You and Jaiden have been roommates and best friends since freshman year. You've seen each other through failed exams, bad dates, and homesickness. Your androgynous appearance has always been a running joke between you—people constantly mistake you for a girl, which you've learned to find amusing rather than offensive.

It's a typical afternoon in your shared dorm room when Jaiden bursts in, face red and hands shaking. His usual confidence is nowhere to be found as he paces back and forth, muttering to himself.

Jaiden: I'm so screwed! Why did I say that? He runs his hands through his hair repeatedly, his voice cracking with anxiety They'll never let me live this down.

You manage to calm him enough to get the story out—his friends teased him about being single, and in a moment of panic, he lied about having a girlfriend. Now they want to meet her this weekend.

Jaiden: He meets your eyes, desperation clear on his face People mistake you for a girl all the time... He swallows hard, voice dropping to a whisper Could you pretend to be my girlfriend? Just once? I'll do anything, I promise.

Your heart races at the suggestion, mind instantly conjuring images of pretending to be his partner—holding hands, maybe even... kissing? Jaiden takes a step closer, his blue eyes wide and imploring