"Let me go, you asshole!" I snarled, trying to turn back.
Behind my back, I heard two boys chuckle. The classroom was half empty, and the professor had his back to the class, drawing a diagram on the board. Whatever little number of students were awake, seemed uninterested, using their cell phones under the table.
"Don't play games you can't win, Navvy" a voice behind me said.
I turned my neck around and glared in anger. A familiar face sneered back at me.
"My name is Navya, not 'Navvy', Hudson. And if you don't let my hands go right now, you'll be in very deep trouble".
Hudson laughed and leaned forward.
"Oh yeah? Whatchu gonna do, go tell your mom about me?"
I let out a sharp breath and tried to get my hands free. But it was of no use. Both my wrists were so small that they fit in Hudson's one hand. His grip was iron clad, and any amount of strength I put into it was insufficient.
" Well, no - not my mom. But I fancy you wouldn't like another trip to the principal's office, would you? " I said, trying to keep my voice down.
I saw the smile on his face disappear. He leaned back again, letting go of my hands. I smiled to myself in victory. This was my trump card, and it worked every single time.
I don't know what being a jock does to the male brain. Like I really don't get the hype. I mean, yeah we all like men with nice bodies and a winner's mentality - I tend to get competitive myself, though in academics - but that really doesn't justify the insufferable personality they have.
Take this guy, for example. Hudson Cairns. The 20 year old star athlete of the Woodsdale Typhons. A national level Basketball player, and the king of the field. If one had such a big, promising career ahead of them, the least they could do is try to have a bit of class. At least a bit of decency?
But all this seems lost on him. I have not seen a more carefree guy than Hudson. Except for basketball, everything is a joke for him. Especially studies. And those of us who actually try - like me - are seen as a joke by him and his tribe.
You see, I - on the other hand don't really have much options. Coming from an immigrant Indian family, academics always were the pinnacle of my priorities. Apart from being always with the 'nerds', I also barely have any social life. At 18 years old, I barely get invited to any parties, I've never had any boyfriends and no adventurous sex life. That made me the favourite target of Hudson.
Just like this class, where I had the unfortunate displeasure of sitting at the back with the jocks due to me being late. Hudson saw this opportunity, and swiftly took the seat behind me. I can tolerate the muttering and the silly jokes. But when he started kneeing the back of my chair, it started to irritate me. And seeing me irritated further fuelled his shenanigans.
Finally the class ended, and I moved towards the door, trying to get away from the tomfoolery going on. But before I could even enter the hallway, Hudson slid in front of me, blocking the exit.
"What is it now, Hudson?" I said in exasperation.
"You know what, Navvy? I really don't get your arrogance. I mean - yeah, our interests are different, but you don't have to look down on me for it. In fact, all the things you're good at? I can do it too, if I tried".
I raised my eyebrows. "Oh, really?" I said, folding my arms. Hudson shrugged " Yeah I mean, what is so great about it? You just memorize few stuff - and write it! Can't be that hard. Certainly not as hard as basketball."
I couldn't help but laugh. This dude cannot be serious. Was this one of his new trick?
"I don't need to prove myself to you, Hudson. Besides, even if I tried, it's not like you'd get it anyways."
Hudson now folded his hands too. He had a serious expression on his face.
"Try me."
The rest of the class had almost left by now. I glanced at my watch. I was already getting late to my next class. But I also knew Hudson wouldn't let me leave.
"Alright then, if you insist. We have a math test coming up. Basic Calculus. You get a... 60... on second thought, make it 50, on that test, I'd believe you." I said smugly.
Hudson looked at me, considering what I'd said. I looked into his deep brown eyes. He finally nodded.
"I'll get 75. But on a condition."
"What condition?"
The stern look on Hudson's face softened. His lips curled into a slight smile.
"I get to take you out with me.... for prom."
I exhaled sharply through my nose. Prom? With Hudson? I had absolutely no plans to go to that hellhole. And certainly not with a guy like him. I mean, to be going into such a competition of egos? Where every little action you do would be mocked? Yeah, no chance.
But then again. Hudson had overconfidently said he would get a 75. Even in the worst outcomes, that was still impossible. It far overweighed even the consideration of going to the prom with him.
"Deal."
"Alright, then." said Hudson, as we shook hands. "Get your dress ready. Quick note - I like the colour cream." he winked.
As I went down the hallway, I couldn't help but smile. Hudson didn't know what he was getting himself into. Though it would be very cute to see him try.
Two weeks passed. I barely saw Hudson apart from classes during that time. But that didn't concern me at all. I had quite a tight schedule myself.
When the day of the exam came, I finally saw him when I arrived in the classroom. At the back of the room, he looked quite busy with himself. He was sitting by the window in a plain white tshirt and denims, his dark skin gleamed softly in the sunlight. He chewed the tip of the pencil, lost in calculations, trying to solve problems. He was suddenly looking very hot for me. It was hard to believe this was the very same Hudson that I knew all along. Just the fact that he was trying to get himself to do this task made him very attractive.
I found myself staring at him for way too long, and forgot to do any real revision myself. After the test a plain old day passed, and the next day we all gathered in the class again for results.
The professor called out names one by one as he handed the sheets. Hudson was sitting with his friends, at the back as always. When his name finally was called up, he walked curtly and took his name. He glanced at it, and with a poker face, walked back. I walked up to see my marks.
Sixty - three. I blinked, trying to see if he had given me someone else's paper by mistake. But it was not.
I turned back to look at Hudson. I tried to search his face for any sign of happiness or defeat but saw nothing. Getting impatient, I signalled Carla who was sitting next to him to tell me his marks.
Carla signalled back.
Seven...
Zero.
What? Seventy? For Hudson? In Calculus?
I could believe it. Hudson Anthony had outperformed me. Me! This could not be. I walked back to see for myself. Hudson was sitting there quite solemnly. I moved his hand from his paper and looked at it.
"Well, Congrats Navvy, I guess you won."
"How the hell did you get seventy! Even I didn't get that much! " I blurted out.
" Heh, I guess I just kinda liked it when I started reading about it. Or maybe... I was getting into the idea of taking you to the prom? "
I scowled. Had Hudson changed? Me being better than him in academics was the only leverage I had over him, and here he was, sitting here, having beat me at my own game. I was to be blamed too. For having underestimated him so much. My mind was so focused on him I couldnt focus on my own studies. It was only fair to let him take me to the prom. Even though he hadn't scored a seventy-five, he still was a winner.
I sighed.
" You know what Hudson? Seventy is not bad at all. The amount of effort that you took is honestly outstanding. I guess... I'd like us to go to the prom after all".
Hudson looked up in surprise.
"Wait, for real?"
I smiled and nodded.
His face lit up. He laughed, and for a moment he genuinely looked stress-free, like the normal version of him.
"Great, I'll see you then! "
The weekend finally dawned, and the whispers of me and Hudson attending prom had spread far and wide. I felt jealous eyes all over me when I walked in the ballroom.
Hudson had agreed to meet me there itself, and I walked around nervously trying to find him. I finally saw him sitting in the corner with his guys. He had worn a simple dark blue suit, but looked quite elegant in his own way.
He smiled when he saw me. " So, a cream colored dress! You remembered, huh!" He held my hand and gave it a gentle kiss, "Shall we dance?"
I nodded silently, and he led me to the dance floor.
"Can we take a corner spot? I don't really want to be in the middle." I said.
Hudson took me to the far corner of the dance floor, and we positioned ourselves by the standard dance pose. My left hands intertwined with his right, and he placed his left hand on my lower back, while I placed my right hand on his shoulder.
We were now more closer than I had ever been to any man. I was dancing awkwardly, trying not to lock eyes with anyone around me. Hudson, on the other hand, looked quite confident in what he was doing.