Fade Into You

Chapter 4

Faye's  POV

Mr. Samuelson, my English teacher, continued droning on about whatever topic he'd been discussing for the past fifteen minutes. His voice sounded distant, like an echo underwater, but I kept jotting down random notes just to appear focused. 

My mind was a blank canvas, my eyes locked on his polished mahogany desk at the front of the classroom. Just as he raised a finger to add something else, the bell rang, signaling the end of fourth period.

Lunch break.

I leaned back in my chair and watched as the students poured out of the classroom in twos and threes. When the room was nearly empty, I closed my notebook, dropped my pens into my pencil case, and slipped everything into my bag.

That's when I looked up—and saw Jonathan.

He was walking out just ahead of me, slinging his black school bag over one shoulder with that same effortless charm he always carried. I don't know what it is about him, but every time I look at him, I lose the ability to look away. 

It's like my brain short-circuits. And sometimes, when he catches me staring, he doesn't say anything—he just smirks.

But this time... this time, he looked up.

Our eyes locked.

And he smiled at me.

He actually smiled at me.

He walked out with the rest of the students, leaving me stunned in an empty classroom with my breath caught in my throat.

What the hell just happened?

Was that just a random smile? Or was there something more behind it?

Shaking off the daze, I hurried out and merged with the crowd in the hallway. Moving through people has never been an issue for me. Everyone either steps aside or lets me pass without a word. They know who I am—and more importantly, they know what kind of family I come from.

I walked into the cafeteria, already buzzing with noise and packed with students. My eyes immediately landed on our usual table, positioned right in the middle of the room, where Kaycee was already seated. A few feet across from us sat my brother and his squad—Toby, Mike, and to my surprise, someone new-ish.

Andy Fitzroy.

Transferred from London just a few months ago. Tall, blond, blue-eyed, and painfully handsome. And that soft British accent of his? Yeah, definitely the kind that makes girls melt on the spot.

I walked over with my lunch tray, slid into the seat across from Kaycee, set my bag on the chair beside me, and placed my tray in front of me. Kaycee glanced up briefly with a small smile, then went right back to scrolling through her phone. I unscrewed the cap of my lime juice and took a long sip.

"What are you staring at?" I asked, narrowing my eyes at her.

She glanced up again and grinned. 

"Stalking your future husband's Instagram."

I groaned. 

"Jonathan again? Didn't we go over this last week? I doubt you'll find anything new."

She shook her head, smirking. 

"That's where you're wrong, my friend. He just posted a mirror selfie in the bathroom. Abs fully on display. White towel barely hanging on. And guess what he captioned it?"

I raised a brow. "Dare I ask?"

She leaned forward slightly, eyes wide with drama. 

"On the hunt."

I frowned. "Meaning?"

She gaped at me. 

"Meaning he's looking for his next target! And we both know you're on that list, Faye."

I scoffed and bit into my sandwich. 

"Can we not? I've got more important—"

I paused when I noticed she wasn't looking at me anymore. Her eyes were fixed on something—or someone—behind me, her mouth slightly open in shock.

I turned slowly in my seat.

And froze.

The last person I expected to see again this soon was standing right there.

"Hi, Faye," he said.

His voice was deep and smooth, and the way my name rolled off his tongue made my heart stutter.

"Um... hi." I barely managed to say the word.

Everyone was staring. Conversations died, and phones discreetly angled toward us. I stood up, nerves zipping through my entire body.

"What's going on?" I asked him quietly.

He reached out and took my hand. My breath caught again.

"Before I ask you something, I just want to say this," he began, speaking loud enough for everyone around us to hear. "Faye, you're one of the most beautiful girls I've ever met. You're smart, kind, and you help people even when they don't ask for it. We may not know each other that well, but I want to change that. I know this is sudden, but I'd rather take a chance than regret not asking."

My heart pounded like a drum inside my chest. People were now openly recording. I felt like I was standing in the middle of a teen rom-com scene I didn't sign up for.

"Faye," he said again, locking eyes with me. "Will you go out with me?"

I blinked. My brain refused to process anything. Did he just ask me out in front of everyone?

"Faye?" he asked again gently.

"Yes?" I squeaked.

Why did that come out as a question?

Why didn't I say I'll think about it? Or maybe? No. I just said yes like a complete fool.

He smiled and stepped closer, close enough that our noses almost brushed. Then, without asking, he pulled my phone out of my back pocket and began typing. A few seconds later, he handed it back to me.

"That's my number," he said, with a playful glint in his eyes. "Text me when you're ready. I'll pick you up tonight. And wear something cute for dinner."

He turned and walked back to his table like he hadn't just turned my entire world upside down.

His friends erupted into cheers like he'd just won a game or completed some ridiculous dare. I really hoped that wasn't the case.

Everyone around us slowly resumed their lunch like they hadn't just witnessed a rom-com moment unfold in real life. I sat back down, still gripping my phone like it was a lifeline.

"Please tell me I'm not dreaming," I whispered to Kaycee.

She smirked, leaned over, and pinched my arm.

"Ow!"

"You're not," she said. "So... you happy now?"

I forced a laugh. 

"How am I supposed to be happy when I'm still recovering from shock? That was literally one of the moments I've fantasized about since ninth grade!"

"Well, it came true. And judging by the looks on some of the other girls' faces, they're probably plotting your murder as we speak. So how does it feel to be asked out by one of the hottest bad boys in school?"

I sighed, resting my chin on my palm.

"It still feels like a dream. But honestly? I just want to scream and dance around like a lunatic right now."

She laughed. "Chill, Faye. It's just dinner."

I nodded slowly. "Right. Just dinner. No big deal."

She looked back down at her phone, still smirking, while I reached for my lime juice again and took another long sip.

But deep down, I couldn't stop hoping—maybe this won't be just dinner. Maybe this will be the beginning of something more.