3. Step One

The next day at school, Savannah walked through the crowded hallways, her mind racing with the rules Cassian had outlined. She had agreed to this plan, but now, the reality of it was starting to sink in. Was she really prepared to pretend to date one of the most notorious figures in school? A guy who was cool, detached, and played by his own rules? And more importantly—was she ready to face the whirlwind of rumors and awkwardness that would inevitably follow?

She rounded the corner by the lockers, her thoughts still swirling, when she spotted Cassian standing by the door of the cafeteria. He was talking to a group of people—some of the popular jocks, a few girls who clearly idolized him—but when his eyes flicked toward her, he excused himself from the group and made his way over to her.

“Ready?” His voice was low, cool, as always, but there was an edge to it today that Savannah couldn’t quite place.

Savannah hesitated, unsure of what to expect. Her heart thudded in her chest, but she nodded, trying to act like she wasn’t affected by the proximity of his presence. Cassian was everything she wasn’t—confident, calculated, untouchable. She was just... her.

“Let’s get this over with,” she said, trying to sound casual, though she could feel the nervous energy pooling in her stomach.

Cassian flashed a knowing smile, that glint of amusement in his eyes. He reached out, brushing his fingers over hers—just enough to make the touch feel purposeful. Savannah’s breath hitched for a second, and she quickly pulled her hand back, pretending not to notice the slight spark between them.

“Don’t look so tense,” he teased, his lips curling into a smile that made her stomach flip. “You’re doing great.”

Her heart raced as they walked together through the cafeteria. The eyes of the room followed them—whispers starting in the corners, glances exchanged between students who were all too eager to jump to conclusions. Savannah felt the weight of their attention, but for the first time, it didn’t feel as awful as she thought it would.

Cassian was a force to be reckoned with, and he was taking charge of the situation. In a way, she could almost believe this was all for show.

The bell rang, signaling the end of lunch. Cassian didn’t break his stride, and neither did Savannah. They casually walked out of the cafeteria side by side, exchanging only a few words here and there. Cassian’s demeanor was completely calm, like nothing had changed. But Savannah, on the other hand, couldn’t stop her mind from racing.

“You’re doing it wrong,” Cassian said suddenly, cutting through her thoughts.

“What?” She looked at him, confused.

“You’re not acting like a girlfriend,” he said, a sly smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. “You’re supposed to be a little clingy. A little possessive. You need to let people know you’re with me.”

Savannah blinked. “I’m supposed to be... possessive?”

“Yep. A hand on the arm, maybe a small kiss on the cheek. Something to show everyone we’re actually together.”

Savannah’s face flushed at the idea. “You’re crazy,” she muttered under her breath, but there was no denying the strange flutter in her chest. Cassian was always in control, always playing things his way. But she had to admit—he knew exactly what he was doing.

They reached their next class, and Cassian pulled open the door. As she stepped in, he placed a hand on the small of her back, just enough to guide her inside, but it felt too intimate for something that was supposed to be fake. The room went silent as they entered, all eyes on them.

Savannah caught sight of Derek sitting in the back, and her heart skipped a beat. His eyes narrowed as he watched her with Cassian, his lips curling into a sneer. She could practically feel the anger radiating off him, and she had no doubt that this wouldn’t be the last time he’d try to make her life miserable.

Cassian didn’t seem to notice, or perhaps he just didn’t care. He pulled out the chair next to hers, sitting down with that air of indifference that only he could pull off. The teacher walked in, and the class resumed, but Savannah couldn’t shake the feeling that things were already changing—fast.

She couldn’t help but glance at Cassian, his expression impassive as he scribbled notes in his notebook. He was so calm, so collected, it was like he was playing a game, and she was just a piece on his board.

Was she really just a pawn in his plan? Or did he truly see this as helping her? And why did she feel like there was more to his involvement than he was letting on?

The class dragged on, and when the bell finally rang, signaling the end of the day, Savannah felt a mix of relief and anticipation. She still didn’t know exactly what Cassian was up to, but one thing was certain—she was in too deep now.

She grabbed her things, her fingers nervously tapping on the desk as she waited for him to speak.

“Meet me by the bleachers after school,” Cassian said, his voice low enough that only she could hear. “I’ll fill you in on the next step.”

Savannah nodded, her heart beating faster than before. As much as she wanted to back out, to distance herself from all this, there was something magnetic about Cassian’s presence. She couldn’t explain it, but she was drawn to him.

After school, as she made her way to the bleachers, Savannah couldn’t shake the feeling that the game had already begun. And she wasn’t sure if she was playing along—or if she was simply being played.