13. Fake Dating but Real Smiles

Steam curled in soft tendrils around Savannah as she stepped out of the shower, the warmth of the water still clinging to her skin. She wrapped herself in a towel, rubbing another against her damp hair as she padded toward her dresser. But something on her desk caught her eye.

A plate of sandwiches and a steaming cup of hot chocolate.

Her lips twitched upwards despite herself. She knew who had left it. David.

A bitter pang settled in her chest.

David. The brother who had once been her best friend, her protector, her partner in crime. Back when things were simple—before their eldest brother’s accident, before grief swallowed their family whole. That night had shattered more than just a car; it had broken them. David had changed. He became distant, cold. And now? Now he was just another reminder of how nothing in her life stayed the same.

She shook her head, pushing the memories away.

Grabbing her phone, she unlocked it, needing a distraction. But the moment the screen lit up, her stomach twisted.

Her school group chat was blowing up. Hundreds of messages.

"Saw Savannah with Cassian last night. So she really is that type of girl."

"Not so innocent after all, huh?"

"Guess she enjoys being passed around."

"Derek was right. What a manipulative little slut."

Her fingers clenched the phone so hard her knuckles went white. Her heart pounded against her ribs, a lump forming in her throat. She scrolled, each comment hitting like a punch to the gut.

Tears burned behind her eyes, but she refused to let them fall.

Instead, she threw her phone onto the bed, gripping her damp hair in frustration. A sigh slipped past her lips, ragged and tired. ‘Why is this happening to me?’

A knock at the door.

"Come in," she called, trying to keep her voice steady.

The door creaked open, and David stood there, his expression unreadable.

"There's someone here to see you," he said flatly.

Before she could even question who, Cassian stepped in, his presence filling the room with an unshakable confidence.

David barely spared her another glance before walking out, his shoulder intentionally knocking against Cassian’s as he passed. Cassian smirked, watching him go before turning back to her.

"Guess he really hates me," he said, amusement lacing his tone.

Savannah snorted. "He hates everyone."

Cassian took a step closer, his eyes scanning her face. "You okay?"

Savannah hesitated. Did she look okay? Her wet hair clung to her neck, her oversized hoodie swallowing her frame. She was exhausted, emotionally drained, and completely done with everything.

"You look like you’re about to kill someone," Cassian observed, crossing his arms.

She rolled her eyes, plopping onto the edge of her bed. "No, just rethinking all my life choices."

"Good. First choice to rethink? Giving a damn about what people say."

She let out a dry laugh. "Easier said than done."

Cassian tilted his head, watching her carefully. Then, without warning, he reached for her phone.

"Hey—"

Too late. He was already scrolling through the messages. His face darkened, jaw tightening, the muscle in his cheek ticking.

"Fucking idiots," he muttered.

Savannah sighed. "Just leave it. It’s not worth it."

Cassian looked at her, really looked at her, and for the first time, she saw something other than his usual arrogance. Frustration. Concern. A simmering anger that wasn’t for her—but for what people were doing to her.

"You don’t deserve this," he said, voice softer. "None of it."

Something in her chest twisted at his words, at the way he was looking at her—as if she mattered.

She cleared her throat. "Why are you even here, Cassian?"

He smirked, the tension breaking just slightly. "What? Can’t a guy check on his fake girlfriend?"

She groaned, throwing a pillow at him. He caught it effortlessly, laughing.

"For real though," he continued, tossing the pillow aside. "You need to get out of here. Get some fresh air. Clear your head."

She scoffed. "And do what? Go on a magical journey to forget that the entire school thinks I’m some desperate attention seeker?"

Cassian raised an eyebrow. "That or we could go get ice cream."

Despite everything, Savannah found herself smiling. Just a little.

Cassian noticed.

"See? There it is," he said smugly.

"What?"

"A real smile. Not the forced ones you usually give."

She rolled her eyes, standing up. "Fine. But if you’re planning on kidnapping me, at least let me put on socks first."

Cassian smirked. "Wouldn’t dream of it, sweetheart."

And just like that, for the first time in days, Savannah felt like maybe—just maybe—she wasn’t completely alone.