Chapter 1: The Heartbreaker App Revealed

Ever have a crush so intense it feels like it could break you? Yeah. That’s me. My school’s number one student? He’s the one I can’t get out of my head.

I spent two years pining after him before I learned the ugly truth: he was tied to some Heartbreaker App. The more I obsessed, the higher his SAT scores climbed. He flirted with every brainiac girl in every class, and honestly? He kept me on the hook the whole time. Just when I thought I was over him—bam, he’d toss me just enough kindness to reel me right back in.

Even now, I can still hear his voice in my head. Smooth as honey. And just as sticky:

"Honestly, you’re pretty cute. Guys all like girls who are sweet and can bake, you know?"

He’d lean back in his chair, flashing that lazy, confident grin, acting like he owned the world. "If I wasn’t a little distant, it’d mess up my training."

I was like a big fish on the line. Reeled in, played with—again and again.

Sometimes, I’d catch myself staring at him during class, wondering if he ever actually saw me. Then he’d glance over, toss me a wink, and my heart would do somersaults. I was hooked. Completely.

Until, right before a practice test, I heard a voice coming from him:

[Congrats, Host! You made Heather Lane skip her exam to buy you a pack of pens. Charisma +13. This practice test, you’ll score 13 points higher than last time!]

I froze. For a second, I honestly wondered if I was just losing it from lack of sleep. But when the scores came out, he really did land a 1530—exactly 13 points higher than his previous 1517. Everyone else worshipped him. Only I felt that icy jolt in my gut.

Carter Morgan is my desk partner. That used to be my pride.

He’s the prodigy who turned his life around, the untouchable golden boy of Silver Hollow High. When he started as a freshman, he was infamous for being dead last—a total slacker. But after that, his grades shot up like Amazon stock, rising steadily until he claimed the top spot, and he never lost it again. In two years, he never slipped once. He’s a legend to teachers and students alike.

Sometimes, when people talked about him in the halls, I’d catch snippets: "He’s the reason our school’s in the paper," or "That Morgan kid’s going Ivy, for sure." I’d just smile to myself, feeling like I had a secret window into his world.

He’s been my desk partner since freshman year. With his good looks and cocky charm, he always got tons of notes and chocolates. He called me "Desk Buddy," "Princess Lane." He’d always shove his extra candy my way. Sometimes he’d toss a pack of Skittles on my desk or slide a little box of lip gloss under my elbow, all casual. Then he’d grin and say, "You’ve got to show off what you’ve got, Princess. High school doesn’t last forever." He’d give me little necklaces, saying it was a shame not to dress up when I was in my prime. I can still remember the way he’d nudge a gift toward me and wink, and how I’d feel my cheeks burn.

I slowly fell for him. I always thought he was amazing, gentle, respectful to girls—he seemed like boyfriend material. On paper, anyway.

So when I first heard that weird voice from him, I didn’t think much of it. I figured I was just tired. But when the scores came out—exactly 13 points higher—I was stunned.

Carter thought I was just shocked by his score. He waved his hand in front of my face, eyebrows up, wearing that smug little grin. "Impressive, right?"

He did this thing where he’d lean in close, like he was letting me in on some big secret. My heart would trip over itself every time.

I pulled myself together, fighting the swirl in my chest. I scrambled for words and blurted, "Carter, your grades are insane. Any study tips?"

He laced his hands behind his head, cocky as ever. "If tips worked, why would there be geniuses?"

I almost laughed. Typical Carter. He said it like he was joking, but there was always that edge—like he actually believed he was just built different. I used to find it charming. Now? It just felt empty.

Before, his swagger would’ve made me blush and my heart race. Now, I just found it laughable. Funny how things change.

I lowered my head, flipping through a textbook I hadn’t touched in forever, my mind a tangled mess. "Is that so."

Wasn’t I the top student once, too? I used to be the teachers’ pride, the genius in my classmates’ eyes. When did I start accepting blank answer sheets, single-digit scores—when did that become normal for me?

I could still remember the first time my name was at the top of the honor roll, my parents beaming in the auditorium, the lights so bright I could barely see but feeling like I was floating. Now, I was lucky if they even glanced at my report card.

Carter snatched the book from my hands, acting all self-important. "I broke my own record again, Desk Buddy. Let’s go out and celebrate!"

I said nothing. His tone softened. "Let’s bring some friends and eat at the Bellview Country Club. I heard their banquets are the best in the state. What do you think?"

He always did this—drop a little sugar, then reel me back in. It was like he knew exactly when I was about to slip away. He always had perfect timing.

I looked up at him. He stared back, expectant, sure I’d say yes.

I asked, "Who’s paying?"

Carter flashed a teasing smile. "Of course I’m treating—just put it on your card. That’s how my parents do it when they have friends over."

He always dangled just enough hope to keep me hooked. But this time, I didn’t play along. "Your mom pays because she handles the money—she’s your dad’s wife. What are you and I, exactly?"

He blinked, caught off guard, but tried to play it cool. Labels? Not his thing.

Carter thought I was angling for a label again, looking exasperated. "But our main job right now is to focus on studying…"

I cut him off. "Exactly, so skip the dinners. Just focus on your own grades."

I refused to say more, pulling out a practice test. Whenever I was upset, I’d do worksheets. I never hated studying. I only neglected it for Carter because he always made me choose between him and my schoolwork—knitting him a scarf or listening in class, helping him boost his scores or finishing my own assignments. Every time, I picked him. Why did I always do that? I could feel the old ache in my chest, the way I’d put his needs before mine, thinking it was love. But now, the worksheet felt like a lifeline.

Then I heard the app notification from him again:

*Host, detected that Heather Lane refused to host a dinner for friends at a country club. Regretfully, Charisma -15. Next test, your score will drop by 15 points.*

Carter panicked, pestering me and trying to keep me from studying. "I already told the guys in the dorm, if I broke my record, I’d treat them at the Bellview. Desk Buddy, if you don’t go, I’ll look like an idiot!"

He dropped the cocky act. Started whining, tugging at my sleeve like a little kid denied dessert. It was the first time I saw him ruffled in front of me, and for a second, I almost caved.

In front of others, Carter always acted cool and untouchable. Only with me did he act spoiled and whiny. I always caved, thinking I was special to him, that he cared about me.

Looking back, it was all an act.

To test the app, I faked giving in and reluctantly agreed. "Fine, I’ll have my dad book a private room. We’ll eat there tonight."

*Congrats, Host! Heather Lane spent money for you at a country club. Charisma +25. Next test, you’ll score 25 points higher!*

Carter instantly perked up, whispering, "Desk Buddy, dress up tonight."

He gave me a little wink, like we shared some inside joke, and my stomach twisted. For once, I smiled back just to keep up appearances.

Just as he wished, at 7 p.m., I showed up at the fancy club all dressed up. The moment I appeared, every eye was glued to me.

The club’s chandeliers sparkled overhead, and for the first time in a long time, I actually felt comfortable in my own skin again. My dress was new, soft blue, and the heels clicked confidently on the marble.

*Congrats, Host! Heather Lane dressed up for you and made everyone envious. Charisma +10. Next test, you’ll score 35 points higher!*

Besides Carter’s roommates, there were seven or eight other familiar faces from school. Carter was the center of attention, putting on airs as he greeted me. "You’re here, Desk Buddy."

He was always cold to me in front of others, claiming it was to avoid rumors of us dating and getting reported to teachers. Funny, right? Looking back, he never liked me—he just needed my adoration, my efforts, to lift him up onto a pedestal. He was never some perfect guy; it was my feelings that gilded him.

I led everyone to the reserved room and sat next to Carter. If I sat too far, I wouldn’t hear the app’s voice.

The air in the room was thick with tension and perfume. It almost made me dizzy. My spot next to Carter drew every eye, and I could feel the heat of jealousy burning holes in my back.

A girl feigned confusion, asking why I wasn’t sitting with the other girls, implying I was just pretending to be sweet. I recognized her—Jessica Brooks from the AP class, who once gave Carter a birthday cake that ended up in my stomach.

Jessica’s voice was syrupy-sweet, but the look she gave me could’ve curdled milk. She flicked her hair and leaned into the table, making sure everyone heard.

Several girls shot me subtle looks of disdain. I was about to snap back when Carter spoke up for me. "She’s my desk partner. What’s wrong with her sitting here?"

Jessica teased about our relationship. "Really? Just desk partners?"

"Don’t slander our pure friendship," Carter joked, putting his arm around his roommate’s shoulder. "Me and my desk partner are even purer than me and Eric."

Eric snorted, and the whole table cracked up. Carter played it off, but I caught the glint of pride in his eyes.

At that, a few girls’ eyes lit up. Jessica sipped her soda, giggling, "Crushing gets you nowhere in the end."

Everyone laughed along. Carter just smiled indulgently.

The laughter felt sharp. Like a row of tiny knives. I kept my face blank, but inside, I was boiling.

I ignored it, asking the waiter to take Carter’s order, earning even more disdainful looks. Let them think what they want.

As Carter ordered, he played host to everyone. "Let’s get the steak dinner. It’s good for you girls. The barbecue ribs are amazing—guys, you have to try them. Everyone gets lobster—thirteen in total…"

He considered everyone but never mentioned me. The others kept praising him for his generosity, and Carter looked smug. "I’m in a good mood today. Order whatever you want!"

He loved the attention. I could see it in the way he leaned back, soaking up every compliment like sunlight. I just sipped my water, waiting for the act to end.

During the meal, I probed carefully and finally figured out the app’s secret: Carter had a Heartbreaker App. As long as a top student obsessed over him, his charisma score increased, which converted directly into test points. Meanwhile, the students he strung along lost focus, their grades dropping like he was stealing their brainpower.

No one suspected a thing. He was good-looking and smart, so everyone thought it was natural for girls to like him. Teachers who investigated the declining grades of former top students chalked it up to them getting distracted by crushes—like me. Ha. If only they knew. I could almost laugh at how obvious it was.

Everyone knew I was Carter’s doormat. I’d unclog the boys’ bathroom for him. I’d break school rules and wear heavy makeup for him. I’d be late just to get his favorite breakfast sandwich. Because of him, I’d fallen from first to dead last in the grade. All for a guy who couldn’t even say thank you.

Carter always said, since my family was rich and I was an only child, my grades didn’t matter—I’d just end up married anyway. I didn’t have to be a top student myself; marrying one was enough.

Gradually, I started to believe that good grades were useless and focused all my energy on him.