The hallway of Jefferson Middle School was a zoo during passing period, but Victoire “Vika” La Roux moved through it with the grace of a panther. Her long, wavy chestnut hair cascaded down her back, and her sparkling hazel eyes seemed to hypnotize anyone who looked into them. She was the epitome of confidence, and her peers couldn’t help but be envious of her.
“Hey, Vanilla!” Vika called out to her best friend, Olive, who was trailing behind her.
Olive, who was tall and lanky with curly brown hair, rolled her eyes at the nickname. “Hey, Olive Oil,” she retorted.
Vika laughed and linked her arm through Olive’s. “You know I don’t mean it in a bad way. You’re just so… tall and lean, like olive oil.”
Olive huffed. “And you’re just so… plain and boring, like vanilla.”
Vika stuck her tongue out at Olive, but she couldn’t help but smile. Olive had been her best friend since kindergarten, and even though they teased each other mercilessly, they both knew they had each other’s backs.
As they walked, Vika’s eyes landed on a new student who was standing by his locker, looking lost. He was tall and lean, with jet-black hair and piercing blue eyes. Vika felt a familiar thrill run through her veins as she sauntered over to him.
“Hey, need some help?” she asked, flashing him a dazzling smile.
The boy looked up, startled. “Uh, yeah, I can’t seem to find my locker.”
Vika laughed. “Well, lucky for you, I’m an expert at lockers. What’s your combination?”
The boy hesitated for a moment before telling her. Vika quickly spun the dial and opened the locker.
“Voila!” she said, bowing dramatically.
The boy chuckled. “Thanks. I’m Ethan, by the way.”
Vika extended her hand. “Vika. Nice to meet you, Ethan.”
Ethan shook her hand, and Vika felt a jolt of electricity run through her. She quickly changed the subject.
“So, where are you from? You have a bit of an accent.”
Ethan blushed. “I’m from France. I just moved here a few days ago.”
Vika’s eyes lit up. “France! That’s so cool. I’ve always wanted to go there. Do you have a girlfriend back home?”
Ethan blinked in surprise. “Uh, no, I don’t.”
Vika’s lips curved into a mischievous smile. “Well, if you ever need a tour guide, I’m your girl. And maybe we could study together after school sometime. You know, to help you catch up on any work you might have missed.”
Ethan blushed again. “Uh, sure, that sounds good.”
Olive, who had been watching from a distance, rolled her eyes and muttered something under her breath about Vika’s “predatory” tendencies. Vika either didn’t hear or chose to ignore her, focusing her attention solely on Ethan.
As they continued to talk, Vika learned that Ethan was an only child and that his parents were diplomats. She teased him about his accent and asked if he liked any American music or movies. Ethan seemed shy and nervous, but Vika found it endearing. She was used to boys falling all over themselves to impress her, but Ethan seemed different.
Olive eventually interrupted them, warning Ethan about Vika’s “devious” ways. Vika scoffed and told Olive to mind her own business. Ethan, unsure of what to do, looked back and forth between Vika and Olive. Vika, sensing his hesitation, leaned in and whispered something in his ear.
Ethan, surprised, agreed to Vika’s proposal. Vika, satisfied, winked at Olive and sashayed away.
Olive, fuming, confronted Vika about her behavior. Vika, unapologetic, told Olive that she was just being herself and that she should lighten up.
Olive, exasperated, stormed off. Vika, chuckling, watched her go and muttered something about Olive being a “prude.”
After school, Vika and Ethan met up in the library to study. Vika, unable to focus on the material, kept flirting with Ethan. Ethan, trying to stay on task, kept rebuffing Vika’s advances. Vika, not used to being rejected, became frustrated.
Vika, determined to win Ethan over, decided to take a different approach. She leaned in and whispered something seductive in his ear. Ethan, unable to resist, leaned in for a kiss.
And just like that, Vika had her next conquest.
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