Rotten Fruit Tastes Sweetest

SIENNA'S POV

I thought he was going to return the smile but all he kept was a straight face.

I moved closer, my hand moving up to touch his shoulder, but he took an abrupt step backward, making my hand hang mid-air.

“Soren—” I mumbled, my voice barely above a whisper.

The smile he flashed last night— it wasn't there. The desire that glowed in his eyes was no more.

“What's wr—?” He cut me short before I could ask and my heart shattered at his words.

“Look, don't read into that kiss. I was only drunk—nothing more.”

His voice held no softness, his ocean eyes were void of emotion.

I let out a bitter chuckle.

“W—what do you mean?” My voice came out croaky. “You told me last night, you said I looked just like the hot slut you wanted. My curves—you said you liked them.”

He scoffed, his upper lip curving into a scornful smile, “What do you expect from a drunk guy? I was high on vodka. All I spouted was nonsense.”

“I—”

“I was blinded, Sienna.” His eyes glowed with contempt as he eyed me.

“You call this….curves?” Sizing me up, he let out a dry laugh, clearly unimpressed, “All I see now is a nerd, looking like a bag of bones.”

That second my heart stopped beating.

I bit my lower lip, almost drawing blood.

My fists tightened beside me. I wanted to cry, but not in front of him.

His words broke me, really. But I shouldn't let him notice this.

“You should return to class.” I snapped out, looking up as he spoke, “It's understandable if your body doesn't impress me, actually, but your study is top. So….” I looked over my shoulder as I felt his hand.

“Go back to studying and don't lose on both sides, Sienna. It'd help.”

I gulped down nothing.

I wanted to hit him in the face, to cuss at him for hurling such hurtful words at me, but the moment he winked at me, my knees weakened.

I felt something hot spill through my thighs.

Shit!

I just squirted.

I just got wet for the bastard who didn't give a single damn about me.

My body jerked when he turned around.

Why did he stop?

Was he going to taunt me again?

“Remember—” his thumb grazed my chin, sending a jolt through me.

I felt a tingling sensation in my tummy. The fucking butterflies were there again.

Despite his harshness, his touch still had a gripping effect on me and I found myself melting every single time he drew closer.

—Remember to prepare well for the presentation. If my team wins,” I froze when he leaned in, his hot breath fanning against my skin, “—if we win, then you lose to me, again.”

I watched him as he walked away, my eyes never leaving his broad figure.

My heart thudded with a pang of remorse.

This was the second time Soren had rejected me.

He did it two years ago.

It was at the prom party.

We had to play the role of “Romeo and Juliet” for the short play presentation.

People said we looked good together and it got into my head.

We got drunk at the party. Stupid me was always fond of getting wasted.

He told me I looked nice and he loved the way my hips swung.

We almost made out. It was a beautiful night.

I showed up at his doorstep the next morning with an “I Love You” card.

I hoped he would take it with a smile— the same smile he beamed when he held my waist and told me I looked like Cinderella.

But he tore the card right before my eyes, sending shreds of it flying in the air before slamming the door in my face.

I looked away, cussing under my breath.

I was such an idiot and I hated myself for it.

I had to let go of my feelings for him or I would lose myself to the storm of unrequited love.

The weird stares I got from the students reminded me I needed to get my legs moving.

Standing in the middle of the hallway looking like a lost lamb would never make things less worse.

I made my way to the bathroom. First, I had to clean up the mess between my legs but a sharp voice behind me stopped me.

“Sienna!”

I turned around to see a pair of almond eyes staring back at me, wavy brown hair cascading down his shoulders.

My heart thumped.

At first, I thought it was Soren but this wasn't the guy with glowing ocean eyes, full eyebrows, sharp jawline, and kissable lips that screamed “come to daddy”

It was Simon— Soren's twin brother.

"H—hey." I stuttered, pushing a wayward curl behind my ear.

My gaze lowered to his grip on my arm and when I looked up again, he flashed me an awkward smile before letting go.

He got the message and I was glad. He was too close to me and I felt the ground would swallow me up any sooner.

I was nervous, but for what exactly?

"Here." He stuffed a piece of paper in my hand.

"What's this?"

"Since the professor matched us together as teammates, I created a schedule for us to practice, together at my place."

‘Together’ The word made my skin crawl.

His overprotective girlfriend had been throwing tantrums about the professor's idea of pairing us and now he wants us to practice at his place?

I frowned, unfolding the little paper. "I—, a schedule?"

"Yeah," he nodded, wearing a tight-lipped smile, "5pm, at my house, every Tuesday and Wednesday. We only have three weeks until the deadline date.”

I stood rooted to a spot, saying nothing.

Being his teammate was a bad idea already and now this?

Phew. I let out a deep sigh.

“What do you think?” He asked, pulling me out of my thoughts.

Say no, Sienna! A voice screamed in my head but somehow, I found myself saying yes.

I gave a firm nod, “t—that’s a good idea. So we begin tomorrow, right?”

“Yup, and I hope for better cooperation in the future.” He stretched his hand for a handshake and I took it, putting on a big smile, trying my best to make it appear less fake.

I fixed my eyeglasses to rest perfectly, gripping the strap of my bag.

“Thanks, Simon! I'll take my leave now.” I said, but I had hardly taken a step when he grabbed my arm again.

Why was he fond of ‘GRABBING’ me?

I stopped, balling my fist as I turned to face him.

“Yes?”

“I'll send a text later.”

“Sure, thank you,” I mumbled through gritted teeth before snatching myself from his grip and running away.

I wiped the sweat that formed on my forehead, heaving a deep sigh.

What the hell was wrong with me?

Why did that handshake seem to send an electric spark through me?

Maybe because he seemed too nice. If Soren could be that way too, then it'd have been better.

My steps retreated as I got outside, stopping in my tracks.

Speak of the devil.

There he was at the basketball court, playing and defending relentlessly like he didn't just break my heart a few minutes ago.

His body was all sweaty, his black hair dampened on his forehead.

He was no longer in his long-sleeve white shirt and jeans, but in his basketball jersey.

The cloth clung to his body due to the sweat and just between his legs, I saw his rod dance.

At that moment, I forgot how to breathe.

He looked so fucking hot than earlier!

Soren was just so perfect.

He was every girl's dream but the guy I could never have.

He's cute, brilliant, and famous, while I was just the ugly nerd who clung to a shattered dream of making him mine, which seemed so impossible.