Do you believe it now?

I could barely sleep.

Aaron’s words kept replaying in my head.

I stared at the ceiling, my hands held blanket firmly.

Fake dating Aaron Briggs sounded ridiculous.

My heart raced just thinking about being close to him.

He was the most popular guy at Parkview High.

And me?

I was the quiet girl people ignored or mocked.

A soft knock interrupted my thoughts.

“Allison? Are you awake?”, my mom asked.

“Yes, Mom.”

She walked in, holding two mugs of tea, her hair packed in messy bun with her warm smile instantly easing something in my chest.

“I figured you might need this.”

I took the mug. “You know me too well.”

She sat beside me. “You’ve been quiet since you got back from school. Something happened?”

I hesitated, then sighed softly.

“I might lose my scholarship.”

Her expression changed instantly. “What? Why?”

“They think I cheated.”

“That’s ridiculous,” she said immediately.

I shrugged, staring into my tea. “It’s under investigation.”

She reached for my hands, squeezing them gently.

“We’ll figure it out. You always do.”

A small smile formed on my lips.

She always believed in me.

But the moment she left,

My chest tightened again.

Aaron’s proposal.

I picked up my phone, my thumb hovering over the screen.

This could fix everything.

Or ruin it.

My heart pounded.

Then I tapped into his profile from the group chat and texted him.

“I’ll do it”, I sent.

Almost instantly, he replied.

“Good choice.”

My breath caught slightly.

“Send your address. I’ll pick you up tomorrow.” He added.

I hesitated, then I sent it.

There was no turning back now.

The next morning, I got ready slowly, my nerves refusing to settle.

I had barely sat down to eat when my mom looked out the window.

“Allison, there’s a black Mercedes outside.”

I stood up immediately, grabbing my bag.

“It’s a classmate. I’ll explain later.”

“Love you,” I said quickly.

“Love you more.” My mum smiled as I stepped out.

My mom has always wanted me to have friends of my own, seeing someone pick me up this morning must have made her glad.

Aaron was leaning against the car.

“Good morning, girlfriend,” he said with a smirk.

My stomach flipped.

“Morning,” I replied.

He opened the door for me.

I sat down gently, trying to ignore how fast my heart was beating.

The car was quiet at first.

Then Aaron broke the silence.

“You’re awfully quiet,” Aaron said, glancing at me. “For someone dating the most popular guy in school.”

I scoffed. “Don’t flatter yourself.”

He chuckled.

“Seatbelt.”

“I already…”

Before I could finish, he leaned in.

His arm brushed mine as he pulled the seatbelt across me.

His face was suddenly too close.

My breath caught.

For a second, I forgot how to think.

He noticed.

A small smile stayed on his lips as he leaned back.

“You’re welcome.”

I cleared my throat quickly. “I could’ve done that.”

“Maybe,” he said. “But you didn’t.”

I turned to the window, my cheeks warming.

“So babe,” he said casually.

“Don’t call me that.”

“Why not?” he smirked. “It suits you.”

My stomach flipped again.

I hated that.

As the school gates came into view, my chest tightened.

“Wait,” I said.

“What?”

“People will see us.”

“That’s the point.”

And just like that, he drove in.

Heads turned instantly.

Whispers followed the car.

My fingers curled slightly in my lap.

Aaron pulled up at the front of the school building.

He stepped out calmly, then walked around and opened my door.

I came down slowly from the car.

Before I could react, he leaned closer.

“Remember,” he whispered, “people are watching.”

Then his arm slid around my waist.

My body went completely still.

“What are you doing?” I whispered.

“Being convincing.”

Gasps spread around us.

And then, Paige.

Her eyes locked on us, filled with disbelief.

“Oh, you’ve got to be kidding me.” She said furiously with her arms crossed.

Aaron didn’t even look at her.

Instead, he glanced at me.

“Ready?”

I swallowed.

“Yeah, show time.”

Walking into class felt unbelievable.

Every eye was on us.

Whispers filled the room.

Aaron pulled out a chair for me.

“After you.”

I hesitated, then sat.

He leaned closer.

“Relax,” he murmured. “They’re just curious.”

Curious?

It felt like judgment.

The moment class ended, I grabbed my bag.

But a hand stopped me.

“Allison, we leave together,” Aaron said.

I sighed. “Do we have to?”

“Yes.”

I gave a fake smile. “Fine.”

His fingers wrapped around mine again.

Whispers followed us immediately as we stood up from our sit.

And strangely, it didn’t feel entirely bad to be noticed.

The cafeteria fell quiet as we walked in.

All eyes turned.

My heart pounded.

Aaron didn’t slow down.

Then Paige stood up.

“Well,” she said loudly. “Are you two dating now?”. She paused and the continued.

“Because I didn’t know Aaron would be interested in a loser and a cheater.”

My chest tightened.

But before I could speak, Aaron’s grip on my hand tightened.

“Careful, Paige,” he said calmly.

She blinked. “I’m just asking.”

Aaron’s expression turned cold.

“Everyone knows who she is,” Paige continued.

Aaron stepped closer, pulling me with him.

Gasps spread.

“I am serious,” he said.

Paige froze.

“Allison is my girlfriend.”

Whispers exploded.

Paige scoffed. “You expect us to believe that?”

Aaron smirked.

Then, his hand lifted to my cheek.

My breath caught.

And before I could react,

He kissed me.

My heart slammed against my chest.

The entire cafeteria gasped.

The kiss was brief, but enough.

When he pulled away, his gaze stayed calm.

“Do you believe it now?”