I swear on every single Wattpad cliché ever written — my life officially spiraled out of control the next day.
It started at lunch.
I was minding my business, eating my overcooked school rice (which tasted like betrayal and sadness) when Ivy plopped down beside me, already looking like she was about to drop some emotionally scarring news.
"Ari, don't panic."
I panicked.
"What? What happened? Did someone find my old cringey fanfiction blog? Is Mia plotting my murder? Are they banning pizza Fridays?"
"Worse."She slid her phone over.
And there it was.
A post on the school's gossip page, with the headline:"HOT COUPLE ALERT: Carter & Ariella — Detention's Hottest New Ship?"Accompanied by a picture of me and Zayne from the courtyard. Me with the kitten, him smirking like a reckless heartbreaker.
I. DIED.
"Who took this photo?! Why am I holding a cat? Why does he look like he owns me?!"
Ivy was crying from laughter. "Girl, you two look like a couple in a Netflix teen romcom. All that's missing is dramatic music and a rain scene."
"This is the end of my life. Bury me next to my WiFi router."
And then — because clearly the world wasn't done tormenting me — Zayne appeared at our table.Like some chaotic Disney prince with a hoodie and zero personal boundaries.
"Hey, Princess."
I slapped a hand over my face. "Oh God, not now."
"Seen the post yet?" he asked, clearly entertained.
"I'm not speaking to you."
"Good. Then you won't scream when I ask you to come to the bonfire party Friday night."
Ivy choked on her drink. I choked on my rice.
"You… what? Why?" I wheezed.
He shrugged, that stupid grin back."Thought it'd be fun to cause a little chaos. Plus, you owe me for saving that kitten's life."
"I named it Lucifer," I muttered.
"Perfect name for a demon cat."
Before I could form actual words, Mia stormed over, all glossed lips and pure venom.
"You're seriously inviting her to the party?" she snapped.
"Yeah," Zayne said easily. "Problem?"
"You can't be serious, Zayne."
"Oh, I'm dead serious, Mia. Besides…" He leaned down so close to me that my brain went offline and my heart rate hit illegal levels."…she's kinda growing on me."
AND THEN THE IDIOT WINKED.IN FRONT OF EVERYONE.
Ivy literally slid under the table laughing.Mia's jaw hit the floor.
Plot twist number eight:I accidentally blurted out "I hate you so much, it's disgusting."
Which — to be fair — wasn't a love confession.
Until Zayne smirked and whispered:"Hate me all you want, Princess. You'll still be wearing my hoodie tonight."
I combusted. Right there. In the cafeteria.
Later that day, things somehow got worse.
At our secret hangout behind the gym bleachers, Ivy grinned like the devil herself."Okay, truth or dare. No backing out."
"Why are we even playing this?" I groaned.
"Because we live in a town where the biggest excitement is whether the ice cream machine works. Now — truth or dare?"
I sighed. "Dare."
Ivy's grin turned evil."I dare you to tell Zayne you're in love with him."
"ARE YOU INSANE?!"
"Yup."
"I'd rather eat cafeteria mystery meat."
"No backing out."
And that's how, five minutes later, I found myself standing in front of Zayne freaking Carter, my palms sweaty, my heart malfunctioning, and Ivy cackling somewhere nearby.
"Uh… hey," I mumbled.
"Hey," he smirked. "What's up?"
"I… uh… have something to tell you."
His brow lifted."Go on, Princess."
I took a deep breath, closed my eyes, and yelled:"I'M IN LOVE WITH YOU!"
A full three seconds of silence.Then Zayne's eyes sparkled.
"I know."
WHAT. THE. HECK.
"Wait — WHAT?!"
"I've kinda known for a while. It's adorable."
"You're adorable!" I shrieked back in total panic.
Then I turned and sprinted like my life depended on it, Ivy howling with laughter in the distance.
Plot twist number nine:My phone buzzed ten minutes later.
Zayne: I'll pick you up for the bonfire at seven. Wear the hoodie. It's mandatory.
I officially have no control over my own life anymore.