Chapter 4 - The Worst Idea That Sounded Brilliant

Cleopatra was absolutely sure of one thing.Grace was dangerous when she smiled like that.They were sitting on the school steps after classes, the late afternoon sun stretching their shadows across the ground. Phillip stood nearby, leaning against the railing, quietly scrolling through his phone. Benno sat on the steps below them, eating chips like he was watching a live show.Grace clasped her hands dramatically."I have a solution."Cleopatra narrowed her eyes. "Every time you say that, my life gets worse."Grace ignored her. "The rumors are out of control. Teachers are watching. Students are whispering. Adrian is hovering."Phillip stiffened slightly at the last name."So," Grace continued, "we end the rumors by controlling them."Benno snapped his fingers. "Ah yes. Strategic chaos."Cleopatra frowned. "I don't like where this is going."Grace turned to Phillip. "Phillip, are you tired of people assuming things?"Phillip hesitated. "…Yes."Grace beamed. "Perfect."Cleopatra's stomach dropped. "Why did you say yes?"Grace raised one finger. "You two start fake dating."Silence.A bird chirped.Benno let out a low whistle. "Bold. Risky. Romantic. I approve."Cleopatra shot to her feet. "Absolutely not!"Phillip blinked. "Fake… dating?""Yes," Grace said confidently. "If you confirm the rumors, people will lose interest. No mystery, no gossip.""That makes no sense," Cleopatra argued.Grace shrugged. "It always works in novels."Cleopatra crossed her arms. "This is real life!"Benno grinned. "Debatable."Phillip rubbed the back of his neck. "What would… fake dating involve?"Cleopatra whipped around. "Why are you considering it?!"Phillip avoided her eyes. "It might… calm things down."Grace nodded enthusiastically. "See? He gets it."Cleopatra stared at Phillip.He looked calm, but his ears were slightly red.That should have been her warning sign.---The next morning, the school found out.Because of course it did.Grace "accidentally" let it slip to the loudest girl in class.By second period, whispers followed Phillip and Cleopatra everywhere."They're official.""Did you see them walking together?""I knew it was real."Cleopatra hid her face in her hands. "This is worse."Phillip leaned closer. "Just act normal.""Normal?" she whispered. "You're two inches from my face."He stepped back immediately. "Sorry."Grace leaned over from behind. "No, no. Too much distance. People will doubt you."Benno nodded. "You need couple behavior."Cleopatra hissed, "Define 'couple behavior.'"Benno grinned. "Start with hand-holding."Cleopatra's soul left her body.---During lunch, Grace forced them to sit together.Very close."Smile," Grace whispered. "You're in love.""I am not," Cleopatra muttered through clenched teeth.Phillip gently placed his hand on the table—palm up.The table went silent.Cleopatra stared at his hand.He wasn't teasing.He was nervous.She slowly placed her hand in his.His fingers tightened slightly.Her heart exploded.Grace covered her mouth, thrilled.Benno whispered, "This is not fake."Adrian watched from across the cafeteria, eyes narrowing.---Later, alone in the hallway, Cleopatra pulled Phillip aside."This is getting out of control," she said softly."I know," Phillip replied."…Why did you agree?"Phillip hesitated. Then said quietly, "Because I didn't like the idea of someone else claiming you."Cleopatra's breath caught."Oh."The word slipped out before she could stop it.Phillip met her eyes.For a moment, fake didn't feel fake at all.