Chapter 4: Willow, you are finished

Willow's POV 

“What? Are you trying to fuck with me right now?” Lucas looked between us, a look of disbelief settling on his face.

“I wish. But Willow here is my girlfriend.” 

I was as dumbfounded as everyone in the room. 

“What? No. That's not possible.” Delaney looked like she was about to pass out.

And my hunch is not far from the truth—which left a disgusting taste in my mouth, and my hatred for him tripled.

“Willow. You hated him, didn't you? Or was it also part of your pretense?” Lucas looked hurt. 

And it's hurting me to see him like that. I couldn't stomach it and had to drop my eyes. I wished the world would go silent, leaving just the two of us.

No, Kian. No, Delaney. So I could explain everything to him.

But I know it's not possible.

How can our life change in a short time? He'll never believe me anymore. 

“Willow, tell me it's a lie. Damn it.” Lucas's voice echoed across the room.

But I couldn't say a word, or I'd risk exposing myself.

“Hey. Hey. Now don't yell at my girlfriend. Besides, why would she write about you anyway?” 

“I know Willow hates your guts. Prove that she's your girlfriend.” Lucas dared.

“Okay.” 

Before I knew what was happening, warm lips captured mine, sucking with the intensity that I almost lost my balance.

Kian was kissing me. Kian just took my first kiss. The one I have been saving for Lucas.

I wanted to push him off. To yell profanities at him—I couldn't.

Deep inside me, I knew this was his own way of helping me out of my situation, even though I hated that he was enjoying it way too much.

“This is not possible.” Delaney again.

“Yes, it is. This was why I rejected you yesterday.” Kian said, tracing my lips with his thumb.

The crowd gasped.

“What?” Lucas asked, “What's he talking about, Delaney?” 

“Erhm… not… nothing, babe.” She stuttered. “Do not make this about me, Kian. We are talking about Willow.”

“Lucas, your girlfriend was in my room yesterday, trying to get me to sleep with her.” 

“WHAT?” The whole crowd erupted with chattery.

“So Delaney is even the real slut, trying to cheat on her boyfriend.”

“I can't believe it. Just because Kian's the captain.”

“I don't blame her. He's hot. Hotter than Lucas.”

“Shut up. All of you. Get out of here.” Delaney shoos them away.

“You are lying. You think Delaney would stoop so low like Willow?” Lucas's words stabbed me in the chest as he sneered at me with pure disgust. “And I think you're blackmailing Willow also.”

They were talking about me like I wasn't right there.

“Here.” Kian fished out his phone and showed everyone the text. “You believe now?”

“Seriously, Delaney. I can't believe you would do this.” Lucas walked away angrily.

“Come with me, little tiger.” Kian started dragging me to God knows where.

“Here.” He handed me water. “A minute there. I thought you'd pass out.” 

“Thank… you.” I squeak in a small voice.

“But why would you lie like that? Why would you tell everyone that we are dating?” I asked after getting my voice back.

“You are welcome too.” 

“I am not joking, Maddox.” I started pacing in the locker room. “Lucas hates me now.”

“Really? You are worried about that? I'd say worry more about Delaney, who's out to get you. And is this the thank you I get?” 

“Thank you.” I said, begrudgingly.

“That doesn't sound sincere, and I don't want it anymore.” He grumbled.

“I will write your stupid story. You don't have to remind me.” 

“That's not what I want. I saved you twice. Shouldn't you thank me twice?” 

My mind immediately went back to the kiss. “I am not kissing you again. And you don't get to kiss me like that. Ever.”

“Jeez. Why are you acting like that was your first kiss?”

Because it was you, dumb jackass.

“Well, too bad that I am not getting another kiss. Give me something else.”

“No. I am not giving you anything. In fact, I am leaving.” I took my bag and walked towards the door. “And good luck convincing people that we are dating.”

“Go on. You're free to walk away. But don't be surprised when everyone finds out the truth.”

Bastard.

He leaned on the locker with that smug smile. 

“What do you want?”

“Now, you are talking. I am failing two courses.” He sat straight. “It could hinder me from graduating.” 

I didn't understand where this was going, so I let him speak.

“I want you to help me study and also help me write my essay.”

“What? Hell no. Are you crazy?” My palm landed on his head. “I could get expelled if caught.”

“Relax. No one's going to find out. You would not allow that to happen.” He said, in a warning, kind of threatening voice.

I sighed, because there's no winning against him. “Fine. When do you want it?” 

“That's my good girl. Before homecoming. You help me with that, and I will try my best to make everyone believe that we are really dating.” 

“Good luck with that. And all of this. It ends after I give you your essay.”

“Ok. Calm down.” He said in a mocked surrender.

“I have rules, and you either follow them or the deal is off.”

“Come on. Seriously? I hate rules.”

“Yes, seriously. You in? Or out?”

“Fine. Let's hear them.” 

“Alright. I will…”

“Do you trust me?”

“What?” I asked with a confused look, wondering where that came from.

“Shhh. Trust me, okay?”

“I swear to God, Maddox. If you…” I didn't get to finish when he snatched my face.

Making me look at him, his iris darkening, like yesterday, but this was a little different.

His lip slowly descended on mine. His minty breath fanning my face.

I felt his fingers graze my lower lip, and I was a goner. I don't know why he had that effect on me.

His lips molded mine. Not gentle. Not soft. He was rough. Hungry.

And worse… I couldn't stop him.

I kissed him back even as my head screamed at me not to. My fingers curled into his hoodie, the noise around us bled into a dull hum.

I couldn't believe I was having my first and second kisses the same day.

His lips moved like he knew exactly where I was weakest… and he wasn't wrong. I could feel the burn crawling up my spine. Butterflies exploding in my stomach.

I could feel my knees start to give, feel the heat pooling in my lower region, and my fluid leaking out of my opening.

God, what was wrong with me? Why am I reacting this way to him?

I was supposed to hate him. He was my enemy. The arrogant bastard, who stole my brother's spotlight, blackmailed me over my diary, and made my life a circus. This whole thing was supposed to be a lie… 

Why did it feel so damn real? 

Why was my body reacting like I'd been waiting for this? Like it wanted more?

One single thought kept ringing in my head: Willow, you are finished.