Chapter 1

Jean Junior Léye

If they weren't mocking my buck teeth or my bony frame, I was invisible. High school was, in its own way, my personal hell. The only way I'd found to survive was to pour everything into my studies, make them my whole world. That way I could crush my bullies by always staying one step ahead. First place was non-negotiable — it belonged to me, the scrawny rabbit.

Sometimes, sitting on the benches in the courtyard, I'd watch Khadim Amar from a distance — the guy running the crew that clowned on me every single day — wrapping himself around Khalima, my crush since sophomore year.

She's never left me indifferent, but I figure it's an impossible dream that she'd ever look my way.

As usual, the moment their eyes drift in my direction, I bury my nose back in my books.

This year, I can already feel it's going to be worse. I've lost the only friend I had — Adama — because she finally got a boyfriend and wants to focus entirely on her new relationship.

I remember, about a week ago, when I'd just twisted my ankle during PE class, she came up to me with Khadim, one of the new students who'd transferred in.

"Hey, you okay?" she said.

"Yeah, I'll manage," I answered, trying not to wince.

"Good... So anyway, I wanted to tell you — Khadim and I are together now. You know I like you and everything, but now that I have a boyfriend, I can't keep hanging around with you. It would seem a little weird, don't you think..."

She laughed, half embarrassed, half unbothered.

I was stunned. Like I'd just taken a punch from somewhere I never saw coming. But I played it cool, smiled like it didn't sting:

"I get it, and you don't have to explain yourself... Good luck to both of you. It's been a pleasure being your friend these past two years."

"I hope you're not taking this the wrong way..."

"Oh... no. Don't worry. We're good. Go live your best love story. And hey, champ — take care of her. Don't you dare make her lose that beautiful smile."

The guy looked down at me like I was nothing while I tried to give him a fist bump. I pulled my hand back fast.

Maybe he was behind the whole idea, but that's none of my business. It's her life — Adama's.

At least she's officially out of the loser duo we made.

It's weird now when I run into her and we just exchange a quick "hey" before she disappears into some whispered conversation with her boyfriend.

I feel more and more like a ghost.

I'm not going to lie — I'm jealous of everyone. All these couples forming right in front of me while the only thing I have to bring me any joy is my grades.

Nobody talks to me unless it's to laugh. Nobody really looks at me.

At home, it's even worse. My mom spends her time singing the praises of other people's sons and siding with everyone who has something to say about me.

"Yeah, he's good for nothing — unfortunately I'm stuck with him."

"Oh how nice, your son plays basketball. Junior can't even be dragged out of his room. Always glued to his phone."

It eats at me, obviously. But I've learned to live with it.

Today, I'm late for the first time this year.

I had a weird dream where Khalima and I were actually together. It felt so real... until I felt broom hits square on my backside. My mom. Tenderness is not in her wake-up-for-school repertoire.

Strangely, when I walk into class, Khadim and his crew — and Khalima — are all staring at me with this odd look.

The idiots are laughing without making a sound, while my crush just... studies me.

Slightly uncomfortable, I keep my eyes down and head to my seat.

I sit next to Kader, who barely ever shows up. I honestly don't know how he expects to pass his exams at this rate.

Anyway. Not my problem.

English class starts soon after, and as usual, I shine. My moment of well-earned glory.

Almost every teacher admires me — except the PE teacher, who's had it out for me since day one.

After class, I slip solo through the hallways, sensing someone behind me. I don't turn around — I just head straight to the library to read the book I downloaded as a PDF last night. I don't know exactly what it's about yet, but the blurb completely hooked me.

Once inside, I settle into a seat and open my file manager to pull up the ebook.

I was about to start reading when a shadow fell over me. I noticed a pair of sneakers I recognized. I looked up, curious — and it was Khalima.

"Well, so this is where you've been hiding," she said with a wide smile. "What are you doing?"

My heart is racing like an overheated engine. I can barely keep it together — my whole body is buzzing.

"I... um... I'm reading," I stammered.

She sits down beside me, completely at ease, while I keep one eye on the door watching for her boyfriend.

I don't want trouble if he spots us together.

"What are you reading?" she asked, pulling me back.

"I... I..."

"Here, let me see."

She takes my phone and starts reading.

"La Belle Bête — what a strange title," she comments, then continues:

"'When the love of your life is called suffering.' Oh, interesting — that's exactly the kind of book I'd devour in one sitting."

"Why are you even here talking to me?" I said, more bluntly than I meant to.

Her automatic answer threw me off a little:

"Can't I talk to a classmate who clearly could use some company?"

"Or do you need my help with something? If that's it, you don't have to fake being nice — just say it. I'm used to it."

"Okay fine, you could've at least played along a little... So here's the thing — for the French presentation, would you be willing to team up with me?"

"Why not Khadim? He's your go-to partner, isn't he?"

She burst out laughing — a laugh that could stop time. How can anyone be that beautiful? It's honestly unfair.

"You know he barely has two brain cells to rub together, right? His whole personality is basically a manifesto on how to be insufferable."

It's dumb, but the image manages to pull a nervous laugh out of me.

"And if he makes my life hell for it? I really don't want to have to go up against that guy," I said, taking my phone back.

"Please. I promise, he won't do anything to you. I'll be there to rein him in if he tries. And I plan on talking to him calmly about it."

I weigh the pros and cons.

We're talking about spending time with Khalima, and the idea of actually getting to be around her already has me daydreaming.

I wanted to say no — but my heart moved faster than my mouth.

"Okay..."

Khalima didn't let me finish. She threw her arms around me, buzzing with excitement.

"Yes! Thank you so much, Junior! You won't regret it. We're going to absolutely kill it together!"

While I was taking in the warmth of her arms and her intoxicating perfume, a shadow passed — and then a pair of beat-up boots appeared just outside the library entrance.

Khadim.

He was watching. But the moment our eyes met, he disappeared — like a detective who didn't want to get caught.

I don't understand any of this. Between Khalima's sudden interest in me and Khadim acting sketchy...

Am I the center of some carefully laid trap?

There's only one way to find out:

Play along — like the world's biggest fool.

Khalima Sarr

A few hours earlier.

"I'm so bored lately, what about you guys?" Khadim announced.

I was with him and his crew, crammed in the car he drives — whose engine sounds like a woman screaming for her life.

I don't even know why I got with someone like him.

If only it weren't for that stupid secret.

Okay, I admit — I love him too... or maybe I don't. I honestly don't know what to call what I feel. Ugh.

"Yeah man, you're right. There's nothing fun to do anymore. The scrawny rabbit doesn't even react to us. You can tell we've lost our effect on him," one of the guys said.

The others piled on.

God, they reek. The collective armpit situation is genuinely deadly.

Why did I end up around guys who played basketball all day without showering?

"Well, I've got a little idea, boys. We're going to have some fun with our friend Junior — but differently this time."

They all hang on his every word.

I, on the other hand, was trying to fix my long braids that kept falling in my face, while half-absorbing the vibe around me. Every now and then, Khadim's grip would tighten around me — making me want to gag.

I was completely checked out of their conversation until I heard my name.

Wait, what? Is he serious, or did I mishear?

"Here's the bet: Khalima, if you can make the scrawny rabbit believe you've fallen for him — in one month — then I'll bury your secret for good."

I wasn't dreaming. Khadim actually cooked up this stupid bet involving me.

The stakes are huge. I could finally have a chance at my secret never coming out — especially since he always keeps his word when he makes a bet.

Yeah, I know... it's cruel to do something like that to someone as innocent as Junior.

Which is exactly why I said no.

"This is going to be legendary. We're going to have so much fun," Khadim went on as the others cackled.

My answer dropped like a bomb:

"Are you out of your mind?! I'm not doing that, okay!"

Khadim's face changed instantly.

"Come on, this guy rubs it in our faces with his good grades and acts like we're beneath him... I don't like that one bit," he tried to reason with me.

"I told you I'm not doing it. No. Not ever. So drop it!" I snapped, completely done.

My boyfriend wasn't laughing anymore. His gaze went cold.

"Baby, you'd better reconsider."

"Picture this: you wake up one morning, you get to school, and boom — giant posters plastered on every single wall. How would you feel if he found out your big, carefully kept secret? Not great, right? So you do what I say."

I shot him a look that could kill. He gave me back a slow, wicked smile.

I don't know what kind of love this is supposed to be.

He says he loves me... but he cuts right to where it hurts the most.

His cruelty has no equal.

Holding back tears I refuse to let fall, I take a moment to think.

Do I want to go through that kind of humiliation?

No.

I'm sorry, Junior — for what I'm about to agree to.

Know that it's nothing personal.

"Fine... I'll do it," I said at last, against my will.

"Smart choice," he smiled, pulling me in for a kiss.

His followers, as with every one of his victories, said amen.