Emily's PoV:

I really don't like to feel like this, it just feels like I am a bad person but lately everything Aiden does it pisses me off.

I think it all comes down to understanding and even though he did a good job just now at the cafeteria but it still doesn't feel right it looks like he makes things because it looks bad for other people but somehow he doesn't really understand what is wrong...

"It was hot not gonna lie" Amy mentioned as we left our class

"I was absolutely gagged ! Imagine if they actually dated" Nate asked

"Right! What would he do? Imagine him getting like hyper mad just because of Emily being treated bad...like him punching someone for her... " Amy commented making me frown, how can that beay good?

"HOT that would be HOT" Selena confirmed as I watched my best friend face's turn into disgust

"Can we not?" Alyssa asked almost like begged

"Stop being so emotional about it your brother did good" Nate imposed

" For once he did..." she mentioned as we reached the parking lot

"Oh stop being an ass he was actually nice right, Em?" Amy asked with hopes all over her face. I though about her words and I must say that if she asked me the same question a few weeks ago I would definitely agree with her without a second though but now everything that I once thought it was easy to decide about Aiden as sudden turned very difficult.

And as my answer was taking its time Amy made sure to answer for me "I am sure she agrees look at her face" she pointed at me

They kept walking while Alyssa stood behind looking at me with a suspicious face " Are you ok?" she asked concerned and I nodded " You don't look ok... you know if my brother is too much just... Yell at him! I know you can do it, just get like really mad sometimes he deserves it" she said while shrugging her shoulders making a small smile appear in my face "I have no idea what happened but you don't have to put up with my brother just because he wants to get in Regina's pants... this can end just as easy as it started" she explained making me nod

"I am fine... really. This is all maybe just a bit much for me. In one day I got to be sort of bullied because I date Aiden then appreciated and now I became popular for it. Its just all to take in." I commented truthfully

"Yeah... my brother as that impact. I am sorry Emily" she commented

"Its fine. When I can't take it anymore I will stop it, don't worry. I can take care of myself " I said while side hugging her, he carried out way next to the rest of the group and as we were about to talk a huge honk for a car interrupts us.

*HONK HONK*

We look at the car owner of that sound and we realised it came from the white Jeep. And that meant—

"Your hot brother is making a scene" Nate commented

"I can see you well why did you honk?" Alyssa asked she saw Aiden's window slide down. He place his muscular arm on top of the door once the window was all down and looked at his sister

"I wasn't calling you"

"Then who were you calling smartie pants?" She asked and she started to walk to the car

" I am not taking you today" he said and some whispers started to be heard on the parking lot and the school yard.

"Excuse me? I have to get home, Nana and Gramps are coming today for dinner! " Alyssa fired back

"I am taking my girlfriend on a date today. I will see you at home sis" he said loud and clear making everyone in that school aware of his programs, sudden programs I believe.

I could hardly believe I had agreed to this. The plan was simple: pretend to date Aiden, my best friend's older brother and the most popular guy at school, to help him fend off some of that so wanted attention from Regina. It felt like stepping into a teenage rom-com at first and eliminating every thing that happened at the Halloween party, now standing in the school parking lot, it felt overwhelmingly real.

"I know you are betting really hard on this fake thing, brother, but I need to go home" Aly short of whispered so no one else could hear them

"I don't really care" he mentioned getting out of the car as Alyssa opened her mouth in shock

"Aiden how am I supposed to get home?"

"Go by bus, I don't know" Aiden shrugged his shoulders in a similar way to his sister as he walked to me looking in my eyes making me feel... flustered.

Aiden strolled toward me with his usual arrogant swagger, his confident, easy grace grating on my nerves. Every eye in the surroundings seemed to follow him, and the usual hum of conversation hushed. I couldn't believe I was about to play along with his ridiculous scheme.

"I will be late I need to help mom with dinner" Alyssa murmured

"Ready?" Aiden whispered, a playful glint in his eye. I managed a nod, my stomach churning with a mix of excitement and annoyance.

Aiden's voice rang out, loud and clear, appearing through the quiet parking lot and school yard. "My girlfriend deserves a proper date, not just a ride home."

The words hung in the air for a moment, then landed like a bombshell. I felt hundreds of eyes snap in our direction. The parking lot, a place I'd walked through a thousand times unnoticed, now felt like a spotlighted stage. I forced myself to smile up at Aiden, but I am certain I wasn't that successful I felt a warmth around my hand and I freezed while not understanding a bit of what was happening.

"How am I going to get home" Alyssa questioned Aiden again as I felt being pulled and the murmurs got higher

"I don't know... go with Mason" Aiden pointed at Mason who I didn't had seen only until now. He was pretty close getting his helmet on ready to leave.

"Aiden!" Alyssa protested again but Aiden didn't bother to answer he opened the door helping me get in.

"After you, milady," he said, just loud enough for those nearby to hear. His wink was almost imperceptible, but it did nothing to soothe my irritation. I slid into the passenger seat like I was in autopilot, my cheeks burning with a mixture of embarrassment and anger.

"Aiden, I am not going with him!"

"Mason, you can take my sis right?"

"Sure" Mason said in an unbothered tone

"Cool, see I got you a ride" Aiden said smilling at his sister while getting in his car

"You are so done when you get home" Alyssa told him as he started the engine and we left, just like that.

As Aiden drove us away, I glanced out the window. I could see students pulling out their phones, no doubt texting furiously, spreading the news that Aiden, the school's golden boy, was dating me, really dating me, after what happened at the cafeteria and now this rumor was becoming too real for them.

I sat in Aiden's car, arms crossed, staring out the window as he wnt through the evening traffic. The day had been a whirlwind of rumors and stares, all because of Aiden's impulsive declaration. I was emotionally exhausted, and the possibility of spending more time with him was grating on my nerves.

"So... I know you have ice creams with my sister on winter. Do you want to go to Gelato's?" he asked while driving not really caring or not understanding the strange climathe between us.

He didn't received immediate answer so like his sister non existence patient he asked again " or do you prefer frozen yogurt? Ice cream or yogurt?"

"I prefer home, my home if possible" I answered coldly

"I think you like more frozen yogurt since my sister is the ice cream fanatic one..." he mumbled to himself as if I was not there, so he carried on driving through the town streets.

When we finally arrived at the frozen yogurt shop, I stepped out of the car without waiting for Aiden knowing this facade would only stop if we ate the ice creams. The cool air of November did little to soothe my irritation. Aiden jogged to catch up, his ever-present smile always splattered on his face, but it turned into a frown once he saw my expression.

"Emily, come on, let's just get through this," he said, trying to sound light-hearted but failing miserably.

I rolled my eyes. "Sure, Aiden. Let's just get through it."

Inside, the shop was brightly lit and cheerful, with colorful toppings laid out in neat rows. It was a sharp contrast to the tension between us, I'd say. I grabbed a cup and started piling on yogurt and toppings choosing my usuals, at least he got it right, I love frozen yogurt.

Aiden followed me, while attempting to start a conversation.

"So, uh, how was your day?" he asked, clearly trying to break the ice.

I shot him a glare. "You mean, besides being the center of a ridiculous rumor mill? Just peachy."

Aiden winced. "I know today was... a lot. But this will die down soon, I promise."

He paid for our yogurt, and honestly I didn't even bothered I just wanted to swallow the yogurt up and head home. I found a table in the corner and sat down heavily, barely containing my anger. Aiden looked around the shop, waving at a few familiar faces who were staring in our direction.

"This place is packed," he said, his tone almost cheerful. "Perfect for making a statement, right?"

I sighed, taking a bite of my yogurt and the rage that I had spoke. "Aiden, you still don't get it. You think this is all about making a statement, but it's not. You're so obsessed with your popularity and what Regina thinks that you're completely missing the point."

Aiden frowned. "What do you mean?"

"I mean," Emily said, her voice rising slightly, "Regina doesn't even like you. She just wants you for your social status. And you're so blinded by your need to prove something that you can't see it."

Aiden looked taken aback. "That's not true. Regina and I... we have a history."

"A history of what? Manipulation and superficiality?" I shot back. "You're worth more than that, Aiden, but you need to start seeing it for yourself."

He was silent for a moment, stirring his yogurt absentmindedly. "I'm trying to change. I know that Regina really messed me up but she's the one for me and everyone makes mistakes ."

Emily shook her head, her frustration peaking. "Sure... whatever you say"

"So uhm... I have a football game on Sunday my girlfriend should probably be there..." he proposed subtly very subtly indeed

" wow you are really tying to change by dragging me to a football game on Sunday...You think making plans for your own happiness without even saying sorry is the way to go? Do you even remember what you did at the Halloween party?" I recalled

"I know I messed up. I'm trying to make it right." Aiden's face reddened

"No, you're trying to make yourself feel better," I explained. "You're still thinking about your own happiness, you know I am in this also, right? "

The shop seemed quieter now, a few heads turning their way. I took a deep breath, trying to calm down. I hated feeling this angry, especially in public.

Aiden looked genuinely ashamed. "Emily, I'm sorry. I really am. I know I've been selfish, and I haven't thought about how this affects you. Please, just give me a chance to show you I can be better and really help me out. If everything goes just fine in two months we wont need to see each other anymore"

I sighed, my anger softening slightly at his apology, well... half apology
"Fine."

Aiden nodded happily. "Thank you, Emily. I won't let you down."

We finished our yogurt in silence, the awkwardness staying but my anger dissipating. I still had my doubts about this, but maybe, just maybe, Aiden could change.

As we left the frozen yogurt shop, Aiden held the door open for me and I stepped outside, feeling the cool air on my face once again and glancing back at him. He looked different somehow, a little less self-assured, a little more real.

He drove me home in silence, he knew the a dress already since he had to put his sister for sleepover and getting her from our hangouts afternoons for years, before I got out of the car I told him quietly "See you on Sunday,"

"Yeah," Aiden replied, a small, hopeful smile on his lips. "See you then."

As I walked to the home, I couldn't help but feel a glimmer of hope. Maybe, just maybe, Aiden was starting to get it. And perhaps, in the process, I can became to tolerate him and like him again.