The bell rang, signaling the end of another long day of high school. Alex hurried to gather her things, eager to escape the classroom before Jasper could make any more comments. But, of course, she was not that lucky.
"Dunphy," she heard a voice behind her, smooth and teasing.
She turned to see Jasper leaning against the doorframe, his arms crossed, that infamous smirk on his face.
"I thought we were meeting after school to go over the project," he said, his blue eyes glinting with a mischievous spark.
She sighed, already mentally bracing herself for whatever he was about to say. "We are. I'll be working at my house. Is that okay with you, Allister?"
He pushed off the door, taking slow steps toward her. The way he walked was deliberate, like he was savoring every step he took toward her.
"I don't mind," Jasper said, his voice a little too smooth. When he reached her, he leaned in just a bit too close for comfort. "You, me, alone in a bedroom—what's not to like?"
Alex froze, her heart skipping a beat. Was he—? No. No way.
He was smirking again, his proximity making her skin feel too hot. He leaned even closer, his breath brushing her ear as he whispered, "A quote for you, beautiful overachiever—'Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work.'"
She couldn't help it. Her eyes narrowed, but her pulse quickened in a way that frustrated her.
"Stop it, Jasper," she said, her voice low and trying to remain firm. She could feel the tension building between them, her frustration mixing with something else she didn't want to acknowledge.
Jasper pulled back slightly, still watching her with that infuriatingly confident smirk. "What? I'm just quoting the classics."
"Not funny," Alex muttered, her voice barely above a whisper as she turned to leave the classroom.
Jasper followed her, his footsteps light and sure. "I think it's hilarious," he said, almost too casually. "But hey, if you really want me to stop, just say the word."
She turned the corner and walked down the hall, her mind a whirlwind of thoughts she couldn't quite wrap her head around. Was he just messing with her? Or was this—?
Her thoughts were interrupted when Jasper was suddenly at her side again, still effortlessly matching her pace.
"See you later, Lizzie," he called out, his tone oddly playful. "Don't forget to lock the door when I get to your house."
Alex almost tripped over her own feet, the words sinking in.
"You're not serious," she said quickly, turning to face him.
"Oh, I'm dead serious," Jasper replied, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "But don't worry. I'm an excellent guest."
With that, he walked off down the hall, leaving Alex standing in stunned silence.
What the hell did I just agree to?
Later
Alex stood in the kitchen, gripping the counter like it was a life raft. She had one shot at this—deliver the news, minimize chaos, escape before anyone had time to overreact.
She cleared her throat. "So… a boy is coming over to work on a project with me."
Silence.
Then—
Phil gasped like she'd just announced she was dropping out of school to become a magician. "A boy?!" His eyes were shining. "My little brainiac is finally letting love into her life!"
"Dad, no!" Alex groaned, already regretting everything.
Luke, who was scrolling on his phone, barely looked up. "Wait, back up. Since when do you talk to boys?"
Alex narrowed her eyes. "I talk to plenty of boys."
Luke smirked. "Like who?"
"…Einstein?"
"Alex," Claire cut in, arms crossed. "Who is this boy? Is he… respectable?"
Haley, lounging at the counter, smirked. "Yeah, is he cute? Rich? Socially capable?"
Alex gritted her teeth. She had one chance to control the narrative. "His name is Jasper Allister. He's just—"
"Oh my God, Jasper Allister?" Haley's eyes lit up. "The guy who totally annihilated Mr. Keene in AP Euro last year? That Jasper?"
Claire's head snapped toward her. "Wait, what?"
"Oh, you'd love him, Mom. Total know-it-all, but, like, weirdly charming about it." Haley turned to Alex, grinning. "Oh, this is interesting."
Phil gasped again. "So, he's smart and charming? Alex, is he your academic rival?"
"No!" Alex shouted, but Phil wasn't done.
He clutched his chest. "I always knew you'd have an epic, slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers romance! Claire, grab the camera—"
Alex let out a strangled noise. "Dad, I swear—"
Claire ignored Phil's dramatics. "Wait. Allister. I know that name." She frowned. "Oh God. Is he the one who wrote that school newspaper article calling the PTA meetings 'a desperate grab for power by suburban dictators'?"
Alex sighed. "Yes."
"…I liked that article," Claire admitted.
Haley looked positively delighted. "This is the best day of my life."
Alex glared at her. "It is not a big deal."
Phil shook his head. "Oh no, Alex. This is a huge deal. A boy is coming over. To our house. To be alone with you."
"In my room," Alex added flatly.
Phil let out an actual yelp. "What?! Doors stay open!"
"Dad, obviously!" Alex threw her hands up. "I'm not an idiot!"
Phil turned to Claire, looking genuinely distressed. "Why is she growing up so fast?"
Haley was grinning so hard she might've pulled a muscle. "So, when is Romeo getting here?"
As if on cue, the doorbell rang.
Alex's heart plummeted.
Oh no. Not now. Not while they're all looking at me like I just brought home a fiancé.
"I'll get it!" Haley sprinted toward the door before Alex could stop her.
Alex groaned, burying her face in her hands. "Oh, this is going to be a disaster."
The door swung open, and there stood Jasper Allister.
He looked like he had just stepped out of a novel—effortlessly put together despite his clear disregard for such things. His black hair was lazily pushed back, a few unruly strands falling over his forehead, and his sharp blue eyes flickered with curiosity as he took in the Dunphy household. One hand rested casually in his pocket, while the other clutched his ever-present notebook.
Haley, already smirking, leaned against the doorframe. "Well, well, well. You must be Jasper."
Jasper tilted his head slightly, a slow grin forming. "I must be." His gaze drifted past her, landing directly on Alex, who looked like she was mentally calculating how to bury a body in the backyard.
"And you must be the lovely older sister who enjoys watching Alex suffer," Jasper added.
Haley blinked, then let out a delighted laugh. "Oh, I really like him."
Alex groaned, pushing past her. "Jasper, move."
Jasper stepped inside but didn't miss the opportunity to lean in slightly and murmur, "Not even a 'hello'? You wound me, Beautiful Overachiever."
Alex froze.
Oh no.
Dead silence.
Then—
"Beautiful Overachiever?" Phil gasped, his face lighting up as if he had just discovered a new family sitcom idea. "Oh my God, he has a nickname for you?"
Luke let out an exaggerated oooooh from the kitchen. Haley was grinning like it was Christmas morning. Claire, ever the investigator, immediately narrowed her eyes.
Alex was going to end him.
Jasper, of course, was completely unbothered. He casually glanced at Phil. "Ah, you must be the proud father of this intellectual force of nature."
Phil beamed. "I am! And you must be the—" He turned to Alex. "What exactly is he?"
"Annoying," Alex gritted out.
Jasper hummed thoughtfully. "I was going to say 'co-pilot in literary excellence,' but sure, let's go with 'annoying.'"
Luke raised an eyebrow. "Dude, are you flirting with my sister?"
Jasper smirked. "Depends. Is it working?"
Phil choked. "I like him."
Alex dragged Jasper by the arm, pulling him toward the stairs. "We're going upstairs. Now."
Jasper let himself be pulled, but not before glancing back at Claire. "Pleasure meeting you, Mrs. Dunphy. I look forward to impressing you."
Claire's eyes narrowed. "I doubt it."
Jasper just grinned. "I love a challenge."
Phil pointed at him. "I'm watching you, buddy."
Jasper saluted. "Noted."
Alex yanked him up the stairs, trying to ignore the absolute carnage she was leaving behind.