Across town, Mrs. Walters was making a call.

“Hello?” Lucy’s voice answered eagerly.

“Hey, sweet pea,” Mrs. Walters greeted.

“Do you have good news for me?” Lucy asked, excitement bubbling in her tone.

“Yes, Lucas decided to join the club today,” Mrs. Walters confirmed.

“Great! And I’m still the secretary, right?” Lucy pressed.

Mrs. Walters sighed but relented. “Yes, I submitted the forms. You’re officially the Math Club secretary.”

“Thank you, Auntie!” Lucy exclaimed.

“But listen,” Mrs. Walters warned. “You’d better take this job seriously. You’ll be in charge of the competition dates and finances for the club. I can’t have you causing any more trouble.”

“I will, I promise,” Lucy said quickly. But her tone was far from sincere.

“I know you like Lucas,” Mrs. Walters continued. “But you need to remember—he has a girlfriend. Her family isn’t one to mess with.”

“It’ll be fine. Stop worrying. I just want to be near him. Maybe he’ll change his mind,” Lucy replied confidently.

Mrs. Walters sighed again, her voice filled with exasperation. “When will you ever learn? I won’t bail you out next time.”

“I know, I know. Love you, Auntie. I’ve got to go,” Lucy said dismissively before hanging up.

As soon as the call ended, Lucy leaned back, a wicked smile playing on her lips. Just you wait, Kate. Your man will be mine soon enough. Lucas won’t be able to resist me after spending all that time together in the Math Club.

———————————————————————————

The next day, as the school day drew to a close, Lucas kissed Katelyn on the cheek before heading to Math Club. "I’ll see you after practice, okay?" he promised.

Katelyn nodded. “I’ll be in the library studying while I wait.”

Lucas made his way to the Math classroom, but as soon as he walked in, his eyes landed on an all-too-familiar face sitting at the desk—Lucy.

What the hell is she doing here? Lucas thought, his mood immediately darkening.

Lucy smiled brightly when she saw him. “Welcome to Math Club,” she said sweetly. “I’m the new secretary. I hope we can forget about what happened and get along.”

Lucas snorted, his disgust clear. “Whatever.”

He ignored her and walked straight to Mrs. Walters. “Where would you like me to sit?”

Mrs. Walters handed him a notebook and a study guide. “Anywhere is fine, Lucas.”

As the session began, Mrs. Walters introduced Lucas to the other members and explained the upcoming Math Club debate. “Let’s study hard,” she encouraged. “Lucy will be arranging the competition at the end of this month, and I want us to win first place.”

The group nodded in agreement, everyone eager to prove themselves. But as soon as the session ended, Lucas grabbed his bag and headed for the door, determined to avoid Lucy.

“Lucas, wait up!” Lucy’s voice rang out from behind him as she ran after him.

Lucas stopped but didn’t turn around. “What do you want?”

Lucy caught up, panting slightly. “Please don’t be angry with me. I’m really sorry for everything I said and did. I’ve learned my lesson.”

Lucas turned to face her, his expression cold. “Do you really expect me to believe that?”

Lucy’s eyes widened, her tone turning desperate. “I swear, I won’t do anything again. I just liked you and thought I was protecting you.”

Lucas raised an eyebrow. “Is that what you thought?”

“Yes,” Lucy said, her voice softening. “Can’t you see how much I like you?”

Lucas’s gaze hardened. “Sorry, but I don’t like you. So give up. I’m getting married after graduation.”

Lucy’s smile faltered. “Who knows what will happen? You and Katelyn might break up before then. Nothing’s ever certain.”

Lucas’s eyes narrowed. “Are you planning on trying to break us up again?”

Lucy stuttered, caught off guard. “N-No! That’s not what I meant.”

“I’m done talking,” Lucas said flatly before walking away, leaving Lucy standing in the hallway, her fists clenched in frustration.

This isn’t over, Kate. Not by a long shot. Lucy thought darkly.