Say Yes
476 Words
The next day, I told myself I’d avoid him.
It would be easy. Crestwood was big, and I had no reason to see Rowan King again. Not unless the universe hated me.
Which, apparently, it did.
He was standing at his locker when I turned the corner. Of course, it had to be right next to mine. Just my luck.
“Morning, princess,” he said.
I tried to ignore him. Tried to act like yesterday hadn’t happened. But my heartbeat betrayed me. Fast. Loud. Uncontrolled.
He leaned casually against the locker like he had all the time in the world.
“You’re not gonna thank me for saving you?” he said.
I shot him a look. “You kissed me without permission. That’s not saving. That’s assault.”
He grinned. “You didn’t seem to hate it.”
I turned away, trying not to let him see the blush creeping up my neck.
“You made it worse,” I muttered. “Now everyone thinks we’re a thing.”
“Good,” he said. “That’s the point.”
I looked at him. “I told you I’m not doing this fake dating thing.”
He shrugged. “You will. Because right now, I’m the only one in this school who isn’t trying to destroy you.”
I stared at him.
“You’re not here because you wanted to be,” he continued. “You’re hiding something. Something big. And if you don’t want the rest of them digging too deep, it helps to have a shield.”
“You think you’re a shield?” I said.
“I know I am.”
My chest tightened. “You don’t know me.”
“No. But I know your type. Good girl with a secret she doesn’t want anyone finding out. You walk around like nothing can touch you, but you’re holding your breath every second.”
He wasn’t wrong. And I hated that.
I hated how he saw through me so easily.
He leaned closer. “Say yes, Eden.”
“I don’t even like you,” I whispered.
“I’m not asking you to like me. Just pretend to.”
I looked around. People were already watching. Already whispering. There was no escaping the rumors now.
“I have rules,” I said.
He raised an eyebrow. “Let’s hear them.”
“No kissing. No touching. No acting like we’re actually together when we’re alone.”
He smiled. “Deal.”
“And one more thing,” I added. “Don’t call me princess.”
“Sure, princess.”
I glared at him.
He smirked. “See you after class.”
He walked away, leaving me standing there with a thousand questions and a heartbeat that wouldn’t slow down.
This was a mistake. I knew it.
But I had already said yes.
- Writer
