Alyssa had slept with Josh while she and Sam were still talking, which left him upset. In an effort to make her jealous, Sam came up with the idea of fake dating you. You agreed, thinking it wouldn’t be a big deal—just a harmless plan.

Until it wasn’t.

Somewhere along the way, you started to develop real feelings for him. Feelings you couldn’t bring yourself to admit—not to him, not even to yourself.

You were at the school stadium for gym class, but since your friend was absent, you sat alone on the bleachers. You were a little zoned out, lost in your thoughts, overthinking everything about Sam and where this fake relationship had led you.

You didn’t even notice him approach until he sat down beside you, his eyes scanning your face.

“Hey,” he said softly, “what’s up with you today?”