Chapter 5

Jenny’s POV

One afternoon, while hanging out with Rex, he said, "I'm heading to Oxford University after prom."

“Oxford?” I repeated, staring at Rex as if he’d just told me he planned to fly to the moon.

He leaned back in the grass, propping himself up on his elbows as we lounged under the old oak tree behind the school. “Yeah. That’s where I’m heading after we graduate. And you should come with me.”

I blinked, caught off guard. “Rex, I’ve already applied to Stanford. It’s my dream school.”

“And what happens if you get in?” he asked, his tone sharp. “You’ll leave? Move across the country? Away from me?”

I hesitated, feeling a lump form in my throat. “It’s not like that. Distance doesn’t have to change anything between us.”

He scoffed, shaking his head. “Jenny, you’re being naïve. Long-distance relationships don’t work.”

“I think they can,” I argued softly, looking down at the blades of grass between my fingers. “If two people love each other, distance shouldn’t matter.”

Rex sighed, running a hand through his dark hair. “Maybe for you, Jenny. But I’m not wired that way. I want you with me. I want us together.”

The tension between us lingered after that conversation, but we tried to brush it aside. Prom was around the corner, and Rex seemed determined to make it special.

“You have a package waiting at Vanessa’s house,” he told me casually one afternoon.

I raised an eyebrow. “A package?”

He smirked, that signature mischievous glint in his eyes. “Just trust me. I think you’ll like it.”

Vanessa was practically vibrating with excitement when I showed up at her door later that day.

“Jenny!” she squealed, dragging me inside. “You’re not going to believe this!”

She led me to her room, where a large box sat on her bed. Inside was the most beautiful dress I’d ever seen—a deep sapphire blue that matched the colour of my eyes perfectly. The package also included a pair of silver heels, a clutch, and a delicate necklace with a small diamond pendant.

“It’s stunning,” Vanessa whispered, her voice full of awe.

“Yeah,” I murmured, my fingers tracing the fabric. “It really is.”

I couldn’t believe Rex had gone to such lengths. Part of me felt overwhelmed, but another part of me couldn’t help but feel… special.

When prom night arrived, I barely recognized myself in the mirror. The gown hugged my figure in all the right places, the pendant sparkled against my collarbone, and Vanessa had worked her magic with my hair, pinning it into an elegant updo with a few loose curls framing my face.

“You look like a princess,” Vanessa said, beaming at me.

I smiled nervously. “Let’s hope I don’t trip in these heels.”

When Rex showed up at my door, my breath caught. He wore a crisp white tuxedo that fit him like a glove, with a blue pocket square that matched my dress. His dark hair was styled to perfection, and the way his piercing eyes lit up when he saw me made my cheeks flush.

“You look…” he began, then paused, shaking his head as if words failed him. “You’re breathtaking, Jenny.”

I smiled shyly, feeling my heart flutter. “You don’t look so bad yourself.”

He offered me his arm, and I took it, my nerves fading under his confident gaze.

The prom venue was like something out of a dream, with glittering lights and soft music setting the stage for an unforgettable night.

As we walked in, all eyes turned to us. Whispers filled the room, and I could feel the weight of everyone’s stares.

“Is that Jenny Walker?” someone murmured.

“She’s stunning,” another voice said.

“Rex is one lucky guy,” someone else added.

Rex seemed unfazed by the attention, his hand resting possessively on my lower back as he guided me through the crowd.

“You’re the most beautiful girl in this room,” he whispered in my ear, his voice sending shivers down my spine.

The night was magical. We danced and laughed, and for a few hours, I felt like I was living in a fairytale. Rex’s friends kept casting envious glances our way, but he didn’t seem to notice—or care.

As the night wore on, I excused myself to get some air. When I stepped outside, I overheard a hushed conversation coming from around the corner.

“You really think she doesn’t know?”

“She has no idea. Poor girl. Rex has her wrapped around his finger.”

My stomach twisted.

“You think he’ll tell her the truth?”

“Doubt it. He’s in too deep now. But man, I can’t believe she fell for the bet.”

My heart stopped. Bet?

I stepped closer, my hands trembling.

“Imagine how she’ll react when she finds out he only got close to her because of a stupid challenge.”

The words hit me like a punch to the gut.

What bet? Could Rex’s love for me have started as a cruel game?