𝐄𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: 𝐮 + 𝐢

𝐄𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝟏𝟎

“about?”

I release a heavy sigh, “about this rumor. I need her to stay quiet for a while.”

Ethan stops on his step, I stop and turn on my heels to look at him. His eyes have a boring look while his eyebrow is raised.

“Yeah, I know Sophia would rather kill me in my sleep but if the school thinks I’m dating Sophia, the rumors of Nessa hooking up with me would stop.”

Nessa is having too much fun with spreading false rumors about us. Hell, it's working, most of the guys think I'm hooking up with her.

Ethan sighs. He takes a step forward and puts his hand on my shoulder, “you were a good friend. we’ll always remember you.”

I pull his hand off of my shoulder aggressively, he laughs, “fuck you.”

“But seriously, send me the list of guests you want me to invite to your funeral.”

I give him a tight smile before I flip him off, turning on my heels and walking away.

I’d rather have people talk about me and Sophia dating rather than them think that me and Nessa are hooking up.

In order for that to happen, I have to step into the battlefield and fight till my last breath.

My opponent: Sophia Clark

Battlefield location: the library

Weapon of use: My Charm

                             _______

I regret my decision to come to find Sophia as soon as I enter the library.

She’s sitting on the long wooden table placed in the literature section, typing aggressively on her phone. Her grip on her phone is tight enough that I think the phone might break and I don’t know if it’s possible but her glare is scarier than it was in lit.

I swallow hard and pray for forgiveness- incase I don’t leave the library alive- before I start walking towards her table.

She hears me coming and the typing stops. Her eyes snap up towards me and her glare sends a shiver down my spine.

Oh God, save me.

“what.” her voice is hard.

“hi,” I whisper. Her jaw clenches, I clear my throat, “um, can we talk?” she continues to glare, “Please don’t kill me. I’m innocent.”

“innocent, my ass.”

I nervously laugh as I slowly reach for the chair in front of me. Her glare lands on my hand gripping the chair before they come back to my face.

For such pretty eyes, her glare is terrifying.

“Can I sit?” she doesn’t answer, “I’m going to sit.” I quickly take my seat across from her.

“What do you want?”

“I have a favor to ask you.” my eyes land on her phone as her grip tightens around it.

That could’ve been my neck.

I loosen my tie giving myself space to breathe before I lock my forgiving gaze with her unmerciful one, “First of all, has anyone talked to you about our so-called relationship?”

“I don’t know about them talking to me but they sure as hell are talking about me.”

Shit.

“Okay-”

“when are you telling everyone that it’s a rumor? that you lied?”

“About that,” I let out a nervous laugh, “I was thinking how about I don’t-”

“Jameson.” she says my name like she’s casting a spell on me.

A spell to kill me.

“I know you hate me. Believe me, you’ve told me multiple times,” Sophia’s gaze hardens at my words, “but I need this favor from you.”

“you’re asking me to be your girlfriend.”

“fake girlfriend,” I correct

“No one will believe this. Everyone knows how much I hate you.”

“That’s not a problem, to be honest.” she raises an eyebrow, “I’m the only one you talk to besides teachers- from what I’ve noticed- so when people hear that we’re dating, it won’t be hard to believe. There’s a thin line between love and hate.” I repeat Ethan’s words at last.

“I don’t give two shits. I am not pretending to be your girlfriend- why the hell do you want someone to pretend to be your girlfriend anyway?”

“Nessa is clingy and annoying.” I say, “She’s spreading false rumors about us that we’re hooking up. For goodness sake, I’ve been trying to push her away from me since we broke up.”

“your choice of girls sucks,”

“I know seeing as if I’m sitting with you,” I say blankly, her nostrils flare, “look, you just to have to pretend to be my girlfriend for the rest of the semester-”

“That's 8 months.” Sophia says through gritted teeth.

“Come on, genius. It wouldn’t hurt you. You help me and I’ll help you.”

“with what exactly?”

“uh, cooking! I’m a great cook.” Thanks to my parents.

“why the hell would I need help with cooking?”

“Do you know how to cook?”

her gaze hardens, she leans forward and says, “my answer is no.” I let out a sigh as she collects her stuff and gets up, putting her bag strap over her shoulder. “find someone else and this rumor better be buried by tomorrow or I’m doing it for you.”

I don’t say anything, my gaze stays fixed on the place where Sophia was as she starts walking around the table to leave.

Without realizing, I grab her wrist.

An electric shot passes through my arm, our head snaps towards each other. Gaze locked.

Her eyes first fall onto my hand grabbing her wrist, my gaze travels hers.

Thank God, it’s the hand that isn’t injured.

I look back at her, her gaze locks with mine, “I’m sorry for what I did earlier,” her eyes soften at my words, “but please I need your help. I probably sound like a loser but this is the easiest way for Nessa’s rumors to stop.”

Her eyes stay soft as they land on my hand wrapped around her wrist, she tugs on her wrist gently and I let go.

My eyes land on her left hand as she wraps it around her right wrist. I look up at her, her eyes fixed on the place I had my fingers wrapped around.

She lets out a sigh and locks her gaze with me, her lips part as she says, “I don’t do relationships even if it's pretend.” a shadow passes through her face as she continues, “I’m not good at these. Find someone else, Jameson.”

And without another word, she turns and starts walking away. My gaze stays on her back as she makes her way out of the library.

My eyes fall to my hand. My lips form a thin line as I clench and unclench my hand, the touch of Sophia’s soft skin marking itself.

Should I back away? Yes.

Will I? No.