The Thing He Won't Tell Me 

"What power do I have?"

I stared at Jeremy, waiting for an answer. For several seconds he didn't say anything. Then he laughed.

I blinked. "What's funny?"

Jeremy shook his head as though I had asked the most ridiculous question in the world. "You have the power to make an already terrible evening even worse."

I stared at him. "That isn't an answer."

"It wasn't supposed to be."

"Jeremy, I'm serious."

"So am I."

"You just told me I have some kind of power."

He turned away from me. "I was joking."

"You weren't."

He glanced back at me. "You're very stubborn."

"And you're avoiding the question."

His lips curved into a small smile. "Maybe."

I folded my arms. "Why won't you just tell me?"

"Because you ask too many questions."

"That's because you give terrible answers."

Jeremy laughed softly, then started walking away. I followed him. "You can't just say something like that and walk away."

"I already did."

I stopped. "Jeremy!"

He looked over his shoulder. "You're going to find out eventually."

"When?"

"When you're ready."

I narrowed my eyes. "I hate that answer."

"I know."

He continued walking. I stood there for a moment, watching him. There was something he wasn't telling me. I knew it, and whatever it was, I was going to find out.

The next morning, I arrived at university determined to focus on my work. That lasted about thirty seconds. The moment I stepped through the gates, people started staring again, whispers following me across the courtyard.

"That's her."

"Jeremy's girlfriend."

"She was trending all night."

I sighed. I didn't need another reminder. Then someone grabbed my arm. I turned quickly. Sarah stood beside me, holding her phone.

"You're famous," she announced.

"I hate you."

Sarah laughed. "You should see the comments."

"I already did."

"Then you know people are obsessed with you."

"They're obsessed with gossip."

Sarah tilted her head. "Same thing."

Before I could answer, a familiar voice came from behind us. "Good morning."

I turned. Jeremy was walking toward us, looking completely relaxed despite the attention around him. His eyes landed on me. "Ready?"

I frowned. "Ready for what?"

"To continue pretending."

Sarah looked between us. "You two are actually doing this?"

I opened my mouth. Jeremy answered first. "Yes."

Sarah's eyebrows shot upward. I glared at him. "It's complicated."

Jeremy stepped beside me. "It's simple."

Before I could react, he casually placed an arm around my shoulders. I stiffened. "What are you doing?" I whispered.

"Making it convincing," he whispered back.

I glanced around. Half the courtyard was watching us. I lowered my voice. "You're enjoying this."

"Maybe."

I elbowed him lightly. "Stop smiling."

"Why?"

"Because you're irritating me."

His eyes moved to my face. "You're blushing."

"I am not."

"You are."

I touched my cheek. It was warm. I immediately dropped my hand. Sarah burst out laughing.

"I'm leaving before I become part of this disaster," she said, and walked away.

I glared at Jeremy. "This is your fault."

"My fault?"

"Yes."

"How?"

"You're making everyone believe this is real."

Jeremy shrugged. "That's the point."

Before I could answer, I heard a familiar voice. "Jessica."

I turned. Michael was standing several feet away, Valerie beside him. The moment Valerie saw Jeremy's arm around my shoulders, her expression darkened. Michael walked toward us.

"So it's true," he said.

I frowned. "What?"

"You and Jeremy."

I looked at him calmly. "Yes."

Michael gave a short laugh. "Interesting."

I didn't respond. He looked me over. "Yesterday you were crying because I broke up with you. Today you're suddenly dating Jeremy Blackwood."

I felt my jaw tighten. "I wasn't crying because I lost you."

Michael's smile faded slightly. "Then why were you crying?"

"Because you humiliated me."

Valerie stepped forward. "Don't act innocent, Jessica."

I looked at her. "I wasn't talking to you."

Her eyes narrowed. "You knew Michael was with me."

"And?"

"You still went after Jeremy."

I laughed. "I didn't go after anyone."

She folded her arms. "Really?"

"Yes."

Michael glanced at Jeremy. "You really chose her?"

Jeremy's expression immediately hardened. "Watch your mouth."

Michael raised his eyebrows. "I was only asking."

"No," Jeremy replied coldly. "You were insulting her."

Michael laughed. "Since when do you care?"

Jeremy stepped slightly in front of me. "Since you decided to make her your target."

I stared at his back. He didn't even look at me. He was simply standing there, protecting me. Again.

Michael shook his head. "Whatever this is, it won't last."

I stepped around Jeremy. "You don't get to decide how long it lasts."

Michael looked at me. "You think Jeremy is going to stay interested in you?"

I smiled. "You're strangely concerned about my relationship."

His expression tightened. "I'm trying to warn you."

"No," I replied. "You're trying to make yourself feel better."

His jaw clenched. I continued before he could answer. "You broke up with me. You chose Valerie. You don't get to come back now just because someone else decided I'm worth choosing."

For a moment Michael said nothing. Valerie grabbed his arm. "Michael, let's go."

He hesitated, then followed her. I watched them disappear into the crowd. Jeremy looked at me.

"You didn't need to handle that alone."

I turned toward him. "I handled it perfectly."

A faint smile appeared on his face. "You did."

I raised an eyebrow. "Was that a compliment?"

"Don't get used to it."

I smiled despite myself.

The rest of the morning passed without another confrontation. After classes I went to the design studio. This was where I felt most like myself. No gossip. No fake relationship. No Michael, no Valerie, no Jeremy. Just me and my designs.

I spread my sketches across the table and began working on a new collection. Fashion wasn't just something I enjoyed, it was my dream. I wanted my own label, my own designs, my own name on the door. I didn't want to spend my life depending on someone else's money. That was why the ten thousand dollars Jeremy had offered mattered so much. It could help me buy materials. It could help me start building something of my own.

I reached for a piece of fabric. The needle slipped.

"Ouch!"

I pulled my finger away. A tiny drop of blood appeared on my fingertip. I shook my hand. "Great."

I grabbed a tissue. Then something strange happened. The lights flickered. I froze and looked around the studio. The lights flickered again.

"Okay…"

I stared at them. Then the sewing machine beside me suddenly switched on. I jumped backward.

"What the—?"

The machine began running, the needle moving rapidly up and down. Nobody was sitting at it. Nobody was touching it. I rushed toward the power switch. The machine stopped. Silence filled the room. I stood there, breathing heavily.

"What just happened?"

I looked at the sewing machine, then at the fabric. Everything appeared normal. I slowly reached for the fabric.

A voice came from behind me. "Jessica."

I jumped and turned around. Jeremy stood in the doorway.

"What are you doing here?" I asked.

He didn't answer. His eyes were fixed on the fabric in my hands, his expression changing. The amusement disappeared from his face, and so did the confidence. He looked almost alarmed.

I glanced down at the fabric, then back at him. "What?"

Jeremy walked toward me. "Where did you get that fabric?"

I frowned. "This?"

"Yes."

"I bought it."

He stopped in front of me. "No."

I stared at him. "What do you mean, no?"

Jeremy's eyes remained fixed on the fabric. His voice dropped. "That fabric…" He looked at me. "…is my family's fabric."