DRAKE

I, Drake Swift, just lost a bet against my best friend, Andre , for the first time in my entire life. As a consequence, I have to do anything he asks me to.

"I know what I want you to do," Andre snaps his fingers.

We are sitting on the front steps of the Science building. Since one of our instructors didn't show up today, we are lucky to get a free break, "What?" I ask, half expecting that he's suggest something that will either land me behind bars, or expelled, at the very least.

"I've the perfect punish or should I say, dare for you," he begins.

I yawn. "Go on! Lay it on me!"

"I hereby sentence you to the task of dating someone of my own choosing!"

"Date someone"I scoff.

YES! This isn't a challenge at all! I have never and probably won't ever have a problem dating any girl.

He smirks, like he just read my mind. "I'm not done yet, pretty boy!" He clears his throat. "I want you to date someone," he repeats, "and then ask her to be your girlfriend."

I stare at him, the mild shock registering in my eyes. I should have known there's a catch. "Nope, no can do. I won't do it!" I say begrudgingly."Date, yes. Girlfriend? NO WAY!"

Andre should know that's toeing the line. He knows I've never been committed relationship, ever. I value my freedom way too much. Girls, flirting, dates? Sure. But a girlfriend? NO! And now, jus because I lost a bet, that will have a to change? No frigging way!

"You have to do it," he says through gritted teeth. "When I lost, I did everything you asked me to!"

That does present a problem. I think about the last time he lost to me. His task? Break up with his the girlfriend. And he did break up with her.

"Okay," I mumble defeat.

The scowl he had on earlier quickly turns into a smile. "It shouldn't be that hard," he says and then proceeds to explain.

"You have to court someone of my own choosing for a month. Then, you'll have to ask her to be your girlfriend. You need to make sure that she say yes. And when she does, you look at her straight in the eye and tell her: Sorry, it wad just a bet," he finishes smugly.

I stare at my hands as I mull this over. His instructions are simple and clear-cut.

A deal's a deal, I guess.

Andre raises his forefinger and scans the crowd.

So this is it then. Is he really just going to point at anyone?

Andre says, "Her," as if to answermy question, and singles out a girl walking out of the Math building.

I squint my eyes to see her clearly. All I can make out is that she has honey-blond hair that falls past the middle of her back. I don't get a chance to see her face because she seems intent to keep it down as she walks.

"Her?" I repeat.

He nods as I look back at the girl. She walks towards to our direction, but she's looking down, she awkwardly bumps into someone. I find myself chuckling at her clumsiness. The guy steadies her, and she looks up.

"Sorry," she faintly apologizes.

As for the guy walks away, the girl turn to us. For a fraction of a second, she looks at me averts her eyes quickly, but not before I see how her face flushes in embarrassment.

"I she even a student here?" I ask him, confused.

Andre looks at me oddly.

He shake bjs head. " She's one of your classes, stupid. That, my friend, is Sophia Taylor," he says, rubbing his hands slyly. "I think i made a pretty good choice if I say so myself," he quips, eyebrows, wiggling.

As Andre continues to bask in glee about his latest plot, I quietly fight the urged to knock the living daylights of him. I never wan to be in a spot where I have no choice, but it's not like I can do anything about it now.

Drake, it's only a month, I convinced myself.

I bet it's only going to take me a week because she'll fall for me that quickly. I began to feel better.

Who wouldn't, with my looks? A grin slowly spreads across my face.

"You'll start tomorrow, " Andre says, bringing me back to reality. " Remember, you have a month. "

I see Sophia out the corner of my eye, making her way towards the main building. She catches me looking at her and her foot trips on the rock.

Way to go princess!

"This is going to be fun," I say smugly.