Part 1The Desk Mate Investment

My desk mate couldn't afford lunch, so I said:

"I'll treat you!"

My desk mate couldn't afford medicine, so I said:

"I'll buy it for you!"

I single-handedly raised him from a skinny little monkey into a strapping, 6'2" handsome guy.

After graduating high school, we went our separate ways. I heard he was found by his billionaire father, while my family fell into ruin.

To save up for living expenses, I became a sales associate at a luxury store, and my desk mate became my customer.

The tables turned. This time, it was his turn to say:

"Pick whatever you want."

Later, he pinned me against the wall, taking off his glasses:

"Give me one more thing."

"What?"

"You."

* * *

My homeroom teacher, Mr. Thompson, had a sudden whim. He decided to let the top 20 students in the class pair up freely with the bottom 20 as desk mates, hoping to achieve academic prosperity for all.

Tyler approached me proactively:

"Bella, sit with me. I guarantee I'll teach you everything."

I shook my head, my gaze falling on Liam, who was standing alone at the edge of the crowd.

He was first in the class, tenth in the grade. If I was going to pick someone, I naturally wanted the best.

"Liam, can I sit with you?"

I smiled at him ingratiatingly, but his expression remained bland.

"Whatever."

Regardless of the attitude, not refusing was the first step to success.

I took the initiative to grab his hand and shake it:

"Since you agreed, don't despise me for being dumb later."

He looked at me in astonishment, withdrew his hand, his face flushing slightly, and turned his head away without speaking.

Tyler followed me over at some point, saying indignantly:

"Bella, you want to sit with him? He looks like a scholarship student!"

Hearing this, Liam lowered his head even more.

I retorted: "I'll sit with whoever I want. Anyway, I won't sit with you."