The room was quiet except for the hum of the ceiling fan and the faint sound of children shouting from their backyard .
Raye sat on her bed, hugging her knees, staring blankly at the notebook that was supposed to hold her biology notes. Her mind, however, was light-years away—back in the lab, on the table, with Kyle's lips pressed against hers.
"You're zoning out again."
Jane's voice cut through her thoughts like a whip. She was lying stomach-first on her bed across the room, flipping casually through her planner. Her blonde hair was tied in a messy bun, and her tone was dripping with suspicion.
She grinned softly staring at her friend before shaking her head slowly staring up to look at the black color ceiling .
There were currently in Jane's room trying to do an assignment.
Raye blinked. "I'm not."
Jane sat up slowly, squinting. "Yes, you are. You've got that faraway, glassy-eyed look. The same one you had last year when you binge-watched that detective drama and fell in love with the lead actor."
Raye groaned, pressing her palm against her face. "Jane…"
"Oh no," Jane said, gasping, springing up like she'd been electrocuted. "Don't tell me. Don't you dare tell me—" She jumped across to Raye's side ,landing with a dramatic bounce. "It was Kyle, wasn't it? Something happened with Kyle."
Raye buried her face in her pillow. "Why do you always know everything?"
Jane's jaw dropped. "Shut up. He did something? You know I never even asked what really happened in that biology lab ".
Raye's silence was enough.
Jane let out a screech so loud it probably rattled the house . "OH MY GOD. My best friend had her first kiss with mister broody basketball boy and I wasn't even given the courtesy of popcorn to watch it live?! Raye!"
"YOU MEAN HE KISSED YOU " Jane yelled again while Raye quickly covered her lip looking back and forth .
Raye eyes were huge as Jane slowly peeled her hand from her lips .
"Sorry eee _ " Jane muttered barely a whisper as she used her hand demonstrating that she was zipping her lips shut . "But did he really like kiss you ...on the lip ..like here " Jane said pointing at her lip while Raye chuckled nervously nodding her head .
Even if Jane always pretended like she was the queen herself when it comes to matter like this ,she was just an amateur in the end .
Not like she hasn't dated anyone , more like her pride won't let ..she was too picky.
And infact , she had only dated one guy before , a neighbor close to their formal house , for some months before they ended it ... apparently the spark wasn't there like Jane had said it .
"Wow , and what did you do , tell me with everything you didn't slap him please ".
"Of course ,no " Raye quickly denied how could she slap him .
Even though the kiss was sudden _ and that was her first.... she still liked it .
Raye blushed at her thought as she quickly shook her head shoving the thought away .
" Phew , " Jane heaved a sigh before giggling loudly falling back down on the bed .
"Keep your voice down!" Raye hissed, throwing the pillow at her. Her cheeks were crimson.
Jane clutched the pillow dramatically to her chest sitting upright again . "Spill. Right now. Every detail. Don't you dare leave out how many seconds his lips stayed on yours or whether his cologne was distracting."
Raye glared but her lips trembled into a reluctant smile. "He texted me to meet him in the biology lab. You know that part right " she asked staring at Jane who nodded eagerly.
Of course she knew she was the one who asked her to go .
"I thought he wanted to… I don't know, talk about something serious." She paused, heat crawling up her neck. "But then he just… picked me up."
Jane gasped. "Like—bridal style?"
Raye muttered, "No. Like, sat-me-on-a-table style."
Jane collapsed backward, kicking her legs and screaming into the pillow. "That is so much worse. That is straight-up drama-movie material. You lucky, lucky disaster."
Raye's blush deepened. "I didn't even know what to do. He just—kissed me, like I didn't have a choice." She hesitated, her voice dropping. "And then he told me to say I was his."
Jane sat bolt upright, staring at her. "HE WHAT?!"
Raye flinched. "Do you have to shout every time I say something?"
"Yes!" Jane snapped, pointing accusingly at her. "Because my sweet, awkward best friend is getting manhandled into first kisses by the school's brooding senior and then claimed like some kind of Netflix heroine!"
Raye groaned again, yanking the blanket over her head. "I hate you."
Jane smirked, tugging the blanket down just enough to see her flushed face. "No, you love me. And admit it—part of you liked it."
Raye froze, then shoved her harder. "Shut up!"
Jane cackled, falling back onto the bed. "Oh, Raye. You're so doomed."
The café near the west quad buzzed with chatter, students filtering in and out. Joshua sat slouched in a corner booth, lazily scrolling on his phone. His sharp grin was absent tonight, replaced by something heavier, though he masked it with casual disinterest.
Danielle slid into the seat across from him, her perfume arriving a second before she did. Her expression was cool, calculated.
"Joshua," she said smoothly. "I need a word."
He arched a brow. "That sounds dangerous already."
She ignored the jab, folding her hands neatly on the table. "I have a proposition."
Joshua snorted. "I don't do business with people who sound like they're auditioning for a mafia film."
Danielle leaned forward. "It's about Raye."
That earned her his attention. His jaw ticked, but his expression remained guarded. "…Go on."
"You want to get back at her, don't you?" Danielle's eyes glittered. "After she told Layla the truth and ruined things for you."
Joshua's smirk was humorless. "I don't care ".
...but the glare in his eyes said everything .
He hated Raye .
She ruined his relationship with Layla , how could she ...
"Doesn't mean you don't want payback," Danielle pressed.
Joshua studied her for a long beat, tapping his fingers against the table. "And why are you so invested?"
Her smile sharpened. "Let's just say we have… a common problem. And a little teamwork could go a long way."
He leaned back, shaking his head slowly. "I don't trust you. You look at people like you're already holding a knife behind your back."
"Maybe I am," she said coolly. "But right now, it's not aimed at you."
Joshua let out a low laugh, though there was no humor in it. He rubbed his jaw, thinking. Every instinct told him this was a bad idea—but the bitter sting of Layla's absence and Raye's interference burned too deep.
Finally, he leaned forward, elbows on the table. "Fine. I'll hear you out. But don't think for a second that means I'm on a leash."
Danielle smirked. "Good. I don't need a pet. I need a partner."
His grin returned, slow and sharp. "Careful. I bite."
She rolled her eyes, but there was satisfaction hidden in her gaze. The deal was struck.
So," he murmured to Danielle, who was perched on the edge of a bench, scrolling on her phone. "You're saying she's the one? Raye?"
Danielle raised an eyebrow, a sly smile forming. "The same. First-year troublemaker. She doesn't know what's coming."
Joshua chuckled, leaning closer. "You really think we can pull this off?"
"Of course," Danielle said, tapping her phone. "We just act like we're dating. Keep it casual, light, nothing suspicious. Everyone will notice—but they'll only see what we want them to see."
Joshua's grin widened. "And Raye? You've seen how she reacts to me. This is going to be fun."
Danielle rolled her eyes but smirked. "Just… don't overdo it. We don't want her suspecting anything too soon."
Joshua leaned back, thinking for a moment. "Fine. We keep it cool. Compliments here, little appearances there… a few staged laughs, some casual touches. She won't know what hit her."
Danielle shook her head, laughing lightly. "You're ridiculous. Just… remember the plan. Don't let your ego ruin it."
"Never," Joshua said, mock-saluting.