HE SAID I WAS JUST A BET

chapter 30: The Perfect Distraction

Maria leaned against the cool railing of the school balcony, the wind blowing lightly through her braids. Her laughter echoed as she spoke with Alex — the new guy who had quickly become her safe place.

He wasn’t just a distraction.

He was part of the plan.

“You know he’s watching, right?” Alex said, glancing behind her.

“I know,” Maria replied, not even turning. “Let him.”

Daniel was standing by the corridor, pretending to be on his phone. But his eyes never left her. He wasn’t used to being the one left behind, the one who had to watch from afar.

The sight of Maria laughing again — not with him — hit different.

He knew now that she wasn’t some silly girl who fell for a smooth talker. She was smart. She was strong. And worse — she was unpredictable.

Meanwhile, Emeka was stuck in the middle, torn between loyalty to his friend and the growing admiration he had for Maria’s boldness.

Later that day, Maria opened her journal and scribbled something down:

> “Day 30 — He’s cracking. One more push.”

She snapped the book shut and smiled.

That night, Daniel saw a new post on her story. A video of Maria and Alex walking side by side — their hands brushing, her laughter soft and real.

He swiped up to view it again.

Twice.

Three times.

Each replay bruised his ego further.

And somewhere deep down, he felt the one thing he never expected to feel about Maria:

Regret.