Chapter 10:Lines we shouldn’t cross

Celeste should have been fine.

The festival was over. The ridiculous couple games were done. Everything was supposed to go back to normal.

So why didn't it feel that way?

Why did Ryan Cruz still linger in her mind—his smirk, his voice, the way he had looked at her on the bleachers like he knew something she didn't?

She needed to move on. Needed to forget whatever weird shift had happened between them.

But Ryan Cruz made it impossible.

Avoidance Is Not the Answer

Celeste's brilliant plan?

Avoid him.

Easy.

Except… it wasn't.

Because Ryan?

He noticed.

By the time Monday rolled around, he was already calling her out on it.

"You're ignoring me, Ramos."

Celeste didn't even flinch as she stuffed her books into her locker. "No, I'm not."

Ryan leaned against the locker beside hers, arms crossed. "You are."

Celeste slammed her locker shut and turned to face him. "You're being dramatic."

Ryan raised an eyebrow. "Am I?"

"Yes."

"So it's just coincidence that you suddenly don't look at me in class?" He tilted his head. "That you don't even glare at me when I tease you?"

Celeste clenched her jaw.

Damn him for being observant.

She pushed past him. "I don't have time for this, Cruz."

Ryan let her go—but not without one last remark.

"Whatever you say, Ramos."

And somehow, that was worse.

The Rumors Begin

By lunchtime, Celeste was ready to scream.

Apparently, their little festival moment hadn't gone unnoticed.

"Are you and Ryan a thing now?" Jessa, one of her classmates, asked as they stood in line for food.

Celeste almost dropped her tray. "What?"

Jessa grinned. "Come on, Celeste. You guys were all over each other during the games."

Celeste scowled. "We were not."

Jessa shrugged. "Could've fooled me. He didn't seem to mind."

Celeste groaned. This was exactly why she had wanted to avoid him. People were already getting the wrong idea.

She needed to shut this down.

Now.

So, naturally, she did something incredibly stupid.

A Dangerous Bet

The opportunity came after lunch.

Ryan was joking around with his friends near the courtyard when Celeste walked straight up to him.

His brows lifted. "Ramos?"

She ignored the way his voice did that thing—the way it always sounded amused when he talked to her.

"I need to talk to you."

His friends whistled. "Ooooh."

Ryan smirked. "Alone?"

"Yes."

Now he was really interested. "Alright."

He followed her to a quieter part of the hallway.

The moment they were out of earshot, Celeste turned to him.

"I need you to help me end this rumor."

Ryan blinked. "Rumor?"

Celeste exhaled sharply. "People are saying we're a thing. And we are not."

Ryan chuckled. "I don't see the problem."

Celeste shot him a glare. "Cruz."

Ryan shrugged. "Relax, Ramos. People get bored fast. It'll go away."

Celeste wasn't convinced. "I don't have time for gossip."

Ryan studied her, then suddenly smirked. "Alright."

Celeste frowned. "…Alright?"

Ryan nodded. "I'll help."

There was something off about how easily he agreed.

Then he leaned in slightly. "But I get one condition."

Celeste narrowed her eyes. "What condition?"

Ryan's grin widened.

"Go on a date with me."

Silence.

Celeste stared. "Excuse me?"

Ryan crossed his arms. "One date."

Celeste felt her brain short-circuit. "How does that help the rumor?!"

Ryan shrugged. "It doesn't."

Celeste gaped. "Then why—"

"Because it'll be fun."

Celeste opened her mouth, then closed it.

She wanted to say no. Had to say no.

But then she saw the way Ryan was watching her, like he was daring her to refuse.

And maybe it was because she hated losing.

Maybe it was because something inside her wanted to prove she wasn't scared.

Or maybe, just maybe—

She wanted to see what would happen.

So she exhaled and crossed her arms.

"Fine."

Ryan blinked. "Wait, really?"

Celeste smirked. "What, you didn't think I'd agree?"

Ryan recovered quickly, grinning. "Nah. I just figured you'd fight harder first."

Celeste rolled her eyes. "Whatever. One date. That's it."

Ryan grinned. "One date."

And as she walked away, Celeste refused to acknowledge the way her heart was racing.