Kiss An Alpha novel Chapter 17

"I'm not the one trying to take over this entire goddamn assignment!" I argued. "Maybe if you'd let me talk, we'd get some work done!"

"Maybe if everything that came out of your mouth wasn't stupid, I'd let you talk!"

"So you're implying I'm dumb now?"

"No, I'm saying it," Mason snarled. "You're a fucking idiot, Kieran Callisto."

Mason was furious. His face was red, his jaw was tight, his fists were clenched. I half expected him to attack me. I wouldn't really mind, to be honest-Cella definitely wouldn't date him anymore if he did.

"Dude, where the hell is all of this even coming from?" I asked in exasperation. "I don't know who shit in your cornflakes, but you're being extra annoying, and I'd really appreciate if you found some chill."

"I can't!" Mason snapped. "I fucking can't, because you drive me insane!"

"Well it's not like I'm your number one fan either!" I said. "I'd rather be anywhere else right now, but guess what? I'm not, and neither are you. We're so close to being done with this project, and then we'll never have to deal with each other outside of school again. So instead of throwing a hissy fit every two minutes, how about you just cooperate so we can get things done?"

Mason opened his mouth, probably to argue some more, but Marcella's phone buzzed and she held up a hand to silence us.

"Hey...Yeah, I'm working on a project, what's up?...He did what?...I'm so sorry...Yeah, I'll be right over...Bye...Love you too."

Marcella put her phone down and looked at us apologetically. "Guys, it's Deborah, she needs me."

"Who's Deborah?" Mason asked.

"Her sister," I answered without thinking. "Goes to the college thirty minutes away," I scoffed. "Thought you'd know that, since you're dating and all."

Mason glared at me, but Cella held up her hand again to prevent the inevitable argument that was coming. "Guys, not now. Her boyfriend just cheated on her. She needs me, I've gotta go."

I felt a pang of sympathy for Deborah. She was the sweetest girl, she didn't deserve that. I stood as Cella did, grabbing my bag. "Alright then, see ya."

"Woah woah woah." Marcella put her hand on my chest to prevent my leaving. "Where do you think you're going?"

"Home?" I said in a 'duh' voice. "You're leaving, right?"

Marcella nodded. "I am. You're not."

"What?" Mason and I both snapped.

"Yeah," I said arrogantly. "A rather good one, too. Only for people I like, though."

"Well..." Mason trailed, "you just said something funny to me, so you must like me all of a sudden."

I snorted. "Ha, not a chance."

I leaned over, pen in hand, to write what I'd said on the paper.

"You can't seriously be about to write that," Mason said.

I gave him a serious look. "Do I look like I'm kidding? I think we should end with an outlier, just as a big fuck you to the school system, you know?" That was all total bullshit, I just wanted to write it to be a troll and confuse Mrs Gyarados. "Now if you'll excuse me..."

"You're not writing that," Mason said seriously.

"You can't stop me."

Mason snatched the pen straight from my hand. "Uh, yeah, I can."