The moment Fabian walked into the boutique, my body froze.
Of all the people to show up, it had to be him.
His eyes locked on mine immediately. He didn't even glance at Clara, though she was standing right there beside me, smiling like the world was normal.
I could feel the heat in the air change. The easy laughter between Clara and me turned into silence so thick it hurt to breathe.
Fabian walked toward us slowly, each step carrying that quiet arrogance he wore like a crown.
He stopped close enough that only I could hear him. His breath brushed my ear when he spoke.
"Remember our deal," he said softly, then patted my shoulder like we were friends. "Don't mess it up."
My jaw tightened. My fingers curled into fists. But I didn't say a word. I couldn't. Not here. Not in front of her.
He turned and walked out like he owned the place, leaving the scent of his cologne and the weight of his threat behind.
Clara's eyes followed him out the door, then turned back to me, confusion written all over her face.
"What was that about?" she asked.
I forced a smile I didn't feel and picked up a shirt from the counter.
I convinced her it was nothing and changed the subject.
She didn't look convinced, but she didn't push further either. We checked out in silence, but I could feel her eyes on me.
That night, I barely slept. Fabian's words replayed over and over in my head. Remember our deal.
I stared at the ceiling until morning, anger boiling inside me.
The next day, I waited outside Clara's house.
The sun was soft, warm on my skin.
I leaned on the stair rail, scrolling aimlessly through my phone when her door opened.
And then I forgot how to breathe.
Clara stepped out, her hair down, catching the light.
She wore a cream-colored top tucked into a short black skirt. She looked simple but… different. Confident. Bold.
The shy girl from the diner was gone.
She looked up and caught me staring.
"What?" she said, laughing softly.
I shook my head. "You're beautiful," I said before I could stop myself.
Her cheeks flushed pink, and she chuckled, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "You're just saying that."
"I'm serious," I said, smiling a little. "You look… wow."
Her laughter filled the air. "You talk too much, Caleb," she teased.
We started walking together toward school, and I could already feel the stares before we even entered the hallway.
Heads turned. Whispers followed. Every step she took echoed with confidence.
I wrapped my arm around her waist, pulling her closer as we walked through the hall.
Not just for show, partly because I wanted to.
Then I saw Fabian.
He was standing by his locker, talking to Trisha.
His eyes fell on us. On her. His expression froze.
For a split second, he looked like someone had just hit him. Trisha turned too, and her jaw tightened.
I smirked and held Clara closer. "Let's give them a show," I murmured quietly.
She caught the hint and smiled faintly. Together, we walked right past them, like they didn't exist.
Fabian's mouth hung slightly open. Trisha's face turned red.
The hallway buzzed with whispers. Clara held her chin high, and I swear I'd never seen her look so alive.
At lunch, we sat together at the diner again, the same place everything had gone wrong the day before.
But this time, it felt different. Calmer.
Clara rested her chin on her hand, watching me as I talked about the match.
I teased her a little, and she laughed, that soft, genuine kind of laugh that made you forget the world.
Her eyes shone, and for a second, I forgot that we were pretending. I forgot about Fabian. I forgot about the deal.
It felt real. Too real.
She looked at me like I was the only one there. And before I could stop myself, I reached for her hand. She didn't pull away.
Our fingers intertwined. Her skin was soft, warm. My heart thudded against my ribs.
Then I saw him.
Fabian. Sitting across the diner with his friends. His arm draped around Trisha like she was some trophy. His eyes were on us.
He smirked.
Something in me snapped. I leaned in and kissed Clara.
It wasn't supposed to happen. It was supposed to be a show. Just another move in this stupid game we started.
But the moment our lips touched, everything around us vanished.
Her lips were soft, trembling slightly, and for a second, she kissed me back like she meant it. Like she felt the same rush I did.
When we pulled away, she looked at me, shocked, breathless.
I smiled faintly, but my heart was racing for a different reason.
Because right then, my phone buzzed on the table.
I glanced at the screen. The message was from Fabian.
My stomach tightened as I read the first few words.
I know about your secret from your former school.
The blood drained from my face. My fingers froze midair.
Before Clara could look closer, I snatched the phone, muttered something about needing to step out, and walked away.
My heart pounded as I opened the message fully in the hallway.
There was a picture attached. It was me from my old school doing something I now regret.
Something that could ruin everything if it got out. I tried to bury my past, but Fabian had to ruin it.
Below it, a message:
Keep your side of the deal. Don't cross the line with her.
My vision blurred for a second. My hand tightened around the phone.
"He doesn't know who he's messing with," I muttered under my breath. My jaw clenched so hard it hurt.
After school, I stormed into the locker room.
Fabian was sitting on the bench, tying his shoelace, calm like nothing in the world could touch him.
"Everyone out," I barked.
The other players looked up, confused.
"I said OUT!"
The room went silent. They dropped whatever they were doing and left without a word.
The door slammed shut behind them.
Fabian didn't even look up until he was done tying his lace.
Then he stood slowly, brushing imaginary dust off his uniform.
"What's with all the shouting?" he said lazily. "You trying to make a scene?"
"You have no right to dig into my past," I said, my voice low but shaking with anger.
He smirked. "I needed something to keep you in check. The quiet, hot, mysterious new guy who doesn't date anyone? Please. Guys like you always have secrets." He stepped closer, his smirk widening. "And I found yours."
I clenched my fists. "Delete that picture, Fabian."
"Or what?" he said, raising a brow.
I moved closer until we were face to face. "I said, delete it."
He shoved me back. Hard. "Don't ever touch me like that again," he hissed. "You have no idea who you're talking to. I can get you expelled before the week ends. You think you can come here, take my fame, my position, and my girl?"
I swallowed my anger. My chest heaved, but I forced my words through gritted teeth.
"You told me to make her fall for me. That's exactly what I'm doing."
He tilted his head. "Good," he said coldly. "Just don't take it too far."
He grabbed his bag and slung it over his shoulder. "Remember, Caleb… she was mine first."
He walked out, leaving me standing there, fists trembling, breathing hard.
I punched the locker, the sound echoing through the empty room.
My knuckles throbbed, but I didn't care.
For a moment, I just stood there, trying to calm the storm in my head.
The next day, I walked into class, still angry, still lost.
And then I saw her.
Clara.
She bumped into me at the doorway. Papers scattered to the floor. Her eyes were red, her lashes wet. She looked like she'd been crying.
"Clara?" I said softly. "Hey, what happened?"
She didn't answer. She just looked away, breathing unevenly.
The classroom was too quiet.
Everyone's eyes were on us. Some were whispering. Some were staring at their phones, their eyes widened.
A strange chill ran through me.
I turned slightly and caught Trisha's gaze from the corner of the room.
She was smirking.
That same cruel smirk that always meant trouble.
My stomach dropped.
Something was wrong.
My phone buzzed, then I saw it...