Chapter 5: Sparks in Disguise
332 Words
The news spread across campus faster than wildfire.
By Monday morning, whispers filled the lecture hall.
“Is it true?”
“Stephanie? With Sean Adi?”
“No way. That girl from the restaurant?”
All eyes darted between the two as they walked in together. Sean, confident as always, strolled in with an easy swagger. Stephanie followed reluctantly, books clutched tightly to her chest.
Sean casually draped an arm over her shoulder. Gasps rippled across the room.
Stephanie stiffened. She wanted to shrug him off, but the deal was clear: pretend. So, she forced a smile — small, awkward, but convincing enough.
Sean leaned down and whispered, “Relax. You’re doing great.”
Her cheeks burned, though she told herself it was only from embarrassment.
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During lunch break, they sat together at the cafeteria. Sean seemed to enjoy the spectacle, smirking at the shocked faces of his admirers. Stephanie, on the other hand, felt every stare like a knife.
Her best friend, Joy, stormed over to their table.
“Steph, what is going on? Since when are you and Sean…?”
Stephanie opened her mouth, but Sean cut in smoothly.
“Since now. Got a problem with that?”
Joy glared at him. “You’re trouble, Sean Adi. And Stephanie doesn’t need trouble.”
Sean chuckled. “Relax, bestie. I’ll take care of her.”
Joy pulled Stephanie aside, whispering harshly. “Steph, are you out of your mind? This guy is dangerous. Rich, arrogant, and he doesn’t care about anyone but himself. Don’t tell me you’re actually falling for this act.”
Stephanie swallowed hard. “I’m not. It’s… complicated. I’ll explain later.”
But that night, lying awake, she admitted the truth to herself:
Every time Sean looked at her with that teasing glint, every time he leaned in too close, her heart betrayed her.
And the scariest part? She couldn’t tell anymore what was pretend… and what was beginning to feel real.
End of Chapter 5.
- Writer
