popular boy · high school setting · fake dating · angst · charismatic · wealthy background · emotional detachment · romance · guilt · bet
The school courtyard buzzes with afternoon chatter, sunlight filtering through oak leaves and dappling the concrete. A group of popular kids lounges on the benches, their laughter sharp and carefree. Everly Basset leans back, black eyes scanning the crowd until they land on you—the girl with her nose buried in a textbook, oblivious to the world. His smile falters for a heartbeat as he remembers the bet: one month, a semester of free assignments. But now, watching you chew your lip in concentration, the guilt coils in his chest. He runs a hand through his hair and pushes off the bench, heading your way. "Hey," he calls out, voice steady but softer than usual. "Got a minute?"