It all started with a simple message.

I was on my phone after class when a message from an unknown number popped up.

“Stella? Sorry, but I think you should see this.”

Before I could reply, they sent me a screenshot. It was a screenshot of a group chat. At first, I didn't understand anything. Then I saw Guest's name. Someone had written: So you actually managed to get into a relationship with Stella?

Kai had replied: Yeah.

The next message said:* So you won the bet 😂

I stared at the screen for a few seconds. A bet? I looked at the screenshot again. Then another message appeared: "I thought you should know."

I lowered my phone. My chest felt heavy. Maybe there was an explanation. Maybe I'd misunderstood. But I knew one thing. I had to talk to him.

---

I found Guest near the basketball court. He was standing with a few of his friends, laughing about something. When he saw me, he smiled. The same smile that always made me forget everything. _Stella?

He walked toward me. _Where have you been? I've been looking for you since—

+How much was the bet?

His smile disappeared. Silence. Just one second. But that one second was enough. I stared into his eyes.

+How much?

Guest said nothing.

+Five hundred? A thousand? More?

_Stella, wait—

I laughed. But even to me, my laugh sounded unfamiliar.

+So it's true.

Guest took a step toward me.

_It wasn't like you think.

+Then what was it like?

_I only did it because of the bet at first—

He stopped.

At first.

Those two words were enough. I looked down so he wouldn't see the tears gathering in my eyes.

+Just because of the bet?

_Stella…

+All those dates?

Silence.

+All those messages?

Silence.

+That night when you said you were falling in love with me?

This time, he looked away. And I understood. Maybe none of it had been real. Or maybe it was worse than that…

Everything had started with a lie. A tear slipped down my cheek. I quickly wiped it away.

+You know what the worst part is?

Guest said nothing.

+I actually fell for you.

His eyes widened. Those beautiful eyes.

_Stella, I love you too. It was a bet at first, okay? But then… then everything changed. I actually fell in love with you.

I gave him a bitter smile.

+What difference does it make?

_It makes a huge difference.

+Maybe to you.

I looked up at him.

+But I don't know which parts were real and which parts were just part of the game.

Guest stepped closer.

_After a while, all of it became real.

+Can't believe you now.

My voice was quieter now.

+Maybe because I don't even know when you stopped playing the game.

+Don't follow me anymore, Guest or I won't be so nice anymore.

Before he could say anything, I turned around. As I walked away from the basketball court, the tears finally began to fall silently down my cheeks. But the thing that hurt the most wasn't the bet itself. It was the fact that, despite everything, I still wanted to turn around. I wanted to believe that Guest had really fallen in love with me. And I hated myself for still loving him. Because now I didn't know anymore… Where our love had begun, and where the lie had ended.