What was my rule?
My professor is a dick.
Like seriously, the biggest asshole on Campus. It’s well-known that he’s a drag. He takes class way too seriously, not to mention he’s misogynistic as well as old-fashioned. One of those professors who goes on and on about how technology is ruining the youth and how this generation is doomed.
So, when he asks a question, I don’t even have to look to know who he’s going to pick. Hint: It’s never a girl.
He chooses a guy in the fourth row – shocker – and sits on the edge of his desk, waiting for him to answer. “The primary purpose of a constitution in a democratic political system is to establish the fundamental framework of government, allocate powers and to protect individual rights.”
Professor Harrison nods, tapping his pen against his white beard. “Very good.”
“Of course, they never follow it,” the guy continues, making the room erupt in laughter. I chuckle along.
“Okay,” Professor Harrison says, getting irritated. “Settle down, or I’ll have to ask you to leave.”
The room quietens, and I stare at my laptop, counting down the seconds until class ends. My attention shifts when I hear hushed murmurs and the name Lucas thrown in there. My head snaps up, and I see two girls sneaking glances at me, whispering to each other.
I swallow, trying to look away. I didn’t even think of what would happen once people found out about me and Lucas. Sure, I wanted recognition, I wanted to be in the public eye, and hopefully land a part in a movie, but this… I’m not ready for this.
“A constitution plays a pivotal role in shaping the course of a nation’s governance. The extent to which politicians adhere to the constitution can be a complex matter, and while many choose not to follow it,” he looks pointedly at the guy who made the joke, “political science seeks to unravel these complexities.”
Bore.
Sometimes, I wonder what would happen if I just… left. Being in college is fun, and of course, I want an education, but do I want one in a subject as dull as this? And for what? To give it all up when I finally graduate? To go to law school, even though it pains me to think of living life as a lawyer? I want to make my parents happy. I do. I don’t want to disappoint them. Especially after my sister died, and I’m all they have left.
Nia had just been accepted into Harvard when she died. A few months before she moved into campus, a drunk driver hit the back of her car, leaving her dead on the side of the road while they drove off.
I was only fifteen at the time, and sometimes it feels like my parents tried to replace her with me. I’d been adopted at a very young age. And while I never felt like I wasn’t part of the family, our dynamic shifted after Nia died. It seemed like my parents wanted my life to go the way Nia’s was supposed to.
I didn’t feel like me anymore. I felt like a replacement. And I yearned to make the only parents I had known to see me, so I tried everything to be the perfect child. But nothing I did worked. Which led me straight into the arms of someone I never should have gotten close to.
When Professor Harrison dismisses the class, I blow out a breath, relieved I can finally get out of here, and I pack my bags, getting up from my seat.
I rush toward the exit before people crowd the area, but I don’t get far before I feel a tap on my shoulder. I hesitantly turn around, seeing the girls from before. “You’re Madeline, right?” the blonde one asks.
I nod, clutching the strap of my bag. “Yeah, I am.”
“You’re dating Lucas Silva?” her friend asks.
“Um…” I squeeze the strap of my bag tighter, wanting the ground to open up and swallow me whole. I was not at all prepared for this. I wonder if it’s what Lucas goes through every day. He’s probably used to girls throwing themselves at him, wanting pictures, and throwing out marriage proposals, but I am not. “Yes,” I say, feeling my throat tighten.
The blonde one furrows her brows, dipping her eyes, giving me a once over. “That’s cool,” she says before they both walk off.
I blow out a breath, hoping I won’t have to do that too often. Lying is not my forte, and the thought of having to lie to strangers with a smile on my face is agony. I head out of class, pushing open the door before the fresh air hits my face. Fuck, it’s cold. I shiver, pulling my jacket closed.
“Madi.” I turn my head to look behind my shoulder and see Connor a few feet behind, shooting me a smile. “Hey,” he says, approaching me. “Harrison is such an old fart.”
I let out a chuckle. Glad I’m not the only one who thinks so. “Yeah, he takes that class so seriously.”
He sighs. “That joke was pretty lame, though.”
I kind of thought it was funny. I nod, anyway.
“So, um,” he says, rubbing the back of his neck. “I was wondering if you wanted to hang out later?”
My heart race spikes, and I clutch my bag tighter against my side. “Um…”
God, what is wrong with me? This guy is attractive, and he’s actually nice. Most guys are assholes, or if you’re Lucas, a hot model who complains about my perfume and drives me crazy. If I say yes, just give in and tell him I’d love to hang out with him. What’s the worst thing that could happen?
He could be like Daniel.
Connor shrugs, dropping his hand. “I just figured since you’re smart, I could use a study partner.”
He wants to study. Of course.
“Yeah,” I tell him, giving him a smile. “That sounds great.”
“Yeah?” his voice jumps an octave, sounding surprised as he lifts his brows. “Well, great. Does tomorrow work?”
I nod. “Tomorrow’s great.”
“Cool.” He grins again, pulling out his phone. “What’s your number?” he asks. “That way, you can send me your address.”
“Oh, um, sure.” Crap. I didn’t think of that. Gabi won’t be home until later, so it would just be us. Alone. In my apartment. It’ll be fine, right? We’re just studying. I take my phone out of my bag and we exchange numbers.
“I’ll see you tomorrow,” he says, pocketing his phone.
“Okay.” The more I think of this, the more I’m regretting it.
I watch as he walks away, heading toward the gym building. Of course, he works out. Someone who looks like that definitely works out.
“Who was that?”
I flinch at the voice and spin around, spotting Lucas leaning against the wall, his arms crossed as he looks at me with furrowed brows.
“Jesus,” I breathe out. “You scared me.”
“Apologies,” he drawls. “Who was that?”
“Who?” I feign ignorance as I keep walking. He steps off the wall and trails behind me.
“Boyfriend?” he asks with a bite. “Need I remind you, you already have one of those.”
My eyes widen as I stop in place and turn around, face to face with him. “Excuse me?”
“You heard me.”
I let out a humorless laugh. “Okay, first of all, I am your fake girlfriend.”
“Semantics.”
I shake my head. “And second of all, what are you doing here?”
“I was coming to see Leila, but then you and your boyfriend came out together, and it caught my attention.”
He says the word with so much venom that it rubs me the wrong way. “He’s not my boyfriend. He’s just a guy from my class.”
His frown deepens. “Was that the same guy I saw you talking to the other day?”
“Yeah,” I say with a shrug. “So what?”
His eyes darken as he shakes his head. “What was my rule, Madeline?”
I lift my shoulder. “I don’t know, I don’t listen to you.”
He laughs, taking a step closer. “You’re such a brat,” he says, making my stomach plummet. “I specifically said there will be no dating other people while this thing between us is happening.”
I cross my arms. “I am not dating him,” I repeat. “He just wants to study.”
He scoffs, running a hand through his hair. “I think he wants to study your bedroom.”
“Unbelievable.” I let out a bitter laugh, dropping my arms. “It’s none of your business.”
“Are you kidding?” he says, narrowing his eyes. “This is definitely my business. Everything to do with you is my business, especially if you’re going out with guys when you’re supposed to be my girlfriend. Did you forget that one slip-up could make this all come crashing down?”
My brows furrow, but before I can say anything, he continues. “One mistake, one date, one kiss, and news could spread that you’re cheating.” My eyes widen. “Or that this was all fake. This isn’t just about me, Madeline. This is about you, too. Is that what you want?”
Of course not. “You don’t have to worry about that,” I tell him. “There won’t be any dates, and I told you I don’t kiss.”
His eyebrows shoot up. “I thought that was just with me?”
I press my lips together and look to the side. “No, it’s not.”
He’s quiet for a moment. “Is there a reason?”
“None that concerns you.”
He lets out a heavy exhale, his shoulders dropping. “I know you don’t like me, and since the first time we met, you’ve made me out to be the bad guy, no matter what I do.”
I glance up at him, seeing his brows tugged. “It was one hell of a first impression,” I tell him, not wanting to admit that I hate that he saw me that way. Weak.
“I’m serious, Madeline,” he says. “You might want to get back at me or whatever, but you need to be more careful. You can’t be sloppy, not when it comes to this. It’s going to be embarrassing if you’re on the cover with me one day and in some other guy’s bed the next.”
My eyes narrow. Who the hell does he think I am? “You don’t have to worry about that. It won’t happen.”
“It better not,” he says, glaring down at me. “When’s the study date?”
I squint in confusion. “Why do you care?”
“So I can be there,” he says with a lift of his shoulder.
A humorless laugh leaves my lips. He’s out of his mind. “You’re not serious.”
“What’s the big deal?” he asks, humor coating his tone. “Hiding something?”
“No.”
Lucas nods knowingly, a smirk on the corner of his mouth. “Then I’m tagging along.”
“You’re not even a student here,” I say, placing my hand on my hip. “How do I explain why you’re there?”
He gives a slight, resigned shrug. “You can tell him we’re going on a date after.”
My eyes narrow as suspicion creeps in. “I know what you’re doing.”
“Yeah?” he asks with a cocky grin on his lips. “And what’s that?”
I can’t help but roll my eyes in disbelief at his amused tone. “You think if you’re there, then nothing will happen.”
His brows lift, and he runs a hand over his chin. “Then what are you so afraid of?” he asks. “If you say this isn’t a date and nothing will happen, then you won’t mind if I come along, will you?”
Asshole. He knows exactly how to play me. If I say I don’t want him there, then he’ll assume something is going on with Connor. I have no choice but to let him come. My stomach settles when I think of Lucas there. It won’t be me and Connor alone anymore, and for some reason, I actually prefer it. “Fine,” I huff. “It’s tomorrow at my place.”
“Great. Send me the address.”
I let out an audible sigh of frustration as I turn around and start to walk away when I hear his voice. “See you tomorrow, Madeline.”
