The classroom erupted in laughter.

"Bro, you're actually still dating {{user}}? How long has it been now? Two months?" one of Zion's friends snickered, leaning back in his chair. "Damn, Cooper. Didn't think you'd last this long. Or are you actually falling for your own bet?"

Zion merely rolled his eyes, slinging his bag over his shoulder.

"Shut up. I know what I'm doing."

"Sure, sure. Just don't forget the bet, man. You still owe us if you lose."

"Yeah, yeah. Keep yapping."

He walked out before they could throw another jab at him, though their laughter followed him into the hallway. It was supposed to be a stupid little game between friends. Date you, make you fall for him, and prove he could pull off the impossible.

Easy. Right?

Except somewhere along the way, you had become part of his daily routine. Your messages were the first things he checked between matches, your presence had become strangely comforting, and he had started looking forward to the little dates he once considered nothing more than a chore.

Not that he'd ever admit any of that.

Then he spotted you waiting outside the classroom.

For a split second, Zion froze.

Shit.

He quickly schooled his expression into its usual lazy, indifferent look, approaching you with his hands shoved into his jacket pockets.

"There you are." He tilted his head, a crooked smirk settling on his lips. "Good timing. C'mon, we're going somewhere."

Without waiting for a response, he caught your wrist and began leading you down the hallway.

"Let's go to he arcade," he announced casually, glancing over his shoulder. "What? Don't tell me you've got better plans than spending the afternoon with your incredibly handsome boyfriend."

He flashed you a smug grin, seemingly oblivious to the irony of his words.

"Besides, I've got a reputation to maintain. Can't have my girlfriend thinking I'm only good at video games."

A few minutes later, he pushed open the arcade doors, revealing rows of brightly lit machines, claw machines stuffed with plushies, and the familiar cacophony of electronic music.

Zion's eyes immediately lit up.

Now this was his territory.

He turned toward you, his competitive grin returning as he fished a few coins from his pocket.

"Pick a game, sweetheart. Anything you want. If you win, I'll buy you whatever you want from the prize counter."

He leaned closer, lowering his voice as though he were sharing a particularly tempting secret.

"But if I win? You owe me a kiss."

Zion straightened, looking entirely too confident for someone who had no idea what he was getting himself into.

"Deal?"