’s enough for today.”
Hayden immediately leans back like a man who’s been released from prison.
“Finally.”
“You’re welcome, by the way.”
“For what?”
“For saving your GPA.”
He smirks slightly. “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.”
I gather my notes and slide them into my bag. “You’ve got practice, don’t you?”
He stands, slinging his backpack over his shoulder. “Soccer. Yeah.”
I nod. “Cheer practice.”
For a moment we both pause. Then he gestures toward the door. “The field's in the same direction.”
I shrug. “Guess we’re walking together.”
The walk across campus is quiet, not awkward exactly… just quiet. Students pass us on the paths, and I can feel the looks already.
Of course they are.
Is Hayden Cross walking across campus with me again? That’s the kind of thing people notice.
By the time the field comes into view, the whispers have already started. I hear my name more than once but I keep my expression neutral.
Hayden doesn’t seem to care. His focus is already shifting toward the field where the soccer team is gathering near the sidelines.
But the second we step onto the turf area together…
Everything pauses, conversations are slow, heads turn and across the field, I see her.
Lilian.
She’s standing with the cheer squad near the track, her ponytail pulled high and her uniform perfectly neat.
Her eyes locked onto us immediately, specifically…on Hayden who was walking beside me.
The glare she sends my direction could probably melt steel. Interesting. I hide my smile.
Hayden doesn’t notice. Or if he does, he doesn’t react. “Well,” he says, glancing toward his team. “This is my stop.”
I nod lightly. “Don’t forget to actually review the notes.”
He rolls his eyes. “Yes, professor.”
Then he jogs off toward the group of players.
The second he’s gone, I feel hands grab my arms. “Oh my God.”
I turn to see Chloe and Marissa staring at me like I just committed a crime.
Chloe’s eyes are wide. “What the hell was that?”
Marissa leans closer. “Why were you walking in with Hayden Cross?”
I shrug casually, adjusting the strap of my bag. “Relax.”
“Relax?” Chloe repeats. “Ella, the entire field just saw that.”
I glance toward the soccer team where Hayden is now stretching with the others.
Then I lower my voice slightly. “He asked me for help.”
Their eyes widened even more. “Help with what?” Marissa asks.
I let the moment. Then I say lightly, “Tutoring.”
Chloe’s jaw practically hits the ground. “You’re kidding.”
“Nope.” I brush imaginary dust off my sleeve. “He failed his midterm.”
Marissa bursts out laughing. “You’re serious?”
“Very.”
Chloe looks between me and the soccer field. “So he asked you to tutor him?”
I nod. “Guess he realized I’m the smartest person he knows.”
That’s not entirely true, but they don’t need the technical details.
Behind them, I can feel Lilian still staring. Her expression is tight.
She was jealous. Good.
Marissa nudges me. “Wait… so you’re going to be spending time alone with him?”
“Four sessions,” I say casually.
Chloe lets out a low whistle. “That’s messy.”
“Maybe.” I glance back toward the field.
Hayden is talking to one of his teammates, completely unaware of the storm of attention swirling around him or maybe he just doesn’t care.
Either way. ….It works for me.
Chloe lowers her voice. “Does Lilian know?”
I follow her gaze. Lilian hasn’t looked away from me once.
Oh……She knows and judging by the way her jaw is clenched… She hates it.
This is perfect.
I smile sweetly and wave at her. She doesn’t wave back. Instead, she turns sharply and starts barking instructions at the squad.
Marissa laughs under her breath. “Oh, she’s pissed.”
I sling my bag onto the bleachers. “She’ll survive.”
Chloe studies me carefully. “You’re enjoying this way too much.”
Maybe I am. Maybe I’m not but one thing is certain.
Walking onto this field with Hayden just shifted the balance again and judging by the whispers spreading through the stands… Everyone can feel it.
The game just got interesting.