Captain Nina Carter
I ought to have known Jake wouldn't let things go.
When I got to campus the next morning, I too realised something seemed strange. The atmosphere seemed odd, charged with something almost under surface level. People were not simply whispering about me these days. They focussed on something.
I observed later on as well.
on a phone a mobile screen. An ongoing video.
My stomach started to tighten.
My heart hammering against my ribs, I went closer to see Enzo in the hall.
Not only but also is gathering here.
Kissing is.
The kiss that turned around everything.
Except from that, this was unusual.
There has been video editing.
The cuts and the angle of view suggested me as the one chasing him. Like I had thrown myself against Enzo, seeking attention.
Still, worst of all still? description.
From Team Mascot until Perfect Girlfriend? Nina, dumb.
I imagined the ground had vanished underfoot.
There was laughing all down the hallway. Whistling occurred.
I pulled my face into cold indifference, but within I was burning.
Because I was not just under conversation anymore.
I started to feel ashamed.
And of the persons I could consider, only one would go this far.
Jake:
I brought my hands firmly together. If he so wished, he was ready for combat.
Nina was outside staring at the ground as if she wanted to split the earth under the oak tree next to the parking lot.
I had viewed the video.
Heaven: Hell Everybody watched the video.
People like drama, hence this was not surprising. This was very enjoyable.
Still, what surprised me the most?
How much I hated her looking this way.
I was not supposed to care.
This entire event was just a game, a foolish offer I should have been savouring.
But the second I saw that flutter of agony in her eyes, I knew—this was personal now.
I leant against the tree near her. "So Matthews finally carried out the conventional jealous ex-move?"
She blew hard and ran a hand over her hair. "it's terrible."
I slumped my shoulders. Perfect. However effective.
She tensed and pointed at me. The next thing is You think I ought to let him triumph?
I let out a little grin. Not discussed at all.
Her view closed. Then what are you stating?
I leant slightly and said gently. You ought to have a counterargument.
She cast a long glance at me.
Then she said politely, "What do you have in mind?"
And the agreement changed in line with it.
That afternoon we met away from inquisitive eyes behind the bleachers.
Enzo waved his arms and tilted his head. You want revenge? You have to act going beyond just response.
I raised my arms. And wise one, what recommendation you would make?
He blessed his grin. "A relationship which feels real rather than only looks real."
I wrinkled a frown. "What are you saying?"?
"I am saying we build belief in them," he said, his voice low. "We show so great that they start challenging everything."
I drew forcefully. Similar what?
Enzo moved forward and fixed me squarely. "Like public affectionate performances. Like me collecting you from the institution. Like you sat front row at my hockey games.
I came to a stop. You suggest—
He added at last, "Act like my girlfriend." "Full-term."
blinking.
This goes well beyond my planned response.
"Is Jake's relevance still relevant?" Examining him, I asked questions. "Or are you just having fun mess-about with people?"
His grin persisted. 'Why could it not be both?'
I inhaled as my ideas shot by.
This was ground of extreme peril.
On the other hand: should we do this? Not simply enraged would Jake be.
He would fall apart.
My heart thumping, I raised my head to Enzo. "Fine," I said. "But I only have one condition."
His eyes blazed with something black, incomprehensible. Create written work. "Name it."
"No real feelings," I said with great conviction. "No catching feelings." This continues to be false.
He merely gazed at me for a split second.
Then he laughed.
"Deal,"
And that was the instant I sealed my death.
The whole institution had already heard the rumours by the time the last bell run.
Enzo and I conducted business formally.
Not a fling, more than that. Not just a rebound.
a connection.
And the first examination?
Leaving the institution side by side.
I was not afraid. I had no anxiety. Not sure who I was fooling here.
I was losing my darn mind.
The eyes on us as Enzo placed an arm around my waist, pointing me towards the exit, already felt.
Accidental. confident. Like this was the most natural occurrence on Earth.
"Relax," he said, hardly opening his lips. You seem to be heading to your execution.
I aimed a sneer at him. "I loiter this."
You detest that you are beginning to like it?
I started to protest, but then we left—and Jake was there.
Leaning against his vehicle, arms folded, his teeth clenched as he took us in.
Enzo grasped my waist more firmly.
He kissed my temple then without thinking twice.
My breath stopped.
It was little more than that. Just a little, quick touch.
But Jake's whole face darkened at the instant it occurred.
And all of a sudden, I felt like I was not losing anymore.
That would be the end of it, I reasoned.
I assumed Jake would only seethe silently.
I should have known, however, that he was not yet done.
That evening I received an SMS.
Jake: We really need to discuss.
My gut turned as I fixed on the message.
I could brush him aside. Imagine me never having seen it.
But Jake was someone I knew.
If he were reaching out now, it indicated one thing: he was not only enraged.
He was poised to go forward.