Confused

"Come on, just listen to me!" I called out, rushing after Selena as she made her way to her dorm room.

She stopped and turned, frowning. "What do you want?"

This is so weird.

"Here." I stretched out my hand, holding the small box. Her eyes narrowed suspiciously as she glanced between me and the item.

"What is that?" she asked, clearly unimpressed.

"Just open it and look inside first," I replied, exasperation creeping into my tone.

With a skeptical expression, she finally took the box from me. She opened it and froze. "Is this...?" she started, her voice trailing off.

"Yes, it is," I said, cutting her off. "The reason for your... acting out, right?"

She pulled out the contents—an earring with a purple diamond. It was the exact match to the one I had.

I sighed internally. It had taken an ungodly amount of effort to find someone selling this specific type in the commercial district. Even longer to locate the exact match. And let's not even start on the cost—450 points for this tiny piece of jewelry! I'd practically burned three months' worth of points just to buy it.

Damn it.

But the moment Selena saw the earring, she grinned widely.

Wait. Something's wrong with that grin.

Why do I feel like I've been played?

"You finally bought it, you dense idiot!" she laughed, throwing her arms around me in a hug so strong it knocked the air out of my lungs.

I froze, caught off guard. No matter how many times she does this, I can never get used to it.

"For a moment there, I thought you wouldn't catch on, but I guess you fell for it anyway," she laughed.

…..Hold on.

Did I just hear that right?

"Wait, so you knew this earring meant nothing?" I asked, trying to make sense of the situation.

"Of course I knew, you idiot. Do you think I'd let some other girl have you?" she said, pulling back with a mischievous grin.

Okay, WHAT?!

"But...you...the way you acted?!" At this point, I had no idea what was going on.

So, she was never mad?

All of that was just an act?

But…

WHAT ABOUT MY 450 POINTS?!

"I just had an idea to guilt-trip you into proposing to me, and it actually worked!" Selena laughed, grabbing my arm and dragging me toward the elevator.

I was too stunned to resist. "But...you were crying, for crying out loud!" I tried to pull away, but she didn't budge. Her strength was unreal.

"That was all part of the act. I knew if I made you feel guilty, you'd try to appease me," she said, her smug tone only making me feel more foolish.

No.

This isn't my fault.

It's Nelia's fault!

'YOU WILL PAY FOR MY WASTED POINTS, YOU DAMN FAIRY!' I fumed internally, directing all my frustration at her.

'How is this my fault? You're the one who asked for my opinion, remember?'

'I don't remember that. Start thinking of ways to earn me back my points, or I swear I'll rent you out to those horny high-rankers until I've recovered every last point.'

'...You wouldn't.'

'Oh, you have no idea what I'm capable of,' I thought darkly, finding some satisfaction in imagining her suffering as I vented.

"Now that you've made it official," Selena said, snapping me back to reality, "be warned. If I catch you laughing like an idiot with any other girl, like you were with Ariana, I won't be happy." Her grin sent a chill down my spine.

I sighed, cursing myself for giving her even more ammunition to act like the psycho she clearly was.

"Where are you taking me?" I asked, resigned.

"Alies Seres," she replied, her tone leaving no room for argument. "You did promise."

I groaned, remembering yesterday's ill-thought-out agreement. "But it's already..." I glanced at my metawatch. "4 PM. If we go now, I'll miss curfew."

"Do I care?"

"You should," I shot back. "Missing curfew costs grading points!"

"Still don't care," she said with a shrug. "As your official girlfriend, I demand we go to that café. Your opinion doesn't matter because I'll drag you there regardless."

Her grin widened. "So, will you come willingly, or...?"

I let out a defeated sigh. How did I let my emotions get the better of me?

I practically handed her my life on a silver platter.

Damn it.

Oh well. It's only for the next four months. Plus, I wasn't planning on associating with any other girls anyway.

This might work out.

I hope.

...

Your gift is the motivation for my creation. Give me more motivation!