“If I pay you, will you please pretend to be my friend, just this week?” Brayden had no idea who this girl was. He hasn't seen her around before. He took a minute to think about what this girl has just asked.

“How much are we talking here?” Brayden asked. He was captain of the football team, and he wasn't about to end his social life over a couple of dollars. Twenty dollars.” She answered. His eyes instantly lit up. “Deal.” Brayden agreed. “Now, what was your name?” He asked. “Oh sorry. It’s Hailey.” Hailey answered. Brayden noticed that Hailey was looking down at her shoes, avoiding eye contact. At this moment, he couldn't help but wonder why this girl was paying people to be her friend.

“Cool, so this starts tomorrow?” Brayden asked. “Yes, but can I get your phone number?” Hailey asked. Brayden nodded then pulled out his phone and read out his phone number. “Thanks,” Hailey muttered, then turned around quickly and left. Brayden thought it was weird that she quickly left, but he didn’t think much of it.

That night, Hailey texted Brayden, letting him know about the things she expected. Brayden replied with a simple “Ok.” and then turned off his phone for the night. The next morning, Brayden met Hailey at the gate. He had already let his friends know, so they weren't surprised when he didn't meet them at their usual spot.

At lunch, Brayden sat with Hailey, and surprisingly, he had a good time. Hailey was a very interesting person, and he wondered why she had no friends. She told him about how she could speak four languages, that she could hold a handstand for one and a half minutes, and that her favorite kind of chocolate was dark chocolate. After lunch, he was excited to see her after school, and he actually looked forward to hanging out with her every day.

The end of the week came quickly, and Brayden didn’t feel ready for the week to be over. All day, he was looking for Hailey, to talk to her, but she was nowhere to be seen. At the end of the day, Brayden finally saw her. “Hailey! Wait!” She turned around, looking sad. “The week is over now Brayden, you don’t have to pretend to like me.” Then she walked out of the school. Brayden just stood there, looking like a fool.

Brayden had really enjoyed spending time with Hailey, and he wasn’t ready for it to end. Luckily, he had a plan. He packed up his things and got into his car, ready to go. He wasn’t going straight home like he usually would, instead, he went to the store. He picked up some flowers, a poster board, a pack of markers, and some dark chocolate. He checked out at the store and then headed home.

Brayden spent about an hour at home until he got back into his car. Brayden had driven Hailey home a couple of times, so he knew where she lived. He pulled into her driveway, with the poster, flowers, and chocolate in hand. Brayden knocked on the door, and Hailey answered. “Brayden? What are you doing here? I told you, the week is over. Whats with all this stuff?”

“Well, I had a great time with you this week, and the truth is, I like you. Will you please be my girlfriend?” Brayden asked, holding up the sign. You could tell in his voice that he was nervous. “Oh my gosh, yes! I would love to be your girlfriend!” Hailey squealed, jumping into Brayden’s arms.

“Here is your twenty back. I don't need it. I already have you, and that is worth more than any amount of money.” Brayden said, handing her a twenty-dollar bill, along with all of his other stuff.

Ever since that day, Hailey and Brayden have been inseparable, and to this day, they are still together.