The next morning, Kael woke up with his phone already buzzing.
JAX: Operation Nerd Conquest begins today. Don't chicken out.
RIVER: My bags are already packed for Bali. Thanks for the free vacation, losers.
JAX: In your dreams. I give it three days before Quinn sees through Kael's BS.
Kael scoffed, tossing his phone onto his silk sheets. Three days? Please.
He rolled out of bed and headed to his private bathroom—because of course his bedroom had a private bathroom. The Everhart estate wasn't just a house; it was a monument to excess. Marble floors, crystal chandeliers, a staff of twelve. His mother was a lifestyle influencer with ten million followers. His father owned a tech empire. Kael had grown up thinking this was normal.
Standing under the rainfall shower, he planned his approach. Asher Quinn wasn't like the fers who usually threw themselves at him. This required strategy.
What does a nerd even like? Kael wondered, reaching for his designer body wash. Books? Studying? Probably has never been to a decent party in his life.
The thought should have made him feel superior. Instead, it made him... curious.
He shook his head, water droplets flying. Focus. This is a bet. Nothing more.
Silvercrest High looked like a university campus rather than a high school. Sprawling lawns, modern architecture, facilities that rivaled professional sports centers.
Kael pulled into the parking lot in his matte black sports car—a seventeenth birthday present—and immediately noticed the usual crowd gathering. Fers batting their eyelashes, mers trying to look casual while clearly waiting for him.
"Kael! Oh my god, I loved your post last night!"
"Can we get a picture?"
"Are you going to Marcus's party this weekend?"
He smiled, signed a few phone cases, took some selfies. The routine was so familiar it barely registered. But his eyes were scanning the crowd, looking for someone specific.
There.
Asher Quinn walked through the front gates with his head down, earbuds in, completely oblivious to the chaos around him. He wore the standard uniform—white shirt, navy blazer, gray slacks—but somehow looked different from everyone else. The blazer was slightly too big, probably a hand-me-down. His backpack was worn but meticulously organized, books visible through the open pocket.
And he walked right past Kael without even glancing up.
Seriously?
Jax appeared at Kael's elbow, following his gaze. "Wow. He literally doesn't even see you. This is going to be harder than we thought."
"Nothing I can't handle," Kael muttered.
"Sure, sure." Jax smirked. "So what's the plan? Bump into him in the hallway? Classic 'accidentally' spill coffee move? Oh! You could—"
"I've got this," Kael interrupted. "Just watch and learn."
He handed his car keys to a freshman who looked like he might faint from excitement—"Park it for me, will you?"—and started walking.
Asher had disappeared into the building, heading toward the lockers. Kael followed at a distance, very aware that several people were now watching him with interest. He never usually bothered with this part of the school. The elite lounge was his territory.
Gods, when did I become such a snob?
He spotted Asher at his locker—number 247, tucked in a quiet corner away from the main traffic. The fer was carefully organizing his books, checking his schedule, completely in his own world.
Kael took a breath. Showtime.
He walked up casually, leaning against the locker next to Asher's with practiced ease. "Hey."
Nothing.
Asher continued organizing, earbuds still in.
Kael tried again, a bit louder. "Hey!"
Still nothing.
Are you kidding me right now?
Jax and River were watching from down the hall, both clearly trying not to laugh. Kael could feel his face heating up. He, Kael Everhart, was being completely ignored.
He reached out and gently tapped Asher's shoulder.
The reaction was immediate. Asher jumped, books tumbling from his hands, earbuds yanked out as he spun around.
"I—I'm sorry! I didn't hear—" He immediately dropped to his knees, scrambling to gather his fallen books.
Kael knelt down too, helping. "No, my fault. I shouldn't have startled you."
Up close, Asher was even more delicate than he'd appeared from a distance. Soft features, skin like porcelain, long lashes that brushed his cheeks when he blinked. A light flush colored his cheeks as he realized who was helping him.
"Y-you're Kael Everhart," Asher stammered.
"Guilty." Kael flashed his media-trained smile, handing over a calculus textbook. "And you're Asher Quinn. Top of our class, right?"
The flush deepened. "Um. Yes. How did you—?"
"I pay attention." Lie. I literally found out yesterday. "I'm actually in your AP Literature class. Though I sit in the back, so..."
"Oh." Asher clutched his books to his chest like a shield. "I... I sit in the front."
"I noticed." Another lie. "You always have really good insights during discussions."
Asher's eyes widened even more. "You... listen to the discussions?"
No, I usually scroll through Instagram. "Of course. Why wouldn't I?"
"I just..." Asher bit his lip, and Kael found his eyes drawn to the movement. "I didn't think people like you noticed people like me."
There was no bitterness in his voice. Just statement of fact.
he said, "Well, I'm noticing now." He stood, offering his hand to help Asher up.
Asher stared at the hand for a moment, like it might bite him. Then he slowly reached out, his smaller hand disappearing into Kael's larger one. His skin was soft, slightly cool, and Kael felt a strange jolt at the contact.
He pulled Asher to his feet, maybe a bit too quickly, because the fer stumbled slightly. Kael's hand shot out automatically, steadying him by the elbow.
"Sorry," Asher whispered. "I'm clumsy."
"You're fine." Let go. You can let go now. But Kael's hand lingered for just a second too long before he released him.
They stood there in awkward silence. Asher fidgeted with his book strap. Kael tried to remember his plan.
Say something smooth. This is your specialty.
"So, I was wondering—"
The bell rang.
Asher jumped again. "Oh! I have to—class is—I can't be late—"
"Wait," Kael said quickly. "What's your next class?"
"Advanced Chemistry with Mr. Peterson." Asher was already backing away, clearly uncomfortable with the attention.
"Let me walk you."
"What? No! That's—you don't have to—I'm fine—"
But Kael was already matching his pace, ignoring the whispers that followed them down the hallway. He could feel the stares, the phones being pulled out to document this bizarre occurrence.
Kael Everhart walking a random nerd to class? Is this real life?
Asher seemed to shrink under the attention, hugging his books tighter. "People are staring."
"Let them." Kael kept his voice casual, but internally he was noting how uncomfortable Asher looked. He really isn't used to attention at all.
They reached the chemistry lab. Asher paused at the door, looking up at Kael with those large eyes.
"Thank you for... walking me. You didn't have to."
"I wanted to." True. Wait, what? "Actually, I wanted to ask you something."
Asher tensed. "Yes?"
"I'm struggling in AP Lit. The whole symbolism thing goes right over my head." Complete lie. I just don't pay attention. "Would you maybe be willing to tutor me? I could pay you, of course—"
"Oh! Um..." Asher's face did something complicated—surprise, suspicion"You want me to tutor you?"
"If you have time. No pressure."
The suspicious look intensified. "Why me? There are plenty of—"
"Because you're the best," Kael said simply. "Why would I settle for anything less?"
okay. Yes. I can tutor you."
"Great." Kael pulled out his phone. "Give me your number? We can set up a schedule."
Asher's hands trembled slightly as he typed his number into Kael's phone. When he handed it back.
"I'll text you," Kael promised.
"Okay." Asher's smile grew a fraction wider. "I should—class—"
"Right. Go." Kael stepped back. "See you around, Asher."
"See you, Kael."
Asher disappeared into the classroom, and Kael stood there for a moment, staring at the closed door.
That went well. Mission accomplished.
So why did he feel like he'd just done something terrible?
He turned to find Jax and River waiting at the end of the hallway, both looking impressed.
"Not bad," River admitted. "Got his number on day one."
"The tutor angle is smart," Jax added. "Plays into his whole 'helping people' complex."
Kael should have felt triumphant. Instead, he felt vaguely nauseous.
"This is going to be easier than I thought," he said, forcing confidence into his voice.
But as they walked away, Kael couldn't shake the image of Asher's smile. Genuine and sweet and completely unguarded.
It's just a bet, he told himself for the hundredth time.
His phone buzzed.
UNKNOWN NUMBER: Hi! This is Asher. Thank you again for earlier. I'm free to start tutoring tomorrow after school if that works for you? :)
Kael stared at the message, something heavy settling in his chest.
KAEL: Perfect. Library at 4?
ASHER: See you there!
Another smiley face.
Jax read over his shoulder and snorted. "Oh man, he's going to be so easy. This is sad."
"Yeah," Kael muttered. "Sad."
But he wasn't sure who he felt sadder for—Asher, who had no idea what was coming, or himself, because even now, he knew he was going to go through with it.
Just a bet. Just a stupid bet.
Author's Note: Kael is already catching feelings and doesn't even realize it 👀 Our poor Asher has no idea what's coming. This is going to hurt so good. Drop a comment and let me know what you think! Should I make the chapters longer? -AzureSkies