FOR THE SAKE OF YOU

The Unwanted Offer

Graduation was just around the corner, and the usual chaos of exams and projects had finally simmered down. Now, it was all about looking ahead—applications, interviews, and figuring out where I wanted to spend the next four years of my life. Vicky had been pushing me to consider universities outside of town, a fresh start far away from all the drama. I liked the idea. Well, I particularly have this one dream university since I was in 6th grade. Celestine University, But of course, life had other plans.

It started small, as it always did with Darcy Lane.

She wasn’t exactly known for subtlety, but lately, her efforts to get under my skin had reached a whole new level. It was like she’d made me her personal target, throwing passive-aggressive comments my way whenever we crossed paths.

"Still dreaming about Clyde, Luce?" Darcy said as we passed each other in the hallway. Her voice was sugary sweet, but her smirk carried venom. “You know, some of us don’t have to try so hard to get noticed.”

I stopped in my tracks, my hand tightening around the strap of my bag. “Excuse me?”

She turned to face me, her perfectly manicured fingers brushing her hair back as if she was in some shampoo commercial. “Oh, nothing. Just thought it must be exhausting trying to keep up. I mean, Clyde doesn’t really go for... your type.”

My chest tightened with anger, but I refused to let her see me falter. “And what exactly is my type, Darcy? Enlighten me.”

She tilted her head, feigning innocence. “Oh, you know... average.”

Vicky, who had been walking beside me, let out a sharp laugh. “Wow, Darcy. You’ve outdone yourself. Did you come up with that one all on your own, or did your fan club help you rehearse?”

Darcy’s smirk faltered, and her gaze flickered to Vicky before settling back on me. “Some of us don’t need help, Victoria,” she snapped. “But I get it—you two have to stick together. Safety in numbers, right?”

“Maybe you should try it,” I shot back before Vicky could respond. “You know, surrounding yourself with people who actually care about you. It might make you less... bitter.”

Darcy’s eyes narrowed, her mask of confidence slipping for just a moment before she recovered. “Cute. But don’t forget who you’re talking to, Luce. I’m not someone you want to mess with.”

She spun on her heel and sauntered off, leaving a trail of tension in her wake.

Vicky let out a low whistle. “Damn, Ray. You really got under her skin with that one.”

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. “I didn’t mean to. I just... I’m so tired of her.”

“Well, you better get used to it. That b***h doesn’t back down easily.”

......

Later that day, I found myself in the library, flipping through brochures for universities. It should have been exciting—dreaming about a future away from all this nonsense—but my mind kept wandering back to Darcy’s words and the look on Clyde’s face when I’d walked away from him in the cafeteria.

I hated that I cared.

“Luce.”

I looked up, startled, to see Clyde standing at the edge of my table. His usual cocky smirk was absent, replaced by something softer—something I wasn’t used to seeing.

“What do you want, Clyde?” I asked, trying to keep my tone neutral.

He slid into the chair across from me, completely unbothered by my lack of enthusiasm. “Just wanted to check in. You seemed... off earlier.”

I stared at him, unsure whether to laugh or throw my pen at him. “You’ve got to be kidding me. Since when do you care about how I’m feeling?”

He leaned back in his chair, his gaze never leaving mine. “Since you started walking away without saying goodbye.”

My heart skipped a beat, but I quickly pushed the feeling aside. “Maybe I’m just tired of the drama. You and Darcy seem to have plenty to keep you occupied without dragging me into it.”

Clyde frowned, his jaw tightening. “Darcy’s... complicated.”

I let out a bitter laugh. “Complicated? That’s one way to put it.”

“She’s not what you think,” he said quietly, almost like he was trying to convince himself.

“And you are?” I shot back, unable to keep the frustration out of my voice. “Look, Clyde, I don’t have time for your games. I’ve got my own life to figure out.”

His expression softened, and for a moment, I thought I saw a flicker of vulnerability in his eyes. But before he could say anything, the sound of heels clicking against the floor broke the moment.

“Clyde!” Darcy’s voice rang out, sharp and demanding.

I turned to see her standing at the entrance of the library, her arms crossed and her gaze locked on us like a hawk spotting its prey.

“Of course,” I muttered under my breath.

Darcy stalked over to our table, her eyes narrowing as she took in the scene. “What are you doing here, Clyde?” she asked, her tone dripping with accusation. “Shouldn’t you be somewhere... important?”

He didn’t answer right away, his gaze flickering between me and Darcy.

“I’m just talking to Raya,” he said finally, his tone even.

Darcy let out a sharp laugh. “Talking to Raya? Since when are you two so... close?”

Her words stung more than I cared to admit, but I refused to let her see it.

“We’re not,” I said quickly, standing up and gathering my things. “And I was just leaving.”

As I walked past her, Darcy stepped into my path, her smile venomous. “Careful, Luce. You wouldn’t want people to start thinking you’re... desperate.”

I met her gaze, my pulse pounding in my ears. “Desperate? That’s rich, coming from someone who can’t seem to take a hint.”

The library fell silent, the tension between us crackling like a live wire. For a moment, I thought Darcy might actually lose her composure. But then she smiled, slow and deliberate, like she was savoring the moment.

“Enjoy your little fantasy, Luce,” she said, her voice low and dangerous. “But don’t forget where you stand.”

I didn’t respond. Instead, I pushed past her and walked out, my heart pounding and my mind racing.

I didn’t know what game Darcy was playing, but one thing was clear: this wasn’t over. And as much as I wanted to stay out of the mess, it felt like I was already in too deep.

.....

It was another typical morning—well, as typical as things could be when Clyde Hans had decided to make you the center of his attention. I was at my locker, stuffing in a pile of old notes I didn’t need anymore, when I felt him before I even saw him. His presence had this annoying way of stealing the air in a room, even when it wasn’t a room.

“Luce,” Clyde said, leaning casually against the locker next to mine. “Got a minute?”

I sighed and turned, already knowing this conversation wasn’t going to be one I wanted. “What do you want, Clyde?”

His smirk didn’t falter. “I was thinking. You, me, dinner. How about it?”

I blinked at him, trying to process the audacity. “Yeah, I think I’m gonna pass,” I said, my tone sharp but steady.

For the first time, Clyde actually looked surprised. His smirk faltered for a fraction of a second before he recovered, tilting his head like he couldn’t quite believe what he’d heard. “Pass? Seriously?”

“Seriously.” I shut my locker with more force than necessary and turned to face him fully. “Look, Clyde, I don’t know what you think this is, but I’m not playing whatever game you’ve got going on. I’ve got enough on my plate without adding you to it.”

His eyebrows raised, and for a moment, I thought he might actually back off. Instead, his expression shifted into something amused, like he thought I was bluffing. “Oh, come on, Luce. You’re just playing hard to get.”

I crossed my arms, holding my ground. “No, Clyde, I’m not. I really, truly don’t want to do this. Not with you, and definitely not with all the drama that follows you around. Do you have any idea what it’s been like for me? The looks, the comments, the constant whispering? I’ve got bigger priorities right now.”

Clyde’s smirk wavered again, and something unreadable flashed in his eyes. “Priorities, huh? Like what?”

I hesitated, but only for a moment. “Like getting into my dream university. Something that actually matters to me. And believe me, whatever this... thing is between us? It doesn’t matter.”

For a moment, I thought he’d finally give up. But then his expression changed again, a glint of something calculating sparking behind his eyes.

“Your dream university, ” he repeated slowly, like he was turning the words over in his mind. “Let me guess... Celest University?" he says and I was shocked by his words "how...how did you know?" I ask staring at him blankly "Well, I saw you collecting a bunch of brochures on the university" He says "You’re struggling to get in?”

I stiffened, caught off guard. “That’s none of your business.”

But Clyde didn’t back down. Instead, he leaned in just slightly, his voice dropping to a lower, more serious tone. “What if I told you I could help?”

I frowned. “Help? How?”

He shrugged, but there was a smugness to the gesture that set me on edge. “Let’s just say I know people. The principal. The dean. I could put in a good word for you, make sure you get whatever you need to secure your spot.”

My stomach twisted at the implication. “And what exactly would you want in return?”

He grinned then, the cocky, self-assured Clyde Hans I’d come to know. “One date. Just one. You, me, no strings attached. What do you say?”

I stared at him, my mind racing. On the one hand, the idea of relying on Clyde for something so important felt like selling my soul to the devil. But on the other...

This was my dream.

It was the university I’d been working toward for years, the one thing that felt like it could finally get me out of this town and onto the path I’d always wanted. And right now, I didn’t have any other options.

After what felt like an eternity, I let out a slow breath. “Fine,” I said, my voice tight. “One date. That’s it.”

Clyde’s grin widened, triumphant. “Perfect. I’ll pick you up Friday at seven.”

I didn’t respond, just grabbed my bag and walked away, feeling the weight of my decision settle heavily on my shoulders.

What had I just gotten myself into?