In this world, It a world that looked like Earth , but this world is divided into two genders, mer and fer.
Mer were born broad-shouldered, strong-boned, voices deep and commanding.
Fer were softer—slender frames, delicate features, bodies capable of carrying life.
_____
At Crestwood Academy
The afternoon sun filtered through the high windows of Crestwood Academy's senior common room, casting golden rectangles across the polished floor. Kai Ashford lounged in his usual spot—the leather sofa that everyone knew belonged to him and his crew. At eighteen, he'd already mastered the art of commanding attention without trying. His muscular mer frame filled out his uniform in a way that made both fers and mers look twice, and his family's influence in the social media world meant his Instagram posts got more likes than some celebrities.
"I'm telling you, it's impossible," Dante Cross said, tossing a basketball from hand to hand. He was Kai's closest friend, another mer from old money, though his family dealt in real estate rather than digital influence. "That nerd doesn't even look at anyone. He's like a robot programmed to only see textbooks."
Kai glanced across the common room to where Ezra Wells sat alone at a corner table, completely absorbed in whatever he was studying. The afternoon light caught on Ezra's soft features—the kind of delicate beauty typical of fers, though Ezra seemed completely unaware of it. His dark hair fell across his forehead as he bent over his notebook, occasionally pushing his glasses up with one slender finger.
"Everyone has a weakness," Marcus Chen chimed in, the third member of their trio. "Even ice princes."
Kai had noticed Ezra before, of course. It was hard not to in a school where everyone knew everyone's business. Ezra Wells—top of their class, scholarship student, always polite but never friendly, never at parties, never dating. He existed in his own bubble, untouchable and unreachable.
"Fifty thousand credits," Dante said suddenly, his eyes gleaming with mischief. "That's what I'm willing to bet."
Kai's attention snapped back to his friends. "Bet on what?"
"Which one of us can sleep with the nerd first." Dante grinned, the kind of smile that had gotten them into trouble more times than Kai could count. "Think about it—he's the ultimate challenge. The one person in this entire school who acts like he's above all of us."
"That's because he probably thinks he is," Marcus added. "With his perfect grades and his scholarship student superiority complex."
Kai felt something uncomfortable twist in his gut, though he couldn't quite name it. "That's pretty harsh, don't you think?"
"Come on, Ash," Dante used Kai's nickname, the one reserved for his inner circle. "You're not going soft on us, are you? It's just a game. Besides, it's not like we're going to hurt him. Whoever wins might actually do him a favor—maybe he needs to loosen up, have some fun for once."
"Plus, the prize money," Marcus said pragmatically. "Fifty thousand credits split between the losers for the winner. That's serious cash, even for us."
Kai looked back at Ezra, who had just closed his textbook and was carefully.
There was something almost peaceful about the way Ezra moved, like he existed in a different frequency from the chaos around him.
"I don't know, guys," Kai started, but Dante cut him off.
"Oh, I see what this is. You don't think you can do it." Dante's tone was challenging, knowing exactly which buttons to push. "The great Kai Ashford, who's had half the school drooling over him, is afraid of one skinny little fer with glasses."
"I'm not afraid," Kai shot back automatically, his pride stinging. "I just think it's—"
"Then prove it," Marcus interjected. "Unless you want to admit that Ezra Wells is out of your league."
The words hit exactly as intended. Kai's jaw tightened. He'd built his entire reputation on being able to get whatever—or whoever—he wanted. The idea that some quiet nerd could be beyond his reach was almost insulting.
"Fine," Kai heard himself say, even as a small voice in his head questioned what he was doing. "I'm in."
Dante's grin widened. "Now we're talking. Rules are simple—first one to close the deal wins. We'll need proof, of course. A picture of you two in bed together, or a video of him admitting you slept together. Something concrete."
"That's disgusting," Kai said, but he didn't back out.
"Those are the rules. Take it or leave it." Dante shrugged. "We need to know someone actually went through with it and isn't just lying."
Marcus pulled out his phone, already creating a group chat for the three of them. "Let's make it official. The bet starts now and runs until graduation. That gives us about four months. Plenty of time."
"And just to make it interesting," Dante added, "the losers each put in twenty-five thousand credits. Winner takes all—fifty grand total."
Kai watched as Ezra left the common room, his slim figure disappearing through the doorway without a single glance at anyone else.
"So who wants to make the first move?" Marcus asked.
"I'll do it," Kai said, surprising himself with the firmness in his voice. If this stupid bet was happening, he wanted to be the one to control how it went down. At least he could make sure Ezra didn't get actually hurt by Dante's rougher approach or Marcus's complete lack of subtlety.
"The mighty Ash has spoken," Dante laughed, clapping Kai on the shoulder. "This is going to be legendary. I can't wait to see how you crack that ice."
As his friends continued joking and planning, Kai found his mind drifting. He tried to remember if he'd ever actually spoken to Ezra Wells. They'd been in the same school for years, but moved in completely different circles. Kai's world was parties, social media events, luxury cars, and the constant buzz of popularity. Ezra's world seemed to consist of libraries, part-time jobs, and the kind of quiet determination that came from having to work for everything you got.
"Earth to Kai," Marcus waved a hand in front of his face. "You good? You look like you're actually worried."
"I'm fine," Kai said automatically. "Just thinking about strategy."
"Strategy?" Dante scoffed. "Dude, you're Kai Ashford. You smile at him a few times, buy him coffee, act interested in his boring study stuff, and boom—he'll fall like everyone else. Fers can't resist a mer who pays attention to them, especially the quiet ones who probably dream about getting swept off their feet."
"Ezra doesn't seem like the type who dreams about anything except getting into a good university," Kai pointed out.
"Everyone has dreams, Ash. Everyone wants to feel special." Dante stood up, stretching. "And you're about to make our resident nerd feel very special indeed. Just remember—eyes on the prize. Fifty thousand credits."
As his friends headed out, already planning some party for the weekend, Kai remained on the couch, his gaze fixed on the empty doorway where Ezra had vanished. The bet was official now, locked in their group chat with screenshots of their bank accounts showing the funds set aside. There was no backing out without looking like a coward or losing his deposit.
Kai pulled out his phone and opened Instagram, searching for Ezra's profile. He found it after a moment—private account, no profile picture, zero posts visible, and only thirty-seven followers. Everything about Ezra's online presence screamed "leave me alone," which was so different from Kai's own account with its two million followers and constant stream of sponsored content and lifestyle shots.
"What are you hiding, Ezra Wells?" Kai murmured to himself.
He didn't have an answer, but he had four months to find out. Four months to win a bet that was already making him feel like he'd made a terrible mistake.
But Kai Ashford didn't back down from challenges. He never had.
Tomorrow, he decided, he'd make his first move.