Kehlani

Everyone was talking about Trevor. He was good on ice. Olive and I were in the hallway while people gossiped.

“Did you see how Trevor played in the rink yesterday?”

“He's a sniper on ice.”

“He even scored a hat trick.”

“ I heard he's better than Elliot.”

“You know that's true.” Olive turned to me.

“Huh?”

“You haven't been to the rink. You should have seen Elliot's face today. Damn, Trevor was shining on ice.”

“Oh really? Is that so?” We started walking to class.

“Yes. Anyways you said you don't want to step into the rink ever again.” She teased and I sighed.

“My heart throbbed.”

“Don't tell me you're not over Elliot.”

“I am.”

We stepped into class and the first thing I saw was Elliot and Maddie cuddling themselves. Get a room!

“I'm totally over him. I just really hate him. He disgusts me.”

“Well, good.”

“Listen up, olive. Brace yourself for what I'm about to tell you.”

“Speak up woman.”

We sat down and I inhaled and exhaled.

“Trevor asked me to date him in exchange for winning the Golden lens youth award scholarship.” I whispered.

“What?!” She screamed and everyone looked towards our direction and she closed her mouth.

“Seriously?” Her voice was low. “How? Since when have you guys been so close to him to say that? I knew it. I knew he liked you. Have you seen the way he stares at you?”

“Stare at me? How?”

“He doesn't even hide it. I've caught him several times.”

“Well, about that, I went to his house and…”

Olive gasped. “No way.”

“With my parents. Mom says his mom is her ex classmate from high school.”

I narrated the whole reason for the deal to olive and she's been smiling the whole time.

“What?”

“Well, go accept it already. Trevor is smart. Before you know, he and Elliot would be competitors. It would cause him pain and jealousy when he knows you're dating the new ice hockey lengend–trevor. He'd be jealous.”

“I thought about it. It's true.”

“Girl, think about it. The bad boy's new girlfriend. You need to change, Kehlani. I mean change completely.”

“How?” I replied nervously and Trevor stepped in class looking like a god. All eyes focused on him. I swear, he smirked at me before heading to his seat.

“Accept it. You've been fantasizing about winning that scholarship for a long time.”

**************************

I was sitting on the bench at the Courtyard waiting for the two fools to appear with Trevor. We were supposed to talk about our project but I was early. Just then, I heard Maddie giggling. She and Elliot walked to the bench and she threw my notebook on the floor.

“Hey, what was that for?” I jerked back.

“Oops. I did not see your book there. I didn't even see you.” She gasped, smiling mischievously.

That was on purpose. I knew it. I picked up my notebook and decided to get revenge, and tossed her own book on the floor.

“Oops, I didn't see that.” I smiled.

“You're so sensitive. No wonder Elliot dumped you.” She snapped.

My jaw dropped.

“She's still not over that day on Ice. What do you expect from someone who cried like a kid in front of the whole school.” Elliot teased me.

His words hit like a storm. My fist clenched and I became very angry and irritated.

“You don't get to talk about me like that.” I stood up and packed my book. A thousand comebacks ran through my head and I decided to run away. While I ran towards the hallway, I bumped into Trevor and he caught me before I fell.

“Hey.” His voice was soft. “Careful.”

Tears slipped from my eyes and he raised his brow.

“What did Elliot do to you?”

“I'm ready.” I said with confidence. “I'm ready to date you for the scholarship and bring Elliot down in all possible ways.”

“Rough day?”

His tone was smoother and he wiped the streak of my tears away.

“I'm done letting them win.”

“So you're in finally.”

“Yes.”

“That's Great. Let's make our deal. Buckle up sweetheart, because pretending with me? It's never just pretend.”

“What do you mean?” I have completely wiped my tears now.

A smirk curled on his lips. “Wanna skip school?”

I blinked. “What? I've never done it before.”

“Well, giddyap because you're going to do so.”

“We could get in trouble.”

“No, we won't.”

“Where are we going?”

“I know a place.”

He held my hands and led me away from the crowded school grounds. I smiled in anticipation although I was scared. He led me to this quiet back alley with colorful walls. We passed through an old cafe and school was far from our sight. The faint hum of the city began to drift in.

“How on earth do you know this?” I asked curiously.

“I'm the bad boy for a reason.” He smiled.

“I can't believe I'm doing this.” I took a deep breath while he shoved his hands in his pocket like he owned the world. We are at the train station already.

“Where are we going?”

“To relax in a nice desert store in Hartford. Trust me, they got the best milkshake.”

“Oh.” I smiled and we walked down the stairs. He made payment and we got to our seats.

Something stirred in my stomach. This might as well be a good idea. I should just relax.

“Relax okay?” He smiled. As if he read my thoughts.

“Yeah. I've just never done this before.” I sighed, tapping my hands on my lap.

“Good. Means you won't forget it.”

“So? Any rules about our new fake relationship?”

“We'll talk about that when we get to whenever we're going.”

“Okay.”

I looked around as the train started. Most seats were unoccupied. Trevor sprawled his hands over the chair. I kept my eyes on the window.

This was better. An hour later after talking about a lot, we stepped off in downtown Hartford and walked to this fancy looking desert shop. Sugar stop is the name.

“Trust me, you'll love it.”

He pushed the doors open and I was greeted by the sugary scent of the pastries.

“So my fake boyfriend?”

“Yes? Fake girlfriend?” He pulled a chair for me and I sat.

“Okay. This is weird.” I blushed and he walked to the counter to order and sat back.

The waitress came back with our orders. First came the chocolate lava cake, matcha milkshake and chocolate chip skillet cookie.

“Better than math class.” I didn't waste time to start eating. “Mhm.” It's so good.

“I love math.” He smiles.

“I love English more.”

“I know.”

“You know, we should talk more about this fake relationship thingy….rules and boundaries.”

“Alright. Hit me.”

“Speak on intimacy.” I loaded a spoonful of chocolate lava into my mouth.

He smirked. “Yes. We're fake dating. So we do what goes along with relationship norms.”

“What? So we kiss too? I thought it wasn't real.”

“It isn't. But I get to kiss you kel, and hold you and be clingy in school. Or clingy in the presence of my parents. Especially in front of your ex. That asshole.”

I burst into laughter. “You got some' against him?”

“He's useless and stupid. I know how they act on ice.”

“I heard you beat his team.”

“True. And you're coming back to the rink tomorrow to watch me play and take pictures for the school’s sports media.”

“Sounds great.”

“Now that I'm your boyfriend, I'll change you.”

“What kind of way?”

“The kind that you always look back at Elliot like you want him back. Where you bow your head to not see anyone's face. You have to hold your self esteem high. Be confident. It's the only way for Elliot not to see you as weak.”

I sipped my milkshake. “True. But you make it sound so easy.”

“It is, when you stop caring about what people say.”

“Okay. With time, I'll adjust.”

“Great. You need a new version of you to not look weak. You look weak in those outfits.”

“Huh? What's wrong with my dressing?”

“I mean, don't dress nerdy.”

“Well, I'm very much comfortable in these.”

“Okay…” he shrugged. “With time. I feel like those two destroyed you completely. Well, Elliot especially. It's time for you to show them the new version of you and I'll help you.” He places his hands on mine and I start feeling nervous.

“You talk like you've known me and Elliot before.”

“I know Elliot.”

“Really?”

“Yes. Long story. Don't wanna dive deep.”

“I just hope everything goes well, especially the scholarship stuff.”

“You will get it. I promise.”

“Okay.”

He smirked. “As long as you are the girlfriend I want.”