Chapter 3: Childhood Claims

Before she arrived, everyone in AP Calculus sat according to their GPA. Mallory was the only exception.

On her first day, during her self-introduction, she loudly announced at the front of the room:

"I’m Mallory, and I’ve known Noah Carter since we were little."

She locked eyes with me. "So, obviously, that seat should be mine."

At the time, Noah just smiled at her.

"Mal, stop making a scene."

Seats were assigned by grades. By any rule, I shouldn’t be the one giving up my seat.

So I smiled back.

"Hey, is your name on this chair?"

My voice was steady, teasing, but the challenge was clear. Some of the other students snickered quietly behind their hands, eyes flicking between us like they were watching a tennis match.

Mallory’s face fell instantly.

As it happened, the homeroom teacher wasn’t at school that day. The next period’s teacher tried to smooth things over, pulling Mallory aside.

"Just pick any empty seat for now. We’ll talk about seating when your homeroom teacher gets back."

Mallory glared at me, her tone icy. "Fine, you’re bold."

She stomped off, her ponytail swishing angrily behind her.