"ꜱᴀʟᴜᴛᴇ ᴛᴏ ᴍᴇ, ɪ'ᴍ ʏᴏᴜʀ ᴀᴍᴇʀɪᴄᴀɴ Qᴜᴇᴇɴ, ᴀɴᴅ ʏᴏᴜ ᴍᴏᴠᴇ ᴛᴏ ᴍᴇ ʟɪᴋᴇ ᴀ ᴍᴏᴛᴏᴡɴ ʙᴇᴀᴛ."

︵‿︵‿︵‿︵‿︵‿︵‿︵

⋆·˚ ༘ *

I was always a meticulous thinker. I knew that everything I did would have severe consequences; sometimes, ones that could change the course of my life. I planned everything to a great extent, and it was such a satisfaction when things went exactly the way I predicted them to go.

Kyran Drake's words had more gravity than mine did and my supposed relationship with him taught me a lot of things.

The entire school believed that Kyran was actually interested in me but not enough to let go of their investigative mode. Apparently, as he recounted to me after, people were trying to get him to confirm and deny things.

The sharpest pang in my heart was that when he told people that our relationship was real and that there was no arrangement as they had previously assumed, everyone believed him.

However, when I said the same thing, they called me an attention-seeking bitch.

That's the kind of power popularity gives you.

Had I mentioned that Kyran Drake scared me?

He didn't even realize the control he had over the student body. I could slowly understand why Yashna preferred not to associate herself as his sister.

Kyran Drake's life was a dangerous territory.

I had heard things about him before I was pulled into his inevitable orbit. But I had never seen it happen in front of me, until now.

In the weeks that followed, my fake relationship with Kyran had two sides to it. Behind closed doors, we acted the way we normally do. I was his tutor, and he was learning and that was it. There was nothing more, nothing less. These were the times I felt the happiest when I could be myself around him.

Also, because I could scream at him for being a jerk.

"Do you seriously mean to tell me that you didn't start the essay? It's due tomorrow Kyran. What the fuck?" I exclaimed furiously as he looked at me sheepishly.

"I totally forgot about it. I had a football match yesterday!" he reasoned, and I scoffed.

"I reminded you two days ago, and what did you say? You told me that you were halfway done."

He looked scared by my sudden outburst, but he stood his ground. "I'm sorry. I don't have unlimited time like you do. I have places to be and people to meet. That takes up time," he replied, and I took a deep breath.

"Fine, whatever. Start it now. You're staying here till seven if that means you get that essay done. It's worth 10% of your grade, Kyran!" I chastised and he groaned.

"I'm not staying here till seven. Why don't you just come over to my house? You can tell my parents that you're meeting Yashna."

I hesitated. My mom would absolutely kill me if she found out that I went over to a friend's house. I'd have no excuse to be there because I wasn't supposed to have friends and there's going to be no extracurricular activity that would take up a whole night stay.

He seemed to notice my hesitation and sighed. "Think about it."

I nodded and we packed up, knowing that the second we stepped out of that door, our performance needed to be perfect. We walked the halls hand in hand, shared glances that were lies and mirrored nothing of how we felt.

We stopped at my locker and I grabbed my books for English. People nodded 'hello' as they passed by Kyran, some taking no notice of me. Or, they did take notice of me and didn't care much.

I couldn't care less either.

"Now, tell me. What do you think of going somewhere, maybe get some coffee tomorrow?" Kyran asked, smirking next to me, as he leaned comfortably on the side of the lockers. The guy who owned the locker next to me didn't bother telling Kyran to move and just waited behind him like he was awaiting a command.

"Kyran, you're blocking his way," I said, diverting the question as Kyran turned around to see the kid looking flustered and confused as he shook his head. "It's okay, take your time."

I rolled my eyes at the kid's lack of confidence and continued my search for my books.

"So? Coffee?" he asked leaning further so that his face was close to the door of my locker. If I pushed the locker a little bit more, it'd whack his face. I decided to be nicer to the poor guy and decided against it.

"Why do we need to go the coffee shop?" I questioned skeptically. He smiled sneakily and replied, "Well, I was thinking we should hang out a bit more because we're dating."

"Don't you better things to do? I definitely do." I rummaged through my locker, searching for the Macbeth textbook that seemed to be hiding beneath all my other stuff.

"Ave, why do you have a pillow and a blanket in your locker?"

"Don't call me, Ave," I grinned. "There are some very cozy places in this school where you can take power naps."

He poked his head inside my locker now and he pulled out my copy of Macbeth and facepalmed. "Sometimes I wonder where your mind is."

"Shut up!" I said, pushing him away from my locker. "How did you know that's what I was looking for?"

"You're getting your English stuff," he said, and I felt utterly stupid.

I glared at him, annoyed by his perceptiveness. "Well, if you're so smart, then why didn't you start your essay on time?" I retorted, folding my arms across my chest.

Kyran laughed, not letting my irritation faze him. "Touché. But let's focus on the more pressing matter here. I know how much you love those Macchiatos. So, are you gonna come with me?"

I sighed, contemplating the idea. Tomorrow was a day off, but my mom didn't know that. It was technically a winter fair day at the high school, so we were allowed to go and do whatever we wanted, under the condition that we showed up at the start of the day and at the end of the day.

I was going to sit in the library and study but getting an extra coffee doesn't seem like too bad of an idea. The idea of a spontaneous coffee outing on a day off sounded strangely appealing. Despite the nonsensical drama that we are putting up for the school, a part of me wanted to find out more about Kyran.

If we were gone from the school, we could escape the prying eyes and we could just be ourselves.

"Alright, coffee it is," I conceded, rolling my eyes at his persistently charming grin. He placed his palm to his chest and pretended to faint.

"Did I just get the Avery Turner to go out with me? I am magical. My mom was right."

I rolled my eyes at Kyran's theatrics. "Don't flatter yourself. It's just coffee, Kyran," I smirked, attempting to play a game I didn't know how to. "Plus, If you were magical, you would be able to...I don't know, kiss me already," I whispered.

Kyran's eyes flickered with a mixture of surprise and amusement at my bold remark. For a moment, there was a charged silence and I felt instantly awkward. I turned my attention entirely to my locker when he leaned in slightly, his gaze intensifying as if contemplating the challenge I'd thrown his way. I moved away a few inches.

"Well, well, Avery," he said, his voice dropping to a lower register, "maybe I'm just...savoring the anticipation. A magical moment like that needs the perfect setting, don't you think?"

I closed the door of my locker, trying to diffuse the tension. "Anticipation, huh? I didn't peg you for a romantic. Do you do that with all your girlfriends?" I asked, emphasizing 'girlfriend'. I thought that'd shut him up but he flashes a mischievous grin.

"You'd be surprised what you don't know about me, Aves."

I relieved my feelings by kicking him in the shin to which he screamed, "Ow, jeez, why are you so vicious?"

"Only for you Captain Drake," I laughed, playfully saluting him he moved away, fearful of an attack. He rubbed his shin and grabbed my backpack that I left on the floor.

"Here you go, mi lady. No more kicking though," he teased, raising his hands. "I get it, you're dangerous."

"Well, consider it a warning. Now, about that coffee tomorrow, where are we going?"

Kyran nodded, his smirk softening into a genuine smile. "Surprise! Your first time outside should be special, right?"

That earned him another kick.

He dodged.

"Jerk," I muttered and watched as he dissolved into the crowd, but not before winking at me when Gemma approached just across from him.

Jesus, this idiot.

With a smile on my face, I walked over to the reception to finish my shift for the day. Ms. Walton was on a call in her office, and she nodded when she saw me take my seat there. Today was a crucial day because she was getting calls from some admission officers concerning some seniors and their applications.

That could be me next year.

My mom told me yesterday that people don't value us if we don't have something for others to value. It was the piece of wisdom I'd never actually asked her for. She seemed to think that people could only like me if I had something of value for them.

I was starting to think like my mother.

There wasn't a huge problem with that.

Absent-mindedly, I tripped over the wooden door that opened the entrance of the reception which had to have been opened with the key, which I was trusted with.

Ms. Walton didn't have an impromptu conversation with me again about my lackluster social life for which I was grateful. I mean, a coffee outing tomorrow sounds like a method of socializing to me.

Excel became a skill that I excelled at because I happened to constantly use it for nearly everything I did at the reception. Pun intended, by the way. Immersed totally in filling in the cells on the computer, I didn't hear Ms. Walton exiting her office.

"Avery, good morning. I was expecting you this morning and I was slightly surprised that you didn't arrive."

I suddenly felt bad for spending an unnecessary amount of time with Kyran. However, the scene from earlier played in my mind as I spent a good 15 minutes screaming at him for forgetting his essay. I involuntarily smiled and Ms. Walton raised an eyebrow.

I forced a fake, apologetic frown. "I'm sorry Ms. Walton. I was tutoring Kyran. He needed some, um, guidance with his essay."

She was skeptical. "Did he forget to do it?" she asked, and I opened my mouth to cover for him but the better part of me felt that Ms. Walton knew that I was bullshitting her. I nodded in agreement as she stared at me with an annoyed expression.

"It's due tomorrow and he hasn't started it," I replied, as she smiled knowingly.

"Unfortunately, he doesn't have the best work ethic," she sighed. "Would you be able to work on it with him today? After school perhaps?"

Part of me didn't understand why Ms. Walton cared so much about Kyran's grades. There was a part of me that decided that she just wanted to uphold the school's reputation by making sure that Kyran got into Notre Dame, but I don't believe that people are selfless. In fact, they are selfish.

"I can't Ms. Walton. I'm not supposed to stay after school." I let the unsaid words hand in the air. 'My mother wouldn't let me' would be the real answer but I couldn't say that.

"Would you like me to call your mom and tell her?" she asked as if she knew the reason for my hesitation. She sighed, awaiting a response while a thousand thoughts whirred through my mind. I was listening to my brain spew out scenarios that could result because of this call.

"What did you tell your teacher?" my mom's voice rang out as she opened the door. Her voice filled the room, my sister casually slammed the door behind her as she entered. Her sneaky smile was missed by my mom, who was glancing at me.

"If you wanted to leave the house, you could. No one is stopping you!"

I exited the room.

Gone.

"No, it's okay Ms. Walton. I have work to do tonight."

Ms. Walton didn't turn away, and she didn't end the conversation. "Avery, do you realize that your mom could get reported?"

Ms. Walton's words hung in the air, a heavy reminder of everything I was concealing. My heart quickened, anxiety tightening its grip. My voice seemed to be stuck in my throat.

"I..." I stammered, "I don't know what you're talking about, Ms. Walton."

She stared at me in disbelief. "Avery, I've seen the marks on your wrists last month. You don't need to lie to me."

I was caught between my mother and the repercussions that Ms. Walton's statement could bring along. Her gaze bore into me, her concern evident.

This is how I felt my life was about to crash down.

So, I fabricated another lie. "Nothing's wrong, Ms. Walton. My mom just doesn't want me to stay in other people's homes," I explained, "My family situation isn't the greatest, and she doesn't want anyone to take advantage of it."

"Of course. Well, I'll make a call asserting how you're invited to a youth conference tonight, and the gathering is funded by the school and accommodates you for tonight and tomorrow. I assume she doesn't know about the fair."

I was at a definite loss for words. I didn't know what to say in the slightest. Ms. Walton's proposal seemed to be a one-day ticket to doing whatever I wanted. However, I felt a knot tighten in my stomach, torn between the web of lies I'd woven, and the potential one-day escape this opportunity offered.

"Um, thank you, Ms. Walton," I managed to say, my voice shaky. The youth conference story seemed plausible enough, and the prospect of spending a night away from my tumultuous home appealed to me, at least momentarily.

She nodded, seemingly satisfied with my response. "You can do your work at Kyran's home. I understand that you're friends with his sister," she added, "I'll let your mom know about the conference. She'll be appreciative of the school's support.

I didn't miss the sneaky smile she added as she said that, and she grabbed the school phone to call my mom.

I forced a smile, concealing the storm of emotions within me. As Ms. Walton made the call, I wondered how much longer I could maintain this balancing act before it burst apart in front of everyone.

My mom agreed, albeit reluctantly, but couldn't refuse it outright after Ms. Walton made a sustained argument about my future. If she had said no, it would seem like she was destroying my future on purpose.

I thanked Ms. Walton and she nodded, leaving me with the mountain of work next to the desk. The fair tomorrow needed me to plan and enter some details for the small local businesses that were showing up, and I had to get the work done ASAP.

Until I recognized the voice of someone I constantly meet in the background. "Max, look. I'm not really that interested in Avery. She's fun to be around and she knows we're just friends. We're probably not even friends, she hates me."

Max, I assumed, laughed hysterically. "Yeah, yeah. I believe you. You look at her like she's a snack and she looks at you like you're an A+ assignment."

I furrowed my eyebrows at that description and aggressively tapped on the computer, trying to ignore their private conversation. Except, it wasn't really private because I could hear it. I didn't even know where they were.

"I do not look at her like she's a snack. That wouldn't be very feminist of me. And we're just acting. I'm helping her out."

Max chuckled again. "Sure, Kyran. Helping her out. I could give you both Oscars for your performances. It was better than Cillian Murphy in Oppenheimer."

"Funny," Kyran replied dryly. "No, seriously. Gemma's talking shit about the poor girl for no reason. Honestly, Avery's so unproblematic and it'd just make me guilty if she got in trouble because of Gemma."

"So, you're pulling a fake relationship trope to help Avery Turner because you feel bad for her. Got it! Tell me, how many rom-coms have you watched?"

Their figures became visible as they approached the reception. I pursed my lips and looked back down, my eyes scanning the Excel file. I wasn't going to let them know that I had eavesdropped on their entire conversation. Pretending to not hear them, I quickly typed onto the keyboard.

"Avery?" Max's voice boomed and I looked up in mock surprise. I nodded in realization. Max was in my Calculus class, and he was an incredibly smart guy. He was on the debating team, and the Olympiad teams with me. I didn't talk to him much, but we knew of each other. He had very distinct features, almost opposite of Kyran's. When they stood next to each other, they couldn't be more different. Max had soft gray eyes, while Kyran's were a deep hazel almost green. Max had brownish-blond hair that was slightly curly, whereas Kyran's dark hair was messy, but soft-textured.

They were also the entire opposite sides of the social spectrum.

"Hey, Ave. Don't you have class?" Kyran asked, looking around at the reception for a clue. Sighing, I looked up from the computer.

"I work here, I thought you knew that," I scribbled another contact number on a sheet before asking, "What brings you two here in the middle of class?"

"Well, Avery. We're just a dynamic duo on a mission," Max said with a wink. I rolled my eyes. "Am I supposed to know what your supposed mission entailed?"

Kyran opened his mouth to answer but Max kicked him. Something I wanted to high-five him for, but avoided because I wasn't a huge fan of Max either.

"I believe that you may have information about when Kyran's dream school scouts are arriving," Max replied with a mischievous grin that kind of irritated me. I was starting to understand why Kyran and Max got along. Except, whenever Max seemed to be around, Kyran let him take the lead in being annoying.

"So Kyran, did you really need your friend to assist you to the reception?"

"You overheard us talking, didn't you?" Kyran questioned, leaning against the reception desk.

"What?" I played dumb as he shifted uncomfortably. "I wonder if I was the only person that heard it. It'd be a bit of a shame for people not to think we were madly in love, don't you think?"

Max laughed. "I've never talked to you before, but you're amazing. When you get out of this weird fake relationship with this idiot, would you please go out with me?"

"No!" Kyran and I screamed in unison, and he cleared his throat. Max gave him a curious glare before shrugging.

"Just thought I'd try my luck. I mean, once you get out of this um, situationship with him, there's going to be way too many guys trying to win you over."

This happened to be the first time I laughed at something coming out of Max's mouth so far.

"Wait, you don't believe me? Guys are just terrified to ask-"Max stopped, as Kyran cleared his throat. "Avery, any info on the scouts?"

I couldn't help but smile. "Scouts? Oh, you mean the mystical beings who determine the fate of students' futures," I replied with a playful tone, glancing at Kyran.

Kyran gave me an offended look. "Hey, they have the power to make or break my dreams."

Max grinned. "And we're here to ensure that Kyran's dreams remain intact. So any intel on when they'll be here?"

I leaned back in my chair, pretending to ponder the question. "Hmm, let me consult my crystal ball." I glanced around the reception area as is searching for something, then pointed dramatically to a clock on the wall.

"They'll be here precisely when the clock strikes three!"

Both of them immediately stared at the clock, and I couldn't help but laugh. "Relax, guys. I have no idea when they're coming. Why don't you check with Ms. Walton?"

Kyran sighed, feigning disappointment. "And here I thought you could be our inside source. Thanks for nothing, Ave."

Max guessed that I was lying outright and laughed. "Avery, you're a mastermind in the making. Now, please tell us what we can do to appease you?"

Kyran looked dumbfounded. "So, you do know?"

"Well, if I knew that information, why would I give it to you? It's not like you've been particularly helpful."

Max chimed in, "Maybe we should've brought you a coffee as a peace offering."

I considered the idea for a moment. "Fine, maybe you could persuade me with some caffeine..."

Kyran grinned. "Deal!"

As they left the reception area to fetch coffee, I couldn't help but feel a mix of amusement and confusion. They came back, fairly quickly and seemed out of breath. They were panting like they ran a marathon. Max presented the cup to me with exaggerated gestures.

"Here you go, our peace offering," Max said with a bow.

I accepted the coffee, a smile playing on my lips. "Well, aren't you two just the perfect knights in shining armor?"

Max chuckled. "Anything for our queen."

Kyran leaned forward and looked at me with a smirk. "So, Everly, anything on the Scouts?"

"Yep. They're scheduled to be here on the day of your match on the 20th," I replied, sipping my coffee, satisfied.

Kyran and Max exchanged glances, registering the information. "On the day of my match? Seriously?" Kyran groaned, looking somewhat disappointed.

"Well, you've got an entire match to impress them with your athletic prowess and charm!" Max elbowed Kyran. "Maybe I'll do shit to make you look great!"

Kyran glared and I waved them off. "I hope I don't have to see you again, get back to class."

"Yes, Queen Avery!" Max saluted before turning away and dragging Kyran along.

"Oh, and I'll come over to your house for tonight. To help you with your essay," I called after him and Kyran turned around.

"Wait, seriously? I feel obliged not to hate you so much." he asked and smiled at my nod, "Thank God. I might actually get a B in English. Thanks, Ave."

"Don't call me that!" I shouted and he laughed. "I'll pick you up after school."

I was feeling giddier and somewhat exhilarated that I was spending the night somewhere else. I wanted to see his family again, and honestly, maybe that could be a happy change to what I'm normally used to.

I walked around with a smile on my face for the entire day.

Kyran picked me up after his training session which happened to drag until five o'clock. I finished my two hours for tomorrow as well at the reception during this time, because I was free for the entire day tomorrow.

After getting coffee with Kyran, I could maybe go to the mall and buy something nice for myself.

By myself.

My heart was racing. Kyran came over to the reception when he was finished, his backpack slung over one shoulder and a gym bag over his torso. He grinned at me, but I didn't reciprocate.

"Okay, what happened to the happy Queen Avery?"

"She realized that she had to help a careless teenager with his homework," I replied, wiping the grin off his face.

"I'm sorry. I promise I'll do every assignment before the deadline," he said, and I raised my eyebrows.

"I'll try my best though," he replied, retreating. I got up from my seat and grabbed my own backpack. We headed out of the school together in silence. The fading sunlight cast a warm glow, painting the surroundings in hues of gold. It was a comfortable silence, occasionally disrupted by the rustling of leaves. I was thinking about nothing at all, except where I was and what was around me.

It was beautiful.

"So, Everly. Tell me all about your thrilling day at the reception", he smiled, and I frowned. "Oh, you know, the usual excitement of Excel sheets and phone calls. Living the dream."

Kyran chuckled. "My day was worse. I had to deal with Gemma."

I rolled my eyes. "Has she said more stuff about me?" I asked, worried. "I wouldn't be surprised. Drama seems to follow Gemma around."

"No, not particularly but I sometimes wonder if they have a subscription."

I smirked. "Must be a premium package, then."

He laughed, nodding. "Definitely. Unlimited drama, exclusive content."

He turned to me suddenly and stopped walking. "Do you hate me?" The smile that was earlier etched on his face disappeared and his hazel eyes were all I could look at.

Dangerous.

For a few seconds, I didn't comprehend what he was asking me. I was stunned and stood there unreactive. We both stopped walking, just under a tree as the leaves kept tumbling downwards.

His question lingered in the air and the silence grew more pronounced. His eyes searched mine, seeking an answer.

I blinked, breaking out of my momentary trance. "Why would you think that?"

He sighed, a mixture of frustration and vulnerability in his expression. "People say a lot of things about me. You've probably heard of them, and I've been a jerk to you. You don't seem to like me very much."

The sincerity in his eyes caught me off guard. I didn't know how to tell him that the control he wielded was what scared me. I didn't hate him; I was frightened of him. I didn't know how much longer it would take for a small aspect of my life to be controlled by what he wanted.

I took a deep breath, considering my response. "Kyran, we're stuck in this weird situation, but I don't hate you. Annoyed? Frequently. But hate? No."

Maybe, I could see past the walls that he put up for everyone else. Perhaps, there was more to him like there was more to me. The better part of me had convinced me that I needed to find out more about him before presuming him to be what others portrayed him to be.

I couldn't act like a hypocrite, could I?

After all, I was harboring more of my personality than he was.

Scratch that because I didn't even know Kyran.

He walked in front of me, happy that I didn't hate him. However, I walked behind him, slow and careful because he didn't talk to anybody like this. He didn't try to ask them personal questions. He definitely didn't bring over anyone to his house from what Yashna told me. He went over to theirs.

Why did he care so much?

I was left entirely confused and scared because I'd never thought about why Kyran was pulling this façade. I didn't understand why he wanted to help me divert the rumors by pretending to date me.

Nothing made sense anymore.

Uncertainty was my greatest fear of all.

⋆·˚ ༘ *

Good morning/afternoon/evening/night lovelies🫂 , 

Avery is getting suspicious of Kyran because she doesn't understand how boys feel. Tragic.😔Poor girl can't believe it when people seem to care about her. 

And, new character intro. Honestly, I would love any thoughts on Max because he's so slay. The most iconic guy ever. I might be liking Max more than Kyran. Whoops. 🤭

Also, life update. I'm getting my first semester exam results tomorrow and I'm pretending that they don't exist. Basically being delusional is what my solution is.💀

I was back in college last week and I'm already behind on work. *sobs*😭

Anyways, I'll shut up now. 

I hope you guys liked reading this chapter as much as I liked writing it. If you did, please leave a vote!!

Q: Favorite character from a movie?

That's it for this week and I'll see you guys next week for another cracking chapter! ❤️

Audrey. 💕😘