Chapter 9
1727 Words
Aurelia’s POV
I glare at Julian, looking for any tell that he’s lying to me. His expression is inscrutable, but his words linger in my head — I don’t lie to you.
I want to believe him. I really do. But trusting people has never gone well for me. Drake proved that. Sierra, too. Even my own father.
But here I am, diving into yet another tangled web.
I take a deep breath, steadying my voice. “Fine,” I say. “I’ll do it. Two months. No more, no less.”
Julian’s lips curl up into a smirk, but his eyes betray something softer, something resembling relief. “You won’t regret it.”
“I already do.”
He chuckles. “Come on girlfriend, we got a lotta work to do.”
I roll my eyes at his theatrics, but can’t deny the jump of nervous excitement in my chest.
Well, I’m about to fake-date the most powerful heir in the pack.
This could go horribly wrong.
The Next Day
The routine of walking into school with Julian next to me is … different.
I usually just blend into the background. Well, I keep to myself, I don’t make noise, I don’t cause anyone any trouble. But today, with Julian’s arm lifted and draping on my shoulders, every single set of eyes in this hallway is on me.
It comes in whispers, right from the top.
“Is that Julian Adams?”
“What the hell? Why is he with her?”
“She put a spell on him or some s**t?”
I swallow hard, clutching the straps of my backpack. My stomach twists in discomfort, but Julian is completely unfazed. He walks with that same easy confidence, his hand on me light but secure.
I pull myself back to the present, catching my breath as we arrive at my locker, but before I can pull away from him, he surprises me by jumping straight into my personal space, mouth next to my ear.
“Relax,” he murmurs. “They’re just jealous.”
I look up at him but he’s already withdrawing, a smirk on his lips. I narrow my eyes. “ You’re having way too much fun right now.
“Obviously.”
Before I can respond, a voice cuts through the thud of my heart.
“Well, well, well.”
Sierra.
I turn slowly, and my shoulders stiffen as I face her. She plants herself before us, her arms folded, her trademark sneer pasted across her face. And beside her—Drake.
His eyes dart between myself and Julian, his jaw tightening only the smallest bit.
“What is this supposed to be, now?” Sierra scoffs, gesturing between us. “Some cringe-trying thing to try and make Drake jealous?”
Julian sighs dramatically, massaging his temple. “Sierra, why does it always have to be so predictable? I thought you had some creativity.”
Her face flushes with anger, but before she can retort, Julian yanks me into him.
“Not that it’s any of your business, sister dear, but Aurelia and I are a thing now.
Silence.
For a moment, it feels like the whole hallway has collectively held its breath.
Then, chaos.
Sierra laughs, a sound dripping new with disbelief. “You expect me to trust that?”
Julian shrugs. “Believe whatever you want.”
When he finally speaks, Drake’s voice is cold. “You’re joking.”
It’s not a question. It’s a statement.
I meet his gaze, and for the first time, I see something I cannot identify. Annoyance? Disbelief? …Jealousy?
No. That’s impossible.
“Why would it be a joke?” I say, trying to keep my voice even. “Julian really treats me like I’m important.”
Drake’s face goes stern, his hands squeezing into fists at his side. “He’s using you.”
Julian tightens his arms around my waist. “Funny, coming from you.”
Drake steps forward; his gaze is fierce. “Stay out of this, Julian.”
“Why? Because you don’t want Aurelia to move on?” Julian’s smirk grows. “Don’t you think that’s a bit hypocritical?”
Drake doesn’t respond, and his silence says everything.
Sierra scoffs again, eye narrowing. “I don’t know what kind of stupid game you’re playing, Julian, but you’re wasting your time. She’s not worth it.”
Something inside me snaps.
I move in closer, my voice colder–than I ever heard it. “Yes, but you’re the one still obsessing over me, Sierra. What’s the matter? Of being scared I might actually be better at something than you?”
Her face contorts with fury. “You—”
But before she can finish, Julian laughs, uproariously and unbothered.
“This is so funny,” he says, rubbing his palms together. “I should have done this earlier.”
I look at him, a foreign warmth filling up my chest. He’s not just putting on a show — he’s having fun making them squirm.
Drake appears on the verge of exploding. Sierra appears prepared to shred my face.
And for the first time ever…
I don’t feel powerless.
Later That Day
Julian and I are sitting in his car outside my house.
“Well,” he says, tapping his fingers against the steering wheel. “That went beautifully.”
I let out a sharp breath, slumping back into the seat. “I think I nearly died.”
He grins. “But you didn’t. And did you see Drake’s face? Priceless.”
I hesitate before speaking. “Do you think this will really work? I’m like … revenge on them?”
Julian’s face gets serious. “It’s not just about revenge, Aurelia. It’s about showing that you no longer need them.’
I bite my lip, looking away. I want to believe that.
“Well, besides,” he says, his voice now gentler, “you deserve to know what it feels like to be chosen for once.”
His words reached deep within me, a tender place. I don’t respond. I can’t.
Julian sighs dramatically after a moment. “But if you want to make this convincing, we’re going to have to break out the big guns.”
I frown. “Step things up how?”
His smirk returns. “You’ll see.”
I don’t know if it is exciting or terrifying. Probably both.
Julian’s grin stays pasted as he rests back against the driver’s seat, tapping his finger against the steer wheel. His last words hang over me, and I shift uncomfortably.
"Step things up."
Just saying those words causes my stomach to churn with anxiety.
I cross my arms. “Why do I have a feeling I’m gonna regret that I asked that?”
Julian smiles, unfazed. “Because you’re a smart girl.”
I roll my eyes. “Julian, if you think I’m”-
“Relax girlfriend,” he interrupts, tilting his head toward me with that bemused air he always seems to carry. “I’m not going to make you do anything crazy.”
I narrow my eyes. “Define ‘outrageous.’ ”
Julian taps his chin thoughtfully, as if considering his words. “Well, I’ve been thinking we should have a public official first date this weekend.”
I swallow hard and stifle a response. “Public?”
“Of course. What’s the point of the whole charade if we can’t sell it right?' He smirks. “Drake and Sierra will freak out when they see us on a real date.”
I hate to say it, but he’s right. The notion of making them uncomfortable, of making Drake uncomfortable, is tempting.
But still…
I gasp, shaking my head. “I don’t know. I’ve never really —” I stop myself from completing that thought.
Julian’s gaze sharpens. “Never really what?”
I hesitate. I hate to admit that, but there’s no reason to lie. “I haven’t really ever been on a proper date before.
Something about Julian’s expression changes. The teasing edge gives way to something unreadable. He looks me up and down for a moment, then sighs, running a hand through his hair. “Well, that settles it.”
I blink. “Settles what?”
“I am about to give you the best fake date you’ve ever had.”
I snort. “That’s not a very high bar to clear.”
Julian laughs but then gets serious. “I mean it, Aurelia. “If we’re going to do this, we’re going do it right.” He leans in a little, his voice lowering. “You deserve nice treatment. Even if it’s fake.”
Something warm ignites my chest, and I look away immediately, out the window.
What do you say to that?
I’m so accustomed to being ignored, dismissed, ridiculed. Imagining someone — anyone — treating me for all that I am, even if only role-played, is strange.
Dangerous, even.
Because what do you do when it’s over?
What will happen when this is over and I’m nothing again?”
Julian clears his throat, changing the mood once more. “So, it’s settled. Saturday. I’ll pick you up.”
I let out a sigh, feeling confused about it all. “Fine. But no crazy stunts, okay?”
Julian grins mischievously. “No promises.”
I grunt, already hating myself for this.
The Next Day – School
Of course, the news about my “relationship” with Julian has spread like wildfire. “Twenty-four!” “Twenty-four!” Everywhere I go, they whisper, eyes wide in disbelief, envy.
I try very hard to ignore them, but the pressure behind their attention is crushing
It gets worse when Julian finds me by my locker during class change.
He’s not just hanging back — he has one shoulder leaned against the locker next to mine, lording over me as he smirks down.
“Morning, girlfriend,” he says, drawling.
I shoot him a warning glare. “Julian…”
“Calm down, I’m just getting into character.” He winks before draping an arm around my shoulders. “We need to make this believable, remember?”
I bite back a groan, but even as I open my mouth to respond, a sharp voice rings out in the hallway.
“Oh you have got to be kidding me.”
- Writer
