Chapter 7
1551 Words
CLARISSA’S POV
I sit on the couch, watching in amusement as Jemma and Zaya squeal like teenagers at a boy band concert. They’re practically bouncing with excitement. Their voices overlap as they gush about Reo—the rockstar, the heartthrob, the living legend.
“Oh my god, Clarissa! He’s literally the biggest star right now!” Jemma shrieks, clutching her phone as she scrolls through endless pictures of him. “And you know him? Like, actually know him?”
Zaya sighs dreamily, resting her chin on her hands. “He’s so hot. And mysterious. And bad. Ugh, I’d give anything to be in your shoes.”
I roll my eyes. “His name is Landon.”
That only makes them shriek louder.
“Landon,” Jemma mimics, fanning herself dramatically. “Oh, so we’re on a first-name basis now?”
I exhale sharply, rubbing my temples. “You guys are ridiculous.”
“So, how did it start?” Zaya asks, leaning forward eagerly. “Tell us everything. How did you two start dating? What’s he even doing in a small town like Casper?”
I freeze. My throat tightens. This is it—the moment to set the record straight, to tell them that Landon and I aren’t actually together. But before I can open my mouth, Jemma cuts in.
“Wait! Let me guess! Was it one of those ‘we hated each other at first but then we kissed and boom—fireworks’ kind of things?”
I groan. “It’s not like that.”
“Oh, I bet it is.” Zaya grins. “You always get flustered when we talk about his music. I didn’t know you actually knew him! You’re so sneaky. I never knew you had it in you.”
“Why didn’t you tell us?” Jemma asks.
“Duh, isn’t it obvious?” Zaya says “They obviously wanted to keep it a secret because he’s famous”
“True. But we’re your best friends! You can tell us anything”
“Well, if I was dating Reo, I wouldn’t tell a soul”
Jemma gasps “You too”
Zaya raises her hands in surrender “Hey, don’t blame me. Just being honest here”
I cross my arms, refusing to dignify that with a response. What would be the point? They’ve already made up their minds. And maybe… just maybe… part of me doesn’t want to correct them.
Before I can dwell on it, the front door swings open and my mother steps inside, looking exhausted. My face lights up instantly. “Mom! You’re home.”
Jemma and Zaya instantly launch into animated greetings, and before I can stop them, they spill the gossip.
“Mrs. Hart, did you know Clarissa is dating a rockstar?” Jemma blurts out.
My stomach drops. “Oh my god, shut up.”
My mother’s eyes widen in surprise, then excitement. “What?” She turns to me with a hopeful smile. “You’re dating someone new, honey?”
I groan, burying my face in my hands. “No, I’m not.”
Jemma waves a dismissive hand. “She’s just being shy about it.”
My mother, looking far too delighted, claps her hands together. “Well, if that’s the case, I want to meet him.”
I lift my head in horror. “What?”
“You should invite him over for breakfast tomorrow.” She beams. “I’d love to get to know this young man.”
Jemma and Zaya gasp in unison. “Oh my god, yes!”
I stare at them, dumbfounded. “Absolutely not.”
“Why not?” my mom asks, frowning slightly. “If he’s important to you, I should meet him.”
I groan. “He’s not important to me.”
My mother raises a skeptical eyebrow, but before she can push further, I storm off to my room, slamming the door behind me.
I lean against it, exhaling sharply. This day just keeps getting worse.
And to make matters worse, I can’t stop thinking about Landon.
About our kiss.
I clench my fists. I hate him. I really do.
…Right?
-
I need to clear my head.
The night air is cool against my skin as I step out of my house. My phone buzzes in my pocket with an incoming message. I already know who it is without looking—Jemma and Zaya have been blowing up our group chat for the past hour. I can feel their excitement practically vibrating through the screen.
Jemma: OMG, we HAVE to come up with a couple name for you and Reo!!
Zaya: I second this. Something cute and iconic. Clareo? Reossa??
I groan, tilting my head back to stare at the sky. They don’t know the truth—that Reo and I aren’t actually dating.
Jemma: Omg, YES! Let’s start a couple page.
Zaya: Yesss. Clarissa, start posting couple content with him on t****k. Trust me, it will BLOW UP.
Jemma: But a lot of girls will send you death threats though. Are you ready for that? The ladies love him too much
Zaya: We’re here to defend you if something like that happens.
I roll my eyes but can’t stop the small smile tugging at my lips. They mean well, even if they’re completely off the mark. Still, as I shove my hands into my pockets and keep walking, my thoughts drift somewhere else. Somewhere I don’t want them to go.
Landon.
I grit my teeth. No. Not again.
But his image forces its way into my mind anyway—the sharp angles of his jaw, the effortless way his lips curl into that cocky smirk, the storm in his eyes that always seems to be aimed right at me. And that kiss…
I inhale sharply, shaking my head. I shouldn’t be thinking about that. About him. Because Landon is an arrogant, insufferable ass. He gets under my skin like no one else. And yet, that kiss…
No. Focus, Clarissa.
I turn onto a quieter street and decide to stop by a small convenience store. I push open the glass door and the bell jingles above my head as I step inside. I grab a basket, trying to focus on what I came for—milk, eggs, maybe something sweet because I deserve it after dealing with my ridiculous friends all day.
And that’s when I hear it.
“Clarissa?”
I freeze. That voice—it’s rougher than I remember. The tone is filled with something dark. Frustration. Anger.
I turn, and there he is.
Wally.
I blink, momentarily caught off guard. I certainly didn’t expect to run into him here, of all places.
“Wally,” I say, keeping my voice neutral. “What are you doing here?”
He scoffs, shoving his hands into his pockets. “Funny, I was about to ask you the same thing. Except… I don’t really care. What I care about is how you moved on so quickly.”
I raise an eyebrow, already exhausted by this conversation. “Excuse me?”
His jaw clenches. “Landon? That’s who you’re with now?”
I cross my arms. “Not that it’s any of your business, but yes.”
His eyes darken. “Where the hell did you even meet him? You and him—” He lets out a humorless laugh. “It doesn’t even make sense.”
I narrow my eyes. My patience is wearing thin already. “You don’t get to ask me these questions, Wally. You lost that right when you cheated on me.”
He flinches, but the anger doesn’t fade. Instead, it morphs into something uglier. “I made a mistake.”
“A mistake?” I repeat “That’s what we’re calling it now?”
“You don’t get it, do you?” he snaps. “Landon isn’t your fairytale ending, Clarissa. He’s a player. A famous musician who can have any girl he wants. You think you’re special to him?”
I tilt my head, pretending to consider his words. “That’s interesting. You sound… jealous.”
His nostrils flare. “I’m not jealous. I’m just being realistic. You’re not—” He stops himself, but I know what he was about to say.
Not enough.
I should be offended but I’m not. Why? Because I know I have the upper hand right now. Something sharp and petty inside me sparks to life. I step closer, lowering my voice.
“You know what, Wally? Maybe you’re right. Maybe Landon is a player. Maybe he’s way out of my league.” I let my lips curl into a slow smirk. “And yet, he still chose me.”
Wally’s face twists into something ugly, and satisfaction rolls through me. He opens his mouth like he wants to say something, but I don’t give him the chance. I turn away, my basket still in hand, and walk straight to the register.
As I pay for my things, I can feel his eyes burning into my back.
Good.
I leave the store. Wally is fuming. My fake relationship is now officially useful. And as much as I hate to admit it, the thought of Landon choosing me…
Well, that’s a whole different problem.
- Writer
