Page 13 of Fall Fake-Out

“We haven’t read the book yet,” Ryker bites back.

I smile, knowing that I’m slowly reeling them in. “Why do people lie and deceive in today’s world?”

“To manipulate people to get what they want,” a different boy says.

Another kid with hair dyed like a cheetah adds, “Or they lie to make themselves look better.”

“Like a false persona?” I nod.

“Or people lie if they’re in trouble and don’t want to get caught.” Clara sits up taller as if she’s pleased with her answer.

“It’s the same in The Great Gatsby. Even though the book takes place in 1922, the characters deceive for the same reasons that people do today in order to navigate social dynamics, to protect themselves from emotional discomfort, to avoid punishment, and to enhance their self-image.” I glance over the class, and even Wade is leaning forward. “Deception is a powerful tool that can shape what people think about us. Take me, for example. What do you guys think about me? What are your first impressions?” Nobody dares to answer. I use the silence as a build-up to my big reveal. “What do you think about me now?” I reach under my shirt and pull out the pillow.

There’s an uproar.

“Gross!” one boy shouts, while another says his mind is blown.

“Wait, you’re not fat?” Ashtyn says.

“She wasn’t fat; she was pregnant,” Clara says.

Ashtyn frowns. “Same thing.”

On second thought, I was nothing like this girl in high school. She’s the Maggie Devens of their graduating class—my nemesis and the absolute worst.

“You’re low-key hot now,” Ryker shrugs.

A girl in the front row furrows her brows. “So if you’re not pregnant, are you married?”

“No, I’m not married, but I can see how my deception made you believe that I might be.”

“Wait, you’re the one who got dumped by her fiancé.” Ashtyn laughs. “That’s so sad that your little sister is getting married before you now.”

I don’t mean to, but my eyes catch Wade’s. I can’t read the expression on his face. It would be nice if I could.

I ignore her comment and move on. “The point is, I created a facade, a persona. You all made assumptions about me based on that persona, and I deceived you all. That’s what we’re going to talk about this month. The power of deception.”

Wade sits back in his chair. He gives a slight nod like he’s visibly impressed with how I tied it all together.

The bell rings. Class is over.

Wade moves like he intends to come talk to me, but Ashtyn and Clara flank him.

“Riveting class, Miss Langford.” He looks back over his shoulder with a winning smile before walking out of the classroom.

I place the pillow back under my shirt.

One period down.

Five more to go.

Wade

Two soft hands cover my eyes from behind.

A syrupy sweet voice whispers not into my ear but close enough that I feel hot breath on my skin. “Guess who?”

My stomach is thrown into absolute panic mode. I immediately wriggle out from under the sexual-assault trap and spin around on guard. “Ashtyn.” I take three giant steps back. “How were your classes today?”