CHAPTER THREE-RULES AND RUMORS
675 Words
By Monday morning, my life had turned into a circus.
The "kiss" video had officially gone viral—three different i********: pages, one t****k edit, and even a meme account calling us "the power couple of Hartfield College."
I was now half of a campus fantasy I never signed up for.
Walking through the hallway was torture. People stared, whispered, or giggled like they knew my deepest secrets. Some
smiled at me, others gave me death stares.
And right in the middle of it all was Liam Hart—strolling down the corridor like the king of chaos he was.
He caught up to me between classes, casually slinging an arm over my shoulder.
"Morning, Coffee Girl."
"Rule number one," I said through clenched teeth. "No nicknames in public."
He grinned. "Fine. Morning, girlfriend."
I stopped walking. "Liam, I'm serious."
"Relax," he said, steering me away from a group of students snapping photos. "You're supposed to look like you like me."
"I don't like you."
He leaned closer, lowering his voice. "Then fake it better."
I shoved his arm off and faced him. "Let's get something straight—this whole thing is your fault. You're the one who kissed me, remember?"
"Correction," he said smoothly. "I saved you."
"From what?"
"From public humiliation. Everyone thought you were some angry tutor who threw coffee at me. Now they think you're my girlfriend."
I blinked. "You think that's an upgrade?"
He smirked. "Statistically? Yeah."
I groaned, pressing a hand to my forehead. "We need rules. Actual, written rules."
He grinned. "Oh, this I have to see."
⸻
Later, in the library
I sat across from him at a small study table, flipping open my notebook.
FAKE DATING AGREEMENT
1. No real kisses.
2. No touching in private.
3. Public affection only when necessary.
4. Weekly tutoring sessions stay professional.
5. No falling in love.
He read the list slowly, then looked up with a smile that could melt sanity.
"Rule five's going to be tough."
"It's not."
"Oh, come on," he said, leaning forward. "You don't think I'm at least a little irresistible?"
I glared. "You're allergic to humility."
He chuckled softly. "Fine. We'll see who breaks the rules first."
⸻
By Wednesday, the rumors had evolved.
According to the latest campus gossip thread:
1. I'd been secretly dating Liam since freshman year.
2. He'd written me a love song.
3. We were "totally getting engaged."
I tried ignoring it—until my economics professor called me aside.
"Miss Daniels," he said, adjusting his glasses. "I heard you're tutoring Mr. Hart. Be sure he passes this term. His scholarship depends on it."
I froze. "Wait, what?"
"He's a brilliant athlete," the professor continued, "but if his grades drop, he could lose his sports sponsorship."
So that was it.
Liam didn't just need me for publicity. He needed me to save his future.
⸻
That night, he texted me.
Liam: Meet me on the soccer field—8 PM.
Me: I have homework.
Liam: This is homework.
I almost didn't go. Almost.
But curiosity won.
The field lights glowed against the dark sky, and there he was—sitting on the bleachers, a half-empty water bottle beside him.
"You came," he said, sounding almost surprised.
"I'm still deciding why," I replied.
He looked at me for a long moment before speaking. "I didn't lie about needing your help. If I fail, I lose everything."
For once, there was no smirk. No ego. Just honesty.
I sighed. "Then we'd better make sure you don't fail."
He smiled faintly. "So we're really doing this?"
"Fake dating?" I said. "Yes. But just until finals. After that, I'm free."
He stood, closing the distance between us.
"Deal," he said, holding out his hand.
I hesitated—then shook it. His hand was warm, firm, and steady.
"Rule number six," he added quietly. "No breaking my heart."
I looked up at him, heart pounding. "That won't be a problem."
But the way he smiled at me made me wonder if I'd just lied.
- Writer
