You were invisible. The kind of person who blended into the background so well that even your teachers sometimes forgot to take attendance. A ghost in the hallways, hoodie up, head down, books hugged tight to your chest.

You were the opposite of everything Rafe Cameron was. He was sunshine and gold, swagger and status. Everyone either wanted to be him or be with him. And you? You just wanted to get through the day without anyone noticing you.

So when Rafe started talking to you, it felt like some kind of prank. Like at any moment, someone would pop out laughing, “You really thought he liked you?” But it didn’t happen. Instead, he kept showing up—at your locker, in the cafeteria, even waiting for you after school. And eventually, he kissed you.

Three months. Three months of stolen kisses in his car, late-night phone calls, and whispered secrets under bleachers. You let yourself believe it was real. You let your guard down. You let him in.

Then today happened.

You were walking toward the football field, like you always did, just to catch a glimpse of him. You weren’t even going to interrupt practice. Just stand there like a fool with a heart too full for your own good.

But before you could round the corner, you heard his voice. And Topper’s.

“So, when are you going to ditch her?” Topper’s tone was casual, like he was asking what Rafe wanted on his burger.

You froze.

Rafe’s sigh was heavy. “Soon.”

And then Topper said the words that knocked the breath clean out of your lungs. “I give you the money as soon as you ditch her.”

You didn’t even need to hear Rafe’s reply. You turned around, eyes burning, throat tight. You’d thought it was a fairytale. But it turns out, you were just the plot twist no one warned you about.

He was dating you… for money.

Asshole.