Chapter four.

Science project.

Mr. Liam walked into the class, and the room instantly fell silent.

“I am certain that each and every one of you are already working intensely on your Science project”.

“You should understand how crucial this project is. A poor grade won’t just hurt your record, it could cost you your graduation and force you to repeat the class.”

“I don't give a f***k about his class, he should get over this shift and leave us alone”. Michael remarked.

Mr. Liam continued speaking, his voice authoritative.

“You should all make sure you are actively involved in the science project,” Mr. Liam announced firmly. “At the end of the week, I’ll randomly choose one member from each group to present.”

“That's all for today. Class dismissed”.

The whole class erupted with noise and chatter.

“Mr. Liam can’t be serious,” someone muttered, disbelief spreading across the room.

“You don't have to worry dude, time to make good use of your stalker”. Jude chipped in.

“Absolutely, she is good with science, you might want to use your charm”.

“She is into you already?”.He added, a boyish grin spreading across his face.

“Are you saying I should ask her out”.

“You can, after the project is over you will break up”.

“Cool man, that's the plan”, he remarked.

Michael walked over to Lydia’s table and slipped her a note, a playful smirk flickering in his eyes as their gazes met.

She opened it and read it slowly. “Meet me after class in the locker room, I have got something important to discuss with you”.

Her heart raced as curiosity swirled in her mind. What could he possibly want to discuss in secret? Maybe this was her chance to share their first kiss.

She walked briskly toward the locker room hallway, her footsteps echoing against the floor.

Glancing around, she searched for him but saw no sign. Just as she turned to leave, a familiar figure appeared in the doorway.

“Michael”.She breathed, her heart pounding as his name escaped her lips.

He stepped closer, closing the distance between them.

A soft gasp escaped her lips as her heart pounded. Was he really going to kiss her?

“Lydia,” he said softly,

Her whole body trembled as he called out her name. His voice sent a shiver down her spine.

“Yes”. She faltered.

He steps back slightly, offering a small smile.

“I really need your help with the science project,” he admitted, his voice low. “If I don’t do well on this one, my grades will drop and I can’t afford that.”

She fixed her gaze on him. She couldn't believe her ears. He was asking her for a favour?

This was the moment to ask for what she has ever wanted? A chance to date the most influential boy in Sherman Oaks Center.

“I don't mind if you will agree to be my boyfriend”. She whispered.

This would clear her name about being a stalker.

“Just this week, right?” Michael asked, raising a brow.

Lydia shook her head quickly. “No, for the whole of my sophomore year.”

He blinked. “Wait, the whole year?”

Michael's eyes widened in shock. “Are you crazy?”.

“Do you accept the deal or not?”.

Michael scratched his head. “That's a long time”.

“You are free to decline and face the repercussions of being a returning student in Mr. Liam class”.

She glared at him. He seemed determined not to fail.

“I am doing this to keep my grades up and stay on the team”.

“Very good then”. She said, extending her hand for a handshake. “Deal”.

They parted, Michael trailing after Jude.

Jude tapped him on the chest hard. “What did she say?”.

A frown marred Michael's face. “Are you okay?”.

“I can't believe I agreed to date her for the whole of my sophomore year”.

Jude looked at him in disbelief. “Are you crazy? That would be a disaster to your social reputation”.

“Thanks to your advice man, I am stuck with her”.

He was finding it hard to believe.

“What about the school project?”.

“She isn't going to help if I don't abide by her terms”.

“I guess you are stuck with her then, you will date her secretly and find a reason to break up with her”.

Michael's face brightened. “Why didn't I think about that?”.

“Because you got me as your friend, you only have to hang out with other girls more than her for her to see the red light that you aren't in her league”.

He moved closer. “But that will be after the science project”.

Lydia was overjoyed as she hurried to meet her best friend in the classroom. She couldn't find her. She drifted straight to the school robotics team. Eleanor was the captain. She was busy chatting with members of the team.

“Eleanor”. She called her.

“I am busy”. She whispered.

“Just a sec”. Lydia pleaded.

“Fine, I won't stay long”.

“I am sorry guys. I will be back soon”. She said as she hurried over to meet Lydia.

“I can't believe it, he agreed so officially we are dating”.

Eleanor's eyes widened in disbelief. “Oh my God, you are dating the hottest guy in school, we are so cool right now”.

“I know right, but until sophomore year ends”.

“I don't understand”.

“ it's a little bit complicated”.

“He asked me to help him out with the science project and I told him I will only do that if he will agree to be my boyfriend then he said yes”.

“So nobody knows it isn't real, just the two of us”.

“I can't believe you got yourself a boyfriend already, and he is a stone-cold hotting, not a nerd from one of your AP classes, the hottest guy in Sherman Oaks high school”.

“I need to go, let me leave you to attend to your robotic team”. She announced.

Lydia smiled as she walked away. This sophomore year was becoming normal like the way she planned it. This will be an end to the identity of Lydia Kapor being a stalker.

Chapter Five.

Fake Dating.

She woke up the next morning feeling so much better.

The thought that Michael would be acting as her boyfriend made her heart skip a bit.

Her stomach fluttered with excitement as she twirled around her room, unable to hide the joy bubbling inside.

She stopped in front of her wardrobe, determined to look beautiful if she was going to be seen beside a rugby star.

Clothes flew everywhere as she tossed aside outfit after outfit, nothing felt good enough anymore. She needed something new.

Thankfully, she had managed to save some money from her monthly allowance. It was time to break open the piggyvest.

She slipped into a dark red bodycon dress, modest but figure-hugging, paired with white sneakers to keep it casual. Her hair was straightened to perfection.

She checked her reflection twice, and her lips curled into a satisfied smile.

Would Michael even notice? She wondered, her heart skipping rapidly at the thought of it.

She might only be his fake girlfriend, but she wanted everyone to believe it was real.

And for a moment, even she almost did.

Her mom froze in the doorway, blinking as if she needed a second look. Lydia’s heart fluttered, that one look said more than words ever could.

“You look… different today,” she said slowly.

There was pride in her tone, but also the faint ache of realising she wasn't a little girl anymore.

Her mom raised an eyebrow. “Mhm. Just don’t let that boy distract you from your studies.”

Lydia grabbed her backpack, pretending not to hear the last part.

“Bye mom”.

She headed to meet her dad. He was already in the living room waiting to drive her to school.

When he saw her walk out of the room. For a moment, he said nothing. He just stared at her his eyes soft with surprise.

“My little girl isn't so little anymore”. Her dad exclaimed.

She blushed.

“It's just a dress, dad”.

He chuckled.

“Let's go”. She announced.

He stood up and walked to the door. She followed him and entered the front seat of the car.

In less than an hour he arrived at Sherman Oaks Center. When the car came to a halt. He advised. “I want you to remember who you are. Don't let any boy decide that for you”.

“Thanks dad”. She nodded, as she got down.

When Lydia entered the classroom, the air shifted. Heads turned one by one. Michael's lips curled into a slow grin when Lydia entered. He nearly dropped his phone in awe.

“She looks different”. He murmured.

Jude raised his head to stare at her.

“In a good way”. He confessed.

Lydia barely had time to adjust the strap of her bag before Eleanor appeared beside her.

“You changed Lydia, why did you straighten your hair?”. She asked.

“I hope it looks good on me, so I decided to try something new”. She answered.

“You look so ravishingly beautiful, didn't you see the way he was staring at you”.

Lydia smiled deeply pleased. “I didn't notice”. She responded, unable to contain her excitement.

“Why would he be interested in me?. When everyone seemed to either want to be friends with him, date him or simply be him”. She asked in a barely audible voice.

Eleanor chuckled. “Everyone except me?”.

“You are weird, you know right?”.

She spotted Michael heading in their direction. “I guess I need to go, he is coming over here to talk to you”. She said packing her books and leaving.

He didn’t say a word at first, just reached out and gently took her hand. He leaned close enough for her to hear.

Her heart skipped. This is part of the act, she reminded herself, but his hand was warm, firm, steady in a way that made it hard to breathe.

He cleared his throat sitting straight.

“I haven't heard anything concerning the science project”. He said coldly.

“Yeah, I am still working on it. I need a little more time to finalise my work”. She swallowed hard.

“Maybe you could use the time you wasted in making sure you have been noticed to good use, Mr. Liam deadline is this week and you are still working on it”. He snapped.

“I am sorry if I offended you”, she whispered

Her fingers trembled as she fidgeted with her bag strap.

“You better hurry up”, he murmured, his tone casual but his thumb brushing against her knuckles. A shiver ran down her spin.

Whispers follow them like a soft trail in the classroom.

“Why is Michael sitting close to Lydia, are they a couple now” Maya whispered.

“No way that’s Lydia and Michael!” another gasped.

“That's impossible”.

He ignored the voices. “Don't mess with me Lydia, I don't mind telling the whole school that you asked me to be your fake boyfriend for the whole sophomore year”.

Lydia froze in disbelief evident in her face. “You dare not”.

“Watch me!!”. He said standing up and leaving the class.

Chapter Six.

The apology.

A shiver ran down her spine as she recalled Michael's threat. She couldn't risk it. What will happen when the whole school comes to the knowledge of the fact that she asked him to be her boyfriend.

Her friend ran to her after school hours.

“You don't look so good”, she remarked.

“I really need to get this over with him”, she replied.

“I don't understand”, Eleanor voiced while holding her hands gently.

Tears shimmered down her eyes as she tried to explain.

“I think I just made a big mistake allowing Michael to be my boyfriend”, she said.

“It's not been twenty-four hours since you both became official”,

“What could have possibly happened for you to feel such terrible emotions flooded deep within you”,

“Yes, it wasn't the way I imagined”, she continued.

Eleanor paused for a while before speaking. “You really scared me, do you think he can risk having an F in the upcoming academic year for a course that would ruin his career path”

Lydia had always known Aria to be fearless and brave. When it comes to matters like this she was sure she could count on her.

“If he wants a fight!, we will give it to him”, Eleanor said amicably.

Lydia didn't utter a word. She was holding on to the confidence of her friend. Who held her hands as they walked out of the school building.

They walked past the rugby field while he was practising. He left the team to meet up with her.

Eleanor didn't move an inch. She was ready to give this guy a piece of her mind.

He stopped as soon as he reached where both of them were.

“Excuse me!”, he said coldly, his gaze on her best friend.. “I would love to have a word with her alone”, he said coldly.

She didn't move until Lydia gave her permission.

“Eleanor, give us a sec,” Lydia announced.

“Fine!,” she said, pointing her index finger at him. “I am watching you, don't mess with my girl”, she said moving away.

“What's it?”, she asked defensively. “I was in the middle of something important when you distracted me…”,

He didn't wait for her to finish as he planted a kiss on her cheeks..

Embarrassment rushed over her. “What..,” she stammered.

He used his index finger to close her lips. “Sh.., this is what you wanted to remember”, he announced.

“You need to be aware that the deal is still on and I need your full cooperation”,

Lydia couldn't believe her eyes. It felt like she was dreaming. She pinched herself to be sure she wasn't. The pain lingered in her skin.

“You didn't have to,” she said.

He laughed hysterically. “I feel you need time to get used to the feeling of being with the hottest guy in school”, he said, as he returned back to playing his game.

Lydia turns around. She could see that he has broken a lot of hearts by just pretending to be her boyfriend.

Envious eyes kept on staring at her as she walked through the field quietly. She wondered if she had made the right choice or not.

Elaine, the leader of the cheerleaders squad, rushed up to meet her. “So it's true that you are officially dating Michael”, she asked.

She hesitated before replying. “Yes,”she said with a low tone.

“Fine, a friend of Michael is a friend of ours too not to talk of his girlfriend”, she said.

That felt so unreal, Elaine couldn't afford to accept her to their team just like that.

But Lydia was so lost that she couldn't think straight.

“Let's go”, she said, dragging her to the field where practice was made.

“You have to own up to your status so I hereby give you a special invitation to be a part of our team”,

“Really”, she blinked in astonishment.

“Yes”, she said.

“Nah, we can't afford to tarnish the image of the team right”, Maya whispered.

“It's no longer a matter of debate, she is in already”, she said.

Elaine was the team captain so everyone had little or no choice but to accept the fact that Lydia was here to stay.

“Fine, whatever”, Maya said, stepping back.

Lydia looked around to check on Eleanor but she was nowhere to be found. She wondered where she must have gone.

Elaine held her hands. “Party at eight o'clock at my house”, she said, handing her an invite.

Lydia couldn't believe she had been invited by the hottest girl on campus all because Michael kissed her on her cheeks.

“Wear something nice”, she murmured.

“Let's go girls”, she informed the other cheerleaders as they moved in unison.

“Byes”, the girls greeted, as they disappeared.

It was difficult to believe but her whole life was about to change from the weird nerd stalker to a socially inclined teenager.

Was she truly ready for it? She couldn't believe her whole world changed in a twinkle of an eye.

Lydia was left alone. She hurried out wondering where Eleanor must have gone earlier.

She met her outside the girls locker room.

“What happened to you?”, she asked.

“I had a few stuff, I needed to pick up at the drama unit”, she exclaimed. “You didn't expect that I should be standing alone while he spoke to you”

“Are you angry?”, she asked.

“I don't see the need for him to try to separate us”, she said.

“I am sorry, you know how stubborn Michael can be”,

“I don't, and you need to stop making excuses for his bad behaviour”,

“Don't be angry, I apologise for his bad behaviour”, she responded, touching her on her arms playfully.

“It's alright”, she let out a small laugh.

“When you left, Michael planted a kiss on my cheeks in front of everyone”, she said with excitement evident in her voice.

“Wow, I should have seen how you would react”, she said laughing loudly. “I am sure you will look like you just won a trophy”,

“Really, that's all you have to say”,

“I am not trying to talk down on your biggest fantasy but I definitely know you won't be able to grasp the fact that he just kissed you in front of everyone”,

Lydia smiled deeply pleased. “I can't wait to hand over the science project and hopefully Mr. Liam gives us an A”,

Eleanor fixed her gaze on her. “I don't mean to be a spoiler but what if he doesn't give the part of his bargain after achieving his aim in the science project?”,

Will Michael be so in considerate to act out of line?

Lydia paused a while. “Whatever!, he is mine now and that's what matters?”