He Said I Was Too Ugly... Now I'm His Fiancée

The silence in the classroom is only broken by the scratching of pens, the soft buzz of the bulb in the back — and my heart, beating way too fast for my liking.

I'm sitting here. Next to him. Him. Kaelan Winton. My "fiancé." My favorite nightmare. And also… maybe, just maybe, my obsession.

He's sitting with his arms crossed, staring straight ahead. He's radiating that icy cold vibe that not even the midday sun could melt. I could be a chair, a potted plant, or a fly… same effect for him. No glance. No words. Nothing.

But me? I've got a thousand thoughts running wild.

> Why does my heart do a freaking backflip every time he moves his damn pen? Why are his lashes longer than mine? And why do I have this stupid knot in my stomach when we haven't even started the damn presentation yet?

— So… shall we start? I say, voice a bit squeakier than intended.

He finally turns his head toward me. Slowly. Too slowly.

— What, can't wait to be glued to me or something?

I blink at him.

> No, Kaelan. I just want to get this damn presentation over with so I can erase you from my sight and, preferably, my heart. Thanks.

But I smile. Politely. Falsely.

— I'm just serious about this, Kaelan. If we want a good grade, we have to actually start.

He raises an eyebrow. I notice a shadow of exhaustion under his eyes. A crease of boredom on his forehead. He's perfect… from a distance.

— What, should we play the perfect fiancés in front of the class too?

— You know what? Forget it.

I grab my stuff, ready to storm off. But before I can even move, he places his hand on my paper.

— Liora…

I freeze. He said my name.

— I'm not in the mood today, OK? Let's just get this done. That's it.

His tone is calm. Not harsh. Just… drained. Almost sad.

And I don't know why, but my chest tightens.

> What happened to you, Kaelan? Why do I feel like something's eating you up? And why does it hurt me?

I don't ask. I scribble down the outline of our presentation. He follows along. Quietly. We work. Despite the tension. Despite the curious stares around us.

And then, a voice pulls me out of my thoughts.

— Kaelan, you coming to the party Friday? Everyone's gonna be there!

It's Amanda, the "queen" of the school. Fatal beauty, heartbreaker… and apparently my fiancé's number one fan.

Kaelan slightly turns his head.

— I don't know.

— Oh, come on! You always come. Plus, I got a dress that matches your favorite shirt…

I swallow.

> Matching outfits? Since when do they coordinate their clothes?

— Maybe. I'll see, he says flatly.

Amanda turns to me, that fake smile glued to her lips.

— And you, Liora… you coming too? I mean, not like anyone would notice if you didn't show…

My cheeks burn. Kaelan says nothing. He just looks at her, unreadable.

I take a breath.

— Maybe I will, Amanda. Who knows? Maybe I'm more interesting than you think.

She laughs. Kaelan looks down at his papers, the corner of his lips twitching slightly.

> Did he… just smile?

But he doesn't say anything. Just keeps working. Focused. Calm.

And me? I'm sitting there, between the lines of our presentation, trying to figure out this boy who pret

ends I don't exist — but whose every little movement hits me like thunder on a quiet night.