Wildcard

wild card

noun

a playing card that can have any value, suit, color, or other property in a game.

a person or thing whose influence is unpredictable or whose qualities are uncertain.

Steven
I'm the best student. Top of my class in everything. It's summer before senior year, but the valedictorian title is mine. I need it. I crave it. I don't have time to play detective with Jeremiah or to worry about the fact his sister is losing her shit and no one else seems to notice.

But I agree to help him. And Cassadra distracts me so much I accidentally make my least favorite Cousins resident think she's my girlfriend. He doesn't believe it, of course, so I have to plead my case with her. No one knows what she's been up to lately, must be trouble, when it comes to her it always is. But this is my only chance not to make a fool of myself. We'll just fake date for a few weeks. What could go wrong?

Cassandra
It's sad how little it took. One minute, I was a reckless teenager drinking tequila with my best friend. All I had to worry about was my parents potential divorce, my older brother having a meltdown and having fun because it was summer. No biggie. And now I'm a criminal.

Steven is not high on the list of people I'd go for help, but he'll have to do. It's a good way to keep a close eye on the little investigation he's running with Jere, to make sure he doesn't find out my involvement. Besides, when I get in front of a jury, having an A+ student for a boyfriend might count in my favor. That is if Steven doesn't reveal our ruse once he finds out. Because that's all this is. A lie. A means to an end. I don't love him, I barely like him, I need to keep that in mind. It'll be fine. Just a few weeks. What could go wrong?

Tropes / Trigger Warnings

Fake dating
Best friend's sister
Murder mystery
Good boy x troublemaker girl
Severe mommy issues
PTSD (nightmares, jumpiness, anxiety attacks)
Racism
SA (in the past, just mentioned)
Murder
Body discovery