Emily's PoV:

"Is this really necessary?" I asked as my friends dudmy makeup. It was currently 7 PM of Sunday, I already had dinner early so we could go to the game which I am only going because Alyssa is coming with me as I asked.

My friends suddenly catches on why I should go to this game and the impact it would have on the school if Aiden's girlfriend would came and watch the game. So they are now dressing me up for this short of show off for our fake relationship.

"You need to look perfect!" Amy referred

"Right! Regina is the top cheerleader, it will also be like her come back to the spotlight. So she is probably going for  extreme" Selena explained

"Selena is totally right! You need to surpass Regina, while all of our school and the rival one will be looking at her, you will step in through Aiden and you need to look amazing." Nate clarified, I looked at Alyssa and she shrugged her shoulder not really getting it either.

"This is a masterpiece" Amy said taking her hands to her face almost crying

"Final touch!" Nate shouted as he sprayed me with setting spray and then some perfume, Ariana Grande's Vanilla one which Alyssa bored me.

"Ok is she done?" Alyssa asked

"Totally!" Nate exclaimed "this is so good" he commented smelling the perfume and placing a bit on him

"Ok great! lets go then!"  Alyssa said happily while getting up and dressing her coat. We followed her after while walking till her driveway where Amy's Fiat was.

"Who drives?" Alyssa asked, and we all looked at her. Between the five of us she was definitely the best driver and that was an unanime and easy choice. "I see" she murmured as Amy throwed her the key of her car.

We all gathered at Alyssa's house to go to the game, and eight now we were on Amy's car to go back to the school on a Sunday.

I was nervous and my stomach couldn't cooperate with me, just thinking of being in front of everyone and make a statement is just so scary... and they I remembered that everyone was going to be there and when I mean everyone—

"Aly, are your parents coming?" I asked quickly as she drove in her calm pace

"They were supposed to buy my mom had a client last minute and my dad needed to finish some stuff at work so he is probably getting her and they are going to eat out and head home" She said making me a bit more relieved

"Thank god" I whispered at myself, if they hear that me and Aiden are dating that would be just weird and super embarrassing.

We reached the school parking lot that was already full, after a lot of looking Alyssa parked the car and we went to the game. We could hear the crowd cheer from afar and the big lights illuminating the whole field.

Once we reached the field I immediately catched the cheerleader chant and their amazing dance catching the crowd attention while the game hadn't started yet.

We climbed up the bleachers till we found a place for everyone. We sat there waiting for the game to start with popcorn that Nate had bought for us

"I hope they win, its the begging of season they need to go with everything" Amy exclaimed as we nodded

"Damn Regina looks good" Nate said in a tone of disgust

"She always does... its infuriating" Selena answered

The football game against the Wild Cats was about to start. I stood on the bleachers, nerves twisting my stomach into knots. The crowd was larger than usual, with people from both our school and the rival school filling the stands. I could feel the weight of their eyes on me, and the whispering while looking at me.

"You really made a scene on Friday... The rumors are being well spread" Nate commented as the our stepped into the field.

I took a deep breath and tried to steady myself. Today was the day we were supposed to show off our relationship again, this time in front of an even larger audience. I glanced at Aiden warming up on the field. He looked confident, as always, his natural charisma drawing everyone's attention. I wished I could borrow some of that confidence.

"Emily, relax," Alyssa said, nudging me. "You look like you're about to pass out."

"I'm just nervous," I admitted, fidgeting with the edge of my shirt with Aiden's number on the back "What if this backfires?"

"It won't," Nate assured me. "Just be yourself."

"But you know that at any moment you can just give up" Alyssa mentioned comforting me "this isn't your fight or problem"

I nodded, trying to take her advice to heart. The game started, and I watched as Aiden took his position on the field. He was in his element, moving with strength and precision. The Wild Cats were a tough team, but Aiden was relentless, scoring with ease, shouting to his team and always telling them what to do.

The crowd roared every time he made a play, and I couldn't help but feel a swell of pride despite my nerves. But the Wild Cats were good too, matching our team point for point. The game was intense, and the score remained tied as the minutes ticked down.

"OH COME ON! JUST RUN!" Alyssa shouted, her competitive side abowing up

Then, in the final moments, Regina and her cheerleading squad began a chant. "Aiden! Aiden! Aiden!" The whole crowd picked it up, the sound swelling to a deafening roar. I watched as Aiden glanced towards Regina, her bright smile and enthusiastic cheers clearly directed at him.

The other team had just scored and the players were getting to their positions.

She knew perfectly how to cheer him up and give him that boost of confidence . Even though this was supposed to be part of our act, seeing him respond to Regina's cheer felt like a punch to the gut, how can he still be so blinded for her, but then he looked away from her and to the bleachers and the ceasy crowd with a few minutes for the end of the game, and for a moment he looked at me, I think...

His expression changed, softening as he smiled at me. I frowned as I was trying to understand who he was looking at.

The next play happened in a blur.

"GRAB THE BALL!" Alyssa shouted

Aiden caught the ball and, with an incredible burst of speed, dodged the Wild Cats' defense and sprinted towards the end zone.

"RUN AIDEN OR I SWARE TO GOD- AHHHH" Alyssa shouted

The crowd and Alyssa went absolutely crasy as he scored, and sealed the victory for our team.

The final whistle blew, and chaos took place. I watched his friends run to him
and hug him while placing him in the air the crowd shouted and his genuine smile made a smile erupt jn my face automatically. I felt hands on my back, pushing me forward. "Go congratulate him!" Amy shouted over the noise.

I looked at them not really sure what to do but they just nodded reassuring me to go to the field.

"I will go after you" Alyssa mentioned making me more relieved knowing she would be just by my side, or in this case behind me.

I stumbled down the bleachers, making my way through the crowd of people until I reached the field. Aiden was surrounded by his teammates, but when he saw me, his face lit up and he waved at me so I could see him properly. He pushed through the crowd, heading straight for me.

I saw his eyes flicker to Regina, who was standing off to the side with the cheerleaders with a look of disbelief on her face. It was a brief moment, but it stung. Then, Aiden's attention was back on me, and before I could say or do anything, he pulled me into a hug.

The crowd gasped, a sound that I think I could never get used to. I felt a mix of emotions — shock, confusion, and something that felt almost like happiness. Aiden's embrace was warm and genuine, his hold on mewas firm yet gentle.

I glanced over his shoulder and saw Regina's face twist with anger. A small part of me felt a grim satisfaction, maybe this would actually work but it was quickly overshadowed by the realization of what this hug meant in front of everyone.

Aiden pulled back slightly, his hands still on my shoulders. "Thanks for coming, Emily " he said, his voice loud enough for those around us to hear. "It means a lot."

I nodded, trying to find my voice. "You played great. Congrats on the win."

He smiled again, and for a moment, it felt like everything else faded away. The noise of the crowd, Regina's glare, the expectations—none of it mattered in that instant.

But reality quickly settled back in. The crowd was still watching, their curiosity and excitement palpable. I knew this was far from over, that there would be more questions, more scrutiny. But for now, I allowed myself to enjoy the moment, even if it was just a small victory in a complicated situation.

"If you didn't win I would kill you" Alyssa mentioned

"Just say your proud of your brother, come on" he smiled at her and pinched her cheek once she got close they started to jokingly play with each other making me smile. They looked like themselves.

"Our winner" Cameron shouted coming in and brushing his hand on Aiden's hair.

"Winner's party at Cam'e" Luke mentioned

"Cool" Aiden mentioned as he hugged Luke because of the win

"Oh look who she is our smal flower" Cameron smiled and grabbed Alyssa's hair waving it in the hair

"Go take a shower you smell" She fired back

"Yes I do... I smeel like a winner!!!!" he shouted running to the balneary

"You smell disgusting" Alyssa murmured

"You are coming to the party right?" Jaden followed asking Aiden

"Sure"

"Bring the girl don't forget" Jaden mentioned pointing at me and walking to the balneary too "and the sister too" Jaden said wrapping Alyssa in his arms and taking her playfully through the field

"I have a name" I heard Alyssa tell him

"You do? I don't recall" Jaden joked

Aiden turned around and his eyes landed on me, he got closer and as if he didn't know how to talk he tried to ask with somw difficulty "Do you- Do you want to go?"

"I dont know I have school tomorrow" I answered

"Its not like a party party is just a small hangout with the team and close people nothing much" he explained making me giving up

"Fine but I'll have to go home early" he nodded understading my position

"Sure yeah" he gave me a small smile
and we walked off the field together.

I glanced up at Aiden, who was waving and smiling at the crowd. Maybe, he was starting to understand what really mattered.

Lets just hope this charade ends soon, so I can leave peacefully and Auden finds his happiness or whatever he believes in that Rehina will give him.