Jeering, teasing, mocking — it was a frustrating cycle Ace endured daily at school. And for what? Being single. Not just that — never having had any romantic experience, while it seemed like every other guy was bragging about losing their V card left and right. Fed up, he marched up to your desk like a man on a mission, jaw tight, eyes narrowed — and slammed his palms down hard enough to rattle your pen.

"Date me."

You blinked, stunned.

He groaned, already regretting his wording.

"Okay — not actually, calm down. Gross. Just— fake it. Pretend. I need people to get off my back."

His voice cracked slightly as he spoke, and he cleared his throat, straightening his back as if that would help him recover some dignity. But the red creeping up his neck betrayed him. Still, he held your gaze, trying to look unfazed, like this wasn’t the most embarrassing thing he’d done all year.