"This is a big classroom. Plenty of other seats."
"But none with a good view."
I refuse to turn around. Refuse to give him the satisfaction.
Other students file in. I recognize some of them, Riley from my study group, Marcus who's apparently Ethan's roommate gives me a cheerful wave, a few others whose names I'm blanking on because I'm too focused on the presence behind me.
I can feel him there. Feel his eyes on the back of my head. Feel the air shift every time he moves.
It's deliberate. He's doing this on purpose.
Professor Hendricks walks in at 8:59 exactly, she's notorious for starting on time and launches immediately into her introduction.
"Welcome to Business Strategy. This is a capstone course. You'll work harder here than in any other class you've taken. You'll question your life choices. You'll contemplate dropping out." She smiles. "And if you survive, you'll be better strategists for it."
A few nervous laughs ripple through the room.
"This semester's focus is competitive strategy in emerging markets. You'll be working in pairs on a semester-long project analyzing a company of your choice. Your partner has been pre-assigned based on complementary skill sets."
Oh no.
Please no.
"When I call your names, please acknowledge so everyone knows their partner."
She starts reading off pairs. I barely hear the names, my heart pounding too loudly in my ears.
Please not Ethan. Please not Ethan. Please not?—
"Ivy Chen and Ethan Zhang."
The universe hates me.
Behind me, Ethan makes a sound that might be amusement. "Looks like we're stuck together."
I raise my hand. "Professor Hendricks? Is it possible to switch partners?"
Every head in the room turns toward me.
"The pairings are final," Professor Hendricks says firmly. "They're based on careful analysis of your academic strengths. Unless you have a serious conflict?—"
"We're from the same hometown," Ethan says smoothly. "We've known each other for years. It'll be great to work together again. Right, Ivy?"
He's giving me a choice, to back down or explain to the entire class that we have a "serious conflict." Which would require explaining our history. Which would mean everyone knowing he destroyed me.
I lower my hand. "Right. Great."
"Excellent. Moving on." Professor Hendricks continues reading pairs.
I sit frozen in my seat, rage building in my chest.
He did this. Somehow, he arranged this. His family's donation, his connections, this isn't a coincidence, it can’t be.
When class finally ends ninety minutes later, I'm out of my seat immediately.
"Ivy, wait." Ethan catches up to me in the hallway. "We should exchange numbers. For the project."
"I already have your number. From orientation, remember?"