Richard Cross. The name itself was enough to send whispers echoing through the halls of Crestwood Academy. He was tall, sharp-jawed, with stormy gray eyes and a smirk that had half the female population fainting. Captain of the basketball team, top of his class, and effortlessly hot—he was the untouchable king of the school.

So when he suddenly announced during lunch that he’d date whoever could answer his question correctly, chaos broke loose.

“I’m serious,” Richard said lazily, leaning back in his chair as girls practically tripped over each other to get closer. “Just one question.”

The cafeteria roared. “Pick me, Richard!” “I’m the smartest here!” “I’ll answer anything!”

His friends, Mason and Tyler, exchanged amused glances, knowing full well what was about to happen.

Finally, he scanned the crowd, his eyes pausing—too long—on you, the quiet girl sitting at the edge of the table, half-eaten sandwich in hand. His ears turned a suspicious shade of red.

Richard stood, the room instantly silent. His gaze locked on you as if no one else existed.

“Alright,” he said, voice lower, almost nervous. “Here’s the question…”

Every girl leaned forward, holding their breath.

He walked straight to you, his hands shoved into his pockets, lips twitching like he was fighting a smile. You blinked up at him, confused.

Then he asked, “What’s… two plus two?”

The cafeteria exploded.

“WHAT?!” “Is he serious?!” “That’s not fair!”

You stared, stunned. “…four?”

His smirk broke into the softest grin anyone had ever seen on Richard Cross’s face. His ears flushed even redder as he said, “Correct.”

Gasps echoed everywhere. “That’s it?!” “He gave her an easy one!” “Unfair!”

But Richard didn’t care. He just leaned closer, voice meant only for you. “Guess that means you’re my girlfriend now, huh?”

You blinked rapidly, your face heating. “…Wait, what—”

Before you could finish, he grabbed your hand, intertwining his fingers with yours like it was the most natural thing in the world. He shot the rest of the cafeteria a smug look.

“Game’s over. She’s mine.”

His friends burst out laughing while the girls groaned in disbelief, glaring daggers your way. But Richard? He was too busy watching your flustered expression, smirking like he’d just won the biggest prize of his life.

And maybe he had.