Fake Dating Went Wrong

The next day, Savannah sat in her first-period class, the weight of the previous afternoon’s events heavy on her shoulders. The bell rang, signaling the beginning of another hectic school day, but her mind was elsewhere—still processing the fact that Cassian Blackwood had come to her rescue. She kept replaying the moment in her head, how he had stormed into that room and stood between her and Derek like some kind of guardian angel. It didn’t make sense. Cassian wasn’t the type to get involved in anyone’s drama, let alone hers. He was a senior, a figure of mystery and power, untouchable and cold. Most people admired him from afar, and few dared approach him. So why had he stepped in? And why had he offered this ridiculous fake-dating proposal?As the teacher droned on about something she wasn’t even listening to, Savannah’s phone buzzed quietly on the desk in front of her. She glanced at it. A message from Cassian. “You’re still in for the plan, right?”,Her fingers hovered over the

Savannah’s feet moved faster than her mind. The school grounds stretched before her in an endless expanse, but it felt like the space between her and the bleachers was closing in with each step. The hum of chatter and the clatter of lockers fading behind her seemed distant, as if she were walking in a tunnel. She kept her gaze straight ahead, forcing herself not to glance over her shoulder. She couldn’t afford to look back. She couldn’t afford to second-guess herself.Cassian had said to meet him by the bleachers after school, but she didn’t know what to expect. After the weird interaction in class, she felt like she was stepping into unknown territory. Part of her wanted to back out, to turn around and go home. This wasn’t her. She wasn’t some girl who went along with plans like this—especially ones so obviously designed to stir the pot. But another part of her… couldn’t deny the pull.Cassian was dangerous. He wasn’t just popular—he was magnetic, a force of nature. And the idea tha

Savannah stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the strap of her simple black dress for the third time. She hated how her hands trembled, hated how her reflection looked more like a girl preparing for her execution than someone playing a role in a harmless game. Tonight wasn’t just about appearances; it was their first big test as a "couple," and the thought of it made her stomach churn. The annual Autumn Gala at Ridgeway High wasn’t an ordinary high school event—it was ‘the’ event. The gym was transformed into a sparkling ballroom every year, complete with fairy lights strung across the rafters, glittering chandeliers borrowed from God knows where, and rows of round tables draped in deep burgundy cloth. Savannah had planned on skipping it, as she had every year. But now? Now, she was walking straight into the lion’s den with Cassian Black at her side.A sharp knock at the door snapped her out of her thoughts. Savannah's heart jumped, and she smoothed the nonexistent wrinkles on her

The rain showed no signs of stopping as Cassian and Savannah continued to run, their laughter echoing through the empty campus grounds. The water soaked them to the bone, plastering Savannah’s dress to her body like a second skin. She was too caught up in the moment to notice at first, the cold, wet fabric clinging uncomfortably to her frame. Cassian turned to her, a crooked grin on his face, his hair dripping water down the sharp angles of his cheekbones. “You’re a mess, Rivers,” he teased, his voice barely audible over the sound of the rain hammering the ground.Savannah playfully shoved him, but her cheeks were flushed—not from exertion, but from the way his eyes lingered on her. She hadn’t seen that look on his face before, and it made her heart race in a way she didn’t quite understand. “You’re the one who dragged me into this,” she shot back, though there was no real anger in her tone.When they finally made it back to the main hall, both of them were breathless and dripping wa

Cassian's phone buzzed on the nightstand, the sound cutting through the silence of his dimly lit room. His jaw clenched as he reached for it, his muscles still taut from the events of the night. His eyes scanned the message, and his entire body stiffened. "Saw you tonight walking with that perfect river girl. So you're actually taking this bet seriously, good to know." The words burned into his mind like a brand. His grip on the phone tightened, his knuckles turning white. A sharp exhale escaped his lips, a mix of anger and frustration. Without a second thought, he grabbed his leather jacket and stormed out of the house. The night air was cold, biting against his skin, but he barely noticed. His mind was a whirlwind of emotions—anger at himself, at them, at the situation. The streets blurred together as he made his way to the bar, his strides purposeful and laced with fury. The bar was alive with noise, laughter, and the clinking of glasses. A group of people sat in the corner