Reconsidering

Ariana's POV

I sat on my bed with my laptop open, staring at the scholarship portal until the words started to blur. The deadline was in four days. I had four days to finish a perfect portfolio, keep my 3.8 GPA, and somehow prove I was worth keeping on the funding list. My stomach twisted. The numbers in my bank account stared back at me, it barely enough for books and food this month. One missed payment, one bad grade, and everything I had worked for could disappear.

Becca walked out of the bathroom, towel drying her messy brown hair. She took one look at my face and dropped onto her bed across from me.

“Ari, you’ve been staring at that screen for an hour. What’s going on?”

I closed the laptop slowly, my fingers lingering on the lid. “The scholarship reminder came again. Portfolio due soon and if I don’t nail it… I don’t know what I’ll do, Becca. I can’t lose this.”

Becca tossed the towel aside and leaned forward, her expressive face full of concern. “You’re one of the best students in your program. They’re not going to drop you. But… you’ve been thinking about Jace’s offer, haven’t you?”

I stood up and started pacing the small room, arms wrapped around myself. My socks slid quietly on the floor. “Every time I try to focus on my work, I keep seeing those numbers. The interviews he mentioned… that kind of access could make my portfolio stand out. It could actually help though.”

Becca nodded slowly. “Exactly, and it’s fake, right? No feelings. Just some pictures and showing up at games. You keep your independence and he gets his image fixed. Its a Win-win.”

I stopped by the window and pressed my forehead against the cool glass. “It sounds so simple when you say it. But what if it’s not? What if I start depending on him even a little? What if people find out and think I’m using him? Or worse… what if I start feeling something?”

Becca stayed quiet for a moment, then spoke softly. “I get it. Davian made you scared of trusting anyone. But Jace seemed different when you told me about the library. Desperate, yeah, but not manipulative like Davian. Maybe this is the universe giving you a practical solution for once.”

I turned around and leaned against the wall, sliding down until I was sitting on the floor. My legs stretched out in front of me. “Practical. That’s what he called it too. But nothing about pretending to date the most popular guy on campus feels practical to me.”

We talked for a long time after that. Becca kept gently pushing the benefits while I kept listing every reason it could go wrong.She wanted me to have help. I wanted to prove I didn’t need it.

Eventually Becca yawned and climbed into bed. “Just sleep on it, Ari. You don’t have to decide tonight.”

But I couldn’t sleep.

Hours later, the dorm room was dark except for the glow of my phone screen. Becca was softly snoring across the room. I sat against my headboard, heart racing, staring at Jace’s contact. My thumb hovered over the call button. Why couldn’t I just text him? Texting would be easier and safer

I pressed call before I could stop myself.

The phone rang. Once, twice. My stomach flipped. I almost hung up.

Jace answered on the third ring, his voice rough with sleep. “Ariana?”

I froze. My mouth went dry. I gripped the phone tighter. “Yeah… it’s me. Sorry for calling so late.”

There was a pause. I could hear him shifting, probably sitting up. “It’s fine. I wasn’t really sleeping anyway. Did you… rethink about the offer?”

I stood up and started pacing the dark room, free hand pressed to my forehead. My bare feet made soft sounds on the floor. “I have been. All night. The scholarship deadline is killing me. If I don’t get strong material for my portfolio… I could lose everything.”

Jace stayed quiet, waiting. I could hear his breathing on the other end.

I stopped by the window, looking out at the dark campus. “I told myself I wouldn’t do this. I don’t want to rely on anyone. Especially not like this. But… the interviews you mentioned. The access. It could actually help me.”

Another pause. Longer this time. I heard him exhale. “So… what are you saying?”

My heart pounded so hard I felt it in my throat. I started pacing again, faster. “I’m saying… I’m considering it. But I’m scared, Jace. I don’t want this to turn into something complicated. I don’t want to get hurt again.”

“I get that,” he said quietly. His voice sounded tired but careful. “We can set clear rules. No private stuff. No feelings. Just enough to make it believable.”

I stopped walking. My free hand clenched into a fist at my side. The words were right there, but they felt huge. “I…”

Jace’s voice softened. “Look, if you’re not sure, we don’t have to—”

“Let’s do it,” I blurted out suddenly, cutting him off. My voice came out shaky. “Let’s do the fake dating thing.”

The line went completely silent for a few seconds.

I stood there frozen, phone pressed tight to my ear, heart racing wildly as I realized what I had just said.