More than just pretend

2

Liam’s POV

I slammed my bag onto the bed so hard the entire frame shook. A hollow thud echoed through the room, but it wasn’t enough to drown out the frustration boiling inside me.

“Yo, man, what’s your problem?” Carlos called from the other side of the room. He was sprawled across my secondhand couch, his sneakers still on despite the fact I’d told him a hundred times not to do that. “You trying to bring the house down or what?”

“I got kicked off the team,” I growled, pacing the small space as anger pulsed through my veins.

Carlos blinked, then snorted. “What’d you do this time?”

“Nothing!” I snapped, spinning to face him. “Absolutely nothing. But you know Principal Connors! That witch. She doesn’t care. Something happens, and I’m the first person she points her finger at. ‘Oh, Liam Brooks must’ve done it. Let’s ruin his life a little more.’” I mimicked her sarcastically, throwing myself into the chair by my desk. “No scouts. No scholarship. Nothing!”

Carlos sat up straighter, his expression shifting to intense seriousness. “Whoa, hold up. You’re serious? She actually kicked you off the team?”

“Yeah, I’m serious!” I yelled, raking my hands through my hair. “And now the only way I get back on track is if I magically clean my reputation, join every stupid school activity, and somehow convince Connors I’m worth a second chance.”

“That’s insane,” Carlos said, shaking his head. “She can’t just—”

“She can, and she did.” I cut him off, my voice sharp. “She’s Principal Connors. She can do whatever the hell she wants. And guess what? There’s nothing I can do about it.”

Carlos sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. “So... what’s your plan? You can’t afford to get off track with those scouts watching.”

I stopped pacing, a bitter laugh escaping my lips. “Oh, don’t worry. I’ve got a plan. Harper James.”

Carlos frowned. “Harper James? The Harper James? The one you’ve been complaining about since the ninth grade? The one whose family is basically the reason you’re broke?”

I rolled my eyes. “Yes, that Harper.”

Carlos let out a low whistle, shaking his head. “This is something I gotta hear. What does she have to do with this? Did she hire you as her personal punching bag?”

“Close enough,” I said with a bitter laugh. “She wants me to be her pretend boyfriend,” I said, crossing my arms. “Apparently, she needs to impress her mum at some family gathering, and I’m the lucky guy she picked to help.”

Carlos’s jaw dropped. “And you said yes?” he asked, his eyes widening at me as though I had two heads.

“Of course I said yes,” I spat, the bitterness in my voice thick. “Do you know what this means? She’s desperate enough to need me. And now I’ve got her exactly where I want her.”

Carlos raised a brow, leaning forward. “Liam, you’ve been complaining about her for years. Her family is the reason your family’s broke. And now you’re gonna play along with her little game?”

“Oh, I’m not just playing along.” I leaned in, my voice dropping to a low growl. “Think about it, Carlos. This is my chance to get back at her. She’s gonna do my homework, my projects, all the crap Connors is making me do to clean my name. And in return? I’m going to ruin her.”

Carlos’s face twisted in concern. “Ruin her? Seriously?”

“Seriously.” My fists clenched at my sides, the memory of everything Harper’s family had taken from me burning like acid. “By the time I’m done with her, it’ll be a miracle for her to get into any college.”

“Liam...” Carlos hesitated. “I get that you’re mad, but don’t you think this is a bit much? Harper didn’t—”

“She didn’t what? Ruin my life?” I snapped, cutting him off. “Her family did. Her dad’s the reason my dad’s rotting in prison right now. Her dad’s the reason my mom works three jobs just to keep a roof over our heads. And her dad’s the reason I’ve been busting my ass every day just to have a shot at a future.”

Carlos stayed silent, his expression guarded.

“You think I care that she’s not the one who made the report?” I continued, my voice rising. “It doesn’t matter. They’re all the same. Her dad destroyed my family. If he’d just stayed out of it, my dad would still be here. We’d still be a family. My mom wouldn’t be breaking her back every day, and I wouldn’t have to work my ass off just to survive. But no. Harper’s perfect family had to play hero.”

Carlos sighed, shaking his head. “I get it, man. I really do. But going after her simply for revenge... this just feels wrong.”

“It’s not wrong,” I said coldly. “It’s justice. She wants to use me? Fine. But she’s going to pay for it. I’ll make sure of that.”

Carlos stood, grabbing his jacket. “I don’t like this, Liam. But I know there’s no talking you out of it. You barely listen to anyone when you’re making a bad decision.”

I smirked. “Smart man. I’m glad you know you can’t talk me out of it.”

Carlos gave me one last look before heading for the door. “Just... don’t lose yourself in this, okay? You’re better than that.”

I didn’t answer, and he didn’t wait for one. The door shut behind him, leaving me alone with my anger.

Better than this? Maybe once. But not anymore. Harper James was going to regret ever thinking I’d be her pawn. By the time I was done with her, she’d have nothing left. No grades. No future. Nothing.

And I’d finally have my revenge.