Chapter 5

By the time I arrived at school, the café picture had become yesterday's biggest news.

I knew because three different people had shown it to me before I reached my locker.

“Emma!”

I turned.

A girl from my history class hurried toward me, phone in hand.

“Is this really you and Jake?”

I glanced at the screen.

There we were.

Jake and me.

His hand was holding mine, and I was smiling up at him.

We looked... Happy.

Too happy.

“Yes,” I said.

The girl's eyes widened.

“Wow.”

“What?”

“You really moved on fast.”

Before I could answer, she walked away.

I sighed.

“People need hobbies.”

“Apparently, I’m their hobby.”

I turned.

Jake was leaning against the locker beside mine.

“How long have you been standing there?”

“Long enough.”

He reached over and took my books.

I frowned.

“Give those back.”

“No.”

“Jake.”

“You're carrying too much.”

“I've survived seventeen years without your help.”

He smiled.

“Congratulations.”

I tried not to laugh.

“You're annoying.”

“You like me.”

“Fake dating.”

“Right.”

He said it casually, but something about his expression made me pause.

Then he walked beside me.

We reached my classroom.

Before I could enter, Jake suddenly stopped.

“What?”

He looked past me.

I followed his gaze.

A boy stood near the windows.

Ryan Miller.

He was one of the most popular guys in our grade, mostly because he played basketball and seemed to know everyone.

He smiled at me.

“Hey, Emma.”

“Hi.”

Jake's expression changed.

Ryan looked at Jake.

“What's up?”

“Nothing.”

Ryan turned back to me.

“Are you going to the game Friday?”

“Maybe.”

“You should come.”

Jake cleared his throat.

“She'll be busy.”

Ryan raised an eyebrow.

“With you?”

Jake didn't answer.

Ryan smiled.

“Good to know.”

He walked away.

I turned toward Jake.

“What was that?”

“What?”

“You were rude.”

“I wasn't.”

“You were.”

He shrugged.

“He was flirting with you.”

“So?”

“So nothing.”

I smiled slowly.

“Are you jealous?”

His eyes widened slightly.

“No.”

“Really?”

I laughed.

“Then why do you look jealous?”

“I don't.”

“You do.”

He stepped closer.

“You're enjoying this.”

“Maybe.”

He shook his head.

“Come on.”

We walked into class.

I couldn't stop smiling.

For the first time, I had seen something in Jake's expression that hadn't been there before.

Jealousy.

But I didn't know why it made my heart flutter.

At lunch, Jake and I sat together again.

Mia joined us.

She stared between us.

“You two are getting dangerously convincing.”

I nearly choked on my drink.

“What?”

She pointed at Jake.

“He looks at you differently.”

Jake raised an eyebrow.

“How do I look at her?”

Mia shrugged.

“Like you're actually dating her.”

I looked at Jake.

He was already looking at me.

Our eyes met.

Neither of us spoke.

Then he looked away.

“She's imagining things.”

Mia laughed.

“Sure.”

I kicked her under the table.

She kicked me back.

Then someone dropped into the seat beside Jake.

A girl.

Chloe Bennett.

She was beautiful.

Long blonde hair.

Perfect makeup.

Everyone knew her.

She smiled at Jake.

“Hey.”

Jake looked at her.

“Hey.”

“I haven't seen you in forever.”

“You saw me yesterday.”

She laughed.

“Right.”

Then she touched his arm.

My stomach tightened.

I looked down at my food.

Why did I care?

This was fake.

Jake could talk to whoever he wanted.

Chloe glanced at me.

“So you're Emma.”

I looked up.

“Yeah.”

She smiled.

“I've heard a lot about you.”

“Really?”

“Ethan mentioned you.”

My smile disappeared.

“Of course.”

Chloe looked at Jake again.

“So, are you coming to my party Saturday?”

Jake shrugged.

“Maybe.”

“You should.”

She smiled sweetly.

“I'd love to see you there.”

She stood.

“See you later.”

Jake watched her leave.

I kept eating.

“What's wrong?”

“Nothing.”

“You're quiet.”

“I'm eating.”

“You're angry.”

“I'm not.”

He leaned closer.

“Emma.”

I looked at him.

“What?”

“You're jealous.”

My face heated.

“I am not.”

He smiled.

“You are.”

“Why would I be jealous?”

“Exactly.”

I looked away.

“She's pretty.”

“So?”

“So she obviously likes you.”

Jake was silent.

Then he said quietly, “I don't care.”

I looked back at him.

“Why?”

His eyes stayed on mine.

“Because I'm fake dating you.”

My heart skipped.

He smiled slightly.

“Remember?”

I nodded.

“Right.”

But something about those words hurt.

Fake.

That word suddenly felt heavier than it had before.

After school, I walked toward the parking lot alone.

I heard footsteps behind me.

“Emma.”

I turned.

Ethan.

I sighed.

“What do you want?”

“Can we talk?”

“I thought I told you we're done talking.”

“Please.”

I crossed my arms.

He looked different.

Less confident.

Almost nervous.

“I saw you with Jake.”

“I assumed you did.”

“Is this really happening?”

I stared at him.

“Yes.”

“You're actually dating my best friend?”

I nodded.

“Why?”

I laughed.

“Why does it matter to you?”

“Because I know Jake.”

“So do I.”

“You don't.”

I frowned.

“What does that mean?”

Ethan stepped closer.

“Jake doesn't do relationships.”

I felt something tighten inside me.

“Neither did you, apparently.”

He flinched.

“I deserve that.”

“Yes, you do.”

He looked down.

“I'm just warning you.”

“About what?”

He hesitated.

“Jake.”

Before I could ask anything else, he walked away.

I watched him disappear.

Jake doesn't do relationships.

I repeated the words in my head.

For some reason, they bothered me.

Then my phone buzzed.

A message from Jake.

Jake: Where are you?

I typed back.

Me: Parking lot.

His reply came immediately.

Jake: Stay there. I'm coming.

I stared at the screen.

Then I looked toward the road.

I didn't know what Ethan was trying to warn me about.

But I had a feeling I was about to find out.