The next morning started normally. Which, considering Aiden's life lately, should have been a warning. Nothing embarrassing had happened yet. Noah hadn't shouted anything across the hallway. Sophie hadn't appeared with relationship advice nobody asked for. Everything felt suspiciously peaceful. Too peaceful. Aiden should have known it wouldn't last.
By the first period, the entire class was busy working on assignments when Sophie suddenly stood up.
"I have an important question."
The teacher looked up.
"No."
Sophie sat down.
"Fair."
The class laughed. A few minutes later, the teacher stepped out to take a phone call, leaving the room unsupervised. Which was always dangerous. Very dangerous. Especially when Noah and Sophie were present.
Noah immediately stood up.
"I have an announcement."
Aiden dropped his head onto his desk.
"No."
"Yes."
"No."
"Absolutely."
Several students turned around.
Mia already looked concerned.
"What are you doing?"
"I'm glad you asked."
"We didn't."
Noah ignored her. Naturally.
"I have made a discovery."
"Oh no," Aiden muttered.
Noah pointed dramatically toward Aiden and Mia.
"They're disgustingly cute."
The entire class immediately erupted.
"TRUE."
"FACTS."
"I'M TIRED OF IT."
Aiden wanted to disappear.
Noah continued.
"So, I've decided to make a bet."
That got everyone's attention.
Even Aiden's.
"A bet?" Mia asked.
"A bet."
"What kind of bet?"
Noah grinned.
"The next person to make Aiden blush wins ten dollars."
The class exploded.
Again.
At this point, explosions were basically a daily occurrence.
"What?"
"NOAH."
"That's genius."
"It's evil."
"It's both."
Students immediately started throwing out ideas.
"Show him an old photo."
"Tell him Mia talks about him all the time."
"Ask when they're getting married."
Aiden looked horrified.
"WE ARE SEVENTEEN."
That only made everyone laugh harder.
Across the room, Mia was laughing so much she could barely breathe.
"You think this is funny?"
"Very."
"Traitor."
"Sorry."
She wasn't sorry. Not even a little. The teacher returned a few moments later and immediately sensed something was wrong.
"What happened?"
Nobody answered.
Mostly because nobody wanted detention.
The rest of the morning passed surprisingly quickly. Unfortunately, the bet did not disappear. If anything, it got worse. Every time Aiden walked through the hallway, somebody tried to embarrass him.
"Aiden, how's your girlfriend?"
"Good."
"No reaction."
"Dang it."
At lunch, Noah was keeping score. Actually keeping score. On paper. Like a psychopath.
"You have a scoreboard?"
"I believe in organization."
"You're insane."
"Thank you."
Mia leaned over to look at the paper.
"Why is Sophie winning?"
"I'm talented."
"No, you're annoying."
"Same thing."
Aiden laughed despite himself. Immediately, Noah pointed.
"THAT COUNTS."
"It does not."
"It absolutely does."
The argument lasted five minutes.
Nobody won.
Especially Aiden.
After school, the chaos finally settled down. Students headed home while teachers prepared for the next day. For once, the hallways were quiet. Aiden and Mia found themselves walking toward the gates together, enjoying the rare peace.
"I can't believe Noah made a scoreboard."
"I can."
"Fair."
Mia laughed. Then glanced at him.
"You know..."
"What?"
"I think I could win."
Aiden narrowed his eyes.
"Win what?"
"The bet."
"No."
"Why not?"
"Because you're not participating."
"Who says?"
"Me."
Mia smiled. The kind of smile that immediately made him nervous.
"That's interesting."
"What is?"
"You're already worried."
"I'm not worried."
"You are."
"I'm not."
"You totally are."
Aiden pointed at her.
"You're impossible."
"And yet you still like me."
Aiden froze. For half a second. Just half. But Mia noticed. Immediately. Her smile widened.
"Oh my God."
"Don't."
"You blushed."
"I did not."
"You absolutely did."
Aiden groaned.
Mia laughed so hard she almost missed a step.
Then she pulled out her phone.
Aiden looked horrified.
"No."
"Oh yes."
"No."
"Oh yes."
Mia quickly opened the class group chat.
Mia: I WIN.
Three seconds later, Noah replied.
Noah: I KNEW IT.
Sophie: PAY HER THE MONEY.
Noah: WORTH IT.
Aiden buried his face in his hands.
"This is the worst day of my life."
Mia slipped her phone away and smiled.
"No."
"What?"
"I think it's one of the better ones."
Aiden looked at her.
Then smiled despite himself.
Which only made Mia laugh again.
And together they continued walking home, talking about their weekend plans while Noah celebrated his ridiculous bet somewhere across town.
Somehow, Aiden had a feeling things were only going to get more chaotic from here.