The Campus Bad Boy Bet He Could Make the Poor Transfer Student Fall for Him — Then He Fell First
Chapter 3
Elena wasn’t interested in dating Jake.
She reminded herself of that every day.
He was attractive.
Funny.
Confident.
And unfortunately kind when nobody was watching.
That last part bothered her.
It was easier to dislike him when she thought he was arrogant.
Then she started noticing small things.
He returned books to the library instead of leaving them on tables.
He helped first-year students carry equipment.
He stayed after basketball practice to clean up.
He remembered the janitor’s name.
He once bought lunch for a student who had forgotten his wallet.
None of it was performed.
He did it when nobody was watching.
Elena couldn’t explain why that bothered her.
One rainy afternoon, she left the library late.
Her bus had already gone.
She stood under the awning.
Jake appeared.
“Need a ride?”
“No.”
“It’s raining.”
“I can walk.”
“It’s forty minutes.”
“I’ve done it before.”
He looked at her.
“You’re impossible.”
She smiled.
“Probably.”
He opened an umbrella.
“Come on.”
She hesitated.
Then stepped underneath.
They walked together.
For ten minutes, neither spoke.
Then Jake asked:
“Why Westbridge?”
“Scholarship.”
“I know.”
“How?”
“I asked.”
She frowned.
“Why?”
He hesitated.
Because of the bet.
He couldn’t say that.
“You’re interesting.”
She laughed.
“That’s a strange answer.”
“I know.”
She looked at him.
“What do you want to do after graduation?”
“Urban planning.”
“Why?”
“I grew up in a town where half the buildings were falling apart.”
“So?”
“I want to rebuild places without pushing poor people out.”
Jake smiled.
“That’s ambitious.”
“So?”
“So I like it.”
She looked away.
“What about you?”
He shrugged.
“Basketball.”
“And after?”
“My father wants me in the family company.”
“You don’t?”
“I don’t know.”
She glanced at him.
“That’s the first honest answer you’ve given me.”
He smiled.
“Maybe I’m learning.”
The rain grew heavier.
They reached her apartment.
She stepped out from under the umbrella.
“Thanks.”
“No problem.”
She turned.
“Jake.”
“Yeah?”
“Why are you really spending so much time with me?”
He froze.
The question was direct.
For a second, he almost told her.
Then he smiled.
“I like talking to you.”
It wasn’t the whole truth.
But it wasn’t completely false.
Elena studied him.
“Goodnight.”
“Goodnight.”
She went inside.
Jake stood outside for another minute.
He hated lying to her.
That was new.
He had lied to people before.
Small lies.
Harmless lies.
This felt different.
Because Elena didn’t deserve to be part of a game.
The next morning, Jake told Tyler:
“I’m ending the bet.”
Tyler laughed.
“No.”
“I’m serious.”
“Why?”
“Because I actually like her.”
Mason stared.
“You can’t quit.”
“Watch me.”
Tyler shook his head.
“We put money on this.”
“I’ll pay you.”
“That’s not the point.”
Jake looked at him.
“What is the point?”
Tyler smiled.
“That you finally found a girl who doesn’t care about you.”
Jake looked toward the library.
“No.”
He shook his head.
“I found a girl who makes me care.”
The others went silent.
For the first time, Jake understood the danger.
If Elena ever found out about the bet, she might never speak to him again.
And he had no idea how to tell her.
