The Fake Girlfriend 

Luca 

I barely get any sleep.

Mia’s crying keeps replaying in my head long after I close my bedroom door. Every time I think the apartment has finally gone quiet, another muffled sob comes from the living room, followed by Emma’s soft voice trying to calm her down.

Carl is an idiot. That much is obvious.

Getting a girl pregnant and then humiliating her in front of everyone isn’t exactly the smartest way to handle things.

I turn onto my back and stare at the ceiling, wondering why I even care.

Whatever happens between Mia and Carl has nothing to do with me. At least, that’s what I tell myself before finally falling asleep.

By morning, I’m exhausted. I drag myself out of bed, shower, and pull on a pair of jeans and a black hoodie.

When I step into the hallway, I find Emma already awake and getting ready to leave.

We leave the apartment together, and for the first few minutes, neither of us says anything.

Curiosity eventually gets the better of me.

“So, are you actually planning to knock Carl out today?”

Her head snaps toward me. “Excuse me?”

I grin. “I’m just asking.”

She gives me an irritated look.

I laugh under my breath, but the amusement fades when I notice how serious she is.

“Just don’t get yourself suspended on your second day.”

“I won’t.”

The certainty in her voice makes me wonder whether she already has something planned.

When we reach the main courtyard, I spot Tyler and the rest of the guys from the team gathered near the basketball court. 

Tyler notices me almost immediately and raises a hand. I head over, exchanging greetings with the guys while Emma continues a few steps ahead.

 I expect her to wait nearby, but when I glance in her direction, she’s stopped.

She’s looking around the courtyard as if searching for someone.

I watch her pull out her phone, apparently checking something, before approaching a group of students standing near the court. 

She says something to them, and one of the guys points toward the group gathered farther away.

Emma follows his gesture. The moment she spots someone, her entire posture changes.

Her shoulders straighten, and whatever uncertainty she had disappears from her face.

Emma is already walking toward Carl and his friends, her pace quickening with every step. 

I don’t hear everything Emma says at first because the guys around Carl start laughing, but then her voice cuts through the noise.

“Which one of you is Carl?”

Carl turns around, and the amused expression on his face disappears when he realizes who is standing in front of him.

“You have a problem?” he asks.

Emma walks closer, her expression hardening. “You’re Carl?”

“Yeah. Why?”

“Because Mia came to my apartment last night crying because of you.”

Carl scoffs. “She got herself pregnant. That’s not my fault.”

Emma’s expression hardens. “You slept with her, humiliated her in front of your entire class, and now you’re acting like she’s the problem?”

“I never promised her anything.”

“You promised her enough to get her into bed.”

A few people around them whistle, and more phones rise into the air.

Carl steps closer. “Watch your mouth.”

Emma doesn’t move. “Or what?”

Carl says something I can’t fully hear. Whatever it is, Emma’s expression goes completely still.

Then her hand moves, and the loud crack of the slap cuts through the court.

Carl’s head remains turned from the force of it, his cheek already beginning to redden.

Even I stare. She just slapped Carl in front of half the campus.

Carl slowly turns his head back toward her, his expression changing from shock to pure rage.

“You fucking—”

His hand rises.

My fingers curl into a fist, and I take a step forward, ready to hit him.

 Then I stop, forcing myself to remember that this isn’t my fight. Emma chose to confront him. She chose to slap him. She can deal with whatever comes next.

Before Carl can do anything, a sharp whistle cuts through the crowd.

“What the hell is going on here?” Coach Reynolds storms across the court, his expression furious.

Everyone immediately steps back.

Carl lowers his hand, but his eyes remain locked on Emma.

“This isn’t over,” he says through clenched teeth. “You’re going to regret this.”

Emma holds his stare without flinching before walking away, leaving Carl humiliated.

Just as the scene is over and the crowd starts to walk away, Tyler turns toward me with an amused grin.

“Is that your girlfriend?”

I scoff. “Absolutely not. She’s my roommate.” I glance toward where Emma disappeared and shrug. “A boring roommate.”

Tyler laughs. “Sure, Hayes.”

I roll my eyes at him. 

 Tyler and I decide to grab a few drinks at the club after practice, hoping to forget about the mess from earlier.

The club is already crowded when we walk in, and we find a spot near the bar with the guys. For the first time all day, I manage to relax.

That doesn’t last long.

I spot Emma entering with Mia, who still looks upset. Emma stays close to her, clearly determined to keep her distracted from Carl.

But apparently, fate isn’t done with her yet.

Carl walks into the club with his boys, looking like he came here with one purpose—finding Emma.

The moment he notices her, her expression tightens. She moves closer to Mia as Carl and his friends approach.

Carl gives her a cold smile. “You really thought you could humiliate me in front of everyone and walk away?”

Emma’s fingers tighten around her glass. “You humiliated yourself.”

His smile disappears.

Mia nervously touches Emma’s arm. “Emma, let’s just go.”

One of Carl’s friends steps in front of them, blocking their way. “Leaving already?”

Emma looks at him, then at Carl. “Move.”

Nobody does.

From across the club, I watch the tension build. Tyler says something beside me, but I barely hear him anymore.

Carl takes another step toward Emma.

“You’ve got a big mouth for someone who doesn’t know what she’s getting herself into.”

Emma doesn’t back away. “And you have a lot of confidence for someone who got slapped in front of half the university.”

Carl’s jaw tightens, and his hand reaches for Emma’s wrist.

That’s when I put my drink down.

“Let her go, Carl.”

Carl turns toward me, his fingers still wrapped around Emma’s wrist. A mocking smile slowly spreads across his face.

“Well, look who decided to join us.”

I stop in front of him, keeping my voice calm. “I said let her go.”

His eyes flick toward Emma before returning to me. “This has nothing to do with you, Hayes.”

“It does when you’re putting your hands on a girl.”

Carl finally releases her, only to step closer to me.

“Take your friends and leave.”

One of his boys steps closer with a mocking grin. “What are you gonna do, Hayes? Hit us because we touched your girl?”

My jaw clenches.

I should walk away. Instead, my hand closes around the bottle on the table.

Before anyone can react, I swing it and the bottle cracks against the side of Carl’s head.

A scream escapes Emma before catching in her throat, turning into a stunned gasp.

Carl stumbles sideways, one hand flying to his head as the music seems to disappear beneath the sudden screams and shocked voices around us.

I stare at him, anger still burning through me.

“That’s for being a fucking pussy and getting an innocent girl pregnant.”

Emma grabs my arm. “Luca, stop.”

I glance down at her hand before looking back at Carl. Whatever I was about to do next, I know I need to stop.

“Come on.”.

I take Emma’s hand and pull her away, ignoring the shouting behind us as we make our way toward the exit.

The moment we step outside, we’re immediately surrounded.

Cameras flash from every direction, and a dozen voices call my name at once.

“Luca! Who is she?”

“Is she your girlfriend?”

“Are you two together?”

I instinctively step closer to Emma as the paparazzi crowd around us, trying to get a clear shot of both of us.

Emma looks overwhelmed, her eyes darting from one camera to another.

I glance at Emma beside me, realizing what this must look like to everyone watching—the university’s hockey star walking out of a club with a girl at his side.

By the morning, Emma and I sit silently across from Principal Miller, while Coach Reynolds stands near the window with his arms folded, looking far less amused than he did yesterday.

Principal Miller drops the newspaper onto his desk. “Would either of you like to explain this?”

Neither of us answers.

“The photographs are all over campus and social media. Reporters are already asking about your relationship, Luca.”

My jaw tightens. “There is no relationship.”

“Then explain the photograph of you leaving a club hand in hand.”

I glance at Emma. She looks just as uncomfortable.

Coach Reynolds finally speaks. “The fight with Carl is another problem altogether. With the hockey finals approaching, the university can’t afford another scandal involving its captain.”

Principal Miller looks at Emma. “And unfortunately, you’re now involved too.”

“What do you mean?” Emma asks.

Coach Reynolds looks between us. “It means you and Luca need to establish a relationship.”

Emma’s eyes widen, and judging by the expression on my face, I’m just as shocked.

“No!” we say at exactly the same time.

Principal Miller sighs, clearly expecting that reaction. “You don’t have a choice. The authorities are already considering disciplinary action. No one can expect the university to overlook a student hitting another student with a bottle, especially when the same student is photographed leaving the club with a girl moments later.”

Emma’s expression turns horrified. “You want us to pretend we’re dating?”

“For now,” Coach Reynolds says. “Until the hockey finals are over and this entire situation dies down.”

I stare at him in disbelief.

This has to be a fucking joke.

As we leave the principal’s office, Coach Reynolds stops us. “Come with me. We need to talk.”

He closes the door behind us and points toward the two chairs in front of his desk.

“Sit.”

Emma and I exchange a confused look before taking our seats.

“You two need to be smart. If we’re going to turn this scandal into a believable relationship, you’ll have to convince everyone you’re actually together.”

Emma immediately shakes her head. “Absolutely not. I came here to fulfill my dreams, not waste my time pretending to date some arrogant hockey star.”

I narrow my eyes, my irritation rising. “Excuse me? You should be flattered. Dating me would be an honor.”

She scoffs, turning to face me with an expression that makes it painfully clear she isn’t impressed.

“I’d rather date the ugliest guy on this entire campus.”

“Unfortunately, this isn’t a request,” Coach Reynolds cuts in, putting an end to our childish argument.

I lean back, staring at him. “And exactly how are we supposed to convince everyone we’re together?”

Coach looks between us, completely unfazed by my question. “By making them believe it.”

I let out a disbelieving laugh. “That’s your plan?”

“It’s the only plan that keeps you both out of trouble.”

Emma frowns. “Meaning?”

Coach doesn’t answer immediately. Instead, he reaches for a sheet of paper and slides it across the desk toward us.

I glance down at it, my eyebrows drawing together.

“What the hell is this?”

FAKE RELATIONSHIP RULES

I stare at the first line, already regretting asking.

You will live together. You will attend university events together. You will be seen together in public. No rumors of a breakup before the hockey finals.

I read it twice, hoping I’ve somehow misunderstood it.

First, there were Emma’s house rules that I somehow had to follow. Now there are relationship rules too.

Am I fucking five years old? Why does everyone keep handing me rules and expecting me to follow them?

Coach closes the folder, but just as I think we’re finally done, he adds, almost casually,

“There’s one more condition.”

Emma and I both look at him.

Coach’s expression remains completely serious.

“You two will have to kiss in public.”