013

AVA

The continuous pinging of my phone made me stir; I reached for it, desperate to stop the noise when my eyes caught the time.

Shit, I was late.

I jumped out of the bed, ignoring the notifications as I ran into the shower.

~~

I didn’t spend more than ten minutes in the bathroom. My phone still wouldn’t stop buzzing, so I reached for it.

The fuck?

127 I*******m messages?

I quickly opened the app. Thankfully, they were all from the Campus Buzz community chat I’d followed last week.

Curious, I tapped on it to see what everyone was talking about when I froze. The smile on my face instantly faded as I read the caption.

MAYA JENNINGS DUMPED?! 👀

Star hockey player Caden Duke caught in an intimate poolside moment with a mystery girl.

Fuck.

Below the caption was a picture of me and Caden from last night—right after he saved me from the pool.

I was in his arms, and our faces were so close anyone would’ve thought we were kissing.

My fingers tightened around my phone.

No, no, no.

How the hell did someone even take this?

My gaze flew to the picture, desperately searching for my face.

It was blurred.

I let out a shaky breath I hadn’t realized I was holding.

My eyes dropped to the numbers beneath the post.

127K likes. 30.5k comments.

Shit.

My hands trembled as I tapped the comments.

“Who the hell is she?”

“Well, whoever the mystery girl is, she's not as pretty as Maya.”

I felt a lump form in my throat, and my body grew hot.

“Ugly bitch, she fell into that pool intentionally!”

“Caden downgraded hard if that’s really his new girl.”

I found it difficult to swallow or breathe. It felt like something else blocked my airflow.

I lost track of time as I scrolled through the comments. The more I read, the more I found more reasons to stay in bed all day.

The comments were terrible, and Caden? He was spared, while everyone assumed I was the desperate bitch.

Maybe I shouldn't go to school today… Because what if someone recognized me? I mean, many people saw my face last night.

I sighed for the umpteenth time, already deciding to stay home when my phone alarm rang out.

Shit, why me?!

I palmed my face, dread filling me. The alarm was a reminder for a major test today, one I couldn’t miss.

I gritted my teeth, clenched my fists, and paced around the room, anything to stop the building tension inside me.

Unable to change my fate, I grudgingly pulled out a black hoodie from my closet.

‘This should keep me hidden for a while.’  I thought to myself as I dressed up pretty quickly, grabbed my backpack, and immediately exited my room.

I made my way downstairs as quietly as I could, and only when I was sure Caden wasn't around did my nerves calm.

~~~~~~

Just when I thought the comments were brutal, school was worse.

The gossip was on everyone's lips—perks of getting caught up in a scandal involving the school’s favorite couple.


My ears were filled with whispers as I walked through the hallways.

“She's trying to take Caden away from Maya. What a dumb bitch!”

“Have you joined the group chat? We are trying to uncover the mystery girl.”

I slipped my earbuds in and turned the volume up, hoping the music would distract me. I spotted Mira waiting and hastened my steps, only for firm hands to grab me, pushing me roughly at a corner.

“What the—” The words died in my throat as my eyes met with hers.

Maya Jennings.

I should have stayed in my bed!

“I know your plan, you little pest!” She lifted her chin as though the mere sight of me disgusted her. “You’re trying to lure Caden, but let me tell you now—you don’t even have what it takes!” she spat, her voice dripping with venom.

I let out a humorless laugh.

“You really think I’m trying to lure my stepbrother? What would that make me?”

“A desperate whore,” she shot back. “I’ve seen girls like you before.”

“Enlighten me, then.”

“Stay away from Caden, bitch.”

“That’s impossible. We live under the same roof,” I retorted, refusing to be intimidated.

Maya stepped closer until we were in each other’s faces.

“You see how the mystery girl is getting dragged online?” she said quietly. “Imagine what happens when everyone finds out it’s you, Ava?”

She tilted her head.

“Consider this your last warning. Next time, I won’t be so nice,” she concluded before walking out.

I exhaled sharply, turning to leave when—“What was that about?”

My heart skipped, and I only relaxed when I saw it was just Mira. “Shit, you scared me.”

“Why was she talking to you?”

“Nothing important, just her normal tantrums, you know how she can be, right?”

Mira nodded. “Yup, more reasons I’m glad Caden is finally moving on. The mystery girl is who everyone is talking about, and it’s only a matter of time before queen bitch fame expires.”

I stayed quiet as we walked.

“Did you see the news?”

I cleared my throat. “Yeah, I mean everyone has already.”

“Don’t you feel some type of way?” She asked. “A normal you would be sad and grumpy, knowing your crush—”

“Mira!” I cut in. “You’re pushing; people grow up, and I have. He is no longer my crush.”

“I don’t believe you,” she said. “Just weeks ago, you’d do anything to make him notice you, and now you can’t even mention his name?”

A sigh escaped my lips. “Please drop it.”

She rolled her eyes. “Well, I’ll be running an investigation on that mystery girl. For some odd reason, she looks familiar.”

“Her face is blurred, Mira.”

“That was in the picture; in the video, it’s a bit clearer.”

There is a video??

Mira brought out her phone. Take a look; she played the video.

Shit. I watched with my heart racing, hoping she wouldn’t recognize. But a part of me knew she would. My face was clearer there.

She watched again, again, and again, as if in disbelief. By the fifth time, her head snapped towards me. “Don't tell me this is—”

“It is!” I interrupted, causing her to squeal loudly.

“No fucking way, Ava!” She yelled, and I could see a few eyes turning to us.

“You’re shouting,” I said.

Her energy was over the roof. “You went to Caden’s party without telling me?” She whispered.

“It was for the project,” I defended.

“At night?”

“I stayed late, and…” I trailed off.

This had to stop. I couldn’t keep lying to Mira.

I exhaled, taking a quick pause. “There's something I need to tell you.”

Mira paid attention almost like her life depended on it.

“Alright, I'm listening.”

“I and—”

“There you are!”  A familiar voice interrupted me.

We both turned to see the last person I wanted to see now—Caden.

Mira could barely contain her joy; her eyes darted from me to him

“Could I borrow your friend for a minute?”  Caden added, and before I could object.

“Oh yes! Yes, she’s all yours…you can—”

“Mira!” I called out, causing her to stop.

Caden flashed a smile at her, taking my hands, and began walking down the hallways. He stopped in front of a hall, pulling me inside and shutting the door.

Thankfully it was empty.

“What the fuck is your problem?” I asked.

“I should be asking you,” he shot back. “What’s this stunt you pulled online? Is this some sort of joke to you?”

I scrunched my face in confusion. “How am I to be—”

“I know you planned it all,” he cut in. “Is this your plan to rise to fame? Falling into the pool and paying someone to capture the moment?”

The fuck.

“You’re unbelievable,” I spat, anger surging through my veins. “You really think I’m that stupid and jobless. Why would I fall into a pool when I can’t swim? I mean, how was I to know you’d rescue me?”

“Oh, you knew!”

“I was pushed.” My voice was firm. “Whether by accident or not, someone pushed me.”

He stayed silent, probably connecting the dots, and it was then I realized the position we were in.

My back was resting on the wall, Caden’s broad shoulders trapping me, with our faces inches apart.

“You should step back before someone—” The door creaked open just as I was speaking, and he immediately moved backwards.

“We will talk about this later. I don’t want any scandal ruining my career I spent so much time building.”

I nodded.

He turned to leave when I spoke up. “What about our project?” I asked. “It's due tomorrow.”

“6pm, my room.”