Chilumi TATBILB AU: In This Together
Lumineâs ribs ached. She was doubled over. Tears filled her eyes. She couldnât breathe.
Ajax Kovalenko had just asked her to be his girlfriend. He had to be kidding.
Lumineâs laughter subsided as she swiped the tears from her lashes. Ajaxâs expression remained sober and serious.
âYouâre serious.â It was both a statement and a question.
âAs a heart attack.â He said.
She scoffed. âWhat in the history of ever would make you think that Iâd say yes to this?â
âHear me out. You know I broke up with Rosalyne.â
âAnd I want her back, but sheâs basically ignoring me.â
âIf she were to find out that I was dating her former best friend turned arch nemesis, that would get her attention. Donât you think?â
He smiled broadly, as if he were some kind of diabolical genius whoâd just cooked up the scheme of the century.
âAnd you obviously kissed me on the track for some reason.â He added, âConsidering we havenât spoken more than a handful of words to one another since we were both 13, Iâd say thatâs only mildly suspicious.â
Lumine averted her gaze, choosing to focus on anything but the blue-eyed boy sitting in front of her. The fact remained that even though she liked to think of Ajax as some brainless Neanderthal, he was anything but a brainless Neanderthal. Actually, he was kind of smart considering his placement in several AP courses along with her.
He was bound to question her kiss-ambush eventually. It took her a minute to realize that Ajax was still talking.
â⌠been thinking about reasons why, and I was coming up empty.â He scratched his head, âWhy did you kiss me, Reisender? Did it have something to do with your friendâs boyfriend? Kreideprinz?â
Lumine reacted quickly, eyes wide and hand flying out to cover his mouth. âShh! Lower your voice, please!â
Ajax only chuckled, pushing her hand away. âThatâs it! I figured it out, didnât I? Youâre in love with your best friendâs boyfriend and you donât want either of them to know, so you pretended to be interested in me to throw them both off. Am I right?â
The blonde scowled. âMaybe. Doesnât mean I think that your idea is a good one.â
He frowned. âBut this way we both get what we want. I get to make Rosalyne insanely jealous to the point where sheâs dying to get back with me. And you get to keep convincing your best friend that youâre not in love with her boyfriend. Itâs a win-win.â
Lumine couldnât believe what Ajax was saying. Heâd asked her to be his fake girlfriend. They were going to be fake dating. Even worse, Lumine was actually considering it! Not only would it serve Ajax well, but Lumine would convince everyone she wasnât in love with Albedo and have the added bonus of making Rosalyne Lohefalter insanely jealous.
âWhat do you say, Reisender?â Ajax flashed his most confident smile, looking like a car salesman whoâd just pitched a fantastic offer. One she couldnât refuse.
Lumineâs hand came out and she nodded firmly, brows set in a straight line. Ajax raised a brow.
This was either the best decision sheâd make, or the worst. Only time would tell.
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