More than just pretend

3

Harper’s pov

The hallway buzzed with the hum of students, the chatter echoing off the polished floors as Lucy and I walked side by side. Her voice was lively as she spoke about the latest gossip—something about how some of the jocks had been caught sneaking around with someone else. But my mind wasn’t fully present. Not today.

Lucy paused mid-sentence, her expression shifting to a mix of concern and irritation as she glanced at me. “Are you even listening to me?” she asked, frowning a little.

I nodded quickly. “Sorry, I am,” I lied, forcing a small smile. “I just have a lot on my mind.”

She gave me a skeptical look, but it softened after a moment. “What’s wrong? Is it Liam?”

I hesitated, my fingers tightening around the straps of my backpack. It wasn’t just Liam—it was everything. The weight of pretending, the constant back-and-forth, and his insufferable attitude were pushing me to my limit. But I nodded anyway. “Yeah. He’s being difficult.”

Lucy’s eyes narrowed, her frustration evident on my behalf. “Ugh, that guy is such a jerk,” she said, her voice dripping with disdain. “It’s like he thrives on making things harder for you.”

I let out a breath, trying to laugh it off. “Yeah, pretty much. Anytime I text him about his homework or projects, he doesn’t reply. It’s like he loves watching me chase him down all over school.”

She rolled her eyes dramatically, the gesture so exaggerated that it almost made me smile. “You should just stop trying. Honestly, he doesn’t deserve your effort. But…” She tilted her head thoughtfully. “If you’re stuck working with him, why not try buttering him up? Get on his good side.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Liam Brooks has a good side?”

Lucy smirked. “Everyone has a good side. Even that egotistical maniac. You just have to dig for it.” She reached out, rubbing my shoulder reassuringly. “You’ll figure it out, babe.”

Before I could respond, a voice called out from across the hall. “Lucy!”

Her face lit up instantly. I recognized that look—it was her crush, and just like that, I knew I’d been ditched. “I’ll call you later, okay?” she said quickly, already walking away.

“Sure,” I muttered under my breath, watching her disappear into the crowd.

Left alone, I turned toward Liam’s classroom. My stomach churned as I approached the door, mentally preparing myself for whatever snarky comments he’d throw my way this time. Taking a deep breath, I pushed the door open and stepped inside.

The room was quiet—at least, it was until I spotted Liam. He was sitting at the far desk, headphones over his ears, his thumbs flying across the screen of his phone. His attention was locked on whatever game he was playing, completely ignoring my presence.

I cleared my throat softly. “Ahem.”

Nothing.

“Liam,” I said louder, stepping closer.

Finally, he looked up, his icy blue eyes meeting mine through the glass of his headphones. A slow, smug smirk stretched across his face. “James,” he greeted lazily, like I was an annoying interruption rather than a person standing right in front of him.

I clenched my fists at my sides, biting back the sharp retort on the tip of my tongue. “You’re unbelievable,” I muttered, my voice shaking with frustration.

He didn’t flinch. Instead, he removed his headphones with deliberate slowness, setting them on the desk beside him. “Unbelievable?” His smirk widened. “You barely exist on my radar, James. But if you insist on wasting my time, go ahead.”

My irritation bubbled over, but I forced myself to stay calm. “I’m here because of the dinner tomorrow,” I said, pulling a piece of paper from my bag and handing it to him.

He raised an eyebrow, scanning the document. “Rules for our… relationship?” he read aloud, his tone dripping with amusement.

“Yes,” I said firmly. “No falling in love, no catching feelings, and no pretending in private.”

Liam barked out a short, mocking laugh. “You can’t be serious.” He leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms as he regarded me with amusement. “James, if anyone should be setting rules, it’s me. I’m the one with something to lose here. For God’s sake, do you think I want people thinking I’m dating someone like you?”

His words hit harder than I expected. My breath hitched, and for a moment, I couldn’t respond.

Liam stood, the scrape of his chair loud in the otherwise silent room. He took a step closer, and instinctively, I took a step back, my back pressing against the wall.

“You don’t belong in my world, James,” he said, his voice low and mocking. “You’re the kind of girl who gets dumped the second someone realizes what a mistake they’ve made.”

I flinched, the sting of his words cutting deeper than I cared to admit. Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes, but I blinked rapidly, refusing to let them fall. I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction.

“You’re such a jerk,” I snapped, my voice trembling with anger. Without thinking, I shoved him back, creating just enough space to breathe.

He didn’t look angry—if anything, he seemed entertained. That infuriating smirk stayed firmly in place as he leaned casually against the desk. “Weak,” he said, shaking his head. “That’s your problem, James. You’re too weak to handle someone like me.”

I bit my lip hard, tasting copper as I fought the urge to say something I’d regret. Instead, I turned on my heel and stormed out of the classroom, my fists clenched at my sides. His laughter echoed behind me, a cruel reminder of how little he cared.

By the time I made it into the hallway, the tears I’d been holding back finally spilled over. They burned hot against my cheeks, fueled by anger and frustration.

What hurt the most wasn’t his words—it was the fact that part of me believed them. Deep down, I wondered if he was right. If I was too weak. Too invisible.

But as I wiped the tears away, a spark of determination flared in my chest. No. He didn’t get to define me.

If Liam Brooks thought I was weak, I’d prove him wrong.