“And now we ended with 30 clauses. Finally!" I exclaim with a sigh, my shoulders Lumping down due to tiredness. The reason? Because I had to re-edit and add new clauses for that fox

I glance at Stella to see her reaction. She hums in response as we both walk towards the main building of our university. Not for a reason but just to take a look at the preparation for graduation.

"At least you have a secure contract now. Right?" She grins and bumps her shoulder with mine teasingly. I shrug my shoulders nonchalantly and continue to walk, her steps are a bit slow due to her heels so try to match her pace

"Yeah now it's fixed and secure. You know I was thinking to add some fine if any of us breaks a rule" I add, my tone dry and unbothered. Stella looks at me surprised and even a bit impressed "really? Then why didn't you!"

I sigh again "because I don't trust that. What if I accidentally break a rule and he makes me do something bad?" I ask, shoving my hand in the pockets of my jeans

Stella chuckles, a soft hearted one "come on, Lucas isn't that bad" she says with a smile, the sun makes her face glow. I pause for a second thinking about it ", I don't think so, we always bring each other bad luck"

Stella sighs softly, her arm draping around my shoulder lazily. She's a bit taller than me and her heels make it easier for her. "You wouldn't know unless you give him a chance" she suggests, with a hidden excitement.

I scoff and remove her arm from my shoulder " a chance? To bring my own end? Nope, nada, not happening" I say while walking away

"Hey!" Stella calls out and follows me, interlinking our elbows as we walk

Stella might not know, actually no one knows. It's not just about the cake or the pranks.

That guy pretended that I didn't exist, when I needed help.

I wouldn't care, I know we hate each other and I didn't expect him to help me either. Yet, the blank face he had, his eyes cold as ice still flares up the anger and hurt buried inside me

"Jasmine!" Stella suddenly shakes me, making me jerk out of my thoughts. I blink in surprise and look at her "yeah? What?'

Giving me a sigh she releases my arm and crosses her arms over her chest "I asked what are you wearing for your graduation party!' she repeats, raising her voice a bit

Oh

I got zoned out that i didn't listen properly

"Hm I have a fit for graduation, but I don't know about the graduation party. Let's see what I can do" I reply, I have a few Indian fits that my mother sent recently. I can select one from that but I don't know if I could wear an Indian outfit at that party. It will be all lavish and fancy, exclusive only for students

“Let's sit there?” I ask pointing at the bench under the tree, it looks beautiful and cool there. Stella nods in agreement and we make our way towards the bench.

Taking a deep breath I sit on the wooden bench and stretch my arms and get. Stella sighs beside me and passes me a water bottle, I thank her and take it. As the cool water hits my dry throat a sense of relief washes over me.

Water is the best beverage especially when you were so thirsty

My eyes flutter close and I let my head falls back for a moment. The cracking voice of my neck shows the lack of calcium in my body. Not a surprise, first I had iron deficiency and now this-

“By the way, you didn't tell me what Lucas asked in exchange for fake dating?” Stella says, grabbing my attention. I quickly straighten up and return her bottle. “It's nothing,” I reply, trying to hide. Stella's eyes narrows at me suspiciously as she leans towards me “tell.me” she demands

I keep my index finger on her forehead and gently pushes her back “Nope”

She huffs crossing her arms, the tapping of her foot against the ground indicates her curiosity “please…..” she pleads softly, giving me a puppy eyes look

I scoff, shaking my head. This only works with Liam, not me

“It's one of the clauses, I can't disclose it to anyone” I reply gruffly, crossing my arms and leaning against the bench. Stella lets out a soft chuckle and pokes my cheek gently “pufferfish” she teases, she always does that when I sulk sometimes

I look around to notice the atmosphere of our campus is quiet and peaceful. Students coming in and out of the building, a few hanging around. It's not much crowded because it's almost graduation time yet there's nothing “Graduation is just around the corner and they didn't do anything” I comment in disappointment

“You are hangry aren't you?” She guesses right on point. My emotions depend on the stock of food in my stomach. “Here” she passes me an energy bar, I don't eat these things but anything to suppress this feeling. Grabbing the bar I peel off the wrapper and take a big bite.

A click grabs my attention, as I swing my head to the left. I see Stella clicking a few pictures of me while my mouth is full of the energy bar. “Stella!” I warn but she giggles and turns away “another photo to my collection!”

I sigh in disbelief, this girl has a whole photo collection of my funny/embarrassing moments. Even i have her pictures but now as she doesn't live with me anymore, there hasn't been any additional

I will have one soon

“Hm Jasmine? You remember the university’s gossip page?” She asks, her voice a bit hesitant. I nod and meet her gaze “Yeah, the one that posted Liam and your relationship right?”

Stella nods, her expressions troubled. A frown forms on my face as I scoot closer “why? Something happened again?” I question while taking a peek at her phone. Instead of replying she just tilts her phone to support my view

I narrow my eyes to read the content on this problematic website.

‘Lucas Williams, the basketball star is not single anymore!’

‘spotted with one of his classmates at the cafe having a cute date’

A yelp escapes my mouth which makes Stella jump in her seat. She holds her phone tightly before it falls. My reaction doesn't go unnoticed by the students around us. A few give me a side eye while walking away

They seem to recognise me now!

“What is that! How did they know!” I exclaim with a growing panic. There's even a picture of us sitting together at the café from yesterday but luckily my face is not visible. But there's no use because they already mentioned that the girl is from his class and called her ‘J’

How to make it obvious without making it obvious?

“Apparently a few students heard Lucas calling you girlfriend. And this news would spread like wildfire because he is the team's vice captain now after their teammate’s injury” Stella responds as she scrolls through the article

First they exposed Stella's relationship two year ago and now this. Our relationship isn't even real! They might have heard it when lucas was mocking me or something.

Wait-

“Did they hear about the fake arrangements too?” I ask, my voice low as I look around to make sure no one is listening. Suddenly my heart is beating faster than it should. Stella shakes her head “I don't think so, it just says that Lucas has a girlfriend and I quote ‘Sorry to all his fangirls who got their heartbroken’ wow who has so much time to write all this?”

Oh Thank God-

I am relieved that no one heard about the arrangements because I was quiet and cautious about it. But him? That fox was announcing it too loud and clear

Stupid fox

“I don't wanna face those girls” I cry out slamming my palm against my forehead. The last thing I wanna deal with right now is his fangirls and especially that one.

“Hey, it won't be much. Plus if they try something you are capable of handling them” Stella says soothingly while rubbing my arm “and he needs to take responsibility. Doesn't matter if you are his real-” Stella pauses, her eyes flickering around “or fake girlfriend” she completes while whispering

I relax my shoulders a little, pretending that it's not a big deal. And we will graduate in a while so what could possibly go wrong?

After a while of chatting, I bid Stella goodbye when she leaves. She invited me over to her home in a couple of days. She seems a bit overly excited for something but i couldn't get my hand on it

It's not the proposal as it's not happening before graduation. I helped her select a place and even planned on how she can take Liam there. But Liam is also proposing on the same day

I need to talk to Lucas, about the article and also about Liam's proposal so we can somehow make it happen together. I did notice him mention he will do it on graduation too

Hope not on campus

Anyways, I have many things to do now so I better get started-

“Hey!” a sudden squeak from behind makes me flinch “Jamie right?” the girl says again. My jaw tightens recognising the voice, I put on a forced smile and turn “It's Jasmine” I correct, looking at her.

“Same thing” Iris shrugs her shoulders nonchalantly, not caring about it. Actually she knows my name, we have had the same classes for the past 3 years and no way she couldn't remember it. It's just her way to annoy me

“How can I help you. Iris?” I ask, trying not to glare at her. Iris is one of those mean, popular girls. She liked Lucas, everyone knows that and it's an obsessive kind. She targeted me many times, always siding with him. She was the one who conveyed that Lucas doesn't want me in the group because ‘i wasn't good enough for their group’

When she got to know I was living at his house she got furious and crossed her limits

Iris snaps her fingers at my face making me stumble back. She chuckles at my reaction, a fake smile lingering on her lips “aww you zone out too much girl” she comments with a hint of mockery “well can't expect much from you”

My fingers tightens around the scarf in my hand, I try to stay as calm as possible and not straddle her right here

She did enough to deserve that

“Iris, what do you want?” I repeat again this time more coldly to brush her off as soon as I could. She shifts her expressions quickly, joining her eyebrows and pulling out her lower lip into a pathetic pout

“You are too harsh,” she mutters while rubbing her arm. “I just needed help, you know?” She adds, batting her eyelashes. Her body swinging continues as she speaks

I let out a force cough trying not to puke at this cringey behavior. What is this girl-

Taking a deep breath I nod “yeah, what is it?”

She giggles “I knew you wouldn't say no!” She says flipping her hair back. What kind of humanoid chameleon behavior is that? I take another deep inhale and nod

She fetches through her bag and removes a cap, forwarding it to me “could you pass this to Lucas for me?” She asks. When I look closely, I realize that it's Lucas's cap. The camp one which he always wears, I know he is kinda possessive of it then what is it doing with her?

Noticing my confusion, a sly grin spreads across her face as she traces the cap edge with her nails “he forgot it at my place, but i couldn't return it, could you do it for me Sweetie?” she says, her voice a bit loud like she is so proud of it.

Yes, anything to her away from her

But why did Lucas leave the cap? I remember him being very careful with this particular one

“Yeah sure” I say and try to take the cap but her grip tightens on it “be careful with it okay?” She says before releasing it “bye!” She squeaks again and hops away

Finally!

I let out a breath to relax my mind. My eyes flicker down at the cap. Wow so I am doing delivery too now? I keep the cap in my hand and walk towards the car waiting, I could put it in my bag but I can't risk ruining it

A few hours ago

“sorry there's no caps found” the lady informs as she comes back after checking the lost and found sector. I want to ask if she checked properly but she spent so much time. I sigh and nod “okay, Thank you” I say and walk away, my shoulders lump down with disappointment

I make my way towards the basketball court in hope to find it there maybe? I couldn't find my cap since yesterday. I searched my whole house and then the class, lost and found center and asked my teammates yet none of them saw it

I did wear it yesterday and brought it back too, it was right in my bag but suddenly vanished. In this huge university it can be anywhere.

I increase my pace and stride inside the gym, it's empty and silent. I walk over to the stands to look for it.

I can't lose it, not it please

Keeping my bag aside, I climb up the bleachers. looking at each step carefully, Maybe I kept it during the meeting?

I could feel my throat getting dry and the packed atmosphere is making me more anxious. That cap is really precious to me, that's the most special gift dad gave to me. I have many things given to him that I preserve very carefully. But this is different

I didn't get the cap when I won, I got it when I failed. It's a symbol for me to keep going despite the failures

Please

I need to

“Luca” A familiar voice makes me pause and turn around. I see iris standing at the bottom of the bleachers, looking at me with the same innocent smile like she cares “what are you doing here? It's late” she adds

I sigh and descent the stairs unable to avoid her now “I am searching for something” I reply gruffly and grab my bag ready to leave any moment she tries flirting again

Her eyes scan my arm when I pick up my bag, she hums before speaking “is it your cap?” She asks, making me surprised. “How do you know?” I step closer to her, my suspicion growing with each minute

Iris shrugs her shoulders nonchalantly “I had it” she replies, my eyes widened at her words. Suddenly a burst of emotions rises inside me but I try to control myself “why? And where is it?” I say in a demanding tone

She steps closer to me, the smell of her perfume a bit too much for my liking “I found it, and kept it for you. I know how precious it is to you, just like you are precious to me” she says, her finger tracing across my chest making my muscles tense up

Before she moves her hand down to my abdomen I grab her wrist and yank it away “where is it” I ask again, my voice growing louder in this empty space.

Iris let out a sigh and looks down, her fingers fidgeting with a keychain which had like tons of charms attached to it “I was gonna return it but unexpectedly Jasmine took it from me” she says and looks at me with a sad expression “I am sorry, Luca. I don't know what happened, she just came and snatched it”

My mind froze when I heard it, her information hitting me like shock waves “Jasmine?” I repeat in a low whisper

Iris nods in confirmation, her eyes dropping down “She always wants to pull pranks on you” she mutters as she trails off her words "her eyes meet mine “what if she is gonna do something to it. You should ask her to be in her place” Iris adds trying to grab my arm but I step back

“Not the time” I say in a low rumble as I start walking towards the door. A lot of thoughts revolve around my brain. I know better than trusting iris but why does my brain is growing the doubts

Among the years, Jasmine's pranks have been around the scale bouncing back and forth to predict what she might do next. Yet nothing among those harmed me physically or emotionally in a serious manner

But this case is about something really precious to me. She doesn't know and that gives me the fear of consequences

I should know better than assuming things before hearing what happened from both sides. I already made mistakes in the past and i don't wanna repeat it

Not again

My heart says to have some faith yet my brain tries to protect me from things I have faced before

Gods this is maddening

✄-------

I have had my patience, I have been waiting patiently for Jasmine to come back and explain the whole situation.

I sit on the stool near the kitchen counter, my food rests in front of me. Half-eaten due to the growing uneasiness in my chest. My foot can't shop bouncing against the floor continuously.

Maybe she just took the cap to return it? Right? Not that big of a deal. She won't do anything bad, I know. My heart says

The low voices from the living room diverts my attention, I turn around to face the entrance of the kitchen when I see Jasmine walking through it. My eyes trail down her arm and I spot the cap in her hand. Unharmed

A sigh escapes my mouth, the feeling of relief and confusion never leaving my mind “you actually have it” I point out, rubbing my forehead to not say something wrong

She looks at me and nods “yeah-”

Before she completes, I get off the stool and approch her “why? You shouldn't take other's stuff Jasmine” I say firmly and takes my cap back from her back, my gaze flickers to its material for a second before I turn to her again

Jasmine frowns in confusion “I did not take your stuff-”

“Then why do you have it? I have been looking for this for from yesterday, Jasmine!” I add, gesturing towards my cap. I am slipping off my control again “you could have atleast said something right?”

Was iris words true? Did she really snatch the cap from her?

Stop-

Stop making assumptions

“What are you talking about!” Jasmine says in disbelief, her face showing the annoyance “I just got it today!”

I take a few deep breaths to calm down, my grip tightens around the cap as my eyes remain on her face looking for any lies. She looks genuine, she didn't-

“I….I am sorry” I apologise realizing my mistake quickly, I don't wanna drag this and bring more problems between us. Keeping the cap aside carefully, I rub my hand on my face “it's just…I was frustrated and all” I mutter

Jasmine scoffs, her arms crossing over her chest indicating she won't let this go “oh okay and? Did you think i stole it or something?”

My eyes widened and I shake my head “no no no” I chide softly “Iris said you you took the cap away from her and i-”

“And you assumed that I actually did without even knowing the truth” she completes stepping closer to me, her eyes looking at me intensely. I nod, keeping my gaze down

Another scoff escapes her mouth as she looks away for a moment “Oh wow, weren't you the one who said we can't assume things unless we see it?” She says, my eyes snap back at her when she mentions the past incident “what happened to that now? Huh?” She promotes

“At the end of the day, you believed her! Again!” She repeats, her voice raw with unspoken emotions. “I did not believe her, Jasmine. Not that time, not now. I assumed before knowing both sides” I reply calmly, because if we both lose our grip then it's gonna be bad

“Like always”

Her words stings for a reason. Because they are true, I assume things. Despite repeating that I shouldn't unless and until I see something but the doubts makes me wanna assume.

The silence between us grows with the guilt inside me. I messed up, I always mess up and fail to fix it. I need to stop doing that, it's getting worse with time

“Please tell me what happened” I request softly, hoping that she agrees and I can hear the whole thing. It's better this way.

Communicate

Jasmine sighs and uncrosses her arms, there's a hint of hesitation in her expressions but she gives in “I don't know, like that girl randomly came up to me and gave me your cap saying and I quote ‘can you pass this to Lucas? He forgot it at my place’ and I thought okay why not?” She explains, the air quotes empathizing iris’s words

My jaw tightens as her words sink in. Iris tried it again, to manipulate me against people so she could pretend to be good. It's not the first time

I glance at her, noticing her troubled expressions “I am sorry for assuming” I say sincerely “I am not good in many things…but I don't want these misunderstandings again. Especially with the arrangements” I pause to see her reaction “How about we try to communicate more? Instead of taking rash actions? For both of us” I suggest hopefully

Jasmine shifts her weight on her other leg, her face deep in thoughts considering it

“It's better, I don't think you wanna continue this during your brother's wedding. Plus we need trust, even if it's just a fake dating arrangement” I add, trying to coax her.

Jasmine gulps, her eyes flickering across my face before she gives me a small nod “fine. But this doesn't let you off for the past. I still need answers” she mumbles softly “someday”

Someday

Not right now

She knows, she saw it once and she observed better than I wanted. Many times I noticed when she would let things go when she realises my situation and I didn't like it. It was like I needed help or pity when I am in trouble

Maybe that's why I started pushing her more, to get her reaction so she doesn't go soft on me like others. So she treats me like a normal person

There are a few things on which we silently agreed not to talk about. Now i regret it, because if we talked that day then maybe…

Maybe we wouldn't be standing on thin ice

I nod with a small smile, showing my nonchalant behaviour “One day” I repeat with a promise

I will answer her every question one day. Everything she wanna know

Jasmine quickly shifts her expressions, keeping her bag aside she walks further into the kitchen “I am so hungry!” She groans softly stomping her feet like a child, her palm resting on her stomach

I couldn't help but smile, this time genuinely

She knows how to lighten the mood

Her eyes roam around the kitchen looking for something, there's still time until the chef arrives. Her eyes land on my salad bowl at the food counter “this will do!” She announces, before I could stop her. She already scoops the Russian salad and stuffs her mouth. Her eyes flutter closes and she hums at the creamy flavour

I sigh softly watching her devour my salad. It's not that bad, right? I mean she likes it and I don't want her to lose her appetite so

Let's just go with the flow