His proposal

The principal, Mr. Carter, looked up the moment I stepped into his office.

His expression alone told me everything.

“Sit down, Allison.”

I sat, my fingers tightening slightly around the strap of my bag as my eyes landed on the documents beside him.

My scholarship file.

A cold feeling crept into my chest.

“You’re one of our top students,” he began.

I nodded slightly.

Then he continued.

“But after a report accusing you of cheating and destroying exam scripts, the board is considering withdrawing your scholarship.”

My stomach dropped.

“That’s not true,” I said immediately, my voice tight. “I would never…”

“I know,” he cut in.

“But several students claim they saw you.”

My fingers curled slightly against my lap.

“Because of that,” he continued, “your scholarship will be suspended pending investigation.”

Suspended.

My heartbeat picked up, uneven.

I inhaled slowly, forcing myself to stay calm.

“You may go.”

I stood, my legs slightly unsteady, and walked out without another word.

The chatter in the hallway grew louder as the gym doors opened.

The basketball team stepped out, laughing and talking, drawing attention immediately.

And right in front of them,

Aaron Briggs.

Even in a simple jersey, he stood out without trying.

Tall, confident, moving like he knew everyone was watching and didn’t care.

His presence alone shifted the atmosphere.

Behind them, the cheerleaders followed.

I spotted Paige instantly, pushing forward like always, trying to get closer to him.

I rolled my eyes and kept walking.

As usual, most people barely noticed me.

Except Paige, who let out a mocking laugh as I passed.

I ignored her.

But just as I moved past the crowd, I felt something strange.

Like someone was watching me.

I glanced up.

Aaron was looking straight at me.

Not casually.

Not by accident.

Directly.

My steps faltered slightly.

I quickly looked away, gripping my bag tighter as I walked faster.

By the time I got to class, I had already decided one thing,

I wasn’t losing that scholarship.

Not after everything my mom had done.

I exhaled a deep breath and laid my head on my table.

“Well, look who decided to show up.”

I didn’t bother turning. I knew it was Paige.

“I heard something interesting,” Paige continued. “Someone got caught cheating.”

Her friends gasped dramatically.

“No way. Not Miss Perfect?”

A few students turned, whispering.

I looked up at her.

“I didn’t cheat.”

Paige laughed. “Sure. You’d do anything to keep that scholarship.”

I gripped my pen tighter.

Then I looked at her calmly.

“You’re right,” I said.

She blinked.

“I do care about my scholarship,” I continued, my voice steady. “Unlike some people who only care about gossip and chasing boys who barely notice them.”

The class went quiet.

Paige’s jaw tightened.

Before she could respond, the door opened.

Aaron Briggs walked in.

The room shifted instantly.

He didn’t look at anyone, he just scanned the class before walking to the empty seat behind me.

I frowned slightly.

That was new.

I tried to focus on my notebook.

Then I felt it again.

That gaze.

I glanced back.

Aaron was staring at me.

Intensely.

My breath caught.

When our eyes met, he smirked. Then he winked.

My heart skipped.

I turned back immediately, my face warming slightly.

What was that?

By the time the class ended, I packed my things quickly and left without waiting for anyone.

The walk home was quiet.

Too quiet.

My thoughts wouldn’t settle.

My fingers tightened around my bag as I walked.

Then a car slowed beside me.

A sleek black Mercedes.

I ignored it and kept walking.

The window rolled down.

Aaron?

I raised an eyebrow.

Of course, like today wasn’t already enough.

“Get in,” he said.

I stopped.

“You can talk from there.”

He studied me for a second, then nodded.

“Fine.”

He leaned slightly toward me.

“I heard about your scholarship.”

My body stiffened.

“How?”

“Doesn’t matter,” he said. “What matters is that I can fix it.”

My grip tightened again.

“Why would you?”

“Because you can help me.”

“With what?”

He didn’t answer immediately.

Instead, he glanced around briefly before looking back at me.

“I need a girlfriend,” he said.

My brows furrowed.

“Excuse me?”

“A fake one,” he clarified. “There’s a couples contest coming up.”

I stared at him.

“So you picked me for that?”

“Partly.”

“And the other part?”

Aaron leaned back slightly, his expression shifting. Less playful now.

“Have you heard about the party last weekend?”

I hesitated. “Just rumors.”

“Good,” he said. “Let’s keep it that way.”

My frown deepened.

“There’s a video,” he continued. “From that night. A fight broke out. I got involved and later, illegal drugs were found at the scene.”

A chill ran through me.

“And?”

“And the video makes it look like I started it.”

I crossed my arms.

“Did you?”

“No.”

He held my gaze.

“But that won’t matter if it gets out.”

I went quiet.

“My family already knows,” he added. “And they’re not happy.”

I could imagine.

“They think I’m reckless,” he continued. “Unfit.”

“For what?”

Aaron’s jaw tightened slightly.

“Being the heir.”

That caught my attention.

I sighed.

“So now,” he said, “I need to fix my image. Fast.”

“And a fake girlfriend helps how?”

“It’s not just any girlfriend,” he said. “It has to be someone respectable.”

I almost laughed.

“And that’s me?”

“Yes.”

I blinked.

“Why?”

“Because people trust you,” he said simply. “You’re disciplined. You stay out of drama. Teachers respect you.”

He paused.

“And you don’t chase me.”

I rolled my eyes slightly.

“That’s exactly why this works,” he continued. “If I suddenly date someone like you, people will believe I’ve changed.”

I didn’t respond.

“And the contest?” I asked.

“I win it,” he said. “I prove to my family and everyone watching that I can be serious and in return, I fix your scholarship problem.”

Everything went silent.

The deal hung between us.

“You help me clean my image,” he added. “I help you keep your future.”

I studied him carefully.

This wasn’t random.

He meant it.

“Think about it,” he said, already rolling his window up.

“Text me tonight if you’re in. You’ll find my number in the school group chat.”

The engine hummed.

Then he looked at me one last time.

“Our relationship starts the moment people believe it.”

And just like that, he drove off.

I stood there, my heart still beating faster than normal.

My scholarship or my pride.

Either way, my life was about to change.