The Campus Heartthrob Dumped His Sweetheart for Me

Chapter 4

Since I'd gone off-script from the very first ring, my lack of reaction hadn't been dramatic enough to push Selene over the edge. After I'd thrown that last remark at her, she'd stormed off in a huff, and the so-called iconic scene never happened. The comments had been tearing me apart for days, but I couldn't have cared less.

A few days later, Selene suddenly messaged me.

Selene: You there?

I replied politely.

What she said next caught me off guard.

Selene: I know you like Julian. Honestly, as his best friend, I'd be happy to see a nice girl take care of him.

Selene: You're pretty and you've got a great figure. You two would look good together. I'd love to set you up.

Selene: That way he'll stop dragging me to every meal.

Selene: He's so controlling too. Some guy added me on i********: today, and Julian went and blocked him. It's so annoying. I figure if he had a girlfriend, maybe he'd stop hovering over me all the time.

She said she wanted to set us up, but every other sentence was a humble brag about how close they were.

I didn't understand the mentality, but I was more than happy to play along.

Lola: That'd be great, thanks so much!

Silence. A very long silence.

It wasn't until lunchtime that Selene sent me a photo.

Selene: Julian's eating at the dining hall right now. Wanna come "bump into" him?

In the photo, Julian was carrying two trays, walking over with a smile.

Before I could reply, she sent another one.

Selene: Julian's obsessed with cilantro. He puts it on everything. Don't get the wrong idea though—I'm the one who hates it. He always forgets, so I make him pick it out of my food as punishment.

In this photo, Julian had his head down, carefully picking cilantro out of Selene's tray, piece by piece.

For the next several days, Selene kept up her dutiful reports on Julian's every move.

Every photo she sent featured the two of them looking impossibly close.

A selfie of Selene leaning against Julian's shoulder. The two of them strolling across the quad. Sitting next to each other in class.

Her words said matchmaker. Her photos screamed back off.

I knew exactly what she was doing.

Not that I minded. I didn't like Julian. And I wasn't here to join their little love story.

I was here to wreck it.

Lola: Julian treats even his "best friend" this well? His girlfriend must be the luckiest girl alive. I'm honestly jealous.

The screen showed "typing" for a long time.

Three full minutes passed before Selene finally replied.

Selene: So are you going to go for him?

I pretended to hesitate.

Lola: Do you think... I could? I'm scared he might not like me.

Selene's confidence came flooding back.

Selene: Honestly, you're not really his type. But you'll never know unless you try, right?

Selene: My advice? Wear something more conservative. And skip the makeup. He doesn't like girls who wear too much makeup.

Selene: If you're nervous, I can get him to meet up with you. And if he dares reject you, I'll set him straight myself.

My looks and my figure were my biggest advantages. Why on earth would I hide them?

I scoffed. People who lacked something always hated seeing it on someone else.

Lola: Alright then, I'll give it a shot! Let me reach out to him.

I switched chats and messaged Julian.

Lola: Hey! I heard you wanted to attend Professor Ashford's lecture. I happen to have two invitations.

Professor Richard Ashford was a big name in academia. His lectures were always packed, and without connections, getting in was nearly impossible.

Julian: Seriously? I'd love to go. Thanks so much!

He immediately followed up with an address. He seemed almost too prepared.

Julian: I heard this restaurant's really nice. Girls from our school love it. I booked a table for tomorrow afternoon.

Julian: Would you do me the honor of letting me treat you to dinner?

I screenshotted the exchange and sent it to Selene.

Lola: It actually worked! Thanks for the push!

Selene read the message and never replied. I smiled to myself, thoroughly pleased.