Chapter Five — Alex’s POV

High school is a lot like a stage. Some people are born for the spotlight—guys like Jason Cole, quarterback, golden boy, practically sponsored by the universe. Others, like me, do just fine in the background. Not invisible, not forgotten, just… steady. Reliable.

That’s the role I’ve always played.

Which is why I almost dropped my books when I walked out of chem class and saw Jason with his arm around Lila Bennett.

Lila.

The quiet girl who sits two rows over. The one who always has a sarcastic comment ready if you actually take the time to ask her opinion. The one I thought… well, maybe someday I’d work up the nerve to ask out.

But apparently, I waited too long.

Because there she was, pressed up against Jason like it was the most natural thing in the world.

At first, I thought it had to be some kind of joke. Jason’s type is cheerleaders, I*******m models, girls who already know how to flirt with a camera. Not Lila, with her messy ponytail and sarcastic eye rolls. Don’t get me wrong—she’s cute, in that “doesn’t even realize it” kind of way. But Jason? He doesn’t exactly go for “cute.”

And yet, when I asked if it was true, Jason didn’t even flinch.

“Yeah,” he said easily, arm tightening around her shoulder. “She’s my girlfriend.”

I tried not to let my face show anything, but inside, something twisted.

Girlfriend.

Lila’s cheeks had gone pink. She shoved him a second later, muttering something under her breath. But Jason just laughed, like it was all part of the act. Like he owned the whole hallway.

And I hated how natural it looked.

Later that night, my phone wouldn’t stop buzzing. I finally checked TikTok and, sure enough, there they were. Jason had posted a video—him sweaty after practice, grinning like he didn’t have a care in the world, talking about “Day 1 with the girlfriend.”

The comments were a mess:

✨ They’re so cute together!

✨ Never saw this coming but I love it!

✨ Power couple!!

I scrolled through them with a sinking feeling.

I couldn’t believe it. Lila—Lila Bennett—was trending. With Jason Cole.

And the worst part? She looked… happy. At least in the photos people were reposting.

The next day, I caught myself watching them in the hallway. Jason walked her in like she belonged at his side. Everyone noticed. Heads turned. Whispers started.

I told myself it was fake. It had to be fake.

Lila never mentioned Jason before. Never seemed interested in that kind of guy. She’s the type who rolls her eyes at popularity contests, who laughs at pep rallies. The idea of her with Jason didn’t fit.

But when she smiled—forced or not—I felt my stomach drop.

Had I missed my chance?

At practice that afternoon, I overheard some of Jason’s teammates talking.

“Man, I still can’t believe he pulled Lila Bennett.”

“Bet you five bucks it doesn’t last a week.”

“Nah, Cole’s serious. He’s been posting her all over TikTok.”

I tried to tune them out, but the more they talked, the more I wondered.

Jason doesn’t do serious. Everyone knows that. He dates for attention, for the thrill, for the flex. He’s never cared about anyone outside his circle.

So what was different about Lila?

Unless…

Unless this was all just another game to him.

The thought made my jaw tighten. Because if Jason was playing around, if this was just another one of his stupid bets, then Lila deserved better.

She deserved someone steady. Reliable. Someone who’d actually notice her without needing a crowd to clap for it.

Someone like me.

On the way home, I caught up with her by the bike racks. She jumped a little when she saw me—probably expecting Jason.

“Hey,” I said, shoving my hands in my pockets. “So… you and Cole, huh?”

Her eyes widened. For a split second, I swore I saw panic flash across her face. Then she forced a smile. “Yeah. Crazy, right?”

“Yeah,” I muttered.

Silence stretched between us. I wanted to tell her she didn’t have to fake it with me. That if Jason was using her, I’d have her back. But the words stuck in my throat.

Instead, I just said, “Well… if you ever need anything, you know where to find me.”

She nodded quickly, almost too quickly, and grabbed her bike.

And as I watched her ride away, I couldn’t shake the feeling that maybe—just maybe—this wasn’t as simple as it looked.

Because one thing was clear: Jason Cole didn’t deserve her.

But me? I might.