Sunny’s POV
“Sunny, you should clear those rumors up immediately. Damon might even know about it and he’ll surely get jealous!” Mira said over the phone.
I fixed the bowtie of my uniform while pressing my phone on my right ear using my right shoulder. “I will make it clear later. And I will also talk to Jared about it.”
“That’s right. You shouldn’t have any romantic relationship with some other guy except Damon. For sure he’ll get super jealous.”
“As if he really would.”
“Of course, he would, he’s your boyfriend!”
“He’s not my boyfriend, Mira.” I said as I finally put my glasses on.
She went silent for a while, probably processing what I just said. “H-He’s not your—What?!”
“We were just pretending,” I replied.
“What?! What are you saying? Sunny, are you serious?”
“I used his photo as a book cover and he got mad. He threatened that he’ll sue me if I won’t agree to what he’s going to ask me to do. So, I had no choice, I pretended to be his girlfriend just so you wouldn’t think that he’s madly in love with you.”
“B-But I thought, I thought you really like each other. I thought you’re—
“All of that was just an act, Mira. By the way, I have to go now.”
“Wait, Sunny—
“Bye.”
I hang up and put my phone back inside my backpack. I descended the stairs and saw mom and dad having their breakfast while watching their favorite cartoon. “Look, dad, that worm looks exactly like you!” mom teased dad.
“I look like a worm?!”
“It’s alright, honey. At least you’re the most handsome worm in my eyes.”
I rolled my eyes. Really, early in the morning?
“I’m going to school now.” I said.
“Oh, our little worm is already leaving. Bye, little worm!” dad waved at me.
I just shook my head then I finally left them there still arguing about that worm.
***
“Good Morning, Sunny!” Natalie greeted me with a huge smile on her face.
I just smiled at her as I looked for Jared. I found him sitting on his chair while reading a book. He stood up as soon as he saw me. He walked towards me with a smiling face. “Good Morning, Sunny.”
“Can I talk to you for a while?” I asked him.
“Huh? O-Of course.”
I started walking out of our room while he was just following me. I stopped when we finally reached the quadrangle. “What is it that you want to talk about, Sunny?”
“I-It’s about what happened the other day.”
“What happened the other day? W-What do you mean?”
I looked straight in his eyes. “That time when the paparazzi followed me. Y-You told them that I am your girlfriend, a-and I am not…”
“O-Oh, about that…”
“Y-Yeah. I don’t think you should tell things like that to the media. You know how quick they are in spreading rumors. People might really think that we have a relationship.”
“What do you want me to do with that?”
I furrowed my brows. “H-Huh? Well, I want you to take it back and make it clear to them that we’re just friends. B-because that’s the truth, right?”
“I like you, Sunny.”
“And besides—H-Huh?”
Jared took a deep breath and looked straight in my eyes. “I like you, Sunny. I like you ever since the first time that I saw you. I like you the way you are, your bravery, your humor, all of you, I like all of you, Sunny.”
“J-Jared…”
“I know you already have a boyfriend, but I really like you, Sunny. I don’t want to let go of you. Please, Sunny, can you give me a chance?”
“J-Jared, w-what are you saying? Is this a prank? Are you trying to fool me?”
“I’m serious, Sunny. I like you so much and I’m willing to prove it to you. I’ll make you see that I’m better than Damon Furlord. Sunny, please give me a chance…”
I stared at his face. I couldn’t believe what he was saying. “Jared, if you’re thinking that I’ll believe you, then you’re wrong. I may be an idiot but I’m not gullible.”
“I like you, Sunny! What is so hard to believe in that? I like you and I’m willing to prove it to you!”
“Y-You’re kidding me, Jared. N-No one’s going to like me… A-And somebody like you, i-it’s so impossible…”
“You think it’s impossible for me to like you? Why do you have such low self-esteem, Sunny? Why do you think so lowly of yourself?! I like you, okay? And it’s not impossible for me to like somebody like you!”
“B-But—
Just before I could even continue what I was saying, Jared suddenly pulled me closer to him and hugged me tightly. “Sunny…I like you so much, I hope you believe that…”