"If I win, agree, in writing, that I can dominate you, and you have to continue to date me for at least a year, meaning that we will end dating a year from graduation day. If you want to." Gabriel explained slowly as if Xander were deaf. Maybe he was. All he could really hear was his own heartbeat thudding in his ears. "Done." he agreed without really thinking it over. " And if I win, you have to buy me an Aston Martin and pay for my gas for a year," Xander stated, crossing his arms with a smirk. "Agreed," Gabriel said without hesitation, which annoyed Xander a bit. Either he was so rich that buying an Aston wouldn't make a dent in his account, or was very confident he was going to win. "Good luck, Xander. I think youre going to find that its very hard to resist me." Gabriel stuck out his hand, and they shook. But instead of a feeling of confidence, Xander was left with a feeling of overwhelming queasiness.

✩ ✩ ✩ ✩ ✩

'WHAT IF ONE OF US FORFEITS?'

Xander texted Gabriel later that night, seriously regretting the bet he had made.

'THEN YOURE BASICALLY LOSING.'

Gabriel replied back, almost instantly. Xander swore.

'SO EITHER WAY, IM STUCK IN THIS BET?'

Xander texted back, getting more and more irritated at Gabriel and himself.

'NOT EXACTLY...'

Now Gabe was being dramatic and eluding. Xander hated both qualities, unfortunately.

'WTH DOES THAT MEAN?'

'YOURE NOT STUCK IN THE BET, YOURE JUST STUCK DATING ME☺'

Fed up, and exhausted, Xander saved Gabe's snap to 'Entitled Dick' and set his phone to do not disturb before heading to bed, and dreading tomorrow.

✩ ✩ ✩ ✩ ✩

Xander dreamed of strawberries and hot cars and of a tiny pretty boy with a smile like the devil and an attitude that was too big for him. He didn't remember it when he woke up the next morning.

✩ ✩ ✩ ✩ ✩

"Gabriel Cephas?!" Hunter screeched at him from across one of the obscenely small tables in the cafeteria the next morning. "Shh! What the hell, man?" Xander hissed at him, cheeks pink. "Sorry, Xannie. But just...woah... imagine Gabriel Chephas saying he wants to dominate you." Hunter dissolved into a mess of fanboy squeals. "I don't have to imagine," Xander grumbled. "I have first-hand experience."

Xannie here! sorry for the short update guyssss school has been stressful for these first couple weeks back

love you from the heart of my bottom