Not My Type

YOU ARE READING

Teen Fiction

Charlotte Kingsley wants a quiet school year, but that becomes impossible the moment Tom Hale crashes back into her life. They argue in hallways, fight in chemistry class, push each other into fountains, and somehow keep ending up in each other's ar...

#burn #drama #enemies‑to‑lovers #fiction #love #romance #school #slow #teen #triangles

''The Wrong Target''

Start from the beginning

by Hannalmasz

Lily smiled gently. "I know."

Ryder clapped Tom on the back. "Good. Now maybe you can stop being a jerk to everyone."

Tom rolled his eyes. "I'm not—"

Lily cut in softly. "Tom... you kind of are."

Tom froze.

Ryder snorted. "She's right."

Tom sighed. "I'm working on it."

Lily smiled. "Good. Because Charlotte deserves better."

Tom's expression flickered — just for a second.

Ryder saw it.

Lily saw it.

Neither said anything.

The next morning, Charlotte didn't bother dressing up.

No floral dress. No curls. No effort.

She pulled on:

grey sweatpants

a maroon tank top

her hair in a messy ponytail

no makeup

Comfort. Simplicity. A "don't talk to me" outfit.

And honestly? She still looked gorgeous.

Charlotte was closing her locker when Lily came running down the hallway.

"Char!" she called, breathless.

Charlotte turned — and Lily threw her arms around her.

Charlotte hugged her back tightly. "Missed you."

Lily pulled away, smiling. "You look cute."

Charlotte snorted. "I look tired."

"Cute and tired," Lily corrected.

Ryder jogged over, hoodie half‑zipped, hair messy.

"Group hug!" he yelled.

Charlotte laughed as he wrapped both girls in a dramatic bear hug.

"Ryder, you're crushing my ribs," Charlotte wheezed.

"Love hurts," he said proudly.

They all laughed.

For a moment, everything felt normal again.

Ethan walked up the hallway, expecting Charlotte to greet him like yesterday.

But she didn't even look at him.

She was too busy laughing with Lily and Ryder.

Ethan slowed down, frowning.

He walked up to them. "Hey, Char."

Charlotte didn't turn. Didn't smile. Didn't even acknowledge him.

She just said, "Lily, Ryder — gym?"

They nodded.

Ethan blinked. "Uh... Charlotte?"

She walked right past him.

Ryder and Lily followed.

Ethan stood there, jaw tight, jealousy burning in his chest.

Charlotte walked between Lily and Ryder, talking about nothing important — music, homework, snacks.

She felt lighter today.

She didn't need Tom. She didn't need Ethan. She didn't need drama.

She just needed her friends.