She should've said no.
Amelia Sterling has always played by the rules, it's the only way she knows how to survive in a world like hers. That is until William Blackwood, the boy she can't quite bring herself to like, let alone trust, makes her an off...
"That's never good," I muttered, earning a proud little smirk.
"Maybe, if you really want your father off your back..." He paused, studying me with far too much interest. "You should just pretend to be with me."
I stopped dead. He groaned. "You have to quit doing that."
"You want us," I gestured between us, "to date?" The word felt absurd leaving my mouth.
"Yeah," he said, far too enthusiastic.
My frown deepened. "William... are you- wait do you...like me?"
For a split second, he looked startled. Then he doubled over, laughing. Hard.
I didn't know which was worse, that he might like me or that the very idea was hilarious to him.
"It's not that funny," I muttered, arms crossing.
He glanced up, tears in his eyes from laughing so hard. "You're right. It's fucking hilarious." And then he burst out laughing again.
Rolling my eyes, I stalked off.
"Wait- Amelia! I'm sorry, okay? I'm sorry!" He jogged after me, still grinning when I turned with my most unimpressed look. "Sorry," he repeated, though his face said otherwise.
Finally, he sobered. "No, I don't like you. But I don't need to."
I frowned. "Pretty sure liking someone is standard for dating."
"Not if it's fake."
I stared at him, the pieces slowly clicking into place. "Let me get this straight... you want to fake date me?"
"Bingo."
"Why?"
"Why not?"
"William." My glare deepened.
He sighed like I was the one being difficult. "Fine. I just got out of a relationship-"
"Exactly."
"-and I need to prove I can be serious. To my family. To Eleanor. To everyone."
"You can't," I said bluntly.
His brow furrowed. "What?"
"The fact you're looking for a fake girlfriend proves you're not serious."
He rolled his eyes. "Whatever. And you need a boyfriend."
"I don't."
"You do."
"I-"
"Your father made that pretty clear," he cut in smoothly. "Remember? I heard."
That shut me up. His grin widened like he'd won a prize.
"So, we both get what we need. I don't want a real girlfriend, and you..." His gaze lingered, sly. "...well, clearly you're incapable of finding a real boyfriend."
My glare could have burned holes through him.
"Come on, princess. Help me out."
"You've gone insane."
"What?"
"You've lost your mind. No, seriously, William. Did the breakup ruin you that badly?"
His eyes darkened, hard and dangerous as he stepped closer. Trying to intimidate me but I held my ground, glaring up at him despite the height difference. For a long second, we just stared, the air crackling between us.
"Don't talk about Eleanor," he said lowly, voice edged in warning.
I rolled my eyes. "But you can pick apart my private life and that's fine?"
His jaw flexed, but he said nothing.
"Exactly what I thought." I turned to leave, but he caught my arm.
"Just think about it."
I yanked free. "You can't make a real relationship work William. What makes you think a fake one will be any better?" When he doesn't answer immediately I push on.
"I don't have time for your games," I added sharply, turning on my heel. "Go bother someone else."
And I left him standing there in the dark, my mind reeling from the most absurd conversation I'd ever had.
William Blackwood had officially lost his mind. And for some sick, twisted reason, he was trying to drag me down with him.
Is this payback? Is he getting back at me for eavesdropping?
~*~
That night, I couldn't sleep. No matter how many times I turned, no matter how tightly I pulled the blankets around me, sleep wouldn't come.
My mind just outright refused to shut off.
And every time I closed my eyes, there he was. William Blackwood. His infuriating, impossible face, green eyes glinting with that mix of smugness and desperation I'd never seen before.
He was serious. I knew that.
He meant every word he said. He really does want me to be his fake girlfriend.
But could I be? Could I actually... do it?
Could I get into a "relationship" with him? Pretend, play along, fake it all? Would anyone believe it? Would Father believe it?
No. It's absurd. Absolutely ridiculous. I shouldn't even be thinking about it. I shouldn't even be entertaining the idea.
And yet... every time I tried to push him out of my head, those green eyes stayed, staring, unrelenting.
Ugh.
What am I going to do?
~*~
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Oh wow did anyone suspect that happening?! (You probably did lol, but pretend you didn't!)
Thoughts on their dynamic in this chapter?
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