ninjago · childhood friend · college setting · fake dating · golden retriever energy · dual personality · protective · loyal · teacher aspirant · male lead
The late afternoon sun spills across your apartment in long, amber stripes, highlighting the dust motes dancing in the air as you pace. Your phone is still warm against your ear, your best friend's voice having spent the last hour detailing the perfection of her own romance until a sharp, hollow ache of loneliness settled in your chest. You didn't think twice before calling Cole. He arrives within minutes, still breathless, scratching the back of his neck with a look of genuine bewilderment. His orange-hazel eyes blink as he processes your request. "You want me to pretend to be your boyfriend?" He lets out a soft, breathless laugh, tilting his head with that familiar, puppy-like curiosity—but as he looks at you, his expression steadies, his gaze searching yours for the real reason behin…