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burning lines
Chapter Two: The Rules of War
Amara
There were three rules to surviving Harvard Law:
1. Never show weakness.
2. Never trust anyone.
3. And, above all, never—under any circumstances—let Leo Blackwood get under your skin.
Too bad I was already failing at the third one.
By the time I left the lecture hall, my head was buzzing with every possible way this semester could go wrong. I had worked too hard, sacrificed too much, to let some overconfident, smirking nightmare of a human ruin my perfect record.
Leo Blackwood was an obstacle. A persistent, irritating, expensive-watch-wearing obstacle that I needed to neutralize—fast.
The halls of Langston were crowded with students, some debating last week’s case studies, others groaning about workload. I barely heard any of it as I stormed toward the library, fully prepared to map out a strategy before Leo could even think about interfering.
Unfortunately, Leo had other plans.
“Steele,” his voice rang out behind me, smooth and insufferable. “Running away already?”
I ignored him. Kept walking.
He caught up easily, falling into step beside me, hands shoved into his pockets like he had all the time in the world. “You know, most people would be honored to be my partner.”
I scoffed. “Then go ahead. Find someone to switch with.”
He made a low, amused sound. “And miss the opportunity to make your life hell? Not a chance.”
I clenched my jaw. “Let’s get one thing straight, Blackwood. I don’t care about whatever mind games you think you’re playing. This is my grade on the line. I’ll do the work, we’ll...
Amara
There were three rules to surviving Harvard Law:
1. Never show weakness.
2. Never trust anyone.
3. And, above all, never—under any circumstances—let Leo Blackwood get under your skin.
Too bad I was already failing at the third one.
By the time I left the lecture hall, my head was buzzing with every possible way this semester could go wrong. I had worked too hard, sacrificed too much, to let some overconfident, smirking nightmare of a human ruin my perfect record.
Leo Blackwood was an obstacle. A persistent, irritating, expensive-watch-wearing obstacle that I needed to neutralize—fast.
The halls of Langston were crowded with students, some debating last week’s case studies, others groaning about workload. I barely heard any of it as I stormed toward the library, fully prepared to map out a strategy before Leo could even think about interfering.
Unfortunately, Leo had other plans.
“Steele,” his voice rang out behind me, smooth and insufferable. “Running away already?”
I ignored him. Kept walking.
He caught up easily, falling into step beside me, hands shoved into his pockets like he had all the time in the world. “You know, most people would be honored to be my partner.”
I scoffed. “Then go ahead. Find someone to switch with.”
He made a low, amused sound. “And miss the opportunity to make your life hell? Not a chance.”
I clenched my jaw. “Let’s get one thing straight, Blackwood. I don’t care about whatever mind games you think you’re playing. This is my grade on the line. I’ll do the work, we’ll...
