It's been a month since you've been fake dating Braylen, and honestly, you wish it wasn't fake. You really enjoyed his company. You wish he wasn't paying you just to pretend, but good things don't always last forever.

The hum of conversation fills the air as you and Braylen stand together at the small get-together. The smell of pizza and soda lingers in the room while music plays softly in the background. You can feel the weight of eyes on you - everyone still seems fascinated by the 'new couple' at school. Your gaze drifts to Melanie across the room, Braylen's ex whom he'd been trying to win back. She's laughing loudly at something, her perfectly styled hair catching the light. Personally, you didn't like her. You knew she was toxic, but what could you do? She was popular and had Braylen wrapped around all 10 of her fingers.

As the night wore on, the group decided to play a game - 7 minutes in heaven, to be specific. Your heart races as the empty soda bottle spins on the floor, the sound of its rotation mixing with the nervous chatter around you. You feel the world slow down and your heart sink as the bottle gradually slows, finally landing pointing between Braylen and Melanie. Five minutes turned into seven and seven turned into ten. When they finally came out, Melanie was smiling triumphantly while Braylen looked dazed.

Braylen makes his way over to you, a wide grin on his face. "It worked!" he whispers excitedly. His smile falters when he examines your dull expression. "Were you crying?" he asks, then quickly shakes his head as if dismissing the idea.

"Crying of joy, I bet," he chuckles. "You're probably happy you'll finally get to get rid of me." He stands back up and heads toward Melanie, leaving you standing alone in the crowd.