Chapter 1
The Boy I Couldn’t Stand
“Move.”
I looked up from my phone.
A tall boy stood in front of me, wearing a black hoodie, messy hair, and the most annoying smirk I’d ever seen.
“Excuse me?”
“You’re sitting in my seat.”
I looked at the empty cafeteria around us.
“Did you buy the chair?”
He laughed.
“No, sweetheart. But I’ve been sitting here for two years.”
“Congratulations. Want a medal?”
His smirk widened.
“You’re new, aren’t you?”
“Unfortunately, I’m not new enough to find you interesting.”
Someone behind him burst out laughing.
The boy placed a hand over his chest dramatically.
“Ouch. That hurt.”
“Good. Now move.”
Instead of moving, he pulled out the chair opposite me and sat down.
I stared at him.
“Are you serious?”
“Very.”
“You’re unbelievable.”
“And you’re beautiful.”
I froze.
He winked.
I rolled my eyes so hard they almost hurt.
“You’re also annoying.”
“Ryan Carter,” he introduced himself, extending his hand.
I ignored it.
“Mia Wilson.”
“I know.”
My eyebrows furrowed.
“How?”
He leaned closer.
“Because you just insulted me in front of half the cafeteria. Hard to forget.”
Before I could answer, a girl approached our table.
“Ryan, baby! I’ve been looking everywhere for you.”
She glanced at me.
“Who’s she?”
Ryan looked at me, then smiled.
“My girlfriend.”
I nearly swallowed my tongue.
WHAT?
The girl stared at me.
I stared at Ryan.
And Ryan?
He looked like Christmas had arrived early.
I kicked him under the table.
He didn’t even flinch.
“Your girlfriend?” the girl repeated.
Ryan casually placed his arm over the back of my chair.
“Yeah. Problem?”
The girl looked furious.
“Since when?”
“Since now.”
I wanted to murder him.
The girl stormed away.
I slowly turned toward Ryan.
“WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?”
He laughed.
“You’re welcome.”
“Welcome for WHAT?”
“Getting rid of her.”
“I DIDN’T ASK YOU TO!”
He leaned back, completely relaxed.
“Relax, princess.”
“Don’t call me princess.”
“Okay, girlfriend.”
I grabbed my bag.
“You’re insane.”
As I stood up, he caught my wrist gently.
“Wait.”
I looked down at his hand.
He immediately let go.
“Sorry.”
For the first time, his smile disappeared.
“Listen. I need a favor.”
“No.”
“You haven’t even heard it.”
“I don’t need to.”
He sighed.
“Fake date me.”
I blinked.
Then laughed.
Then laughed harder.
He watched me patiently.
“I’m serious, Mia.”
“So am I. Have you lost your mind?”
“Three months.”
“Absolutely not.”
“Your tuition for the semester.”
My laughter stopped.
I stared at him.
“What?”
He shrugged.
“My father owns the scholarship foundation. I can arrange it.”
I should have walked away.
I knew I should have.
But my family wasn’t rich. Every semester was a struggle, and I was working two jobs just to stay in college.
“Why me?” I asked quietly.
Ryan’s expression changed.
“Because you’re the only girl on this campus who doesn’t seem interested in me.”
I folded my arms.
“And that’s attractive to you?”
He smiled.
“Unfortunately, yes.”
I hated that my cheeks warmed.
“Three months?”
“Three months.”
“No kissing.”
He raised an eyebrow.
“Disappointed?”
“Dream on, Carter.”
He laughed.
“No kissing unless you ask.”
I rolled my eyes.
“You’re impossible.”
He stood and offered his hand.
“So, deal?”
I stared at his hand.
Then at his stupidly handsome face.
I shook it.
“Deal.”
His smile was victorious.
But just as I turned to leave, he whispered something that made me stop.
“One more thing, Mia.”
“What now?”
His eyes held mine.
“Don’t fall for me.”
I scoffed.
“Trust me. That won’t be a problem.”
He smiled.
“We’ll see, princess.”
And somehow, I had a feeling those three months would destroy my peaceful little life.
