Chapter 1

My secret crush, Julian, knew exactly what to say. He claimed the SATs were stressing him out and my body would "inspire" him.

And just like that, I was his casual hookup for a year.

When I asked him when we'd go public, he'd always say.

"Why mess with a good thing? I'm not into labels, I like my freedom."

So I waited. Just like an idiot.

On the day the popular Serena confessed her feelings to him, Julian asked to meet me.

"Help me pick out some flowers. They're for Serena. She'll probably like your taste."

That's when I knew. I was the only one who felt like a "label" to him. Serena never did.

Julian couldn't hide the smile on his face when Serena came up.

I'd known him for years, but I'd never seen him look like that before.

I mumbled a reply, terrified that if I said too much, he'd hear my voice shake.

"Aurora,"he said, his tone deliberately loud and mocking. "You're not about to cry, are you?”

My hands trembled, clutching the hem of my shirt.

He knew me too well. He could read every emotion from the slightest flicker in my eyes.

I couldn't lie to him.

But for once, I had to try.

"Just stressed. Tired." I managed.

"Perfect. Come to the flower shop with me then. Think of it as relaxing."

Relaxing. My heart gave a little flutter at the word. He always used it as an excuse to get me into bed with him.

His voice held an undeniable pleasure. "You're both girls. Whatever you pick, Serena's bound to love it."

Serena was the most popular girl in our class-gorgeous, with a long line of guys after her.

But I never knew Julian was interested in her, too.

So what was I, then? A joke?

"Julian, what about me?"

I bit my lip, unable to stop myself from asking.

He fell silent for a few seconds, his face darkening.

When he spoke, his expression was serious. "Aurora, don't tell me you took this seriously. You're my friend, we grew up together. Sex is just about mutual needs, isn't it?"

His tone was calm, but every word felt like a stab to the heart.

He tucked a stray strand of hair behind my ear, his smile mischievous. "You've lived with my family for so many years, everyone sees you like my little sister. If we actually dated, people would definitely talk. It would be weird."

His words were like a bucket of ice water, chilling me to the bone.

I stared at the ground, determined not to let my tears fall.

"Oh, I just remembered, I made plans to see a movie with a friend. I can't go pick out flowers with you."

With that, I hurried away.