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꩜ .ᐟ CHAP FOUR . . .
LILA WAS STARING at Kate, trying to piece together what her roommate just said. "So let me get this straight—you want me to pretend to be your girlfriend to make someone else jealous?" she said, her tone laced with disbelief.
Kate shifted nervously on her bed, avoiding eye contact. "Yeah. It's not as crazy as it sounds. You know how crushes are..."
Lila raised an eyebrow. "Crushes? This is starting to sound more like a bad high school rom-com."
Kate looked up, somewhat defensive. "Well, it's not like i'm asking for much! I just need her to see i'm not sitting around waiting for her attention anymore."
"And you think this 'someone' is going to care if you're with me?" Lila folded her arms, clearly intrigued but skeptical. "You do realize i'm not exactly low-profile, right? People talk."
"That's the point," Kate admitted, hesitating for a moment before continuing. "If she sees me with someone like you—someone confident, attractive, and who doesn't give a fuck what people think—it'll show her that i'm moving on and that i'm not just pining over her."
Lila sat back on her bed, processing this. "Alright, so you want to use me as bait. Interesting."
Kate groaned, flopping back on her bed. "Okay, that's a bit harsh."
Lila couldn't stop herself from smirking. "Oh no, that's exactly what you're asking. But you're lucky. I'm actually tempted to go along with this ridiculous idea."
Kate's eyes widened in surprise. Was Lila actually going to agree? "Wait... seriously?"
"Yeah. Honestly, i could use this too. The girls on campus have been relentless lately, and it's becoming a pain. You wouldn't believe the number of people who 'just want to talk' or 'grab a drink' when i'm clearly not interested, especially when i'm working." Lila shrugged her shoulders nonchalantly.
Kate sat up again, a hopeful glimmer in her blue eyes. "You think this could get them off your back?"
Lila nodded her head. "Yeah, if they think i'm already taken, i can focus on what i actually care about—like my studies and work— not playing 21 questions with every girl who suddenly decides she wants to flirt."
"So it's a win-win?" Kate's face lit up like a christmas tree.
Lila paused, thinking for a moment. "Sure, for now. But don't expect me to be all lovey-dovey. I've got a reputation to maintain."
Kate chuckled softly, shaking her head, one hand over her heart and one flatly raised up. "Of course. I wouldn't dare."
Lila got up off her bed, heading for the door. "Alright then. I guess we'll give the people something to talk about. But remember—you owe me for this."
