4. Deep into the Risk

Savannah’s feet moved faster than her mind. The school grounds stretched before her in an endless expanse, but it felt like the space between her and the bleachers was closing in with each step. The hum of chatter and the clatter of lockers fading behind her seemed distant, as if she were walking in a tunnel.

She kept her gaze straight ahead, forcing herself not to glance over her shoulder. She couldn’t afford to look back. She couldn’t afford to second-guess herself.

Cassian had said to meet him by the bleachers after school, but she didn’t know what to expect. After the weird interaction in class, she felt like she was stepping into unknown territory. Part of her wanted to back out, to turn around and go home. This wasn’t her. She wasn’t some girl who went along with plans like this—especially ones so obviously designed to stir the pot. But another part of her… couldn’t deny the pull.

Cassian was dangerous. He wasn’t just popular—he was magnetic, a force of nature. And the idea that she was caught in the center of it made her feel something she couldn’t explain. Something electrifying, something forbidden.

Savannah reached the bleachers, the scent of fresh grass mingling with the faint traces of old popcorn and soda. There he was, lounging against the bottom step, looking utterly unconcerned. His eyes locked onto her as she approached, his usual smirk tugging at his lips.

“You came.” His tone wasn’t surprised. If anything, it was almost like he’d known she would.

“I said I would.” Savannah’s voice was steady, even if her pulse was racing.

Cassian pushed off the bleachers, standing up straight, towering over her by at least a few inches. His eyes scanned her face with that unsettling calm, like he was reading her every thought.

“Well, now that you’re here,” he said, reaching into his pocket and pulling out his phone, “let’s get to business.”

Savannah blinked. “Business?” she repeated, confused.

He didn’t answer right away. Instead, he swiped his phone’s screen and passed it to her. Her fingers brushed against his as she took it, the brief touch sending a shiver through her skin.

On the screen, there was a list. Bullet points neatly outlined:

1. Be seen together. Make it look natural. Hold hands in the halls. Stay close. Act like it’s real.

2. Talk to me at lunch. I’ll sit next to you, and we’ll make it obvious that we’re a thing.

3. Give them a show. We’ll act like we’re fighting in front of others. It’ll build tension—makes people curious.

4. Use social media. Post pictures with me. Let them see us in places together. People will talk, and that’s what we need.

Savannah skimmed over the list, her heart sinking as she processed the words. ‘Act like it’s real’. That was the problem, wasn’t it? She had to pretend to feel something she didn’t. She had to play the part. And even worse—she had to act like she wanted to.

"You're serious about this," Savannah muttered, her voice tinged with disbelief.

"Of course, I am," Cassian said with a shrug. "Don’t worry, you’ll get the hang of it. It’s easy." His smile was lazy, but there was something dangerous about it. Like he wasn’t just playing this game for fun. He was in it to win.

Savannah handed his phone back, feeling the weight of her own hesitation growing heavier. "Why are you doing this?" she asked, almost before she could stop herself. Her voice wasn’t accusing, but it carried the question that had been lingering at the back of her mind ever since they’d talked this through.

Cassian’s gaze hardened for a moment, and for a fraction of a second, something flickered in his eyes—a trace of emotion that was quickly concealed. “Because you need help,” he said simply, with that same nonchalant air. “And I need to keep my reputation intact.”

Savannah frowned, unsure what to make of his answer. But before she could ask anything further, he spoke again.

“Anyway, enough with the heavy stuff. You ready for step one?”

She raised an eyebrow, trying to push aside the lingering doubts. “Step one?”

He grinned. “Yeah. We’ve got to look the part, remember? People are already talking. Might as well give them something worth talking about.”

The realization hit her like a punch to the gut. He meant ‘right now.’ They were going to make the first move—an obvious one. His hand found her wrist in a fluid motion, tugging her closer.

Cassian didn’t wait for her response before leaning down, his breath warm against her ear. "I’ll keep it light," he murmured, "but you’ve got to play along."

Before she could even process what was happening, his lips were on hers.

It was nothing like she expected. She’d imagined it would be awkward—forced. But Cassian’s kiss was intense, demanding. His lips pressed against hers with a confidence that left her breathless, and she realized, almost too late, that she wasn’t pulling away. She was responding.

His hand slid to her waist, pulling her closer, deepening the kiss. Her mind raced with questions, but all she could focus on was the heat between them, the undeniable chemistry sparking as his touch grew more insistent.

When he finally pulled away, it wasn’t gentle. It was slow, deliberate, like he was savoring the moment. Savannah stood there, frozen, her heart pounding in her chest.

“That was step one,” Cassian said softly, his voice smooth, almost too casual. “Simple, right?”

Savannah swallowed, her mouth dry. She could still feel the tingling sensation where his lips had been, and she struggled to regain her composure. “I wasn’t expecting that.”

“I never said this would be easy,” Cassian smirked, wiping his thumb across his lower lip like he was marking her as his.

Savannah didn’t know what to say. She could feel the buzz of the kiss lingering on her lips, and the thrill of it—combined with the overwhelming tension in her chest—left her feeling exposed, vulnerable in a way she wasn’t used to. She was supposed to be in control. She was supposed to be ‘pretending’. So why did it feel so real?

"Let’s go,” Cassian said after a moment of silence, already turning toward the school building. “We’ve got a reputation to maintain."

Savannah followed, the taste of his kiss still lingering on her lips, and for the first time in a long while, she wondered if she was in way over her head.