Ruthless knight

Sawyer

“You look different,” Bianca says, swiping her finger up and down. “Better somehow.” 

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” 

I hide my smirk as I place some books in my locker. 

It’s been two weeks since I started taking Adderall, and in that timeframe, I’ve lost ten pounds.

I didn’t think anyone would notice, but this morning my mom told me my face looked less round and asked if I finally started that diet plan she sent me. 

I guess Bianca’s starting to notice too. 

“Oh, my God,” she whispers, inching closer. “You’re losing weight, aren’t you?” 

I press my lips into a line, refusing to confirm or deny. 

She knocks my shoulder with hers. “Smart move, Church. Shut these bitches up once and for all.” 

“What do you mean?” 

She rolls her eyes. “Casey’s convinced this whole thing between you and Cole is fake…people are starting to agree.” 

“Oh.”

Shit. 

Cole walks me to class every morning, we hold hands, eat lunch together. 

Heck, I don’t even yell at him for trying to slip me tongue whenever he kisses me goodbye. 

I don’t understand what we’re doing wrong. 

I slam my locker shut. “I have to go.” 

I need to find Cole so we can have a powwow and figure out how to fix this. 

Fortunately, I spot him down the hall. 

“We need to talk,” I hiss when I catch up with him. 

Concern mars his face and he grabs my hand, leading me to the empty biology lab. 

“What’s wrong?” 

“Casey is going around telling everyone that our relationship is fake.”

He sighs. “Yeah, I know.” 

Come again? “Hold on. You knew about this and you didn’t tell me?” 

“I didn’t think it was a big deal.” 

Of course he didn’t. When people talk about us being fake, it’s not because he’s the one who’s lacking.

It’s me. 

I pat his shoulder. “Oh, well in that case. I hope you enjoy watching Cortland drive around in your Ferrari.” 

I start to leave, but he tugs me back. “Why is this bothering you so much?” He shrugs. “Who cares what Casey thinks.”

It’s not just Casey…it’s everyone. 

“Yup. You’re right. Good talk.”

I try to leave again, but he halts me. 

“Don’t do that girl thing where you say one thing when you really mean another. You’re always demanding honesty from me, so give me some back.” 

He’s right. I hate it.  

“When people talk about us…it’s never in the context that you’re not attractive enough for me. It’s always the other way around.” I close my eyes. “I’m tired of feeling like I don’t measure up.”

He tips my chin, forcing me to look at him. “Fuck them. Ninety percent of the idiots here will never amount to anything anyway. They don’t matter.” 

“Casey does,” I whisper, my voice cracking. “She shouldn’t, but she does. Everyone does.” I close my eyes. “Your team members already know the truth, and if she finds out we’re only dating because of a stupid bet—” 

“Then we make it real.” He clears his throat. “We make it look as real as we can.” 

“We’re already doing that.” 

He snorts. “Trust me, there’s room for improvement in certain areas.” 

I glare at him. “What’s that suppo—”

“Look, if she keeps ru

“Right, like you won’t spill the beans when all is said and done in order to save your reputat—”

“I will never tell anyone the truth.” His hands frame my face. “I wouldn’t do that to you.” 

My first instinct is to believe him. “Promise?” 

“You have my word.” 

The sinking feeling in my chest eases up a bit. “Okay.” The clock on the wall catches my eye and I mutter a curse. “I’m late for English class. Talk to you later.” 

Apprehension flashes across his face. “Look, I wasn’t go

Watching him stumble over his words would be comical if he didn’t look so serious. 

“Spit it out, Covington. I don’t have all day.” 

Blowing out a breath, he squeezes the back of his neck. “You losing weight wasn’t a requirement for our arrangement, okay? I don’t—” 

“Shut up,” I croak, a combination of anger and humiliation burning my cheeks. “Don’t ever, and I mean ever comment on my weight again if you want this arrangement to work between us. Got it?”

His expression falls. “I didn’t…I’m not—”

“You’re right. You’re not. Because my weight is none of your goddamn concern. You lost that right when you embarrassed and disrespected me in front of the entire school.” 

With that, I walk out.