Chapter 18: "No More Pretending"
Reese's POV: A Few Weeks Later
Things had changed. Rapidly.
Raiden and I went from the two people who couldn't stand each other to the couple who couldn't quite seem to get enough of each other. It wasn't always easy, but nothing about us was ever simple. The more we spent time together, the more the lines between banter, annoyance, and genuine affection blurred.
At first, we were cautious. Like two people walking on thin ice, testing each other's boundaries, figuring out where we stood. But as the weeks passed, it became less about proving a point or showing off in front of our friends and more about… us. About real moments.
Two Weeks Later:
"Raiden," I said one afternoon, catching him off guard as he leaned over to steal my fries.
He paused mid-reach, eyebrow raised. "What?"
"I like it when you kiss me in public," I said, the words slipping out before I could stop them.
His eyes widened, and a grin spread across his face. "Really?"
I shot him a look. "Stop being so smug about it."
"I'm not smug," he said, clearly smug. "Just happy to know I'm doing something right."
Three Weeks Later:
"Reese," he whispered, pulling me into an empty hallway after lunch. He seemed to be always finding ways to steal me away, even for just a few seconds. "I've been meaning to ask—how would you feel about going to prom together?"
I blinked. "Prom? With you?" I laughed. "Didn't think you were the type to care about that."
"Turns out I care about a lot of things I didn't think I would," he said, his voice soft. "Especially you."
My heart fluttered in my chest, and I fought to keep my cool. "Yeah. Okay, I'll go with you. But only because I like the way you look in a suit."
He grinned and kissed me, and I wasn't even surprised when it felt like everything in the world paused just for that moment.
Four Weeks Later:
We spent a weekend afternoon in the library. I was buried in notes for an upcoming exam, and Raiden was supposed to be working too, but I noticed that he kept stealing glances at me over his book.
I raised an eyebrow. "Are you staring at me?"
He grinned. "Maybe. But it's only because you look cute when you concentrate."
"I don't know whether to slap you or kiss you," I muttered, shaking my head.
He leaned forward, a teasing glint in his eyes. "You could do both."
I snorted. "Not in public."
"Then how about in the library?" He smirked, clearly not giving up on trying to pull me into a kiss.
"I swear, if you keep distracting me, I'll fail this exam just to spite you," I said, but the smile tugging at the corners of my lips betrayed me.
Five Weeks Later:
It was late in the evening when Raiden and I ended up on the rooftop of the school, overlooking the city. The stars were out, and everything felt oddly serene despite the chaos of the past few weeks.
I leaned against the cool stone wall, looking up at the sky. "I didn't think this was how things would go," I said, the thought slipping out before I could stop it.
Raiden glanced at me, his expression softening. "You mean us? Because I always knew it would be like this."
I shot him a sideways look. "You knew we'd end up like this? After everything?"
He shrugged, looking at me with that same quiet confidence I'd come to expect from him. "Yeah. Maybe I didn't know exactly how, but I knew we'd get here. Maybe not as smooth as I hoped, but we always seem to end up where we need to be."
I thought about it for a moment. "I guess you're right. I never thought I'd be the girl to say this, but… I'm glad you're the one I'm stuck with."
Raiden's eyes softened, and before I could react, he reached out, pulling me toward him. "Good. Because I'm not letting go."
Six Weeks Later:
We were getting closer with every day that passed. The teasing had turned into inside jokes, the smiles into something deeper, something more lasting.
Raiden had become my safe place—my partner in crime, my constant. And I knew, deep down, that he was never going anywhere. We'd gotten past the awkwardness of being in an actual relationship, and now, we were just… us.
In the midst of schoolwork, chaotic group assignments, and the daily drama of being teenagers, we found quiet moments for ourselves.
One evening, as we walked hand-in-hand through the school courtyard, he stopped, pulling me toward him. "Hey, Reese?"
"Yeah?"
He grinned, looking a little hesitant for once. "I was thinking… maybe it's time I stopped being the cocky jerk and actually said it out loud."
I raised an eyebrow. "What are you talking about?"
He leaned in close, dropping his voice to a whisper. "I love you."
I blinked, taken aback by the sudden shift in his tone. But before I could respond, he added, "And I'm glad I get to love you like this."
And for the first time in weeks, I didn't need to say anything. I didn't need to fill the space with sarcasm or a joke. I just stepped closer, kissed him, and let the moment speak for itself.
By the end of the school year, we were no longer just a couple of teenagers stuck in a fake relationship. Raiden and I had become a real team. It wasn't perfect, but it was ours. And in a world full of uncertainty, that was enough.
Summer Epilogue: Reese's POV
The sound of waves crashing against the shore was almost hypnotic. I lay sprawled out on a beach towel, the sun warm against my skin, and the salty breeze tugging lightly at my hair. A few feet away, Raiden was attempting—and failing—to balance on a paddleboard, his arms flailing like a baby deer on ice.
I couldn't help laughing. Loudly. "You said you knew how to do this!"
"I do!" he shouted back, just before tumbling into the water with a splash.
I shook my head, biting back a grin. "You're a menace."
He popped back up from the ocean, pushing his wet hair back and grinning like a lunatic. "And yet you still love me."
"I'm still debating," I teased, sipping from a soda can.
The beach trip had been his idea. A "post-graduation, pre-real-life" kind of escape before we both dove into whatever we want to do—whether college, internships, and figuring out the rest of our lives. It was just the two of us, tucked away in a sleepy coastal town that didn't care who we were or what came next.
That was the best part. No pressure. No expectations. Just summer.
Later that evening, we sat on a blanket watching the sunset, the sky bleeding orange and gold over the water.
Raiden nudged my shoulder gently. "So. College in two months."
"Yeah," I said, quieter than I meant to be.
We were going to different schools. Not far, but not close enough to fall into routine either. It wasn't something we talked about much—not out of fear, but because neither of us wanted to spoil the now.
"You nervous?" he asked.
I nodded. "A little. Are you?"
He considered it. "A lot. But I'm also excited. I think we're gonna be okay."
I turned to face him. "Yeah?"
He smiled, reaching for my hand. "Yeah. Because this"—he squeezed my fingers—"this isn't temporary. We've been through worse. We'll figure it out."
I leaned my head on his shoulder, letting the quiet settle around us. The stars would be out soon. The tide would roll back in. Time would keep moving.
But for now, we had this moment. Just us, under a fading summer sky, already writing the next chapter—even if we didn't know the words yet.
Graduation Day
The day was nothing short of chaotic.
Graduation was supposed to be a time for celebration, but between the mix of emotions and endless selfies, it felt like my head was spinning. I barely had time to enjoy the excitement of finishing high school when I had to get ready for the one thing that made me nervous beyond belief: meeting Raiden's family.
I knew a little about them—his dad, an influential figure in business, and his mom, a charming woman with a reputation of her own. But hearing about them and actually meeting them face-to-face were two entirely different things.
"Reese," Raiden's voice cut through my thoughts. He was standing by the door of our shared classroom, looking effortlessly cool in his cap and gown. "You ready?"
I shot him a glare. "You've been saying that for the last fifteen minutes. And no, I'm not ready. You're making me nervous."
Raiden just smirked, clearly not affected by my anxiety. "I don't know why you're worried. My family's awesome. And my mom already thinks you're cool."
"Uh-huh," I said, skeptical. "Sure, that's what she told you."
"Actually, yes," Raiden replied with a wink. "And if you really don't want to meet them, I could always tell them you're... uh, not feeling well?" His tone was teasing, but there was a hint of concern there too.
"You really think you can talk me out of this, Whitlock?" I shot back, adjusting my gown and standing up. "We've been through way worse. Literally, and besides, if your family's as awesome as you say, then I'll be fine. I'm just... not used to this."
"You're fine," he reassured me. "And besides, we're going to be in a crowd of people, so there won't be any awkward one-on-one moments... right?" He raised an eyebrow, smirking, clearly playing with me.
I sighed. "Let's get this over with. The sooner we meet them, the sooner I can breathe again."
Raiden's POV: Meeting My Family
The moment we stepped into the gathering at the Whitlock family estate, Reese seemed to be holding it all together, but I could tell she was nervous. Her smile was polite, but there was a flicker of uncertainty in her eyes as she scanned the crowd.
I pulled her closer by instinct, sensing how out of place she felt. "Relax. You're with me."
She glanced at me. "I think I'm more worried about surviving your mom's judgment."
"You're overthinking it," I reassured her.
We made our way into the large room where my family had gathered. There were a few familiar faces—relatives, family friends—but it was my parents who I needed Reese to meet.
First, I spotted my mom across the room. She was talking animatedly to my aunt, and the moment she saw me, her smile widened.
"There they are!" My mom came rushing over. "Raiden, my favorite son," she teased, hugging me tightly. "And you must be the infamous Reese Laurier."
Reese gave a nervous laugh, clearly still unsure. "Hi. Yes, I am. It's nice to meet you."
My mom took her hand with surprising warmth. "Nice to finally meet you, dear. Raiden's told me a lot about you. Don't worry, I'm not going to interrogate you. I promise."
Reese's shoulders visibly relaxed at the lack of pressure. "Good, because I might have passed out if you started with the tough questions."
"Not my style." My mom winked. "But I do have one question."
"Uh-oh," Reese said, suddenly more wary.
"Are you sure you're really with Raiden voluntarily?" she teased, throwing a glance at me.
Reese laughed, clearly caught off guard. "I think so, yes."
"I like her," my mom said, her face lighting up in approval. "She's got a good sense of humor."
As we continued mingling, I could see the difference in how Reese interacted with my family compared to how she'd handled meeting mine earlier. My dad, a tall, imposing figure who had a quiet but authoritative presence, shook her hand with a warm smile, his approval clear but unspoken.
"Raiden," my dad said in his deep voice, looking between us, "You picked a good one."
Reese flushed but said, "I hope so."
"Don't worry," I cut in, slipping my arm around her waist. "She's definitely worth it."
My dad raised an eyebrow, amused by my confidence. "I'll take your word for it, kid. Welcome to the family, Reese."
The rest of the evening was filled with endless conversations—my family peppering Reese with questions and teasing me relentlessly. It wasn't as bad as Reese had feared, though. My mom had a way of making everything feel easy, even when it was a little chaotic. My dad, though less talkative, was a reassuring presence, giving Reese his quiet approval.
Reese's POV: The Whitlock Family and Me
By the time we were walking out of the gathering, I felt... better. My nerves had settled, and I found myself smiling more than I had expected. Raiden's family had been kind. His mom was funny, warm, and surprisingly easy to talk to, while his dad was quiet but strong, showing that same solid grounding I had come to recognize in Raiden.
"I survived," I muttered, glancing at Raiden.
"You did. And they liked you. I told you they would," he said, smug as ever.
I nudged him. "It's only because you warned them. But I guess they weren't as intimidating as I thought."
"I'm glad," Raiden said, his expression softening. "You're part of my world now, Reese. That means family is part of the deal, too."
I smiled at him, warmth flooding my chest. "I think I can handle that."
Raiden's POV: Taking Her Hand
The graduation ceremony was over, but that feeling of closure was nothing compared to the warmth I felt in this moment—walking with Reese, hand-in-hand, knowing that we were a team. Not just in school, but in everything. The future, whatever it held, felt possible with her by my side.
"So," Reese said, looking up at me. "Now that I've survived meeting your family, what's next?"
I smiled, squeezing her hand. "You and me. No more pretending."
Reese raised an eyebrow, a teasing grin pulling at her lips. "Oh, so now we're really official?"
"Absolutely," I said, pulling her closer. "And we've got plenty of time to figure it all out."
She rolled her eyes, but I saw the soft smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "Well, let's make sure I don't end up in another detention then."
"Deal," I said, kissing her forehead. "But don't make any promises you can't keep."
And for the first time in forever, I knew—this was just the beginning.
________________________________________
"We started with a lie, but somehow, the truth we found turned out to be even better."
— Reese
"I didn't just fall for her. I chose her. Every day, in every moment—and I'll keep choosing her."
— Raiden