If there was one thing Ace Ryder had never been good at, it was blending in.
But for the first time in his life, he was trying. No screaming fans. No flashing cameras. Just a hoodie, some worn-out sneakers, and a fake student ID with the name "Adrian Ryder" on it.
So far, it was going... okay. Ish.
Except for the part where he might've accidentally started liking the one girl who didn't know who he was.
Zara.
Sharp-tongued, laser-focused, anti-celebrity Zara.
---
Monday Morning – Campus Café
Zara balanced a cup of black coffee and her bag of chin chin while navigating the crowded tables. Just as she spotted an empty chair, a voice called out behind her.
"Hey, tutor girl!"
She stopped. Turned.
There he was—hoodie, dimples, devil-may-care attitude.
"Stop calling me that," she said, sitting across from him despite herself.
Ace grinned. "Then call me something too. Fair is fair."
"Fine. You're now Mr. Distraction."
He nodded, impressed. "I like it. Has a superhero vibe."
She rolled her eyes. "You came here just to bother me, didn't you?"
"Actually," he said, pulling out a notebook, "I came to study."
Zara squinted at him. "Seriously?"
"Seriously. Jake says if I fail this project, he's dragging me back to the studio. And honestly, I'd rather write five essays about tragic love stories than go on another fake dating PR tour."
She raised an eyebrow. "Fake dating?"
He froze for half a second—just long enough for her to notice.
"Did I say that?" he laughed nervously. "I meant faded dating. Like… romance that fades. You know, literary stuff."
Zara narrowed her eyes. "Right."
They worked in silence for a while. Or at least, she worked. Ace mostly doodled in the margins of his notebook.
She glanced over.
"Are you drawing... a pizza slice with sunglasses?"
"His name is Cool Pepperoni," Ace said proudly. "He's a chill guy."
Zara bit back a laugh. "You're ridiculous."
"But," he said, turning to her with sudden seriousness, "I'm not stupid. I know I play around too much, but... I actually want to pass."
She blinked, surprised by his honesty.
"I can help," she said slowly. "But you have to meet me halfway."
"Deal."
---
Tuesday – Literature Class
Professor Bello lectured on themes of self-discovery in contemporary fiction. Ace sat beside Zara, actually taking notes—although he did label the themes "sad boys with trust issues."
When the professor asked for volunteers to present next week's reading, Ace raised his hand.
Zara nearly fell out of her chair.
"Yes, Adrian?" Professor Bello asked.
"I'll do it," Ace said. "With Zara. We're partners, right?"
Zara turned to him in horror.
"We are not—"
But the professor was already writing it down. "Wonderful. Looking forward to it."
Ace leaned back, smirking. "You're welcome."
Zara groaned. "I swear, I will end you."
"You say that like it's not kind of hot," he whispered.
She jabbed him in the ribs with her pen.
---
Wednesday – Campus Lawn
Mimi was losing it.
"Girl, why are you always with that boy?!"
"We're working on a project," Zara said, tying her shoelaces for her morning jog.
Mimi gasped. "Is that code for 'falling in love in slow motion'?"
"No. It's code for 'trying not to strangle someone in public.'"
Mimi flopped onto the grass beside her. "You two have chemistry. It's giving wattpad. It's giving enemies to lovers. I need you to stop fighting it and start dating him."
Zara snorted. "He's not my type."
"Tall? Check. Funny? Check. Good hair? Check. Hidden mystery past? Check. Girl, that's your entire type."
Zara paused. "Wait... good hair is not a type."
Mimi winked. "Keep lying to yourself."
---
Thursday Night – Study Room
They met again, both tired from classes, both pretending not to enjoy the study sessions as much as they did.
"Okay," Zara said, flipping open her notes. "Let's talk themes of identity."
"Easy," Ace said. "Pretending to be someone you're not so people leave you alone."
She paused. Looked up.
"That's... oddly specific."
He shrugged. "Maybe I just relate."
"You think you hide who you are?"
"Don't we all?"
Zara stared at him for a second longer, as if peeling back a layer. But then she looked away.
"Let's focus," she said.
"Right," he said. "Themes. Sad boys. Drama. Got it."
---
Friday Afternoon – Student Center
Ace waited in line for fries, hoodie pulled low over his forehead. He'd been recognized twice this week. He was losing his grip.
He pulled out his phone and texted Jake.
> ace: people are starting to notice
ace: she still doesn't know. zara.
ace: should I tell her?
Jake replied instantly.
> jake: not yet.
jake: she's the only person treating you like a normal guy. don't ruin it.
jake: you like her, don't you?
Ace stared at the screen.
He didn't respond.
But he already knew the answer.