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 ?"