GAME OF HEARTS

CHAPTER ONE

ELENA's POV

You know that feeling when you have all the time in the world, but no idea what to do with it? Yeah, that’s exactly how I feel right now, standing at the school fair, wondering why on earth people treat this event like it’s the festival of the century. I mean, seriously, it’s literally just a bunch of booths and carnival games set up on the school grounds, with a few sad-looking stuffed animals and overpriced food. Why does everyone act like this is the highlight of their year? In a couple of hours, it’ll be over, and they’ll all go back to their lives, pretending this whole thing was a big deal.

And yet here I am, stuck in the middle of all this chaos, surrounded by people who are acting like this is the most exciting thing to ever happen in their lives. Ugh, I hate it. It’s all so fake. People pretending to be happy, throwing around half-hearted smiles, probably counting down the minutes until they can leave.

I glance over at Mara, my best friend, who’s walking beside me, still hyped up about the fair. I’m pretty sure Mara has been to every school event known to man, and yet she still manages to act like every single one is a new and exciting adventure. It’s actually impressive how she manages to keep up this level of enthusiasm.

“Beshie!” Mara suddenly shrieks, her voice way too loud for the setting, and I can feel a headache creeping in already. “Do you know what Lucas did?”

I stop in my tracks, turning to look at her with an eyebrow raised. Seriously? Lucas? How many times do I have to hear that name today? I’m not sure if I’m annoyed or just exhausted by it. “Lucas? Him again? What now?” I ask, already feeling the dramatic eye roll coming.

Mara, ever the drama queen, leans in close to me, lowering her voice like she’s about to reveal some massive secret. “He’s got a bet, besh. He’s betting that you’re his next challenge. He wants to make you fall for him by the end of the semester.”

I stop dead in my tracks, blinking a few times, trying to process what she just said. Did she just say Lucas? The same Lucas who thinks he’s the hottest thing since sliced bread? The guy who’s been strutting around the school like he owns the place? That Lucas?

I couldn’t help it. I burst out laughing. Not just a little giggle, but a full-on, can't-breathe, almost-hyperventilating laugh. “Lucas?” I managed to gasp out between laughs. “Girl, please. Lucas is gonna make me fall in love with him? Hahaha, are you serious?” I could barely get my words out. “What, is he gonna serenade me in front of the whole school or something? Maybe throw a bouquet of roses my way? Hah! He’s wasting his time.”

Mara gives me that look, the one that says she’s convinced I’m in denial, and I can tell she’s not backing down. “No, seriously, besh. He said you’re the only one who hasn’t fallen for his charm. He’s calling you his ultimate challenge”.

I nearly choked on my own spit. “Ultimate challenge? Hahaha, oh, my God. The only challenge Lucas has is figuring out how to tie his shoes in the morning, let alone make me fall for him!” I shake my head, but I’m still laughing. “Besh, I don’t have time for challenges I’m way too busy living my fabulous life to play his little games. Seriously, I could walk through this fair blindfolded and still find someone better than him.”

Mara isn’t backing down, though. “But besh, what if he really tries hard? What if he gets super serious about it? You know how he can be when he sets his mind to something…”

I raise my hand, cutting her off. “Girl, please. He can try as hard as he wants. But it’s not gonna work. I’m not like those other girls who get all swoony over some guy with a bad attitude and a too-perfect hairdo. I’ve seen it all before—charming smile, fake humility, the whole I’m-the-cool-guy act. Trust me, Mara, I’m not falling for that.” I flick my hair over my shoulder for added effect, making sure to throw a glance at some of the other guys who were clearly checking me out. “Lucas isn’t special. He’s just another guy who thinks he can have anything he wants because he’s, what, charming?”

Mara still looks like she doesn’t quite believe me, but I can see she’s getting a little flustered. “But… what if he really surprises you?”

I snort, rolling my eyes dramatically. “Surprise me? Girl, I’m Elena. No guy, especially not Lucas, is gonna surprise me with some pathetic stunt he pulls. If he wants to try impressing me, he better bring something new to the table. Because, right now? I’ve seen it all. If he thinks he’s got the magic trick that’ll get me to fall head over heels for him, he’s sadly mistaken.”

Mara looks at me as if I’m speaking a different language, but I’m already over it. “Trust me, Mara. I’m above this whole ‘falling in love with a guy’ thing. I don’t need to prove anything to anyone. I’m already everything I need. If Lucas wants to be part of my life, he better earn it. I don’t fall for challenges.”

I give Mara a look that’s pure sass. “Honestly, I could have any guy in this place if I wanted to. But Lucas? He’s not even close to being on my radar.”

Mara tries one last time. “But besh, he’s like… everyone’s dream guy. He’s got the reputation, the looks, the whole vibe. You have to admit, that’s gotta count for something, right?”

I let out a long, exaggerated sigh. “Everyone is always saying that. It’s so tiring. I don’t need some guy’s reputation to validate my existence. Lucas can walk around acting like he owns the place, but I’m not impressed. I’m not some girl who’s going to fall into that trap. If he thinks I’m just going to fall at his feet, then he’s clearly never met anyone like me before. I don’t chase guys, darling, I let them chase me—and Lucas? Not even in the running.”

Mara’s still looking at me with disbelief, but I can see she’s slowly backing off. I can tell she’s trying to figure out if I’m just playing hard to get or if I’m genuinely not interested. Honestly? It doesn’t matter. I’m not going to let some guy like Lucas mess with my head.

The rest of the fair continues in typical fashion—people pretending to have the time of their lives, while I casually stroll around pretending to be interested. I’m mostly just scouting for food. I could care less about the booths or the games. I’m too busy thinking about what I’m going to have for lunch. Probably something expensive and totally unnecessary, just because I can.

As I pass by a group of girls giggling like schoolgirls, I hear one of them mention Lucas. I roll my eyes so hard it feels like they’re going to fall out of my head. “Lucas, please,” I mutter under my breath. “He’s nothing special. He’s just another guy who thinks his smile is going to win me over. Well, guess what, buddy? It’s not gonna happen. Not today. Not ever.”

I find a quiet spot in the corner, pretending to scroll through my phone like I’m in deep thought, when, of course, my phone buzzes. It’s Mara again.

“He’s gonna try to win you over, besh. Are you ready?” the message reads.

I almost laugh out loud. Seriously?

I quickly type back, “Ready for what? For him to fail? I already told you, Mara, I’m not falling for his game. He’s wasting his time.”

Mara, probably thinking I’m just pretending, sends another message. “But what if he’s serious about it this time?”

I roll my eyes. “Girl, he can be serious all he wants. But I’m still not playing along. I don’t do ‘challenges,’ especially not with guys like him. I’m Elena. I don’t need any guy to make my life complete. If Lucas wants to play his little game, he’s welcome to try. But it’s not gonna work.”

I smile smugly at my phone, feeling like I’ve won some sort of victory, even though nothing’s actually happened yet. “He’s got no idea what he’s getting himself into. He’s not gonna mess with me. Not in a million years.”

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After sending that message, I feel a strange mix of satisfaction and amusement. Deep down, I’m kind of enjoying this. Lucas thinks he can just waltz in and win me over with his usual charm? Ha! Not gonna happen. I’m not the kind of girl who falls for that.

But still, I can’t help but feel a little curious. Will he really try? I’ll be watching. And when he does, I’ll be ready to show him that I’m not someone who can be won over by a bet. Lucas has another thing coming if he thinks I’m going to fall for him.

I lean back against the bench, staring at the crowd of people laughing and pretending to have fun. I feel like I’m in some sort of movie, watching the drama unfold around me. But no matter how much everyone else is into it, one thing’s for sure: I’m not going to be a part of it.

“Lucas, you’re not my type. Not today. Not tomorrow. Not ever,” I mutter to myself, smirking at the thought.

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