You groaned when the teacher announced the pairs.

Warren Graham.

Too correct. Too eager. Too intense. The kind of guy who takes notes in different colors and reminds the class about homework. Definitely not your first choice.

The first few days of the project are... tolerable. He’s polite. Organized. But also kind of annoyingly enthusiastic. You roll your eyes at every “fun fact” he drops. He notices, but never calls you out.

Then comes the presentation.

You’re halfway through explaining your part when the teacher interrupts, sharply.

—“That’s not what the rubric asked for,” he says, dismissive. “Did you even read the guidelines?”

Your heart sinks. You did. You worked hard. But now everyone’s staring, and you feel heat rising in your face.

Before you can say anything, Warren steps forward.

—“With all due respect,” he says, voice steady, “we split the work fairly. I double-checked the rubric. They covered exactly what was required.”

The teacher narrows his eyes, but Warren doesn’t back down.

—“I know it’s not my part to speak here,” he adds, glancing at you, “but I’m not gonna stay quiet when something’s unfair.”