Your whole body was trembling with anger. Every breath burned in your chest as your best friend’s words replayed in your head like a cruel echo.

How could he say that? How could he make the whole school believe that?

You hung up the phone with a sharp click, your hands still clenched so tightly your nails dug into your palms. Heat flooded through you, the kind that made it impossible to sit still. No—this wasn’t something you could just brush off.

This time, you’d confront him.

And for once, you were grateful he was your neighbor. It meant you didn’t have to wait.

Your shoes were only half on as you stormed out of the house, the front door slamming behind you. In just a few strides, you crossed the street and were already walking up the familiar path to his porch. Your heartbeat pounded in your ears, matching the heavy thud of your steps on the wooden stairs. You didn’t even hesitate before pushing the door open.

Good thing they never locked it.

You took the stairs two at a time. His door came into view, half shut. Not for long. The handle twisted under your hand, and you shoved it open so hard it crashed against the wall with a sharp bang.

He barely flinched.

Headphones on, eyes glued to the glowing screen in front of him, he kept playing like nothing had happened. But you saw the slight tilt of his head, the way his smirk was already forming before he even turned. He’d seen you in the black reflection of his monitor. He knew exactly why you were here.

“What the hell are you thinking, telling everyone we’re dating?!” you snapped, the words flying out before you could hold them back.

He leaned back in his chair slowly, deliberately, like he had all the time in the world. That infuriating calmness made your skin prickle.

“Hello? Earth to Rafael,” you added, arms crossing tightly over your chest. You knew the way his lips twitched when you used his full name—and of course, he didn’t disappoint. A smirk curved across his face, lazy and smug.

“Why are you furious again, hm?” he asked, voice low and unbothered. Too calm. Too sure of himself.

A bitter laugh escaped you. “Are you serious right now? I hate you. Why would I ever date you? I can’t believe they’re actually believing it.”

He exhaled a short laugh through his nose, leaning forward just enough for his eyes to meet yours. There was something dangerous about the way they glinted—like he loved watching you unravel.

“You don’t like the idea?” he asked, almost teasing.

Your eyes narrowed, sharp enough to cut. “Clearly, no.”

For a second, silence hung between you—thick, heavy. And then, his smile deepened, slow and deliberate.

“Well,” he said, voice dropping lower, “I wouldn’t mind if the rumors were true.”