Chapter 3

By the time I reached my first class, everyone already knew.

I wasn't sure how rumors traveled so fast.

Maybe the school had a secret communication system.

Or maybe teenagers simply had nothing better to do.

I walked into English class with my head held high.

At least, I tried to.

The moment I stepped through the door, conversations stopped.

Then started again.

Louder.

“That's her.”

“She really is with Jake.”

“Already?”

“Didn't she just get dumped?”

I pretended not to hear them.

My seat was near the window.

I sat down and pulled out my notebook.

Two seconds later, Mia dropped into the chair beside me.

She stared at me.

I stared back.

“What?”

“You're dating Jake Anderson?”

I sighed.

“Good morning to you too.”

“Emma!”

“What?”

“You're holding hands with Ethan's best friend in the hallway less than an hour after getting dumped.”

“When you say it like that, it sounds terrible.”

“It is terrible.”

I lowered my voice.

“It's fake.”

Mia's mouth fell open.

“What?”

I quickly explained everything that happened in the library.

it was Jake's idea.

The rules.

The plan.

Mia listened with wide eyes.

When I finished, she leaned closer.

“This is the worst idea you've ever had.”

“I know.”

“You're going to get hurt.”

“I won't.”

“You're already blushing.”

“I am not.”

She smiled.

“You definitely are.”

Before I could answer, the teacher walked in.

“Good morning, everyone.”

The class settled down.

I tried to focus on the lesson.

I really did.

But my phone buzzed.

I glanced down.

Jake: Look behind you.

My heart jumped.

I slowly turned around.

Jake was sitting two rows behind me.

I hadn't even noticed him enter.

He lifted one eyebrow.

I frowned and typed back.

Me: Why are you in my class?

His reply came immediately.

Jake: Because I have English too.

I rolled my eyes.

Me: Very funny.

A second message appeared.

Jake: You look nervous.

I looked toward him.

He was smiling.

Me: I'm not.

Jake: Liar.

I locked my phone.

Mia peeked at me.

“its Jake?”

“Unfortunately.”

She laughed quietly.

The teacher began discussing an upcoming assignment, but I couldn't concentrate.

Every few minutes, I could feel Jake's eyes on me.

It was annoying.

Distracting.

And strangely comforting.

When the bell rang, I packed my books quickly.

I wanted to escape before another rumor could begin.

I made it halfway down the hallway before someone grabbed my wrist.

I turned.

Jake. "what."

“Lunch.”

“I can feed myself.”

"I know."

“Then why are you here?”

“Because we're supposed to be dating.”

I stared at him.

“You're taking this fake relationship way too seriously.”

He leaned closer.

“That's the point.”

Before I could respond, he took my backpack from my shoulder.

“Hey!”

“I'll carry it.”

“I can carry my own bag.”

“I know.”

“Then give it back.”

“No.”

I followed him.

“Jake!”

He laughed.

Students stared as we walked toward the cafeteria.

I could practically hear the gossip spreading.

At the cafeteria entrance, Jake stopped.

“You ready?”

“For what?”

He opened the door.

The room went quiet.

Almost everyone looked at us.

My stomach tightened.

Jake walked in first, then reached for my hand.

I hesitated.

“You don't have to,” he whispered.

That surprised me.

He was giving me a choice.

I looked at his hand.

Then took it.

His fingers closed around mine.

We walked toward an empty table.

And that's when Ethan stood up.

He was sitting with his friends.

His eyes were fixed on us.

Jake didn't even look at him.

Instead, he pulled out a chair for me.

I sat.

He sat beside me.

Not across from me.

Beside me.

Close enough that our shoulders touched.

My heart started beating faster.

I told myself it was because everyone was watching.

It had nothing to do with Jake.

Nothing.

Ethan suddenly walked toward us.

My body stiffened.

He stopped beside the table.

“Emma.”

I looked up.

“What?”

His eyes moved to Jake.

“Can I talk to you?”

Jake leaned back.

“She's eating.”

Ethan ignored him.

“This is between me and Emma.”

I looked at Jake.

Then at Ethan.

“I don't have anything to say.”

“Emma, seriously?”

“You already said everything yesterday.”

His jaw tightened.

“I didn't expect this.”

I smiled.

“Neither did I.”

Jake's hand found mine beneath the table.

I froze.

Ethan noticed the movement.

His expression darkened.

“You're actually doing this?”

I raised an eyebrow.

“Doing what?”

“Dating him.”

I looked at Jake.

He was watching me carefully.

Waiting.

I turned back to Ethan.

“Yes.”

Ethan stared at me.

“You can't be serious.”

“Why not?”

“Because he's my best friend.”

I smiled.

“That sounds like your problem.”

A few students nearby gasped.

Ethan looked furious.

Jake squeezed my hand.

“She's right.”

Ethan turned toward him.

“Stay out of this.”

Jake's expression hardened.

“You're the one who walked over here.”

For several seconds, the two boys stared at each other.

The tension was so thick I could barely breathe.

Finally, Ethan looked at me.

“You're going to regret this.”

I felt a chill run down my spine.

“Maybe.”

He walked away.

I watched him disappear into the crowd.

Only then did I realize I was still holding Jake's hand.

I slowly pulled away.

“Sorry.”

“For what?”

“The whole thing.”

Jake shook his head.

“You don't have to apologize.”

I looked at him.

“Why are you being so nice to me?”

He was quiet for a moment.

Then he smiled.

“Maybe I'm not as terrible as everyone thinks.”

I laughed.

“That's debatable.”

“Give me time.”

“Why?”

His eyes met mine.

“Because you're going to have to pretend to like me for a while.”

I smiled.

“Pretend?”

“Yeah.”

He leaned closer.

“But you're making it surprisingly easy.”

My smile disappeared.

For a moment, neither of us spoke.

Then the bell rang.

I looked away first.

This was fake.

It had to stay fake.

Because falling for Ethan's best friend was never part of the plan.