Fake Rules, Real Problems
735 Words
Elyse
By Tuesday morning, I had learned one very important lesson: being Caleb Del Vega’s “girlfriend” was not for the weak.
The moment I stepped onto campus, whispers followed me like shadows. Girls gave me side-eyes sharp enough to cut glass.
Guys looked at me like I was holding the golden ticket to Willy Wonka’s factory—except in this case, the factory was Caleb, and apparently everyone wanted a tour.
Mia, of course, was thriving.
“You’re basically living the w*****d dream,” she squealed, practically skipping beside me. “Ordinary girl suddenly dating the school heartthrob? Ely, this is like every cliché rolled into one! I can already see the book title: The Cold Boy’s Secret Girlfriend.”
I groaned. “Stop romanticizing my impending social funeral.”
“Impending? Girl, you’re already in the coffin.”
I shot her a glare, but before I could argue, a voice called out behind me.
“Elyseana!”
I turned—and instantly regretted it.
Standing there with perfectly styled hair and an even more perfect scowl was none other than Sofia Villanueva, captain of the cheer squad and self-proclaimed queen bee of the school. She was beautiful, confident, and—how do I put this nicely?—absolutely terrifying.
She stalked toward me in her designer shoes, her two sidekicks trailing behind her like bodyguards.
“So,” she began, crossing her arms. “You and Caleb, huh?”
Every instinct screamed at me to run, but my legs decided betrayal was the best option. I stayed rooted to the spot, heart pounding.
“I-It’s not what you think—”
Sofia’s eyes narrowed dangerously. “Then what is it?”
Before I could come up with a lie, a shadow fell over us.
Caleb.
He slipped his hands casually into his pockets, expression as cool as ever.
“Is there a problem?”
Sofia instantly transformed. Her sharp glare melted into a sweet smile. “Caleb! No problem at all. I was just… welcoming Elyseana to the group. You know, since she’s… yours.”
Yours.
I nearly choked on my own saliva.
Caleb, of course, didn’t flinch.
“Good. Glad we’re clear.” He looked at me then, his gaze steady, almost protective. “Let’s go.”
And before I knew it, he was leading me down the hallway, leaving Sofia fuming behind us.
The whispers doubled.
We ended up behind the gym, where it was quieter. I yanked my hand free the moment we were alone.
“What was that?! You can’t just—just drag me around like a… like a prop!”
He raised an eyebrow. “Would you rather Sofia eat you alive?”
I opened my mouth, closed it, and grudgingly admitted, “Okay, maybe not. But still! This whole thing is spiraling out of control.”
“That’s why we need rules,” he said simply, as if he’d been planning this all along.
“Rules?”
“Yes.” He leaned against the wall, arms crossed. “If we’re going to keep this up, we need to look convincing. But I don’t want unnecessary complications.”
I crossed my own arms, mirroring him. “Fine. What kind of rules?”
He ticked them off with his fingers. “Rule one: Public displays of affection are for appearances only. Don’t read into them.”
My face heated. “Who said I would?!”
“Rule two: Don’t talk about me to anyone. Not Mia, not your parents, not anyone. The less people know, the better.”
“Excuse me, Mia is my best friend. I have to tell her things.”
“You can tell her whatever you want. Just not about us.”
I grumbled but nodded.
“Rule three: If anyone asks, we’ve been dating for two weeks. Not yesterday, not last month. Two weeks.”
I squinted. “Why two weeks?”
He shrugged. “Sounds believable.”
I wanted to argue, but the scary thing was… it did sound believable.
“Rule four: If either of us wants out, we both walk away. No questions asked.”
That one made something twist in my chest. Walk away. Like this was all disposable. Which, I reminded myself, it was.
“Fine,” I muttered. “Any more?”
He hesitated, then said, “Rule five: Don’t fall for me.”
I froze.
- Writer
