⭐ CHAPTER 3 — Lines Start Blurring
The next morning, Amara hoped the rumors had calmed down.
They hadn't.
In fact, they had mutated into something worse.
As she walked through the school gate, two girls beside her were already whispering loud enough for her to hear.
"Did you hear?"
"I heard Kyle held her hand all the way to the staffroom yesterday."
"No way!"
"And he carried her bag."
"That boy is in love oh!"
Amara nearly choked.
Kyle had done neither of those things.
But the school didn't need facts — just vibes and excitement.
By the time she reached her locker, her head was pounding. She wanted silence. Peace. Air.
Instead, she got—
"Kyle's girlfriend is here!"
Someone shouted it like breaking news.
Amara closed her eyes slowly.
She regretted everything. Life choices included.
Tolu rushed toward her, practically vibrating with excitement.
"Bestie!" Tolu grabbed her and almost shook her. "You're trending!"
"I want to go home," Amara muttered.
"No you don't," Tolu said. "You want Chapter Three of your life to begin."
"This is not a novel."
"Could've fooled me."
Before Amara could argue, a tall shadow fell over them.
Kyle.
As usual, the hallway reacted instantly.
Conversations stopped.
People moved aside.
Whispers spread in waves.
Kyle walked straight toward Amara, hands in pockets, eyes soft in a way she didn't like.
Soft meant trouble.
"Morning," he said to her.
Tolu nearly fainted beside her.
Amara nodded stiffly. "Morning."
Kyle studied her face. "You okay?"
Amara blinked. He had never asked her that before. Not in that tone.
"Yes," she said quickly. "I'm fine."
He didn't look convinced. "You don't look fine."
"Because your entire fanbase is staring at me like they want me dead," Amara hissed.
Kyle looked around at the crowd.
Quietly.
Dangerously.
"Everyone mind your business," he said calmly.
The hallway scattered like birds.
Amara stared at him. "Why did you say it like that?"
"Say what?"
"Like you're their father."
Kyle smirked. "Maybe I am."
Tolu wheezed.
Amara groaned.
⭐ LATER — BREAK TIME DRAMA
During break, Amara sat under the mango tree outside, trying to breathe. The gossip was too much. She needed a quiet moment.
Of course, she didn't get it.
Kyle found her.
He sat beside her without asking, close enough that their shoulders almost touched.
"You disappeared after class," he said.
"I needed air."
"From what?"
"You," she said before thinking.
Kyle blinked.
Then surprised her by… laughing softly.
He had a nice laugh. Annoyingly nice.
"I'm stressing you?" he asked.
"Yes," she said honestly. "This whole fake dating thing is getting out of hand."
Kyle leaned back, arms behind his head.
"Then let's set clearer rules."
Amara frowned. "Like what?"
"Rule one," he said. "You tell me when something bothers you."
She raised a brow. "Why?"
"Because I'm your boyfriend," he said.
"Fake boyfriend," she corrected.
He ignored her. "Rule two: I don't like Samuel."
Amara froze. "Why does that need to be a rule?"
Kyle shrugged like it was obvious. "Because he's annoying."
"That's not a rule."
"It is now."
"Kyle—"
"And rule three…"
Kyle's voice dropped lower, softer.
"You don't push me away in public."
Amara looked up sharply. "Why?"
Kyle turned his face toward her, expression unreadable.
"Because it makes it look like the relationship is one-sided," he said quietly.
Amara felt something twist in her stomach.
One-sided.
She swallowed hard, suddenly unsure of what to say.
Before she could reply, a group of girls walked by.
And one of them — a tall, pretty girl with braids and confidence — stopped right in front of them.
"Hey, Kyle," she said sweetly. "Can I talk to you for a sec?"
Kyle didn't move. "I'm busy."
"With her?" the girl asked, eyes flashing toward Amara.
Kyle's jaw tightened. "Yes. With her."
The girl scoffed and walked away.
Amara looked at him slowly. "Why did you say it like that?"
Kyle didn't look at her. "Like what?"
"Like you meant it."
Kyle finally turned his head toward her. His eyes were calm, but there was something underneath — something she couldn't read.
"Maybe I did," he said quietly.
Amara's heart stuttered.
"This is fake, Kyle," she whispered, needing to remind herself as much as him.
He didn't smile.
He didn't joke.
He just looked at her.
"I know," he said softly.
"But sometimes… fake things feel real."
Amara's breath caught.
And for the first time since this whole disaster began…
She realized she might be the one in danger—
Not from the rumors.
Not from the school.
Not from Samuel.
But from Kyle.
And from the feelings she was not supposed to feel.