Chance PoV

He was distracting me, and I was letting him. His sock-covered foot traced my bare legs beneath the table. He batted his eyes cutely, trying to look innocent, but I wasn't falling for it.

"Mason, we have to study. Remember, you insisted," I said, though my resolve wasn't holding at all.

"I am trying to study, but you're being all sexy with your glasses, messy bun, and shorts. I think you wore those intentionally to distract me, Miss Monroe," he smirked, pulling my chair closer to him.

I tried not to blush, but it was impossible not to with him looking like... that.

I bit my lip.

"Mason."

"What?" he asked innocently, but his smirk ruined the act completely. His fingers danced around my bare thighs. I breathed in sharply. It was getting difficult to resist him.

"You are annoying."

"And yet you love me."

"Unfortunately," I groaned.

He laughed, already used to my smart mouth. God, he was a sight to behold. Devilishly handsome and mine. Sometimes I still couldn't believe it because this was Mason Chester, Ashford's star quarterback and captain of the football team.

My boyfriend.

Mason had been my best friend forever, long before he became Ashford High's golden captain. Long before girls started flocking around him. To me, he was still that thirteen-year-old boy who loved climbing trees like a monkey.

Except now, he was no longer a monkey.

And he looked delicious.

Tall. Broad shoulders. Dark messy hair and that dangerous jawline.

"Now who's distracted?" he smirked, pulling my legs apart slightly.

"I am studying."

"You've been staring at the same flashcard for five minutes," he raised an eyebrow, amused.

Heat crept into my cheeks because unfortunately, he was right.

His hand brushed a strand of hair gently behind my ear. My stomach did flip-flops like a horny teenager.

Goddamn, I was a horny teenager.

"Mason," I almost moaned his name.

"Yes, Chance?" The way he said my name sent chills straight down my spine. Instinctively, I tried closing my legs, but he grabbed my thighs, stopping me.

Then he smashed his lips onto mine, drawing a helpless sound from me. I grabbed onto his hoodie to steady myself as he deepened the kiss slightly.

And suddenly studying became impossible.

"Mason." Pulling back, I pressed my hand against his chest to create some distance between us. "My mom is downstairs," I whispered, looking into his lust-filled eyes.

"She likes me."

"She tolerates you."

"Same thing."

I laughed, shoving him lightly, but he pulled me against him again, pouting like a kid who had his candy snatched away.

He was so handsome.

God, I was so in love with him.

Then his phone buzzed.

He groaned, pulling the device from his pocket and staring at it like it personally offended him. I chuckled at his theatrics.

"Shit," he cursed, standing up. "Mom's gonna kill me. I promised to pick up the twins from their sleepover."

"Perfect timing, dude."

He laughed. "I know, babe."

He kissed me one last time before grabbing his jacket. "I'll text you."

I nodded and watched him leave.

I sighed, looking around my room. My bedroom floor was covered in notebooks, highlighters, and Physics worksheets.

Typical Friday night for Chance Monroe.

Boring old me.

My phone rang, and I immediately knew who it was. The inhumane screeching ringtone gave her away anyway.

"Hey, Chancy!" Selene, my best friend and obvious banshee, screamed into my ears.

"Hello to you too," I chuckled, already knowing she was buzzed and halfway drunk.

That was the Selene I knew and loved.

Selene had been my friend for years. Alongside Mason, we basically grew up together. She was loud, crazy, and flamboyant. She didn't give a fuck what anyone thought, and I guessed that was why she was popular.

She and Mason became Ashford royalty.

Me?

I just remained me.

"Bestie, I have an idea!"

"I'm not going to like it, am I?" I asked, already knowing where this was headed. She was painfully predictable.

"Let's go to Avery's party! It's gonna be lit. Heard her parents are out of town, so you know it's about to get crazy," she slurred.

Yep. Definitely drunk.

"Selene, you are already drunk and still want to party? Also, I have to study. You know this."

"Firstly, I am not drunk, Chancy. It's just a little pregame. And secondly, girl please, study what? You're literally ahead of everyone. Hell, even the teachers. Chance, live a little. You are seventeen, not someone's accountant," she argued.

It would've been a good comeback if she hadn't belched halfway through it.

"I can't."

"I'm outside your house already."

Shocked, I looked out my window and sure enough, this crazy girl was standing there barely on her feet, smiling and waving like an idiot.

I shook my head and laughed.

Thirty minutes later, I was standing inside the loudest house party Ashford had probably ever seen.

With regret, obviously.

Drunk, high, and horny teenagers were not my cup of tea.

But Selene was grinning ear to ear, clearly enjoying herself.

Music blasted against the walls hard enough to shake the floor.

Yeah. Someone was definitely calling the cops.

Avery Sinclair really went all out.

People were everywhere. Sweaty athletes, half-naked cheerleaders dancing on them, and a few freshmen looking nervous and overwhelmed.

Typical high school party.

Selene grabbed my wrist, turning my attention toward her. "See? Isn't this better than sitting in your room wearing ugly pajamas while color-coding Biology notes?"

I rolled my eyes. "No."

"You are impossible."

Maybe.

"And my pajamas are not ugly."

She laughed, dragging me through the crowd while I secretly searched for the nearest escape route.

We passed the kitchen where the football jocks were playing beer pong. I shook my head at the scene. A few of them were making out with cheerleaders and wannabe models.

Then I saw Mason.

And my entire world stopped.

Chance POV

I pulled my hand from Selene who stopped to look at me, then followed my gaze and her eyes went wide. " Oh shit" she murmured. So I wasn't seeing things

At first I couldn't process it, because there's no way Mason's hand were on Avery Sinclair's waist. No way Ashford's resident queen bee was kissing Mason, my boyfriend. No way Mason was kissing her back.

My stomach dropped so violently, I thought I would actually throw up.

" what the hell" my voice came out weak and small

He froze

Avery looked at me first, with a bored look, like I had committed a crime. A crime of stopping her from making out with my boyfriend.

Mason immediately stepped away from her " Chance-

" What the hell Mason" my voiced cracked embarrassingly. People were already staring, cameras were recording and a few ignored the situation all together.

" It's not what it looks like chance" Mason started quickly

Stiles, one of the football players laughed, wrapped his arm around Mason's shoulder " come on cap, don't tell me she still doesn't know" he smirked at me,

Mason expression shifted instantly. Pulling Stiles hand off of him, he glared at him. " Shut the hell up" he said angrily. Stiles raised his hands in mock surrender and then took a swig of his beer.

But it was already too late.

Avery crossed her arms, looking almost amused " wait.... She seriously doesn't know?

My stomach twisted. Tears threatening to fall. I chewed in my lips, pleading with my eyes to Mason that all this was a prank, a sick twisted prank.

Selene tried pushing me out of the kitchen, but I was planted where I stood, staring at Mason. " Know about what Mason" I asked even though I knew the answer would break me

" About the bet sweetheart. Dear Mason bragged about how you were easy target so for a grand, he said he would make you fall. Judging from the tears, seems he was right" Avery said, obviously enjoying this

Blood drained from my face. Please no. It shouldn't be what I think he means.

" Mason" I called ignoring Avery and that dread in my stomach " is it true" I held my breath while I waited for him to answer

" Chance

" Yes or no, Mason

" yes goddamn it chance don't make it scene" he snarled

" You asshole" Selene tried attacking him but some jock held her back.

I breathed so hard I lost my balance and pumped into someone, I felt so heartbroken. I could hear my heart shatter. My chest hurts, my throat, my dignity. I could hear the laughs. People were watching me like I was funny. Humiliation swallowed me.

Mason reached for me but I fliched away like his touch burned, infact it did. He groaned and ran his hand through his face.

" You are being dramatic Chance, it's not that deep" he said, earning more laughs from everyone around.

" I think you broke her dude" Stiles chuckled.

I couldn't breath. laughter followed me out of Avery's kitchen and I pushed bodies trying to get out of here. I needed to get out of here. I heard selene calling after me but I just needed to leave. Without realizing, I bumped into someone. Someone grabbed my hands before I could fall

" Careful nerd"

Walking into the hallway on Monday felt like I was stepping on nails. I could hear the snickers and feel the stares. It burned.

With my hood up, I hurried toward Chem class and slid into my seat at the back, hoping maybe people would ignore me for once. They didn't. Whispers followed me anyway. Phones too.

And of course I shared this class with Mason.

And Avery.

So I had front row seats to their little public relationship.

Tears burned my eyes, threatening to fall. I still couldn't believe Mason did this. The worst part wasn't even the humiliation or the fact that my face was all over Ashford's gossip pages.

It was that he didn't care.

Then the classroom door slammed open.

Loud voices and laughter filled the room instantly.

Raid Bennett.

And his idiot friends, obviously.

The attention shifted away from me almost immediately as Raid, captain of the hockey team and Ashford's favorite menace, stared directly at Mason. Right. These two hated each other.

Always had.

And when they both became captains, it only got worse.

"Pretty boy," Raid smirked.

Mason shoved Avery off his lap and stood up. They were almost the same height, but Raid still had a few inches on him. Mason hated that.

"Nepo baby," Mason shot back.

The muscles in Raid's jaw ticked. He walked closer until they were chest to chest, staring each other down.

"Guys, cut it out," Julian sighed, stepping between them before someone threw a punch.

Julian Cross. Raid's best friend and Mason's teammate.

Ashford High was a circus.

Raid shoved past him and headed toward the back of the class. Toward me.

Quickly, I looked away.

A chair scraped beside mine.

When I glanced at Mason again, his expression had darkened. Raid always got under his skin in ways nobody else could.

Class eventually started, though the football players and hockey team spent most of it throwing insults across the room whenever the teacher looked away.

By lunch, I already wanted the day to end.

The moment I stepped into the cafeteria, the whispers started again. People stared openly now, no shame whatsoever. Meanwhile Mason sat in the center of it all with Avery practically in his lap, touching her like I had never existed.

I gripped my fork so tightly my knuckles hurt.

A hand suddenly covered mine.

I looked up to find Selene dropping into the seat across from me, unimpressed.

"You avoided me all weekend, Chancy," she pouted.

"I wasn't in the mood, Selene. You know why."

"Yeah." She sighed guiltily. "I shouldn't have forced you to go to that party."

But I barely heard her.

Because Mason was laughing.

Laughing.

Like he hadn't shattered me two nights ago.

Heat crawled up my throat. Embarrassment. Anger. Hurt. All mixing together until I felt sick.

I wasn't going down like this.

He had to pay for what he did.

Chance POV

Raid Bennett walked into the cafeteria like he owned the damn school.

Actually no.

Like he owned everyone inside it.

And of course Mason noticed him instantly.

The laughter around Mason's table dimmed a little. Avery straightened in his lap, suddenly interested. The football team stared toward the hockey table with those usual "we hate each other" expressions.

"Ugh," Selene groaned beside me. "Why does he look delicious every single day?"

I rolled my eyes. "You need therapy."

"And you need better taste in men because clearly the football department traumatized you."

Unfortunately my eyes drifted toward Mason again.

Big mistake.

Because Avery noticed me staring.

Slowly, she smirked and whispered something into Mason's ear. Mason looked over immediately and our eyes locked.

For one second, I saw guilt. Then it disappeared. He looked away first like I was embarrassing to even acknowledge. Like I meant nothing.

My chest hurt.

Selene followed my gaze and scoffed. "I still think we should slash his tires."

"Selene."

"What? We will wear masks and he won't know it was us." she seriously

A laugh almost escaped me despite everything. Almost.

"Maybe you could get with Raid. Make Mason jealous a little," Selene laughed because it was obviously supposed to be a joke.

I froze.

Gears started turning in my head.

Slowly, my eyes drifted between Raid and Mason. Even from across the cafeteria, the tension between them was suffocating.

"Chancy, stop," Selene groaned suddenly, dropping her half-eaten chips onto the tray.

I blinked. "What?"

"I hate when you make those eyes."

"What eyes?"

"Your 'I have the answer' eyes." She pointed at me accusingly. "The same eyes you get before solving impossible math problems or blackmailing teachers for extra credit."

"I have never blackmailed a teacher." I denied

"You emotionally manipulated Mr. Peterson into moving your Physics test."

"That was different."

Selene narrowed her eyes suspiciously. "Chance Monroe..."

I slowly sat back in my chair.

"No," she immediately said.

"I didn't even say anything."

"You're thinking something evil."

My gaze shifted back toward Raid Bennett. Hockey captain. Mason's rival.

My target.

And judging from the way Mason's jaw tightened every time Raid entered a room...

Oh.

Oh this could work.

A slow smile spread across my face.

Selene looked horrified.

"Oh my God. I know that smile."

"I have an idea," I admitted.

"A terrible one?"

"A crazy one."

She groaned dramatically, already regretting everything.

---

I ran out of my last class for the day like my ass was on fire.

Partly because of all the attention I was getting.

But mostly because I had a mission.

My eyes searched the crowded hallway until they landed on the exact person I was looking for.

Raid Bennett.

He walked through the hallway with that same careless confidence like the entire school revolved around him. People moved out of his way automatically. Annoying.

I pushed through the crowd and followed him until he shoved open the boys bathroom door.

And without thinking

I followed him inside.

The second the door shut behind me, I was slammed against the wall.

I yelped.

Raid stared down at me completely unimpressed, one hand trapping my wrist against the wall beside my head.

I swallowed hard.

"Why the fuck are you following me, glasses?" he asked, eyes narrowing at me.

"I have a proposition for you," I blurted out.

He looked at me suspiciously before finally letting go of my wrist.

Damn.

He was strong.

"And you followed me to the bathroom?" he asked slowly. "Got some kind of bathroom fetish or something?"

I rolled my eyes. "Don't flatter yourself. I just needed to talk to you without your goons around."

That made him smirk.

Crossing his arms, he leaned back against the sink and nodded once for me to continue.

"Be my boyfriend."

Raid stared at me for two seconds.

Then laughed so hard I genuinely thought he lost his mind.

"Damn, glasses. That's a new one." He wiped under his eye dramatically. "I mean, I get girls approaching me creatively all the time, but this?" He pointed between us. "This takes the cake."

I deadpanned at him.

"I know I'm handsome," he continued smugly, "but you could still be subtle about your attraction."

"Again, don't flatter yourself, jock," I snapped. "That came out wrong. I mean be my fake boyfriend."

He stared at me more carefully now.

"Wait," he said slowly. "Aren't you Mason's nerd?"

I really had it with the name calling.

"Ex," I corrected tightly. "And that's why I need your help. I want him to regret messing with me."

Raid's eyebrows lifted slightly.

"Damn," he muttered. "Nerd's got balls."

"I prefer emotionally unstable."

He snorted.

"But why would I help you?" he asked. "What exactly am I getting out of this?"

"Well..." I straightened slightly. "I know you're failing Chemistry."

His face dropped instantly.

"And I can tutor you," I continued smugly. "Also Avery dumped you, didn't she?"

Raid looked offended. "First of all, she did not dump me."

"Mhm."

"She was incapable of handling me."

"Sure." whatever helps you sleep at night, I guess

Raid narrowed his eyes at me.

I kept going before he could interrupt.

"How do you think she'll feel seeing you with a nerd like me?" I asked. "Embarrassed, right?"

Raid stared at me for a few seconds. Then laughed again. Not loudly this time. More like he couldn't believe what he was hearing.

"Wow," he dragged out slowly, rubbing his jaw. "You really thought this through."

"I tend to do that."

"No kidding."

His eyes moved over me carefully, like he was trying to figure out if I was serious. And I was dead serious.

Because I was standing inside the boys bathroom asking Raid Bennett to fake date me.

If my mother ever found out, she would actually pass away.

Raid tilted his head slightly. "So let me get this straight. You want me to pretend to be your boyfriend so pretty boy loses his mind?"

"Yes."

"And in return you tutor me?"

"Yes."

"And you seriously think Avery would care?"

I hesitated.

"...Maybe."

Raid barked out another laugh. "Damn. You're evil, glasses."

"I'm angry."

"Same thing."

I crossed my arms, trying to ignore the fact that he was still standing way too close to me.

"So? Are you in or not?"

Instead

of answering, Raid stepped closer.

My back pressed harder against the wall.

God, why was he so tall?

He leaned down slightly until we were eye level. His expression turned dangerously amused.

"Sure you can handle being with me glasses ?"