The entire campus knew before noon.
A black car had pulled up in front of the main building.
The driver stepped out first.
Then she did.
The girl.
She was beautiful in the kind of way that made people stare.
Long dark hair. Expensive clothes. Perfect makeup. Perfect smile.
The kind of girl who looked like she belonged beside someone like Dare.
At least, that was what everyone whispered.
"That is her."
"The girl his parents picked."
"She is so pretty."
By the time the rumours reached the library, Tiana wished she had stayed in her room.
She was sitting across from Dare, pretending to read.
He was watching her instead.
"You have not turned that page in ten minutes."
"You have not looked at your book once."
He smiled faintly.
Then—
"Dare."
The voice made both of them look up.
The girl was standing there.
The entire library went quiet.
She smiled.
"Hi."
Dare frowned.
"Excuse me?"
"I am sorry for surprising you," she said softly. "I just thought if we are going to get married, we should probably know each other."
Tiana's face went cold.
The room exploded into whispers.
"Oh my God."
"She really said fiancée."
Dare stood up immediately.
"Who are you?"
The girl blinked.
"I'm—"
"No," he said sharply. "Who are you?"
She looked embarrassed now.
"Our parents…"
"Our parents arranged something," Dare cut in. "I did not."
Then he took Tiana's hand.
"This is my girlfriend."
The girl's expression changed.
Outside the library, Dare followed her down the steps.
"You cannot come here," he said.
She looked hurt.
"I thought…"
"You thought wrong.
She stared at him.
"You are really choosing that girl over everything?"
"Yes."
The answer came without hesitation.
"I do not know you," Dare said. "I do not love you. And I am not going to marry someone just because our parents decided it."
"You do not have a choice."
He laughed once.
A cold, angry sound.
"I do."
He stepped back.
"And you do not ever get to come to my school and act like you belong in my life."
Then he turned and walked away.
By evening, he was already on his way home.