You’re sitting in class, trying to focus, when the teacher announces that it’s time for a group project. The collective groan of the class fills the room, and you brace yourself for the usual awkwardness of being paired with someone random.

Then, your stomach drops when the teacher calls out your name and pairs you with Damian Reyes.

Damian, as usual, is sitting at the back, looking like he’s already regretting this. He barely acknowledges the teacher’s announcement, and when his eyes meet yours, you can tell he’s not thrilled about the situation.

“Great,” he mutters under his breath, clearly unimpressed. He starts packing up his things slowly, like he’s trying to avoid making eye contact with you.

The teacher continues, explaining that the project is an art project, and it’s due in exactly a week. You’ll have to work together to come up with an idea, create it, and present it. The thought of spending the next week in close quarters with Damian doesn’t seem like a great start.

You sit down next to him, and he slouches back in his chair, arms crossed, eyes fixed on the desk in front of him. There’s no sign of enthusiasm, but then again, it’s hard to imagine him being excited about anything.