Poll

Chapter 1:
VALERIE’S POV
Going to a concert on a Sunday may not be the best idea. And, staying up all night choosing what photos to post on social media also wasn’t a good idea.
But whatever, a girl has to suffer with the consequences of her actions. I grab my math notebook from my locker, and it makes a loud noise as it closes.
“You look rough, Val.” says Nina as she put a curly, mahogany strand of hair behind her ear.
Nina Campton is my best friend. We met one school day on the playground and then, we were inseparable.
I whine, “I know, but that concert was awesome—and totally worth it.”
Nina’s eyebrows then raise upwards. I furrow my brows, “Is everything okay?”
“Yeah—“
A person grabs me from behind and spins me around. Another is laughing their mouth off.
And you know how I react?
By screaming.
“Chill out! It’s me.”
The person puts me down and I can finally see their face. It’s Ashton Gray, my brother, Jackson’s, best friend. He peers at me with his sapphire eyes, sparkling with mischief. Ashton’s mouth is in a grin and his sandy hair’s parted in the middle. It’s messy, like he ran his hand through it. And are those…freckles?
Ugh, I can feel my face get warm already.
I smack him with my orange notebook, “Well, you don’t have to scare me like that!”
He chuckles, closes his eyes, and puts his hands up, as if in surrender. “Okay, okay. I won’t do that again, ma’am.”
My cheeks gets hotter as we stare at each other. Him with his arms crossed against his chest and me with my notebook at my side.
“Get a room.” Jackson mutters.
“Jackson, quit it!” I yell.
Nina tugs on my left arm as the bell rings. “We don’t want to be late for math. C’mon!”
“Okay, okay.” I let her drag me to class. I whip my head around and wave at Jackson and Ashton. They simply wave back at me as I’m headed to the subject of torture.

Chapter 2:
ASHTON’S POV
The soccer team and I were about to enter the cafeteria, when a girl stopped in the middle of the entrance, facing us. I think she’s friends with the girls on the tennis team?
“Ashton…I just wanted to say that I’ve liked you for a long time now.”
She stands there with her hands interlocked, as if she’s praying. She’s waiting for a response and so is the soccer team.
“I bet you’re amazing and all, but I’m interested in someone else. I’m so sorry.”
The look on her face is devastating, but I shrug it off. She simply nods, plasters on a smile, and walks away. I’ve got used to the routine of declining girls’ confessions. I can’t accept them out of pity either, because you can’t fake feelings.
But also, it’s because I’ve got eyes on a girl myself. Someone who’s off limits. If I even try to pursue a relationship with her, Jackson would kill me.
“Damn, that’s the fourth girl this month!” Luka Alexander blurts out as we walk into the cafeteria.
I sigh and sit across from him, “Ha ha, very funny.”
Luka Alexander is one of my best friends. We met during freshmen year during soccer practice and he went up to me, showing his new braces. Then, he showed Jackson. After that, us three became inseparable.
“I don’t know why you’re talking, Luka. I don’t see you being confessed at left and right.” comments Jackson as he takes a bite of his PB and J sandwich.
The whole table bursts into laughter, including me. Luka just sits there, muttering curse words at everyone. As I sit there, eating my lunch and talking to my friends, an idea sprouts into my brain.
Valerie could be my girlfriend to scare these confessions away.
That’s not a bad idea…not a bad idea at all.

Chapter 3:
VALERIE’S POV
It’s Tuesday and I’m waiting for Nina to lock her car, so we can walk into the school entrance. I hear the car beeping, and Nina’s walking on the stairs towards me. Her blue keychains jingle as she approaches.
“Don’t look now, but Ashton’s coming your way.”
“You mean our way?”
“Nope, he’s making eye contact with you. I’m just the third wheel.”
“Nina!”
She shrugs, “Just stating the obvious.”
It was like we summoned a ghost as Ashton appears. He climbs up the steps, now standing near us. He’s wearing a burgundy hoodie, with grey sweatpants. Both of his hands are in his hoodie pockets.
“Hey,” he rubs the right eye with his matching hand. He bites his lip. “Can I talk to Valerie for a second?”
The way he says my name makes my heart skip a beat. I can feel my face heat up, but I blame the temperature for that.
“Sure, what’s up—“
Nina squeezes my shoulder, “No worries, she’s all yours.”
All I hear from Nina was the sound of the entrance slamming shut. We stand in silence. One. Two.
“So,” I chuckle, “where were we?”
“Right, um…” Ashton bites his bottom lip. “I need your help.”
I put a strand of curly auburn hair behind my ear, then immediately regret it. “What type of help? Because if you’re asking me to hide a body—“
“I need you to be my fake girlfriend.”
I stare, looking into his sapphire eyes. I don’t see a hint of sarcasm. Or that giant smirk he wears when pulling a prank. Has he not read the books Nina reads? How that can lead to real feelings?
“Val? Say something at least.”
“First of all—why?”
He takes his hands out of his hoodie. “I’m tired of all these girls running up to me and just…confessing their feelings for me.”
“But most of your friends would like that. I know my brother would secretly love it.”
He rolls his eyes. “I know, Luka too.” he gives me puppy eyes, “But anyways…will you help me?”
I fake think, my hand on my chin. “Hm…”
“Val.”
“Fine, but you need to help me complete my list.”
“Okay, deal,” He looks behind us. “Follow my lead.”
“Wha—“

Chapter 4:
ASHTON’S POV
I spot two people and swiftly intertwine my hand into Valerie’s. I give her a quick kiss on her cheek.
“Let’s go, sweetheart.”
I drag her through the doors, my hand still in hers. Valerie’s mouth is agape as we walk through the halls. And as I predicted, there were multiple people recording or taking pictures of us. A few minutes later, we stop by my locker.
“What was that for?” yells Valerie.
“So people can take a picture and spread the message?” I say, implying a “duh” in my voice.
“You know Jackson’s gonna get pissed, right?”
“Right…” I mutter while shutting my locker door. Shit, I forgot.
She gasps, “Ash,” her hands on her hips, “You didn’t tell him?”
“Nope.”
“Just…tell him at lunch,” Valerie sighs. “I gotta get to class.”
She waves with her back to me. My eyes can’t help but watch her as she leaves.

Chapter 5:
VALERIE’S POV
“So, I heard about you and Ashton.”
I look at Jackson as I shut the door of his silver Honda. My eyes are on him, while his is on the road. Jackson’s right hand grips the steering wheel tighter as he says Ashton’s name.
“What about him?”
“Oh—nothing!” he frowns, “Just that the whole school is saying you and Ashton are dating.”
“If we were actually dating, I would’ve told you immediately.”
He makes a left turn as his brows furrow. “What…what do you mean by that?”
“We’re fake dating.” I sigh.
“Huh?”
“Yeah,” I grip to a backpack strap. “He doesn’t want girls to confess to him anymore, he’s…”
“Annoyed? Tired?”
“Yep.” I pop the ‘P.’
“And what’s in it for you? Why did you agree to this?”
Jackson pulls into our driveway and puts the car in park.
“I…”
Do I tell my brother about my crush? Or keep it to myself?
“I’ve never been in a relationship before, so why not try now?”
“Uh huh,” Jackson mutters as we exit his car. This time, he says, a little louder, “I never took you for the hook-up type, Val.”
“I’m not,” I shout, “I’m just…curious.”
“Well, good luck trying not to fall for Ashton.”
But, the funny part is, he doesn’t know I already have.

NOTE: I DIDNT FINISH THIS YET, BUT THIS IS WHAT I HAVE SO FARRR!! <3
Chapter 6:
ASHTON’S POV
I sit down on the bench, chugging my water bottle.
“Valerie told me about your…’arrangement.’”
I look to my right and see Jackson, sitting next to me, and holding his water bottle. He raises a brow, signaling me to respond.
“Um…yeah,” I look at the school’s soccer team on the field, “What about it?”
Jackson questions, “Why did you choose my sister?”
I observe him. His brows are scrunched together and there’s a frown on his face. His emerald eyes narrow, searching for something in me. It’s as if he’s picking me apart. Jackson’s face relaxes immediately.
“You like her.” He said with certainty.
“No, no, no, no. I do not have a crush on your sister!”
As I finished that statement, my face looks like I just came out of a sauna. I feel exposed, like I’m guilty of a crime.
I’m screwed—totally screwed.
He crosses his arms and leans back, just staring at me. Jackson then starts to grin like the Cheshire Cat.
“You totally do,” he chuckles, “But…I’m not mad.”
“You’re…not?” I release a deep breath.
“Not necessarily.”
“Oh.”
He scoots closer and wraps an arm around my shoulder. He continues to make eye contact with me. It’s quiet for a moment, that I can hear myself gulp.
“Just…don’t play with her feelings. Val’s the type of girl to wear her heart on her sleeve. She trusts people with her whole heart, and when people lie or leave her…”
I shift on the bench. He clears his throat. Jackson continues, “In a nutshell, she loves and hurts with her whole heart.”

can I invite ppl to this?