That Popular Guy, Yeah, I Destroyed Him - Chapter 2: Chapter 2

His parents hoped I'd help him study—maybe even turn him around.
But on the day we were supposed to hit the library together, I waited at the bus stop for nearly an hour, only to see his Snapchat story: 10-game win streak at the cyber café.
So I took a cab straight to that sketchy place.
Inside, the air was thick with smoke, and there was some girl perched on Parker's lap while they all cheered him on.
Then he turned—and locked eyes with me.
A slow, mocking smirk curled on his lips.
"Zoe, are you fucking insane?!"
Parker got reamed by his parents, his allowance cut off. No more gaming dens—because I ratted him out.
"You shouldn't be in places like that," I said, each word deliberate.
Back then, I hid my feelings for him, stubbornly convinced I was doing the right thing—being good for him.
All it earned me was his growing disgust.
He grabbed my chin, his grip tight. "Who the hell gave you the right to control me?"
"You think one kiss makes you my girlfriend? Pathetic."
Parker had the kind of face that made girls stare—sharp, cocky, effortlessly magnetic.
Add in his bad-boy attitude, and he became the center of attention overnight.
Girls flocked to him, desperate to be the one to tame him.
He played along, all smirks and empty charm.
Even a casual pickup game had the whole court screaming his name.
But Parker didn't hold back—not even when he hurled the basketball straight at me.
"Oops. My bad."
So, it was official—everyone knew he couldn't stand me.
I'd finally come to terms with it.
One by one, I tucked away the love letters I'd once poured my heart into—every word, every stroke written just for Parker—and stopped caring about what he did.
But in front of our parents? We still had to play nice.
"Parker's grades have been so much better lately—it must be because of you, Zoe. Here, I cut up some fruit for you two."
Parker's mom beamed at us.
Even Parker seemed unusually cheerful.
Then, when no one was looking, he shot me a warning glare.
Of course, his sudden academic improvement had nothing to do with me.
It was all thanks to his new girlfriend—the school's reigning beauty and top student.
They spent a lot of time "studying" after school.
If only I hadn't walked in on them making out in that empty classroom.
I'd already erased Parker from my world.
But fate had other plans—same school, same hallways, same unavoidable glances.
As the long-reigning top student in our grade—and now, the city's latest "Outstanding Scholar Award" winner—I had a speech to give.