When Henry made a deal with his best friend to make their school's notable Ice Bitch– August, fall in love, he didn't expect that he'd come to respect her instead. And just when he wanted out of the bet, the Ice Bitch found him and made a counter offer. Now with August in his team, the two of them set out an elaborate plan to make their peers believe that the original bet was still in motion. But what started as an easy mission turned complicated when even their own hearts got entangled in very real emotions to what was supposed to be a very fake scheme.
Lihat lebih banyak"Do you wanna make a bet?"
Theo finishes his cigarette. It was his second stick and yet he reached for my pack to start another one. He has been in a sour mood the whole morning. And I can only guess it was that August girl.
"That August girl–"
And I was right.
"–how can she be so infuriating?"
I didn't want to start another conversation about her, but I asked him anyway, "Why? What did she do this time?"
"Didn't you see how she looked at us in the parking lot earlier?"
I didn't.
"She walks around here like she owns the place when technically she never even paid a cent to get in."
"That's what being a scholar is." I huffed the last of my cigarette and felt my pockets for gum. "It's not her fault she's smart."
Theo only rolled his eyes. He's a fucking bully. Always had been. Ever since we were kids, he'd find someone whose life he'd make a living hell. I am his friend yet I know this. That would make me a terrible one I guess. But I don't care enough about anyone here to stop him. And the more time he spends bothering them, the less he spends bothering me.
"It's our parents' money that got her here. She should forfeit the audacity to condescend us."
If anything– I wanted to say, we're the ones condescending her.
For years, Theo mostly spent his school life torturing other students until they crack. Some transferred, some left for another country, others just completely gave up on socialization and opted home-schooling. This is the first time someone really grinded his gears. He has tried to shame August ever since freshman years. Saying she didn't belong here or that she was a trash parasite. But the girl wouldn't budge. She would only look at him with such patronizing eyes, with such pity that the shame rounds back to him.
He has never physically hurt her, but his treatment towards her has gotten worse. He spends days thinking of ways to make it difficult for her. The worst one yet was when he threw her bike at the river. It was her only mode of transportation. She spent hours looking all over for it and Theo laughed so hard she kind of figured out she'll never see that bike again. Still, she paid him zero attention and that really pissed him off. He taunted her about it for days and only stopped when she turned to him just to say,
"No. I'm not angry Mr. Brandiles in contrary to the belief you've been parading the past three days. I just don't think you're worth any of my time. In fact, this is the longest one I'll ever spend with you."
I could have sworn I saw him smile. Sometimes I think he might actually like her for dedicating this much time to make her notice him. Sometimes, it's already bordering obsession.
"So do you wanna make a bet?" He asked again.
"Sure."
I wanted to take it back. But I've gotten so resigned to his every whims that it has become my automatic response.
"I want you to humble that Ice Bitch down."
That got me a bit confused and he read my face easily.
"Are you still with Pam?"
"Which Pam?"
"From Holy Bernadette?"
I laughed, "That ended a while back, didn't I tell you? Maybe you meant Pam from Trinity?"
"Yeah, sure that one."
"That ended too."
"You are a whore. Which is perfect for my plans."
Now I know where this is going. I might do it of course, not for anything but because I've got nothing better to do.
"You make the bitch made of ice fall in love with you. Not impossible, I guess–"
I shrugged. She could be a tough act.
"–then you break her heart. Publicly. I want everyone to see her fall. If you're successful, I will give you a hundred grand. If not, you give me Philip."
What does he think of me?
As if I don't already have that money in my bank. And Philip's a Thoroughbred. Spoilt to the brim. He has his own therapist, own blacksmith and a dedicated Equine Veterinarian tuned to all of his needs. Heck, he drinks the 1907 Heidsieck in a marble trough.
A hundred grand is not even a penny for Philip and Theo knows that.
"I think August is a hard shell to open. You're lowballing me with just a hundred grand. I also won't wager my horse. He's worth more than even you."
"So what do you propose my friend?"
I thought for a while. What do I even want from him? To be honest, I'd probably do this for free because I'm bored. But my father often says never do anything you are good at for free.
"Make it two hundred grand. And I want your yacht."
He looked as if he would say no but then thought better of it. What's two hundred grand for the youngest and only son of a business tycoon who owns lands and properties in every inch of the world? As for the yacht, well he can always buy a new one.
"And what do I get if you fail?"
That was a hard question. He's a spoiled thing who already has everything. Well, maybe not everything.
"I'll be the best wingman you'll ever have. You'll have a girlfriend before the year ends."
The bet is stupid, childish and shallow. I only really said that because I thought we were joking. But Theo took the deal. I didn't care because August is just another girl. And Theo, well, he doesn't care about the money or the yacht or even Philip. Theo really just wants to see the Ice Bitch burn.
August grunted in exasperation. She has been looking more stressed these past few days. Our second quarter finals had just concluded and of course she came out first, but only because of so many nights of missed sleeps and early morning study sessions she scheduled for herself. All on top of her responsibilities as the President of Highbrows, Vice President of the Student Council, her part-time job as a barista and her tasks as a Student Assistant. I had the privilege of seeing her planner once and I am still wondering how she was able to fit all she needs to do within the 24-hour timeframe given to man.She sits now at my passenger seat, with eyes closed, forehead resting to the cool of the window. Her hair is twisted in a messy ponytail, yet somehow all I see is how it perfectly falls into her face like a set of dominoes falling one by one. “You know, if you keep staring you might miss the green light.” She said with eyes still closed.My eyes quickly darted back to the road and I
The hallways were buzzing with excited conversations. It wasn’t really unusual during the early hours of a school day but the electric vibrancy that seems to inhabit most everyone today is palpable; it pricks my skin and makes the hair on the back of my neck stand. The often cold halls feel warm because of all the giddy laughters and pitchy shrieks of lovestruck girls every once in a while. It wouldn’t take long for one to figure out that the date of the Chevaliers de la Roine Ball has been announced. It is the biggest annual event of the Academy where all students can dress in gowns and tuxedos and play-pretend to be Princesses and Princes as if they don’t already do that everyday. It’s a night where they can showcase their wealth by hiring the biggest names in the fashion industry to style them and arrive in limos or choppers or private planes. There was a year where a Sophomore Student arrived in a glass carriage in the shape of Cinderella’s pumpkin– it was Dove– that sophomore
The only thing that kept me from punching Sebastian’s face was August holding my hand. I was so thankful that she kept a good grip on me because I really didn’t want to cause a scene. Behind Bash was Claire, who stood on the porch carrying their child, looking all worried. The silence that stretched was painful. My brother looked back and forth to August and I. This is the first time I’ve seen him in what– two, three years? Also, this is the first time I’ve seen him so unsure and in a loss for words. Even when my father banished him and took away all his inheritance and removed him from the will, my brother stood tall and proud. There was no doubt in him that day that what he chose was right. And I guess, he did choose right. Because he didn’t look lonely. Not anymore. When no one seemed to be ready to break the silence between us, it was August who spoke first. “Please don’t think I am interfering in any way–” her voice was so soft that even if I did get mad at her, I would have
The day of our fourth fake date has come and I am both excited and terrified. I tell myself that after the fake dates we still have the falling-in-love phase and the break-up. We’ll still have more time. I’ll still have August for a short while. I picked her up in front of her mother’s clinic who waved us goodbye and reminded me of the dinner she still owed. I told Dr. Carline that I am definitely available anytime she wants to invite me over to which August only grunted while pulling me away as quickly as possible. August still smelled of vanilla and it enveloped the inside of my car. It was a scent I have come to be familiar with but still can’t get enough of. I had to consciously wrestle with myself not to get too attached. But I believe it might be too late. When all of this is over, I know I will always crave the scent of vanilla and I won’t be able to breathe it in without thinking of August. “Here, let’s drive to this address.” August said as she handed me a piece of neatly
The school year is moving faster than I wanted and so is my fake-dates with August. We were already on our fourth one before I even realized it. During our free period, she asked me if I have any plans for our second to the last fake date and I had so many planned out dates but none of them felt like the best suited one considering this is the last one that I will get to choose. “Why don’t you decide this one too and I’ll pick out our very last date instead?” I finally told her. August pondered for a moment, her brows creasing in deep thought. “You swear you’re not going to try something funny on the last date?” She asked. Her eyes filled with uncertainty. After all this time, she still had her inhibitions with me. I smiled and raised my pinky finger, “I swear August. If anything I’m just glad we’re almost done with the first phase of the plan. My friends have been asking me nonstop if you’re in love with me yet.” It was a lie of course. Well, at least the former. I wasn’t close
I’ve never seen anyone as calm as August inside the eye of the storm. When we arrived at the hospital, she knew exactly where to go, knew who to talk to, knew what to do. Apparently, her mother ruptured her appendix while she was doing volunteer work, giving free consultations in the lower edge of the city. She suddenly fainted and luckily they got her to the hospital in time for an immediate surgery. The Doctor that August was talking to said that it could have been much worse if she was even five minutes late.“You’re mother is my friend, I won’t let anything bad happen to her.” Dr. Wakovski said and then he gestured to me, “You go ahead and relax and wait this out with your boyfriend.”“Oh,” August started to say. But the doctor was back inside the operating room before she could explain anything more. I tried to hide my smirk, but it was too difficult especially after seeing August blush over that comment. “Stop it.” She said firmly as she walked past me.We haven’t eaten anythin
It was August’s turn to decide on our third fake-date, and all I can think of is how we haven’t even completed half of our fake-dating scheme and I am already crushing on her for real. But this is something she doesn’t have to know. It’s something I can just keep forever. “So it’s set!” Gwen declared giddily. The four of us were rounded by the cafeteria and by four, I meant, August and I, as well as Gwen and Royce. “Will you be picking up Auggie or should she just ride with us?” Gwen was asking me a question but I was busy thinking of ways on how I could stop having a crush on August, who was kind enough to gently jab me on my sides to help me refocus. I fluttered my eyes as I felt my consciousness slowly drift back to me. “Sorry, what was that again?” Gwen rolled her eyes, “Ugh. Hello…” she waves her hands in front of my face, “Earth to Henry. Are you here?” “I’m here now,” was my reply. This only gained another eye rolling from Gwen. She answered me anyway, “I was asking if you
I have successfully avoided my father for the past three days. I leave the house before he is up and return only once he's gone to bed. With him at home, I felt more of a stranger in my house than I ever did before. After schools’ are often spent in Theo's place and sometimes in the Library where August is. Yesterday, I even went with her to her other job as a barista in a quaint, homey bookstore/coffee shop called The Old Scroll. I only insisted on driving her there initially. Which was of course met with defiance but I have learned how to properly negotiate with August. I told her I'd be buying coffee and I'd be leaving a very generous tip. I did buy coffee and then I decided to stay for a little while. And then the little while turned to an hour. And then another. And another. And I told myself I was just killing time but I knew I stayed because I liked being close to August. To keep myself helpful, I did some waiting tables and even entertained buyers by suggesting books they
I got to school really early the following Monday. My body was still reeling from the exhaustion of yesterday’s activity but I just couldn’t stay home any longer. My father has returned from his business trip and the household is once again filled with this ominous aura he seemed to carry wherever he goes. Even the butlers and the maids are feeling strained and are more rigid than usual. My mother on the other hand is trying her best to pretend she’s been well the entire time he was gone and that she’s doing better now that he’s here. We all can see that it was a lie, but my father does not care enough to even pretend his concern. I knew that the moment he lays his eyes on me, it’ll be a none stop conversation of the things I should already know about the business and how if it was Bash, he probably wouldn’t be worrying so much about leaving the company’s future to such incompetent hands.So what’s a guy to do other than drive to school earlier than usual?The Academy looked so diff
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