Fake Dating Rumours

Ariana Sen woke up to seventeen missed notifications.

Which was already suspicious because nobody texted her that much unless something terrible happened.

Half asleep, she grabbed her phone from beside the pillow and squinted at the screen.

MAYA: WAKE UP.

MAYA: YOUR LIFE IS OVER.

MAYA: CALL ME IMMEDIATELY.

MAYA: THIS IS NOT A DRILL.

Ariana blinked slowly.

“…It’s six in the morning.”

Another notification appeared instantly.

MAYA: YOU’RE FINALLY AWAKE?!

ARIANA: Why are you yelling digitally?

MAYA: CHECK THE SCHOOL FORUM.

ARIANA: No.

MAYA: ARIANA.

Groaning dramatically, Ariana opened the school forum link Maya sent.

And immediately regretted existing.

At the top of the page was a blurry photo.

A photo of Kian holding Ariana’s wrist outside the cafeteria yesterday while she argued with him.

The caption underneath read:

“THE ICE PRINCE FINALLY FOUND A GIRL?!”

Below that—

Thousands of comments.

“WHO IS SHE?”

“Kian smiled at her again today!”

“They’re definitely dating.”

“Rhea is probably crying right now.”

“This is better than dramas.”

Ariana slowly lowered her phone.

Then screamed into her pillow.

Her mother knocked immediately from outside.

“Ariana?!”

“I’M FINE!”

“…Why does ‘fine’ sound violent?”

“Because school is evil!”

Her mother sighed deeply.

“Eat breakfast before fighting people.”

Ariana sat up dramatically.

“This is the worst thing that has ever happened to me.”

Her phone buzzed again.

This time—

An unknown number.

UNKNOWN: You scream too loudly in the morning.

Ariana froze.

Then stared at the message suspiciously.

ARIANA: …Who is this?

UNKNOWN: Kian.

Ariana almost dropped her phone onto the floor.

ARIANA: WHY DO YOU HAVE MY NUMBER?!

KIAN: School records.

ARIANA: That sounds illegal.

KIAN: You’re dramatic before sunrise.

ARIANA: People think we’re dating.

Three dots appeared.

Then—

KIAN: Interesting.

ARIANA: NO. NOT INTERESTING.

KIAN: You care too much about rumors.

ARIANA: And you care too little.

KIAN: Probably.

Ariana glared at the screen like the phone personally offended her.

Meanwhile somewhere else in the city, Kian Roy sat inside the backseat of a black car while staring at Ariana’s messages.

For some reason—

He was smiling slightly again.

His driver noticed through the mirror and looked mildly terrified.

“Young Master seems to be in a good mood today.”

Kian locked his phone calmly.

“Not really.”

But the faint smile remained.

At school, chaos waited for Ariana immediately.

The moment she entered Westbridge Academy—

People stared.

Again.

Except this time it was worse.

Way worse.

Some students openly pointed at her.

Others whispered excitedly.

A few girls looked genuinely jealous.

Ariana wanted to disappear into another dimension.

Maya sprinted toward her dramatically.

“You’re famous.”

“I’m suing everyone.”

“You and Kian are literally trending on the school page.”

“That sentence gave me emotional damage.”

Maya grabbed Ariana’s arm excitedly.

“Do you realize how insane this is?!”

“We’re not dating.”

“I know that.”

“Then why are you smiling like a psychopath?”

“Because this is entertaining.”

Ariana stared at her.

“You’re a terrible friend.”

“I’m an honest friend.”

As they walked through the hallway, whispers followed them everywhere.

“That’s her.”

“She’s prettier up close.”

“Kian actually talks to her.”

“Maybe she’s secretly rich.”

Ariana stopped walking.

“…Why would being rich matter?”

Maya answered immediately.

“Because these people think money is a personality trait.”

“Disturbing.”

When they entered Class 12-A, the atmosphere became even more awkward.

Several students instantly looked toward Ariana and then toward Kian’s empty seat.

Daniel waved dramatically from the back.

“Welcome, celebrity.”

Ariana narrowed her eyes.

“You’re enjoying this too much too.”

“Obviously.”

Then the classroom door opened.

And silence spread instantly.

Kian entered lazily while fixing the cuff of his sleeve.

As usual, everyone stared at him.

But today—

His eyes immediately found Ariana.

Like it happened naturally.

Without effort.

Ariana noticed.

And for some reason her heartbeat skipped awkwardly.

Annoying.

Kian walked toward his seat calmly.

Then sat beside her.

“You look stressed.”

“You ruined my reputation.”

“I didn’t post the photo.”

“You EXISTED in the photo.”

“That sounds like a personal problem.”

Ariana groaned and dropped her head onto the desk.

“You’re impossible.”

Beside them, Daniel whispered dramatically:

“The tension is incredible today.”

Kian ignored him.

But Ariana kicked Daniel’s chair anyway.

The first few classes passed painfully slowly because students kept staring at them instead of listening to lectures.

At one point, the teacher asked Ariana a question.

But before she could answer—

Another student suddenly shouted:

“Ask Kian’s girlfriend instead!”

The classroom exploded with laughter.

Ariana stood up immediately.

“I am NOT his girlfriend.”

Kian rested his chin against one hand lazily.

“She sounds aggressive.”

“You’re enjoying this.”

“A little.”

Ariana pointed at him accusingly.

“This is your fault somehow.”

“Interesting logic.”

The teacher eventually restored order while hiding a smile.

But the rumors only became worse during lunch break.

The moment Ariana entered the cafeteria—

People literally moved aside for her.

Like she had become royalty overnight.

“This school needs help,” Ariana muttered.

Maya nearly fell over laughing.

Then suddenly several girls approached Ariana nervously.

“Um… Ariana?”

“Yes?”

“What’s Kian actually like?”

Ariana blinked.

“…Tall?”

“That’s not helpful.”

“Emotionally constipated?”

Maya choked on juice.

Nearby students burst into laughter.

Unfortunately—

Kian walked into the cafeteria at that exact moment.

And heard everything.

He stopped beside Ariana’s table slowly.

“Emotionally constipated?”

Ariana looked up innocently.

“You walk quietly for a tall person.”

Daniel sat down nearby while already laughing.

Kian looked at Ariana calmly.

“You insult me constantly.”

“You survive somehow.”

“And yet you still talk to me.”

“Unfortunately.”

Their eyes met for a second too long.

And several students immediately took pictures secretly.

Ariana noticed instantly.

“Oh absolutely not.”

She stood up quickly and marched toward the students.

“Delete those.”

The students panicked immediately.

“O-Okay!”

“This school acts like wildlife photographers,” Ariana muttered while returning to the table.

Kian watched her silently.

Then unexpectedly—

He smiled again.

Soft. Brief. Real.

The cafeteria nearly exploded.

“Oh my god he smiled AGAIN.”

“That’s definitely his girlfriend.”

“Rhea looks furious.”

Ariana turned.

Near the cafeteria entrance, Rhea Kapoor stood frozen with crossed arms.

Her expression looked dangerously calm.

Which somehow felt scarier than anger.

She walked toward Ariana slowly.

Students immediately became quieter.

“Ariana,” Rhea said politely.

Ariana already hated that tone.

“Yes?”

“I need to speak with you.”

“Why do rich people always sound threatening while smiling?”

Daniel snorted loudly.

Rhea ignored him.

The cafeteria atmosphere became tense as Ariana followed Rhea outside reluctantly.

The moment they reached the hallway, Rhea’s fake smile disappeared.

“You’re enjoying the attention, aren’t you?”

Ariana frowned immediately.

“Excuse me?”

“You know exactly what you’re doing.”

Ariana crossed her arms.

“No, actually. I’m mostly confused all the time.”

Rhea stepped closer.

“Kian doesn’t date girls like you.”

Ariana stared at her silently for a second.

Then laughed unexpectedly.

Rhea looked offended.

“What’s funny?”

“Girls like me?”

Ariana tilted her head slightly.

“You mean girls who aren’t rich enough to buy personalities?”

Rhea’s expression hardened instantly.

“You should know your place.”

That sentence did it.

Ariana’s eyes became colder.

“My place?”

For the first time, her voice lost all humor.

“You know what’s funny? Everyone here acts like money makes them superior.”

Rhea looked irritated.

“You wouldn’t understand this world.”

“And you wouldn’t survive mine.”

The hallway became completely silent.

Several nearby students watched nervously.

Then suddenly—

A calm voice interrupted.

“She said enough.”

Both girls turned.

Kian stood at the end of the hallway with unreadable eyes.

Rhea immediately looked frustrated.

“Kian—”

“You’re causing unnecessary drama again.”

Her expression fell slightly.

Ariana noticed immediately.

Rhea genuinely cared about his opinion.

But Kian looked completely unaffected.

“She insulted me first,” Rhea argued quietly.

Kian’s gaze shifted toward Ariana briefly.

“She can handle herself.”

For some reason—

That answer made Ariana’s chest feel strangely warm.

Rhea noticed too.

And that made her angrier.

Without another word, she walked away stiffly.

The moment she disappeared, Ariana exhaled dramatically.

“Congratulations. Your existence attracts chaos.”

Kian looked calm.

“You’re involved in the chaos too.”

“Against my will.”

A small smile appeared on his lips again.

Dangerous smile.

Very dangerous smile.

Ariana looked away immediately.

Why was he so unfairly attractive?

The rest of the afternoon became even stranger.

Rumors spread faster after the cafeteria incident.

By final period, students openly asked if Ariana and Kian were secretly dating.

One student even asked when the wedding was.

Ariana nearly threw a textbook.

After classes ended, Ariana packed her bag quickly.

Escape.

That was the goal.

Unfortunately—

Kian stood beside her desk again.

“We need to discuss the project.”

Ariana stared at him.

“You always appear like a horror movie villain.”

“You’re dramatic after school too.”

“Because you’re exhausting.”

Daniel leaned toward them.

“Just date already.”

Ariana and Kian answered simultaneously.

“No.”

The synchronized response made the entire classroom laugh.

Daniel looked delighted.

“You even reject people together. Beautiful.”

Ariana grabbed her bag aggressively.

“I’m leaving before I commit crimes.”

As she walked through the hallway, Maya quickly caught up beside her.

“You and Kian are becoming the school’s favorite entertainment.”

“I want compensation.”

Maya grinned.

“So… are you starting to like him?”

Ariana nearly tripped.

“What?! No!”

“You hesitated.”

“I DIDN’T.”

“You absolutely did.”

Ariana groaned loudly.

“He’s annoying.”

“But?”

“There is no but.”

Maya smirked knowingly.

“Sure.”

Outside the school gates, evening sunlight painted the streets gold.

Students slowly left campus while chatting loudly around them.

Ariana finally relaxed slightly.

Then suddenly—

A black motorcycle stopped nearby.

Several girls gasped immediately.

The rider removed his helmet slowly.

Messy dark hair.

Sharp eyes.

Confident grin.

Definitely trouble.

“Who’s that?” Ariana asked quietly.

Maya blinked.

“Oh. That’s Lucas.”

“Who?”

“Second-year student. Famous flirt. Extremely dangerous.”

Lucas noticed Ariana almost instantly.

Then smiled.

“Well,” he said casually while walking closer, “you must be the famous new girl.”

Ariana already disliked his confidence.

“And you must be the guy with too much hair gel.”

Maya inhaled sharply.

Lucas burst out laughing.

“Oh, I like her already.”

“Condolences.”

Before Lucas could continue flirting—

Another presence stepped beside Ariana.

Cold. Silent. Intimidating.

Kian.

The atmosphere shifted immediately.

Lucas raised an eyebrow.

“Well this got interesting fast.”

Kian looked at him calmly.

“What do you want?”

Lucas smirked slightly.

“Just introducing myself.”

His gaze returned toward Ariana.

“You should be careful around this guy.”

Ariana crossed her arms.

“And why’s that?”

Lucas tilted his head.

“Because Kian Roy destroys everything he touches.”

Silence.

For one second—

Something dark crossed Kian’s expression.

Fast enough that most people wouldn’t notice.

But Ariana did.

Lucas eventually left with a casual wave.

The tension remained afterward.

Ariana looked toward Kian carefully.

“…You okay?”

Kian’s face returned to its usual calm expression instantly.

“You ask too many questions.”

“You avoid too many answers.”

For a second, neither moved.

The evening wind blew softly around them.

Then Kian suddenly spoke quietly.

“You shouldn’t listen to Lucas.”

“Why?”

“He enjoys provoking people.”

“That wasn’t my question.”

Kian looked at her silently.

And for the first time—

Ariana saw genuine exhaustion in his eyes.

Not boredom.

Not arrogance.

Exhaustion.

Like he carried something heavy all the time.

Then the moment disappeared.

Kian stepped back slightly.

“See you tomorrow, Ariana.”

Before she could answer, he walked toward the waiting black car.

Ariana watched him leave quietly.

Maya appeared beside her again.

“…You’re staring.”

“I’m thinking.”

“Dangerous activity.”

Ariana ignored her.

Because Lucas’s words replayed inside her mind.

“Kian Roy destroys everything he touches.”

And somehow—

That didn’t feel completely false.

Meanwhile inside the black car, Kian leaned back silently while looking at his phone again.

Another new notification from the school forum appeared.

A blurry photo of him standing beside Ariana in the hallway.

Caption:

“The Ice Prince only looks at her like that.”

Kian stared at the photo for several quiet seconds.

Then unexpectedly—

He saved it.

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