Chapter 4 He played along

Valeria's POV 

I pulled away and carefully landed my feet on the ground, my heartbeat skyrocketing —completely out of control.

It was at that moment that the consequences of my actions became clear to me. I had kissed the scholarship boy. A newbie. One who didn't have any social status. 

Not like I still had a reputable one anyway.

The murmurs started.

“Whoa. Did she just kiss the loner boy?”

“She actually has no shame.”

“She got over Mason so fast.”

Blah, blah, blah… I didn't care to listen.

This rumour was better, way better than yesterday's rumour. It was better the blogs carried this news around than keep spreading my humiliating videos.

I knew I had to flip the script. I had to control what people said about me. My narrative could not stay in Mason and Scarlett's favor.

That was exactly why I kissed Broody. He was the perfect person for the moment.

Still, I was too ashamed to even look him in the eyes. My gaze stayed fixed on the ground for a few seconds.

Just when I was about to turn and smirk at my betrayers, his arm snaked around my waist, pulling me closer.

Whoa.

I looked up at him, a questioning look on my face.

He leaned in, his lips close to my ear. “If you're going to use me for revenge… at least ask first.” 

Oh shoot.

My fingers curled slightly at my sides.

“I'll give you a proper apology later,” I whispered, trying to sound composed.

He let go of me. I caught the hint of a smile forming on his face. Before I could process anything, he leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to my forehead. 

My eyes widened. 

By the time I could fully understand the situation, he was already stepping away like nothing had happened.

“See you later,” he said casually, like we hadn't just turned the entire hallway upside down.

He pulled his hoodie down and walked off.

What… did he just do?

My eyes followed him until he disappeared from the hallway.

Crazy. 

I didn't even know him. I didn't even know his real name.

And yet, he had played along with me like he had known me since forever.

Get it together, Valeria.

I straightened my shoulders, smoothing down my outfit.

I regained my composure, then slipped on my signature smirk. After taking a deep breath, I turned to Mason and Scarlett. 

I could pay a million dollars to keep seeing the current expression on their faces.

“Now, where did we stop?” A slow smile curved my lips. “As I was saying... I'm totally over you, Mason. I can get any guy I want without trying. And just like you moved on last night, I did too.”

I stepped forward with confidence —an armor I wore everyday of my life.

“You wanted a show, right?” I added lightly. “Hope you enjoyed that one.”

With a smirk, I adjusted my bag and walked past them, then stopped a few feet away from them.

“And lastly,” I said, my voice turning cold. “The both of you should stay away from me.”

And with that, I sauntered off, heading toward the class. 

I didn't stop walking.

If I stopped, I would hear the gossip. Gossip of how I'd kissed a complete stranger in front of the entire school.

That would definitely make me spiral.

“Valeria!” Tessa's voice echoed behind me.

But I didn't stop walking.

Her shoes clicked quickly against the floor as she rushed after me, grabbing my arm and forcing me to stop.

Her eyes were wide—wide with panic.

“What have you done?” she yelled in a whisper, glancing around like the walls might hear us. 

I blinked. “I kissed Broody.”

“I know, Valeria. You kissed him. Him. In front of everyone,” she said, panicking as if she was the one who did it and was about to be punished for it.

I shrugged. “Yes. I'm aware. I did it.”

Tessa stared at me like she was trying to figure out if I had lost my mind.

“That's not just some random guy,” she continued, lowering her voice even more. “That's the scholarship boy. The quiet one. The one nobody knows anything about.”

“Even better.”

Her expression shifted from shock to disbelief. “Since when do you do things like this?”

“Since last night.”

She let out a heavy sigh. “I'm so sorry about last night. You needed someone. You weren't taking my calls or replying to my texts. I was worried.”

“It's fine, Tes. I've moved on. I'm over it.”

“How were you able to deal with it?” She asked, face filled with concern.

“I'm totally okay. For real, I'm fine.”

By then, we were already in class. She dragged her chair closer to mine.

“So, kissing him… was it a mistake?” She asked.

“No. It wasn't.”

“Why did you do it?”

“To prove a point.” I dropped my bag on my desk. “That I can survive without Mason.”

She searched my face, trying to see if I actually meant what I said. Then she gave up with a sigh.

“Val, honestly… I'm tired of you,” she said.

I chuckled, pulling my books out of my bag. If anything, I was proud of myself.

The bell rang, and students began trooping in. Out of all of them, I spotted Broody marching in with that same peculiar aura, like he wasn't even trying, but still owned the room. 

Throughout the biology class, I swear I didn't concentrate. My attention kept drifting back to him.

His eyes never met mine for once. Or maybe he just didn't want to look at me. His focus stayed on his book and the teacher at the front of the class.

I wondered how he was able to act so normal after the whole incident. 

Meanwhile I was here… spiraling.