It started with a vibe shift.
One second, I was minding my business, rearranging the pencils in my case by trauma level.
Next second?
Lucas.
Appearing at my desk like a glittery shadow of chaos.
"Jack," he said gently. "Can I ask you something?"
I blinked. "Is this about the collage you made of my baby photos again—"
"No! I mean… kind of."
He sat down beside me. "People are saying you're dating someone."
My heart flipped. "Uh…"
Lucas leaned in closer. "Is it true?"
I hesitated. Just for a second. Then said firmly, "Yes. I am."
Lucas froze.
Eyes wide. Jaw slightly open. You could almost hear his brain buffering.
Then—
Rome walked into the classroom.
Casual. Hoodie half-zipped. Bag over his shoulder. Looking like he hadn't slept in five years and didn't care.
I waited.
Waited for him to come stand beside me. Back me up. Say something like:
> "Yeah, he's mine. Got a problem?"
Instead…
Rome walked right past us.
No pause. No glance. Not even a smirk this time.
Just full-on "I don't know these people" energy.
I sat there blinking.
Lucas, now smiling like a man reborn, sighed dramatically.
"Oh thank God," he whispered. "You're not dating him. That was a horrible prank rumor, right?"
I opened my mouth. Then closed it. Then opened it again.
Before I could respond, Lucas scooted closer.
"I was so worried I lost my chance," he said with a dreamy smile. "But now I see—fate has plans for us."
I was going to cry.
After class...
I found Rome near the stairwell, leaning against the railing like a poster boy for emotional detachment.
"Hey," I snapped. "Can we talk?"
He raised an eyebrow. "You're using your mad voice."
I marched right up to him. "You walked past me like we were strangers."
"We are fake dating," he said with a shrug. "I'm keeping it casual."
"Lucas doesn't do casual! He thinks that means I lied! He's back to calling us soulmates again!"
Rome didn't flinch. "You should've said I was your boyfriend."
I gawked. "YOU ARE MY FAKE BOYFRIEND."
He folded his arms. "Then act like it."
"You act like it!"
We both paused.
I blinked.
He blinked.
"…Is this our first fake fight?" I muttered.
"Looks like it."
We stood there in awkward silence.
Then Rome sighed and pulled a juice box from his bag.
"I'll handle Lucas," he said, voice quiet.
My heart stopped glitching for a second.
"You will?"
He nodded. "Next time, I won't just walk past."
I didn't smile.
Not really.
But I also didn't feel like screaming anymore.
For once… it felt like we were on the same page.
Fake dating had never felt so real.
To be continued...