Chapter 1
903 Words
Lena’s POV
The smell of pancakes practically dragged me through the Bennetts’ bay window. I didn’t bother knocking. I never did. Their house had always felt more like home than my actual one, and if all it cost was a few calories, I was more than willing to pay up.
“Morning” I called, strolling into the kitchen like I owned the place.
“Mmm… pancakes” I sniffed the air like I hadn’t just devoured half a box of cereal twenty minutes ago. Without hesitation, I made a beeline for the dining table and flopped into a chair like it owed me something.
Mr. Bennett flashed me a warm smile as he flipped another stack of golden perfection onto a plate.
“Pancakes? You’re killing it, Mr. B” I gave him a quick shoulder pat. “You sure you’re not secretly moonlighting as a chef?”
“Just a dad who likes to feed people” he said, ever humble.
I took a bite and groaned. “These are so good” I gave him a thumbs up, cheeks full. Honestly, this house was way too perfect. A real family. A dad who actually showed up. Saturday mornings that smelled like safety and love. It made my chest ache in ways I didn’t like to admit.
If only life was that simple. If only I had mornings like this in my own house. If only it felt like something more than a stopgap.
“Lena, we gotta leave soon” Callie giggled between sips of orange juice. “Eat faster”
“I’m literally shoveling food like a wild animal” I said with a mouthful. “Where exactly are we going again?”
“Back to the high school” she shrugged.
“Why? We graduated. Isn’t that the whole point of finishing? So we never have to set foot in that place again?”
“Some orientation or early college program or whatever”
“Still sounds like punishment” I muttered. “At least we’re all going to the same college. That’s something”
Ethan’s POV
Logan and I leaned against our old lockers, soaking in the weird vibe of being back in a place we swore we’d never return to. Same peeling paint. Same creaky lockers. Same faint stench of gym socks and bad decisions.
We spotted the girls the moment they walked in. Callie gave a polite wave. Lena smirked like she had something on me.
“Well hey there, cowboy” she teased.
“Morning to you too” I replied, giving her a small smile. Callie nodded just a little. Just enough. That had become our new normal: polite, distant, careful. Breakups change the meaning of everything. Even a look.
We started walking toward the classroom when Lena suddenly grabbed my sleeve and yanked me aside.
“I need a word. Alone”
She pulled me into a corner, hands shoved in her jacket pockets, one brow raised like I’d already done something wrong.
“If things are still tense with you and Callie” she said “you and Logan can go in first. We’re cool with that”
I frowned. “What? Why?”
“She’s my best friend. I’m not gonna let her start her day feeling weird just because you two still have unresolved tension”
“I thought we were handling it okay…”
“Ethan. She smiled at you. And I know the difference between her real smile and her ‘I’m fine’ smile”
I sighed. “I’m trying. I really am”
“Then keep trying” she said with a pointed stare. “Or back off”
Lena’s POV
By the time we reached the classroom, I had mentally checked out. But then Mrs. Pearl walked in, practically vibrating with excitement.
“We have a huge project coming up” she chirped. “It’s called the Parent Protection Program”
I blinked. “The what now?”
Her grin widened, which was disturbing. “You’ll be married to a randomly assigned partner. Together, you’ll raise adopted children as part of a two-year simulation. You’ll handle budgeting, jobs, and parenting responsibilities. It counts toward your college experience”
I stared at her like she was speaking in Morse code. “We’re getting married?”
“It’s a contract ceremony, not legal. But yes, there will be outfits, photos, and plenty of responsibility. Your parents are already aware”
My stomach twisted. “What if I don’t want to do this?”
“You already agreed, Ms. Morales. Along with Ms. Bennett, Mr. Walker, and Mr. Greene. It’s official now”
Right. Callie had signed us up months ago. Said it would be good life experience. I thought we’d be babysitting for a few hours a week, not becoming full-blown simulation parents.
Mrs. Pearl started reading off the pairings. I wasn’t really paying attention. Until
“Lena Morales and Ethan Walker”
My blood went cold. I looked at Callie. She looked composed. That same polite, unreadable smile.
I mouthed, Sorry? She just nodded.
This couldn’t be happening. I was paired with her ex. The one she definitely wasn’t over.
“You alright with your partner?” Mrs. Pearl asked.
“Yes” Ethan answered before I even processed what was happening.
I stayed silent. My heart was pounding.
This was going to be a disaster.
- Writer
