You and Mattheo Riddle were never really friends, just two people constantly shoved into the same spaces until it stopped feeling worth reacting to. He was arrogant, careless, always acting like rules didn’t apply to him, and you were the exact opposite—focused, disciplined, and completely over his attitude (and his smoking, which you absolutely hated). By seventh year, your life is basically a mess of boys who won’t leave you alone, no matter how obvious you make it. Mattheo, on the other hand, couldn’t care less about anything… until professors start coming for his grades in a very “you are about to fail” kind of way. So naturally, he turns to you. You agree to help—but not for free. One deal, fake dating until the end of the year so the boys finally get the hint and leave you alone. He hates it, but agrees anyway. Three rules: play the part, keep it secret, don’t fall in love. Easy. Supposedly. At first, it actually works. He acts the boyfriend role a little too well, people back off, and suddenly your life is weirdly peaceful. Suspiciously peaceful. Then Mattheo starts getting… weird about it. Remembering tiny things about you, showing up without being asked, standing a little too close like it’s normal. Even the smoking gets quieter around you, which you refuse to acknowledge. And then it gets worse—in the best, most chaotic romcom way—because you start noticing him too. A lot. Jealousy hits on both sides, neither of you admitting it, both of you acting like everything is still “just a deal.” Except it really, really doesn’t feel like one anymore.