On Monday, Bailey and I take the guys' advice, arriving at school early to make out by my locker. The students filtering by falter to stare and gawk at us. It takes a lot of concentration to keep my mind from wandering down bad memory lanes, but Bailey has a way of keeping the moment passionate and not just about groping my body.

"Are you okay, baby?" He breaks the kiss to brush my jaw with swollen lips and whisper to me, "you're shaking."

"I'm not used to this," I remind him quietly, relishing it all the same.

"What? Kissing me?" His lips break into a smile at my ear.

"You know what I mean," I grasp at his belt loops and hook my fingers, high on the thrill, "making out in front of everyone."

"Well, apparently pinning you against your locker last week wasn't enough to mark my territory. I'm just making sure everyone knows who you belong to and they better leave you alone," he sucks my earlobe past his lips and grazes it with his teeth.

"Shit... Bay, stop doing that or I'm going to have to walk around with wet panties all day," I pinch his side to kill the moment.

"A good reminder how I make you feel, baby," Bailey breaths down my neck.

Holy shit...

He chuckles and backs away, giving me his lustful eyes. He pecks the tip of my nose and casts a glance around the halls. The students snap their heads forward again and a soft murmuring fills the hallways. If it wasn't made apparent last week, it sure as hell is now.

"Hey," Mallory pops up abruptly, "can I chat with my girl for like two quick seconds, Bailey?"

"Yeah alright," he sighs like this is a major undertaking and saunters toward homeroom.

I am wearing black leggings, black buckle booties, and a long pine green sweater that barely covers my ass. The sweater is only a little loose, draping around my figure, and showing off my cleavage for Bailey. I didn't bother with makeup, but put on a sterling necklace.

"What's this?" Mallory admires the silver heart dangling between my breasts, "I've never seen you wear it."

"It's new."

"Did he get this for you?" Mallory looks too excited by this.

"Yeah," I grin, blushing, "he got into a fight with some guys and this was his way of apologizing."

"Damn this boy is falling already? He's going to hurt so bad when we crush him..." Her eyes flick up to mine, "that is still what you want, isn't it?"

"Uh..." I hesitate too long.

"I knew it," she giggles, rolling her eyes, "you're totally falling for him, aren't you?"

"What? No," I snap too quickly, "do you want to meet after school?"

"Sure thing," Mallory winks at me and prances off to class.

"What does she want?" Bailey is back at my side, walking to homeroom.

"We're going to meet up after school."

"What's the point of continuing this thing with Mallory? She's most likely still in cahoots with Cassie."

"Then we'll find out sooner if I am in her good graces," I point out as we take our seats.

"Cassie isn't a threat anymore, Max," Bailey leans over my desk, "she won't mess with my girl."

"Unless she figures us out," I mutter, knitting my eyebrows together.

"Figures what out?" He slopes back into his chair.

I gulp back my words. I don't want to address it any more than I know he wants to hear it. I should just tell him I want to be with him and see what he says. It will be better to know if he feels the same way or not. It might hurt like hell, but it's better to find out sooner rather than later. Yet, I'm too afraid to lose the only person I trust.

"I don't know," I shake my head.

I'm saved from his scowl when the tardy bell rings and the teacher takes the front of the class.

💀

"That's crazy!" Mallory flops back on her bed once I finish telling her about the fight on Friday, "fuck... Maybe you should just be with him, Max. That boy probably already loves you and is just waiting for you to get on the same page."

"You're ridiculous."

Bailey is not in love with me. We just got together a week ago. Of course, she doesn't know how fake this whole situation is. I think we definitely like each other and I know I want to be around him all the time, but love? She's crazy.

He doesn't love me.

"We're just trying to prove to the school that we're together right now," I go on when Mallory continues to stare at me, "he like has to mark his fucking territory or whatever."

"Even Cassie isn't buying it," Mallory sighs, "she's spreading rumors that you two are faking."

Shit.

"Maybe that's why everyone keeps harassing him."

"Him or you?"

"Both of us."

"He's going to fight to defend you and then you're just going to step aside and let him fall... Jesus, Max. You really do hate him," Mallory snickers as if she's impressed.

I don't like myself for pretending that she's not wrong. I want to jump to his defense and explain everything I know about him. Mallory may only seem fishy because she plays these messed up games, but I'm playing them now, too. There's no guarantee that she isn't playing me. She could just be using me the way I am using Bailey or he is using me.

"I think he's rebounding right now..."

"Nah, that boy likes you too much," Mallory isn't convinced by my insecurity.

"He may think he likes me because he's really hurting and doesn't want to accept it..." My heart hurts to think he's using me to get him through this part.

Mallory scoffs, "so what? It's not like you like him."

I recognize the challenge in her voice. She keeps trying to get me to admit that I like him, but not because I betrayed the plan. She seemed willing before to call off the assault on him. I want to trust her because I trust him, but I'm questioning his motives. It makes me question everyone, especially myself. I can't trust myself to know who to believe, so I won't tell her anything.

You're making this situation worse, girl.

"So, have you worked out a plan to get Cassie kicked off the cheer squad then?"

"I got a hold of the rulebook and I've been looking through it. So far, I haven't come up with anything big enough. I was thinking we could do a few petty pranks though to keep her on her toes."

"Like what?" I'm just glad to have the limelight off me.

💀

Wednesday, during gym Mallory gets into a fight with Cassie. As they scream at each other, distracting the class and Coach Parker, I slip from the gym. I head straight for Mallory's locker first and dig out the supplies she left there. I make sure no one is watching before carrying it down the hall. I use the information she gave me to get into Cassie's locker and set up the contraption. It's not a major prank, but it's hilarious and will rile up Cassie.

It's fun to be in on this kind of stuff, but I also feel foolish for taking part. I shut the locker just as some senior guys walk out of a bathroom. I shuffle down the hallway away from her locker before they notice and pick up some of their conversation.

"She's a bleeder. I can't imagine what Bailey sees in the bitch," the one with a buzzcut says.

His short friend with white blond hair shakes his head, "I bet she's super tight since she hasn't seen any cock since freshman year, bro. That's all he sees in her."

"I can't imagine him wanting to fuck her," Buzzcut chuckles and catches me listening, "isn't that right, Maxi Pad? I bet you're just a game and he's going to watch you crash and burn."

The blond guy glances at me blankly, "maybe she has a big hole... Could be why she bleeds so much."

I clench my jaw and turn away from them. I make it back to the gym without anyone realizing that I was gone. The class finishes quickly as my heartrate picks up nervously. I wait for the locker room to clear out before getting changed. I'm not sure I really want to be there to watch Cassie get covered in hundreds of tampons and red glitter.

It really is an original idea. However, it makes it obvious who is attacking. I didn't even tell Bailey about it since Mallory just presented me with it right before class. Cassie had smacked me again earlier in the hallways, so I jumped on the opportunity to get her back.

"How are things going for you?" Coach Parker leans in her doorway as I tighten the knee brace.

"Really good."

"Your teachers say you're showing up and staying on top of your homework," Coach Parker agrees, "I'm proud of you for stepping up. Has Cassie laid off?"

"She's a bit distracted fighting with Mallory and her breakup with that guy she was dating," I shrug.

Coach Parker clears her throat, "aren't you dating her ex now?"

I flush, "Yeah."

"That wasn't your plan all along, was it?"

"No..."

"Alright, just be careful, Max. Sounds like you're digging yourself a grave there."

Irritation boils in my belly, so I don't respond. I stand up and move past her without a word. I hear a huff behind me, but ignore her. The echoing in the hallways is clear as I make a path to my locker.

The tumble of tampons and red glitter is everywhere, covering several students. Teachers are screeching and Mallory is fighting with Cassie on the tile.

"Chrissake, baby," Bailey is behind me before I know it, "we need to get the fuck out of here before you get in trouble."

He snags my things, shoving them into my bag, slamming the locker. He boosts me onto his back and gallops out of the school to his Cheyenne before anyone can see. I laugh the entire time, letting my hands float over his sculpted pecks.

"You're tickling me," he chuckles, dropping our bags in the back of his pickup and gently dumping me in the passenger seat, "did you help Mallory with that?"

"She sprung it on me right before class," I explain when I see the scowl on his face.

"It's not like I'm mad, but it's pretty obvious you were a part of that," He rolls his eyes and speeds out of the school parking lot.

"She slapped me between classes and I wanted to get back at her," I shrug.

"What the fuck!" He stomps on the brakes and jerks to the side of the road, "fuck! She hit you again!"

"I didn't see you after fifth, Bay," I shove my hair behind my shoulder, "and I'm just..."

His breaths roll in short and rapid, making me snap my mouth shut. I was about to admit how confused I am. If there is anyone, I can confess that I don't know what to do anymore, it's him. He is so pissed about me not telling him Cassie slapped me because our plan isn't working.

Right? Or is it something else?

"Why is everyone so goddamn stubborn at this fucking place! I'm going to have to beat up every single guy in this place!"

"Shut up... You do not," I groan quietly.

"You're my girl, Max! Mine! And they better learn to respect that!"

"I'm not, though," I whisper, hating the way the words taste in my mouth, "it's all just pretend... I don't even understand why we're faking it."

Bailey falls silent, glaring at me, "what the fuck did you say?"

"I don't know why I went along with this," I say slightly louder, "how is this helping me? It's only drawn more attention to me. The guys are all assholes and it's not just Cassie coming after me now... Maybe it makes you feel better to move on from her right away, but I'm just being used at this point."

"I'm not fucking using you! I said you're mine, Max!" Bailey snarls, unsnapping the seatbelt.

He jumps out and slams the door so hard I flinch. I collapse over my lap, exhausted and tired of trying to sort through everyone's words and motives. I don't know how much longer I can do this.

The door jerks open and I almost fall out, but Bailey catches me and snakes arms around my waist. He hauls me out and presses me into his pickup, hiking my legs around him like he did to me outside the diner.

Bailey cups my face gently, "I told you that you can use me, baby, but you aren't getting rid of me. If this whole fake dating thing isn't what you want then what the fuck do you want?" He nuzzles our noses, "I'm not going anywhere, so it better be something better than fake."

"Like what?" I whine.

"It doesn't have to be fake, Max," he snaps harshly.

Oh...

Oh!

"Wait... What?"

"You are not this slow, baby," Bailey softens, brushing lips over the corner of my mouth, "I want to be with you. For real. This fucking fake dating thing... I was just doing it so you can get used to me, but I don't want it to be fake. Maybe that's why everyone is challenging us. They can sense it."

"R-really?"

"Fuck, really," Bailey shoves me harder into the pickup door, "I don't know what more I've got to do to make it clear that I fucking want to be with you. I protected you from Cassie letting out those images, and couldn't even stay away from you once you noticed me... I-I... I don't want to pretend. I never wanted that." He releases my face and kisses me hard, "please tell me you want the same thing."

"Y-yeah," my throat constricts with relief.

"Fuck," Bailey kisses me again, gripping my ass firmly, "finally."

"I feel really stupid now..." I confess as he helps me back into the passenger seat.

"You're not stupid. You're just stubborn as hell," he pecks my cheek before running around the pickup.

💀

By Friday, the gossip about me has quieted to whispers and never when a Ghost Rider is nearby. Now that things between Bailey and I are clarified, it seems the school really believes us or they're more terrified of Bailey. Even Zane saw right through the charade and that's why he kept giving us a hard time about it. It makes more sense now, and I feel like a dumbass.

At lunch, I empty things into my locker, and glance around the for the boys. One of them always meets with me between classes or for lunch, usually Bailey. I don't see any of them, and that makes my heartrate pick up nervously. I like the security of being with him or the boys in the hallways.

"Max," Memphis is suddenly at my side, leaning into the wall of lockers, "I have to say, you work fast."

"Excuse me?"

He chuckles, "I just mean, you changed your outfits for a week and it certainly paid off, didn't it? You snatched Bailey out of Cassie's grasp."

"He was never really hers," I snip, deciding to head for the lunchroom without the boys.

Memphis is right behind me, probably staring at my ass in the light jeans that Bailey appreciates. It's a little silly wearing a nice outfit for him when he's not the only who looks. I wore baggy clothes for a week or so to hide my body from prying eyes since the last party, but Bailey's close proximity encourages me to be myself again. I paired the jeans with a violet camisole and golden plaid button-up shirt, and black DC Chelsea shoes. I put on a little makeup, but nothing like I did for either of the parties.

A hand smacks into my ass and I freeze. It squeezes my cheek firmly. Memphis bumps into me, chortling lowly and his other hand lands on my shoulder. He hauls me resolutely into his body, keeping his hand spread across my ass. His fingers slide down my crack and shamelessly ride the inner seam at my center. I whimper as my body quakes at his touch. I can't even work up a scream or wrench away from the unsolicited touch. Tears flood my eyes with a terrible flash of the party and I cover my face with shaking hands.

I can't reach back to fight the aggressor with my face smashed into a pillow. I continue to flail as he smacks my ass with his hand over and over, marking me.

"That's all I want, Max." Memphis murmurs against my ear as if what he is doing is welcome, "I just want to warm you up, so you know what you're missing. You and I certainly could have some fun."

My stomach clamps around his fingers as he waggles them inside and continues to pump them in and out, bruising me.

"Get off me..." I mutter around his hand.

"I'm just warming you up, sunshine," he laughs, moving his mouth to my neck.

Suddenly Memphis' hand whips from between my legs and he slams into the wall. I peek over to see Riette restraining him and pummeling his stomach with punches.

"Are you okay, Max?" Zane seizes my shoulders, heedfully guiding me away from the fight.

"Piece of shit!" Riette yanks Memphis off the wall and thrusts him into the tile, kicking him in the face, "that's Bailey's girl!" He crouches down, clawing at Memphis' bloody collar and growls, "you fucking go near her again and we will fucking end you!"

"Get off me!" I jerk from Zane's grasp and flee as fast as I can down the hallway.

"Get off me..." I mutter against his salty hand.

"I'm just warming you up, sunshine," his laugh makes my stomach heave as his mouth moves to my neck, "and then I'm going to fuck you!"

"Sawyer!" Zane doesn't chase me as he hollers, "Max!"

Riette's voice rings in my ears, "Sawyer!"