Page 155 of Fall Fake-Out

Dangerous Word: Bored

By Ashtyn Ellis

Being bored can be a bad thing in your life. It’s low-key the worst. Bored just means you’ve realized something isn’t as exciting as you originally thought it was.

Maybe it looked fun because everybody else was paying attention to it, and you knew you could have it. Maybe it became less interesting once somebody else wanted it more. Or maybe you just got tired of playing the same game. That’s boring.

Either way, I’ve learned there’s no point wasting time on something that doesn’t excite you anymore. Life is too short to be bored.

Besides, there’s always something better waiting around the corner. Something newer, shinier, and a lot less predictable.

So, maybe getting bored with something or someone isn’t a dangerous word at all. Maybe it’s saved me from wasting my time on something that’s not even worth any effort.

Maybe boredom is actually a good thing.

I slam Ashtyn’s dangerous word essay down on Wade’s desk. “Read it and weep!”

He leans over the paper with a frown, but as his eyes skim the words, the frown morphs into relief.

His eyes glance up. “Why would I weep over this? It’s the greatest thing I’ve ever read. Ashtyn is bored with me. She’s moving on.”

“Yes, that appears to be how she’s framing her loss to me, but the whole weep part was more about how we have actual proof that I won our bet. You are the loser.” I dramatically point to myself. “And I am the winner.”

Wade sits back into his leather chair, visibly amused by me.

“What?”

“I would’ve thought that my telling you I love you a few days ago at your sister’s wedding ended this whole bet thing. Like a truce. But I see you’re still hanging onto it.”

“At the time, I thought your love declaration had ended things too, but then she turned in this pathetic attempt at an essay, and the competitive side of me couldn’t help but gloat.”

His smile pushes wider. “Have I ever told you how attracted I am to competitive Ari?”

I shift my weight, fidgeting with my sleeve. “No.”

“It’s hot.” Wade stands, slowly walking around his desk to me. “Like, one of my favorite versions of you.” He wraps his arms around my waist. “So I don’t mind losing to you or having you gloat every day for the rest of our lives. We can start a whole new bet right here and now if it means you’ll keep this cute cockiness up.”

He kisses my lips, but I push him away. “It’s no fun to be in a competition with someone if they’re just going to let me win.”

“Oh, I never said I was going to let you win.”

He kisses me again, and this time, I lean into it, linking my arms around his neck.

“Get a room!” Mrs. Albany snaps as she walks past Wade’s office.

We break apart, laughing.

“Wait until Mr. Jex hears about this,” I say.

“Eh, he can’t say anything. He married his secretary when he was the principal.”

My jaw drops. “And he’s been giving you a hard time about professionalism?”

“Right?”

“No, seriously. I can’t get over it. This makes me so mad.”

“Forget about him. My dad’s the one I’ve always wanted to please the most. Not Jex.”