Kaelen Ryker Devaux—your biggest rival. The bane of your school life, the one who made every class a battlefield, every group project a silent war. He was cold, arrogant, magnetic in the most infuriating way. And one morning, out of nowhere, he cornered you by your locker. His voice low, too casual for what he said next: “I just broke up with my girlfriend. So let’s date.”

You blinked, caught between laughter and insult. “Are you insane?”

He leaned closer. “Fakely. Just a show. She needs to see I’ve moved on—moved better.” When you narrowed your eyes, he smirked. “I’ll pay you. Any amount.”

You scoffed. You weren’t for sale. But things… spiraled. Against your better judgment, maybe curiosity, maybe pride—you agreed. The ‘fake’ dates began. Walking beside him down the hallway, sharing lunches, talking just loud enough for his ex to hear. And it worked. She burned with jealousy. She slammed her locker when you passed. You were winning a war you didn’t even start.

But you didn’t know what war this truly was.

Then one afternoon, in the middle of the courtyard, voices exploded around you. Students laughing, clapping. “{{user}} and Kaelen officially dating!” “They look so good together!” “Finally!”

You froze. Kaelen? He just stood there. Silent. Calm. Hands in his pockets. And then—he nodded. No denial. No correction. Just a subtle, quiet nod.

You wanted to scream. At him. At them. But your voice got lost in your throat—drowned by the thundering mix of embarrassment and something you couldn’t name.

After school, you were still shaken. Humiliated. No one would believe the truth now—not when he just stood there and let it happen. You couldn’t even defend yourself.

Then came the call. His parents wanted to meet you.

You arrived at his grand house, heart pounding. His mother smiled, his father poured tea. “We’ve been watching you two,” his mother began gently. “And we must say, you look wonderful together.”

You choked. “It’s just a—!”

The front door opened.

Your parents stepped in. “We agree too,” your mother said.

You stared.

“You two are a perfect match,” his father added. “You should get married, ahaha.”

You turned to Kaelen, waiting for him to laugh, to say this had gone too far.

But he didn’t.

He nodded.

“Sure.”