WHEN HE FINALLY NOTICED ME

Lila’s POV

“You’re being dramatic.”

“No, I’m not!” I snapped, glaring across the cafeteria table at Sophie while nearly choking on my juice. “There’s a difference.”

Sophie rolled her eyes so hard I was surprised they didn’t fall out. Sophie had been my best friend since freshman year, which meant she considered it her life’s duty to insult me when necessary.

“All I’m hearing,” she shot back, stealing fries from my tray like the criminal she was, “is that the hottest guy in Crestwood just asked for your help, offered you money, apologized, and even promised to help you get Ryan Keller.”

“He is not the hottest guy in Crestwood.”

“Right. That title belongs to the man you’ve built a private shrine for.” 

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I replied quickly, turning my face the other way to avoid where Sophie was getting at.

“You almost cried yourself sick because Ryan asked another girl to the annual Crestwood Ballroom Dance.”

“That’s a freaking lie.”

“Really?” She hissed, her eyes widened in disbelief. “Stop being ridiculous, Lila.”

Sophie leaned forward, lowering her voice so only I could hear.

“You’ve liked Ryan for two years. Two freaking years! And up till now you’ve done nothing about it.”

I crossed my arms.

“That question feels aggressive.”

“It’s not, girl and you know it. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and Cole Harrison is literally handing it to you just like that.”

“He’s handing me stress,” I muttered. “He’s rude, arrogant, annoying, and built like a personal attack.”

Sophie blinked, looking both shocked and confused by what I’d just said. “Built like a personal attack?”

“You heard me.”

“Lila, be serious for one minute. You don’t have to marry him…hell, you don’t even have to like him. All you have to do is pretend to be in a relationship with him, get Ryan’s attention. It’s just that simple!”

For a moment, I just sat there, staring at Sophie because no matter how much I hated to admit it, she was making sense.

I hated when she did that.

“You really think Ryan would notice?” I mumbled.

“I think the whole school would notice,” she shot back. “Ryan has eyes, so he’ll definitely notice.”

Before my brain could think twice, I pushed my chair back so fast it scraped the floor. “I’m going to find him,” the words flew out of me suddenly.

Sophie’s head snapped up. “Wait—right now?”

“Yes.”

The second I said that, a grin spread across her face like she’d been waiting for this moment her whole life.

“Oh my God! yes. Yes. Go. Go now.” She practically waved her hands at me like she was launching me forward. “Go girl, go!”

“I hate you,” I muttered, grabbing my bag.

“No you don’t! Now move before you lose courage!”

And just like that, I was on my feet, already heading out.

A few minutes later, I found Cole outside the main building, and of course, as usual, he wasn’t alone. Three of his hockey teammates stood around him, laughing too loudly. 

Two girls hovered nearby, pretending not to be interested in whatever he was saying while clearly caring very much.

Typical.

Cole was smiling when I walked up.

Then his eyes landed on me, and the smile disappeared. Not fully—just enough to become something sharper.

“Well,” one of his friends said. “If it isn’t angry little Miss Thompson.”

I smiled sweetly. “Do you always bark when Cole’s around, or is today a special occasion?”

The other two burst out laughing.

“What do you want?” Cole’s voice cut through the laughter, loud enough for his friends to hear.

“I need to speak with you.”

For a moment, he just looked at me, his eyes raking all over me like the request alone annoyed him. Then he glanced back at his friends.

 “Give us a minute.”

Nobody argued as he stepped away from them and faced me, his hands sliding inside his pockets.

“I…Uhmm…I changed my mind,” I began.

“Changed your mind about what?” Cole frowned. “I’m not interested in whatever you’re about to say. Why are you—”

“I accept your deal.” I inhaled slowly, forcing the words out. “I’ll do it.”

For a second, he actually looked surprised—until that annoying smirk at the corner of his lips returned.

“I knew you’d come around.”

“This is not a win for you,” I snapped. “It’s just an arrangement.”

“Right.”

“Strictly an arrangement.”

“Of course.”

“No crossing lines.”

“I wouldn't dream of it.”

“No mind games.”

That must have caught his attention because he smiled before speaking. “I’ll try my best.”

I pointed a finger at his chest.

“If you make me regret this, I will ruin your life.”

“Ouuuuu! I’m so afraid…”

“I mean it!” 

God, he’s so unbearable.

“When do we start tutoring?” he asked.

“Tomorrow after class, at the library.”

“We start this fake charade tomorrow morning,” he said, the words rolling out casually. Then, his mouth curved slightly into that annoying smile. “Try not to get nervous, sweetheart.”

Before I could process anything, he held out his hand towards me, and all I could do was stand there staring at it like a fool. 

“What?”

“We’re making a deal.”

“Why do I feel like you’re enjoying this too much?”

“Maybe.”

With deep regret, I shook his hand.

His grip was surprisingly warm and strong at the same time. However, before my brain could overthink it, I let go immediately.

“See you tomorrow,” I muttered, already walking away.

***********

The next morning, I was already on my way to school when I spotted Cole standing by the front gates, looking unfairly good in his uniform. 

His tie was loose, sleeves rolled once, while his hockey bag hung over one shoulder as if he belonged in some stupid school advertisement.

He looked at me.

Then, on my clothes.

Then back at me.

“Someone looks nervous.”

“Please don’t start this morning.”

Students passed by without paying much attention to us. Not until Cole held out his hand. 

Every bone in me froze—like my brain had suddenly stopped working as I just stood there staring at it.

“Do you want Ryan’s attention or not?”

Through gritted teeth, I placed my hand in his. The second his fingers closed around mine, everything changed instantly.

Heads began to turn, whispers started, and people were already drawing out their phones like they couldn’t believe what they were seeing.

“No freaking way!” Someone whispered behind me.

“Isn’t that Lila Thompson?”

“With Cole Harrison?”

 

“Oh my god!”

Cole didn’t react at all as we walked through campus hand in hand, while the whispers kept growing around us.

Of course, he didn’t.

This was normal for him, but for me, it felt like being thrown onstage with no warning.

“Why is everyone staring?” I muttered under my breath, turning to face Cole, who was clearly enjoying every second of this moment.

“Because you’re with me,” he said, like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

I scoffed. "That sounded disgustingly confident.”

He didn’t utter a word in response. Instead, he just smiled like I was proving his point. 

I nearly tripped on the stairs at the intensity of everyone’s stares, my foot missing a step for a second. Cole tightened his grip on my hand, steadying me before I could fall.

“Relax.”

“Don’t tell me to relax, I’m not used to getting such attention.”

By the time we reached the academic block, it felt like everyone in Crestwood was staring at us.

Everyone…

Except for one person.

Ryan Keller stood near the stairs with two friends, looking down at his phone. He didn’t look up once.

Not once.

“This isn’t working,” I hissed, glancing at Cole again. “Why isn’t Ryan staring?”

Cole exhaled slowly, as if I was already exhausting him. “Relax.”

“Relax?” I snapped. “You said this would work, so why isn’t it working?”

He gave me a sideways look. “Ugh! You’re so dramatic.”

“I’m not dramatic. I’m observant. There’s a difference.”

A humourless laugh slipped out of him. Then, he let go of my hand, adjusting his bag and stepping back.

“I’ve got to go now. I have class…remember that we’re meeting at the library after class, sweetheart.”

“Don’t call me that.” I shot back coldly, my eyes still fixed on where Ryan stood. 

Cole grinned and walked away. 

Meanwhile, I turned my classroom, disappointment weighing heavily on my chest.

Maybe Sophie was wrong.

This was such a stupid idea

I should have known that Ryan would never notice me, no matter who I dated.

I was about to reach for the door, my hand already resting on the doorknob when a familiar voice echoed behind me.

“Hello, Lila.”

I froze.

Holy Crap!

Slowly, I turned around.

Ryan Keller stood behind me, smiling.