I pulled a "Dare" card. The instruction was simple: French kiss a guy in the room. I chose the Valedictorian. But he just sat there, frozen, not making a move to stand up. His jaw tightened as he looked at me. "I'm sorry. Now isn't a good time." Suddenly, a row of floating text—like a Twitch live stream chat—scrolled across my vision: [Of course it’s not a good time. The Heroine is sitting right next to him. No way he kisses the Villainess in front of her.] [Just wait for the next round. When the Heroine gets a dare to kiss him, he’ll pounce on her. Tongue and all. The contrast is going to be brutal.] [Wait until the Villainess starts crying and begging like a desperate loser. It’s going to be hilarious.] I didn't want to be a joke. I forced a smile. "If it's not a good time, forget it. I'll pick someone else." 1 The room went dead silent. Someone whispered, "What’s going on, Harper? Isn't Ethan your boyfriend?" "Yeah, did you guys get into a fight?" "Everyone knows he's obsessed with you. Remember when your promise ring fell into the campus fountain? He waded in there in the middle of winter to find it." "Forget it, it’s just a game. Just take a shot and move on. Couples fight all the time." Ethan stared at me, his dark eyes filled with anxiety. "Harper, are you mad?" I pressed my lips together. "No." I poured myself a drink. Ethan hadn't technically cheated, and I wasn't going to grab some random guy just to prove a point. Since I failed the dare, I had to take a shot of tequila as punishment. Ethan reached out, poured a full glass for himself, and said, "This round was my fault. I'll take the punishment." He tilted his head back, his Adam's apple bobbing, and downed the liquor without flinching. The game continued. I kept my expression neutral, pretending Ethan’s rejection didn't sting. But inside, my chest felt tight, acidic. I couldn't focus. I kept analyzing those floating comments. Who is the Heroine? Just then, a sophomore named Bella pulled a Dare card. She raised her hand timidly. "Um... I think I also got the 'Kiss a guy' card." She scanned the room, her doe-eyes landing wetly on Ethan. "Ethan... you're the only guy I really know here. Can you help me out?" Everyone held their breath, eyes darting between me and her. It was a classic showdown. The floating chat went wild: [Yes! My baby is so brave! Finally making her move.] [The Villainess is about to go full Karen and shove our girl. Then Ethan will defend Bella and make Harper apologize. It’s gonna be so sweet.] [Isn't this a bit messy? Harper is still his girlfriend.] [Oh shut up. Harper is just a side character. Ethan doesn't actually love her. Later when they break up, Harper threatens to jump off a roof and Ethan literally tells her to 'do a flip'.] My palms went cold. I wasn't going to cause a scene and shove Bella. But I wanted to see Ethan’s reaction. Ethan frowned at Bella. "I thought everyone made it clear. I have a girlfriend." Bella bit her lip, looking around. No one else stepped up. Her eyes welled up with tears. "I... I'm allergic to alcohol. Ethan, if you can't kiss me, can you at least take the penalty shot for me?" Ethan’s brow furrowed. He looked at me. "Harper, is that okay? I’ll only do it if you say so." The chat was dumbfounded: [Am I seeing this right? Why is the Main Character asking the Villainess for permission?] [Why isn't he kissing Bella? Is this really a romance novel?] [Relax guys. He's just being polite. Even if Harper says no, he'll do it. It'll just make Harper look worse.] I clenched my fists under the table, feigning calm. "Up to you." Part of me hoped he would refuse. But Ethan’s eyes dimmed. He picked up the glass and downed the shot for Bella. My heart gave a painful lurch. I tried to rationalize it. Don't be jealous. He only drank it because she’s allergic. But the chat kept hammering me: [See? He cares! He wouldn't let Bella suffer.] [He's playing it cool, but look closer. In the darkness, he's already... excited.] [He wants Bella so bad. He refused to stand up earlier because he was trying to hide his boner.] My stomach dropped. Ethan was aroused? By Bella? I looked down. My gaze involuntarily drifted to his lap. There was a definite tent in his jeans. My blood ran cold. Physiological reactions don't lie. Ethan took the punishment for Bella because he wanted her. The game went on, but I was done. I just wanted to escape. The chat gleefully predicted the next scene: [Spoiler alert: Tonight, the Heroine draws the 'Go to a hotel with a guy' card.] [Ethan is a possessive jealous type. He won't let Bella go with anyone else. He'll drag her out of there himself.] I dug my nails into my palms. Beside me, my cousin Carter patted my shoulder. "You okay?" I shook my head. "I'm fine." Carter and I kept our family relation low-key on campus; nobody here knew we were cousins. Carter pulled a card. His smile faded. [Take any girl in the room to a hotel. Send a selfie from the room to the group chat.] The room erupted in laughter. It was too extreme. The chat text flashed red: [Alert! After this, Bella draws the hotel card!] [Harper is going to try and make Ethan jealous by volunteering, but Ethan won't care. He's saving his energy for Bella.] Carter was about to reach for the bottle to take the penalty. I grabbed his wrist. "You have a stomach ulcer, remember? No alcohol." I stood up. "I'll go to the hotel with you." Carter blinked. "What?" Before he could protest, I dragged him up. He was used to spoiling me, so he just went along with it. I walked out of the party with another man, leaving my boyfriend behind. Ethan’s pupils constricted. He shot up from his seat. "Harper!" But Bella jumped in front of him, blocking his path, eyes teary. "Ethan, don't go! I don't know anyone else here. If you leave, I'll be scared. The game isn't over yet..." My heart shattered. I dragged Carter out the door without looking back. The chat was furious: [What is the Villainess doing? She's supposed to stay and make a scene!] [Why is she leaving with a random guy? Who is going to push the plot forward?] [Wait, Ethan actually pushed Bella aside and ran after her!] [Don't worry. He's just mad she's embarrassing him. He's definitely going to hook up with Bella later to get even.] I got into Carter’s car and told him to drive. Fast. 2 In the car, I sent Ethan a text: [Let's break up.] Then, I blocked his number on everything. Done. I felt drained. "What happened?" Carter asked, glancing at me. "I thought you two were solid." I fought back tears. "Nothing. Just... suddenly stopped liking him." "Because of a game?" "Yeah. Because of a game." Carter sighed. "Are you sure? You chased that guy for two years. You're just going to walk away?" I gripped my phone. Yeah. That was Ethan. The guy I spent two years trying to seduce. He was the Math Department’s genius, the heir to the Jiang conglomerate, the guy whose candid photos broke the internet. And in private? He was painfully polite. We only slept together for the first time last night. I was all over him, tracing his abs, teasing him. Even when he was hovering over me, shirt off, eyes red with desire, he still asked, "Harper, I want you. Is that okay?" I had whispered, "You're already naked, just do it." Tears rolled down my face now. So, was that all a lie? Did he only sleep with me because the "Heroine" received a love letter from someone else, and he wanted to make her jealous? Was I just practice? I pieced the story together from the floating comments. I am the Villainess in a sweet romance novel. Bella is the Heroine. She apparently saved Ethan’s dad from a heart attack once, so the family adores her. According to the plot, my jealousy pushes Ethan into her arms. After graduation, I become obsessed. I stalk him. I get caught by a security guard who drags me into the bushes and assaults me. Ethan and Bella see it happen, and Ethan covers Bella’s eyes, calling me "dirty." Eventually, I end my own life. My parents die in a car crash from the grief. Hell no. I wasn't going to let that happen. I wasn't destroying my life for a man. Better to cut him loose now. 3 Carter and I obviously didn't hook up. We faked a photo in a hotel lobby, posted it to the group chat, and he dropped me off at my dorm. My roommate gasped when I walked in. "Harper! Your mascara... are you okay?" I looked in the mirror. I looked like a raccoon. I had dressed up tonight specifically to look good for Ethan. Now, I was a mess. "We broke up," I muttered. My roommate didn't pry. "His loss. You're a catch. I'm heading to the dining hall, want me to grab you a burger?" I nodded, grateful. When she left, I opened my shopping app and deleted the items in my cart. After last night, I had been excited. I wanted to try new things. I had even shown him the app: Bunny tail? Handcuffs? Body chains? You pick. He had blushed, his voice raspy. Don't rush. If you like them, we can try them all. Slowly. Well, no need for that now. My phone rang. Unknown number. I hung up. It rang again. I answered. "Harper, where are you?" It was Ethan. He sounded breathless, like he was running. I wiped my eyes. "Didn't you see the photo in the group chat?" "Harper, don't do this. I'm coming to find you." I laughed bitterly. "Why? Bringing condoms?" Silence on the other end. The anger from the chat logs bubbled up. He used me? Okay, two can play at that game. "You know, Ethan, I never really liked you that much. I just wanted to see what it was like to sleep with the 'Ice Prince'. Now that I have... meh. Honestly? You were terrible in bed. I didn't feel a thing last night. I'm moving on to someone who knows what they're doing." I hung up. I lay on my bed, arm over my eyes. It was truly over. 4 The next morning, I saw him in our elective class. I used to take this class just to stare at the back of his head. Now, realizing his family’s power—he could probably get me expelled—and remembering I told him he was bad in bed, I was terrified. I snuck in late, sat in the back row, and bolted the second the bell rang. I couldn't escape Carter, though. He cornered me near the library. "Harper, you ruined me! I went to that party to find a girlfriend. Now everyone thinks we hooked up. I'm socially dead." "Sorry," I winced. "How can I fix it?" "Buy me those new Jordans. I have a game next week." "Fine." The basketball game. Ethan would be playing too. They were rivals. I had originally planned to buy Ethan shoes for the game. Wednesday afternoon, I went to the mall. I was taking photos of sneakers for Carter when I heard a familiar, annoying giggle. Bella and her friend Chloe. Bella was holding a latte, glancing at me, then whispering to Chloe. "Bella, why are we in the men's section?" Chloe asked loudly. Bella blushed. "Well, that guy saved me from the dare the other night. I want to buy him shoes to say thanks." The chat floated above their heads: [Wait, didn't Ethan chase after Harper? He didn't save Bella.] [Ugh, stop talking about the Villainess. She ruined the moment. She deserves what's coming to her.] Bella picked up a pair. "My debit card is linked to Ethan’s dad's account. He insists I use it. I think he really wants me and Ethan together." She glanced at me. I ignored her and went to the register with Carter's shoes. Bella cut in line. "I'm in a hurry." She slapped a black card on the counter. Chloe gasped. "How much is on that?" "Ten times the average tuition," Bella bragged. The cashier swiped it. Then swiped it again. "Miss? This card is frozen. Declined." Bella’s face went pale. "Impossible. Try it again." "It's declined, Miss. Please step aside." I stepped up and paid for my shoes. Bella grabbed my arm as I left the store. "Who are those for? You're still buying things for Ethan? Have some dignity." "None of your business," I snapped, yanking my arm back. "Stay away from him," she hissed. Then, she 'tripped' and dumped her hot latte all over my brand-new box of sneakers. The brown liquid soaked through the cardboard instantly. "Oops! Slippery hands," she smirked. "Consider it a favor. Ethan wouldn't want your charity anyway." I saw red. I grabbed her wrist. "Apologize." "Ow! You're hurting me! I said it was an accident!" I didn't argue. I grabbed the half-empty cup from her hand and poured the rest of the dregs directly onto her white shoes. Bella screamed. "Harper! You psycho!" She started crying loudly, attracting a crowd. "You already cheated on him! Why are you bullying me? Just because Ethan likes me?" A sleek black Rolls Royce pulled up to the curb. The driver opened the door. Ethan stepped out. He looked like a runway model in a long black coat, radiating cold, expensive energy.
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