Page 56 of The Fake Date Agreement

“Not if everyone calls you Pollyanna,” he says cheerfully.

He gives me a brief smile, then turns to the quad where the students are hurrying to class, the gym, or the dining room.

I watch him, surprised by how easy it is to be around him. Two days ago, we were strangers. Now, everyone thinks we’re dating, and there are times when we’re together when it almost feels like we are. Like when he walked me to my room, and even though no one was around, he still kissed me goodnight.

Why would he do that when there was no one around to see?

He rakes his hand through his light brown hair and releases a soft sigh. “I’ve been a people pleaser since I was ten years old. How about you?”

“What makes you think I am?”

“Takes one to know one.”

“Forever,” I quietly admit. “I always found it easier to go along with what everyone wanted than say I wanted to do something different.”

He slowly nods as he watches two students tossing a football back and forth. “I find it easier to focus on fixing other people’s problems than my own. So now I have a twenty-page paper to write in under two weeks, and it’s worth sixty percent of my grade. And I haven’t even started it.”

I’m always ahead with my papers, finishing and submitting them long before they’re due. But hearing that?

It’s not my paper, so why does it feel likeI’mthe one breaking out in hives?

“I’ve finished all my papers for this semester.”

“I don’t need help.”

I arch my eyebrow.

After a long moment, he sighs and looks away. “Caleb has stopped freaking out about missing his shot, but he’s probably internalized it.”

“You said you needed me to help distract him. I can do that, and I can help you study for your paper. I warn you, I don’t know much about public policy, but I’m a fast reader, and I know how to write a strong paper. We can do it.”

“You don’t know me,” he says.

“Should we only help the people we know and ignore everyone else?” I counter.

“You’re going to be stubborn about this, huh?” he says with a slight smile.

“I can be about some things. I get it from my dad.”

“What things is he stubborn about?”

“I eat all the vegetables on my plate, and I ask for help when I need it, even if I’ve done something stupid that I think I’ll get in trouble for.”

“Anddidyou ever get in trouble for those stupid things?”

I shake my head. “Because me being safe is more important than me being hurt.”

“He sounds like a good guy.”

“He’s the best.”

After another thoughtful moment, he nods. “Okay, but don’t say anything to Javier or Caleb.”

I scrunch my nose. “Why not? I’m sure they’d help if you asked for it.”

“I’m the helper, not the helpee.” He gets to his feet and holds his hand out for mine.

“Not sure helpee is a word, Reid.” I place my hand in his, and he helps me to my feet, but he doesn’t immediately let go.

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