Part 3I Refuse To Be Your Heroine

I pushed the thoughts away. My primary goal was to raise my Humanities scores on my own. I opened my AP Lit textbook and began memorizing literary devices and essay structures.

But a week later, the school announced they were implementing mandatory AP study groups for seniors.

Unsurprisingly, Connor was appointed leader of Group One.

When it came time to draft group members, the very first name he called was mine.

Connor's voice was entirely professional as he looked at me. "Elaine, don't misunderstand. This study group is a school mandate, not my personal choice. You have no reason to refuse."

The comments flared up with excitement.

[Connor is so smart! Since she refused private help, he went through official school channels!]

[There’s no way she can say no to this, right?]

[Connor is literally paving her entire path to success.]

I hadn't anticipated Connor using school policy to force Camille onto me. I froze for three seconds before raising my hand.

"Mrs. Gavin, I'd like to request a group transfer."

Mrs. Gavin’s face immediately darkened. "Elaine, what is it this time?"

Connor stared at me, a mixture of disappointment, confusion, and raw irritation in his eyes. "This isn't a seating chart, Elaine. Are you seriously going to fight this, too?"

"I'm not refusing the study group," I said quietly. "I'm just refusing to be in a group with you and Camille."

The classroom erupted into whispers. Camille, standing beside Connor, looked like she had been slapped.

"Elaine," she whispered, her voice sounding like it was about to break. "What did I do to make you hate me this much? If it's about the seating chart, I can apologize. But I genuinely just didn't want to see you miss out on a good college because of your Humanities scores."

Several classmates couldn't take it anymore.

"Elaine is literally targeting her."

"Camille is just trying to help because Connor asked her to. Does Elaine have to be such a bitch?"

"Connor is so unlucky. He tries to help her and gets treated like garbage."

The comments were flying across my eyes.

[What is wrong with Elaine? This isn't just stubbornness; it's straight-up malice!]

[Camille is so sweet. An heiress swallowing her pride like this, only to get targeted.]

[Connor, please get angry! She deserves to be put in her place!]

[When she realizes how much Connor did for her, she's going to regret this for the rest of her life.]

Connor spoke, his voice dangerously low. "Elaine, enough."

He stepped closer. "I understood when you didn't want to sit next to her. I let it go when you refused her private tutoring. I assumed you were just proud. But this is a mandatory school group. How long are you going to keep throwing this tantrum?"

I met his gaze. "I told you, I'm not refusing the study group."

"Then why are you trying so hard to avoid Camille?" Connor demanded. "Give me one good reason."

I kept my mouth shut.

It wasn't because I didn't have a reason. It was because I couldn't say it yet. If I spoke up now, they would just call me paranoid, jealous of Camille, or bitter because Connor was paying attention to someone else.

Just like the comments said, everyone would think I had lost my mind.

Camille let out a soft, tearful laugh. "It's fine, Connor. Elaine doesn't like me, and I won't force myself on her. But... I really do want to help."

She reached into her bag and pulled out a thick stack of printed papers, placing them on Mrs. Gavin's podium.

"These are the AP Literature and US History study guides I put together last night," she said, her voice shaking slightly. "It has essay templates, thesis structures, and historical timelines. It doesn't matter if Elaine isn't in my group. She can have these. If they help her, that's all I care about."

The room went quiet.

Someone whispered, "That is incredibly nice..."

"Seriously. After being treated like that, she still wants to help? Camille is an angel."

"If Elaine still doesn't accept this, she's actually psycho."

Connor's eyes narrowed as he looked at me. "Elaine, Camille is giving you an out. Don't make this uglier than it already is."

I looked at the stack of papers. A wave of intense nausea hit my stomach.

And the comments were going wild.

[The power couple strategy is finally working!]

[Elaine is saved!]

[Honestly, thank god Connor kept convincing Camille to help. Elaine is getting all the benefits! Connor's planning is god-tier!]

A cold shiver ran down my spine as I read those words.

Seeing my silence, Connor walked over, grabbed the stack of papers from the podium, and slammed them onto my desk. "Use them. And stop being so ungrateful."

Instinct took over. I shoved the papers away.

The stack slid off the desk, loose sheets scattering across the floor.

The entire room fell into a stunned silence.

Camille's tears finally spilled over. "Elaine... why do you have to be like this?"

Connor's temper snapped completely. "Elaine!" he roared. "Why are you so determined to ruin your own grades rather than accept her help? Give me a reason!"

Mrs. Gavin had reached her limit as well. "Elaine, you will explain yourself right now. If you don't have a legitimate reason, you will apologize to Camille and join Connor’s group immediately."

Every eye in the room was on me.

The contempt of my peers.

The anger of my teacher.

The profound disappointment in Connor's eyes.

The fleeting, smug triumph hidden in Camille's tear-streaked face.

And the overwhelming onslaught of comments floating in my vision.

[Say something! What excuse could she possibly have?]

[She's just jealous of Camille. Plain and simple.]

[Elaine is acting like absolute garbage, and Connor still cares. He is so in love.]

I slowly bent down, picking up a few scattered pages from the floor. Then, I stood up and looked at Connor with a cold, mocking smile.

"You want to know my reason?"

"Yes," Connor snarled.

I turned to Camille. She was biting her lip, but there was a flicker of anxiety in her eyes.

My lips curled. No more hiding.

"Fine," I said. "I'll tell you."