"I have another proposition." August looked at me this time. Her eyes are hard, determined. The kind of look that makes it difficult to say no to. It made me curious what she had in mind.
"In my defense–" I started. I was aware that it was very cowardly to throw my friends under the bus like this. But I need her to know I wanted to put a stop to it, "–I was about to back out from the deal. The more I learned about you, the more I think me and friends are twats for even thinking about it. On behalf of us all, I'm sorry."
A faint flush pooled on August's cheeks. Her mouth opened as if to say something. She wasn't expecting me to say anything remotely like that. She recovered quickly though and was once again indifferent.
"What was the deal anyway?" She asked. Her words were tight and careful. August is trying to see if I can be trusted.
I wanted to let her know that I was. So I told her everything. From the unconscious antagonizing she does to Theo caused by her nonchalance and indifference. Entirely not her fault but Theo is one dimensional and is used to getting what he wants. I told her I agreed mainly because I was bored and I thought it would be arduous to try and break her. I told her what the deal was about. How I was supposed to make her fall in love with me so I can break up with her publicly and also make her lose the top spot in the Student Ranking. And then I told her that I changed my mind, because it's not her fault we find her intimidating or annoying for doing things the way she does, that's on us.
It sounds a lot like just saving my own ass but it was the truth.
She was quiet after my confession. And then somehow, a soft, muffled sound rises from her throat. She was trying to hold it in but it became too much and she bursts out laughing.
I tried to quiet her down. We're in the library after all. I didn't expect her to be the one breaking the first rule of a library– which is to be quiet.
"What the hell, August. Someone might hear."
She tried to speak in between her fits but laugh after laugh drowns out her words. I've never seen her smile much before. It was an unsettling sight seeing her be like this, but not unwanted. She should do this more often. I wanted her to laugh more often. Even at my expense.
Her laughter died down gradually and she was able to speak. Although every once in a while, another chuckle will find its way back.
"It's okay." She finally said. "It's very rare that someone comes this far back anyway." She wipes a tear from her eye. She laughed herself to tears.
"Was it that ridiculous?" I asked. I wasn't offended but I wanted to know what she thought of the bet. And maybe a bit more about her thoughts on me.
She calmed down this time and was able to answer more coherently. "It's not only ridiculous. It's impossible."
"Impossible for you to fall in love with me, or impossible for you to lose your top place?"
August laughed again, but gentler. "Both. I'm not going to fall in love with you Hughes, I won't allow myself. And I can't lose my place. That's not even an option."
I wanted to ask her what she meant by that. But I wasn't sure if I really wanted to know the answer so I let it go. I don't think this is what she wanted to talk with me for. I also didn't want to dwell in that longer. I might actually get offended if we continued with that conversation.
"I get it. I'm sorry."
"You should be." There was playfulness with the way she said it. She wasn't as mad as I thought she would be. We could have left it at that and we never have to speak with each other again. And we should have had. It could have spared both of us all the unnecessary pain. But I didn't know. I didn't know then that her next words would change our lives. And not all for the better.
"I want you to still do this bet."
We talked for what felt like hours. She laid down a manifesto. Another deal that would benefit the both of us, she said. I would continue to pursue her. According to her contract– yes, she has written one, she'll reject me three more times. Two in front of my friends and the last one privately, and that will be a story I will relay to them. On the fourth try, she will say yes, finally, but it's supposed to look as if she did it out of exasperation. This way, she won't look easy. Once this is established, we continue on with five dates before the moment she fake-falls in love with me. She wanted to be the one to decide for all our fake-dates but I wagered for two. If she wants me onboard, I told her, then at least give me a say on some of the things we'll do. She was very diplomatic.
And then we'll break up. She said that out of the goodness of her heart–sarcastically of course, that I can decide where we would do it. She doesn't care how embarrassing that situation will be. But that's going to be it. She will never drop her top place.
"So–" I wanted to make sure I was all hearing this right, "–basically, you want us to fake chase, fake date, fake fall in love and then fake break-up?"
"Yes."
"Let me guess the catch– you want to share the prize?"
With a sing-songy voice she replied, "Bingo. What is the prize anyway?"
She looked pleased and I weirdly felt proud of myself. I wanted to believe she was joking though, but her every feature screamed with seriousness. It's not just a want. She needed it.
"A horse. A yacht. And two hundred grand."
Her eyebrows contorted in confusion, "A horse?"
"Not just any other horse. You've got to see him to understand. But I won't get Lancelot if you don't drop a place."
"Then, I guess we can't actually do this."
I couldn't explain what got into me, but I stopped her from getting up and said, "I'm okay with just the yacht."
Maybe it was curiosity. Maybe I really did want to get to know her better. Maybe I'm making a deal with the devil.
She said she only wanted to have half the cash. I said I'll give her everything. But I told her that she was doing me a great service by getting me out of the monotony of my life. She said she didn't need that much. And she wouldn't settle at first. My God, she's so stubborn. Finally we agreed at 60-40, with me getting 40% and a yacht.
"Will you be okay? After I fake-break your heart?" I teased. The air around us has somehow shifted. There was less animosity from her and a friendliness in me.
August looked at me solemnly, a faint smile on her lips. It was as if she wanted to say something entirely different, like a secret boiling over. But instead she replied, "I've had worse" and left without another word.
The first rule August and I agreed upon is that, "This is not going to be another teenage love affair where we fall in love for real in the end."That idea, apart from being ridiculous for her, August also said that she can never risk her entire future for something as fleeting as teenage romance. She knows the position my family holds in society. She heard stories. And she knew if she pissed enough people, her scholarship could get retracted."Why do this then?" I asked. If she knew about that possibility, then why continue with the fake-dating scheme?"First off, none of this is true. Plus, I get the money, you get to keep your pride. Also your parents probably know about your dating history. They'll brush this off as one of your curiosity. And you are curious aren't you?"I smiled. I wanted to pretend I didn't know what she meant. But she's too cunning for that. I want to know what it's like to date the smartest, most difficult girl I've known. Even if it's fake."I figured. You're
Like Theo, I've also known Gwen since childhood. Her mother is 'the' Allesandra Evellon, a world renowned Fashion Designer and my mother is one of her clients and biggest fans.We were in the same daycare, and for a while our family thought about merging our clans. That fizzled out around the time we got to grade school and she's now engaged, though not formally announced yet, with the heir of SLSF Insurance Company Inc. We didn't like each other very much back then so I didn't really care. And she was perfectly happy that it didn't work out for us because she's already completely smitten with Royce. We never exchanged much words apart from polite greetings and nods on family and company events. So her, pulling me back on a private corner was definitely something that doesn't happen often."What do you think you're doing Hughes?"I knew immediately what she came for.Her friendship with August was a peculiarity within the Academy. If Gwen was the wave, August was the shore. August is
Over the weekend, Dove wouldn't stop referencing Paris. She only spoke with me in French through the entire run of our equestrian training. She even brought quiche and Crémant for our "goûter". She laid out museums and boutiques she plans to visit and has already pre-picked her wardrobe. She was urging me to match some of hers, "It'll look good on photos" she said."Are you already assuming I'm going to lose the bet?" I sipped the sparkling wine she bought. It was too sweet for my liking.Her lips curved into a charming smirk, "Mon beau, tu as déjà perdu. Just accept the fact that there are girls, however rare, who are immune to your charms. Jeter l'éponge."In any other circumstance, I'd agree with Dove. I might have already raised a white flag a few weeks back if it weren't for this scheme I had with August. Is it a loss if I rigged our bet to change court and ally with the enemy? Maybe. But that's something they never have to know. I should feel guilty lying to my friends, but it's
The planning of the Dates happened on the day August approached me about the bet. Right after we agreed on how the chase would play out, I opened the ideas for the dates that would follow. What she wanted was just to fake it and tell our friends that we did even if we didn't."In order to be convincing, we actually have to have stories to tell and photos to show."I know Theo will not be silenced until he sees a photo of August and I together. Up until now, he still couldn't believe August agreed on a date with me. And he saw that with his own eyes and heard it with his own ears. They were watching the whole affair from our round table directly in view of the Dames. Yet, it was still unfathomable."Alright," August agreed. "But I'll choose where we are going and when. Everything should fit my schedule.""That's a bit selfish. You need my help more than I need yours. I'm only here because I'm bored. You're in it for the money." I remember telling her.It was the hardest deal I had to c
On a typical Sunday night our hangout place will be The Mockingbird, the club owned by Altair– Dove and Raven's older brother. We always get a free pass and a VIP Lounge in an area that overlooks the entire place. We get dibs on the finest drinks and freshest weeds. Legally speaking, we're not really allowed any of those yet. But what is even illegal to us?In our defense, we don't take anything more than what's provided. Nothing hard and dangerous. And Altair always makes sure of that. Even freedom has their restrictions.When I got there, Theo was already raving at the dance floor trying to pick up girls. But his aggression and massive ego could only chase them away. It was painful to watch him. I guess that's why he accepted the deal. He's in desperate need of guidance– my guidance specifically. And he knows I'll never help him in any other circumstance.Arlo and Raven were already on their own corner and whatever they were doing should be done in private. I still wonder when they
My head felt heavy and the lights were blinding me. I barely slept at all and when I burp it still smells like alcohol. I have missed my first class and was already contemplating on missing the next. Staying home is not an option because Nelly will never stop berating me if she knew I missed school. Especially if it's because I went out partying all night.I also have an apology to make.Oh God, I hope I didn't say anything embarrassing. All I can remember was dialing August and then hearing her voice. But what I said for the rest of our twenty-eight minute phone call was all rumbled and hazy.I found August in the library as always. I knew it was her free period and she'll be nowhere else but here. She was at the Front Desk this time and not stacking books like always. She looked up when I entered and smiled. I tried to read if her smile was inviting or mean but my throbbing head and the too bright lights made it impossible for me to open my eyes properly."Hello" she greeted. I slum
It’s the Annual General Membership Meeting of the Liberty Polo Federation and the excitement has kept me up all night. Not because of the Membership Meeting but because of the Emperor’s Cup which is also held on the same day. This is one of the few events that our family is required to attend that I actually enjoy. It’s when I can display Philip in all his glory. We will be participating in the two main events which are Show Jumping and then at Polo. This year is a bit more special though. This year, August will be watching and something within me stirred. After my brother left, no one else watched me compete. It’s fine. I’m used to it now. My father is always out of the country and my mother is often out of herself. So now, with someone watching and much more since it's August, I’m feeling more riled up. I got to Liberty Mead real early that I was there before my coach. I was already done schooling Philip when Coach Anthony came. He wasn’t shocked to see me there first. He knows h
The next and final event followed right after. And once again the guests are back to the viewing deck. August sat on her own this time since Royce will also be part of the game, though he's playing for the other team. I have changed my clothes to a more breathable polo shirt in the color of our team which was navy blue. Dove strutted in front of me with Lancelot. "You really have to put that bitch in her place. She's getting on my nerves." I scoffed, "You started it you know. She has every right to defend herself." "Are you taking her side now?" Dove asked, clearly taken aback. "No. What I meant was– you know what, it doesn't matter. Let's just focus on the match." With that, I left Dove and had Philip march into the waiting crowd. I looked for August once again before the game began. I found her quickly. Her dress is very hard to miss. She was talking with a woman who sat beside her and they were pointing in my direction. I squinted to try and see who that woman was and nearly