Mistaken for Mommy: Dating the Ice King

Text: Sweetie, why did you delete me?

My mom suddenly popped up in my notifications.

Added you as a friend.

I stared at the contact request. The profile picture was a golden lotus flower.

I frowned, looking at my existing chat history with the user who had the exact same golden lotus avatar.

If this new request is actually my mom then who is the person Ive been baby-talking to and getting money from for the last month?

The next day, Montgomery, the campuss resident ice-cold genius, stood waiting under my dorm building. He was holding a small box of cake.

He looked me dead in the eye.

"Hello Kissy Baby."

Chapter 1

I am a certified Mommys Girl. If I stub my toe, Monica knows about it before the pain even registers.

Today, I found a fruit tart that was life-changing. I took a selfie with the half-eaten tart pressed against my cheek and fired it off to my moms contact.

Text: This tart is literally insane!

The reply came in seconds.

Text: Piper?

My bottom lip jutted out. Immediate pout.

Text: I only stopped texting you for two days and youre already cold? Why are you full-naming me?

Text: Call me Baby!

Text: No, wait. Call me Kissy Baby!

The chat bubble vanished. Three minutes of silence.

Text: Are you sure about this?

Text: With our relationship? Why are you even asking?

Another three minutes of dead air.

Text: Kissy Baby.

I sent back a GIF of a cat twerking.

Text: Thats more like it!

From the floor below, Sierra yelled my name.

"Piper! Get your butt down here. You need to see this dress I just bought. Its a tragedy."

I leaned over the railing of my bunk. Sierra was standing in front of the full-length mirror, struggling with a pink slip dress.

"I definitely gained weight," she groaned, pinching her waist. "A medium used to fit perfectly."

She turned to me. "Piper, youre a stick. Come try this on. If it fits you, I wont return it."

I rolled off the mattress and landed on the floor.

"Yes, your Highness. If it fits, do I get it for free?"

Sierra rolled her eyes so hard I thought theyd get stuck.

"In your dreams. Fifty bucks."

I grabbed the dress and shimmied into it. The fabric glided over my skin. I looked in the mirror.

It was perfect. The color popped against my skin tone, and the fit was snatched. It looked like it was custom-made for me.

I shot Sierra a wink. "Admit it. You have a crush on me."

She ignored the charm offensive and held up five fingers. "Fifty dollars."

I checked my bank app. Two hundred dollars left. The month was only half over.

Survival instinct kicked in: When in doubt, call Mom.

I snapped a mirror selfie in the pink dress and hit send on the chat with the golden lotus avatar.

I held down the record button for a voice note, pitching my voice up an octave.

"Look at my new dress! Don't I look cute?"

Mom replied instantly.

Text: Beautiful. It suits you perfectly.

I sent another voice note, layering on the whine.

"But my bank account is crying. Can I get an advance? Just fifty bucks?"

A notification dinged.

Received: $500.00.

I shrieked. I literally jumped in the air.

Text: Is this next months allowance too?

Text: No. Next month is next month. This is for the dress.

I let out a sound usually reserved for dying pterodactyls.

"Ah! Mommy, I love you more than life itself! You are the GOAT!"

I kissed my phone screen loud enough to leave a smudge, then flashed the balance at Sierra.

"See that? Im rich. Bag it up."

Sierra did a mock curtsy.

"As you wish, milady. I shall wrap it up at once."

Before I went to sleep, I sent a final text.

Text: Goodnight.

The reply came back.

Text: Goodnight.

I frowned. I sent a GIF of a cartoon character looking disappointed and shaking their head.

Text: It should be "Goodnight, Kissy Baby."

Text: Okay. Goodnight, Kissy Baby.

My eyes were already closing, phone slipping from my hand, when one last vibration buzzed against my palm.

Text: Do I have to call you Kissy Baby every single day from now on?

I was half-asleep and barely looking at the screen.

Text: Duh.

You are my mother. Its the law.

I was too tired to type the second part. I passed out before I could hit send on the explanation.

Chapter 2

The next morning, the alarm didnt go off. Or maybe we all just ignored it.

Panic mode.

I scrambled out of bed, threw on the first clothes I could find, and sprinted out the door. I didnt realize I was wearing one sneaker and one fuzzy slide until my feet hit the pavement outside.

I rounded the corner of the dorms and slammed straight into a solid wall of chest.

I looked up. Of course.

Montgomery.

The campus golden boy. Top of the class, old money, and a face that could launch a thousand shipsor sink them with one glare.

He also apparently hated my guts.

We were on the same Student Government committee. Two days ago, I finally worked up the nerve to ask for his number.

His response? He looked at me like I was a bacteria sample and asked, "What is your deal?" followed by calling me "bizarre."

My roommates tried to comfort me. "He's just socially awkward! He's an ice king!"

I had planned to confess my undying crush right there. Instead, I swallowed my prideand my words.

I wasnt going to let him trample me. I deleted his number immediately.

But today, his gaze wasn't the usual perma-frost.

His eyes were dark. Heavy. They swept over me with a complexity I couldn't decipher, contrasting sharply with the bright morning sun.

My stomach did a nervous flip.

Behind me, Sierra screamed, "Move it, Piper! We're gonna get locked out!"

Right. He was probably staring at my mismatched footwear.

Great.

The morning lectures were brutal. A massive auditorium, droning professor, zero brain activity.

Bored out of my mind, I decided to bother my mom.

Text: Miss me yet?

I watched the typing bubble appear instantly.

Text: Yes.

I frowned. That was brief. I sent a pouty duck sticker.

Text: You forgot something.

Text: Missed you, Baby.

Weird. Usually, Monica is blowing up my phone with emojis and "sweetie-pies" without me having to prompt her.

Did going to college make me old news? Does she not love me anymore?

I decided to salvage our relationship. We had been talking about a spa getaway for months. Summer break was right around the corner.

Text: When schools out, lets finally go to the hot springs. I already picked out my swimsuit.

I attached a photo. It was a high-cut, dusty pink one-piece with a back that plunged dangerously low. Basically dental floss.

Text: What do you think? I have great taste, right?

Mom went silent.

That was odd. She usually lives for my dramatic fashion choices.

Suddenly, the guy sitting in the row directly in front of me went rigid.

Montgomery.

He turned his head slowly, stiffly. His gaze locked onto mine. It wasn't his usual disinterested look. His pupils were blown wide.

He bit his lower lip. Hard.

I blinked.

What is his problem?

Is it the shoes? Is he still dwelling on the mismatched shoes? Or does he know I deleted him and hes plotting revenge?

My phone buzzed, saving me from his intense stare. Mom finally replied.

Text: Okay.

Text: Its a date then!

"Dude," a whisper hissed through the quiet lecture hall.

It was Jeffrey, the guy sitting next to Montgomery. He was staring at the side of Montgomerys head.

"Your ears are literally glowing red. Do you have a fever?"

Lunch was a chaotic affair in the campus dining hall.

I snapped a picture of my spicy chicken bowl and sent it to the chat.

Text: Smells like heaven.

Text: If only I had a large boba tea to wash this down. Life would be complete.

Mom didn't reply.

She was probably eating lunch with Mark.

I dug into my chicken, head down, listening to Sierra and Lauren debate the merits of the new transfer student.

Thud.

A large, condensation-covered cup landed on the table right next to my tray.

I followed the hand up the arm, past the black hoodie, all the way to the face.

Montgomery.

He had his headphones around his neck, looking down at me through his lashes. His ears were still a violent shade of crimson.

"For you."

He dropped the two words, turned on his heel, and walked away before my brain could reboot.

I looked at the cup. Large boba. Exactly what I asked for.

I looked at Sierra. She looked at Lauren. Lauren looked at Michelle.

We all looked back at the retreating figure of the Ice King.

Silence.

Chapter 3

"He is definitely guilty," Sierra declared, watching me glare at the cup. "He realized he acted like a total jerk, then found out you deleted him, and now his conscience is eating him alive."

I grabbed the thick straw and stabbed it through the plastic seal with violent precision.

Pop.

I inhaled a massive mouthful of tapioca pearls, chewing aggressively.

Just because he bought me Boba. Just because he somehow knew my exact order50 percent sugar, less ice. That did not mean he was off the hook.

I pulled out my phone. I needed a second opinion.

Text: Hypothetically if a guy was super rude to me before, but now he is apologizing do I forgive him?

I hesitated, then added the crucial context.

Text: He is extremely hot. Like, cover model hot. And he has great hands.

The reply from the golden lotus avatar came through instantly.

Text: Absolutely not. Also, what is his name? I will murder him.

Whoa.

Monica woke up and chose violence today.

I quickly typed back to de-escalate.

Text: It is not a big deal! Don't be so angry.

Mom was acting weird lately.

Usually, she was a busy lady. I would send her random updates, and she would reply hours later with a thumbs up or a voice note.

But recently? She seemed to have zero hobbies. No matter what I senteven a single periodshe would reply instantly asking if I was okay.

Two weeks later, Sierra dropped a bomb on the dorm room.

"I am dating someone."

We all gathered around, demanding details.

"It is Parker," she confessed, looking a little flushed. "Montgomery's best friend."

We all shrieked.

Sierra waved her hands. "We have known each other for a while, but we never really talked. He is always glued to Montgomery's hip. But Parker told me that Montgomery has a massive crush on someone recently."

Huh?

My stomach dropped.

Sierra continued, oblivious to my internal panic. "Parker said Montgomery is texting this girl 24/7. He even has her saved as Kissy Baby in his phone. He stopped hanging out with Parker to chat with her. So Parker needed a new badminton partner, and well, one thing led to another."

Lauren and Michelle turned to look at me. Their expressions were full of pity.

"It is okay, Piper," Lauren said softly. "You are gorgeous. If Montgomery is blind, there are plenty of other guys."

The words were meant to comfort me, but they stung like lemon juice on a paper cut.

So Montgomery was not an emotionless robot. He just was not emotional for me. He had a "Kissy Baby."

I felt small. I climbed up the ladder to my bunk and pulled the duvet over my head, effectively burying myself.

The next afternoon, we had a Student Government event.

I spent the entire time staring at my shoes. I refused to look in his direction.

But I could feel it. A heavy, burning gaze fixed on the side of my face.

Every time I risked a glance, Montgomery was looking right at me.

What was that look? Pity? Was he mocking me?

Parker was buzzing around him like a hyperactive fly.

"Look at you!" Parker shouted, slapping Montgomery on the back. "The eternal bachelor finally has a heart!"

Parker leaned in, but his whisper was loud enough for half the room to hear.

"How is Kissy Baby doing? When do we get to meet her? You have to introduce us!"

I squeezed my eyes shut.

Shut up. Just shut up.

I couldn't take it anymore. When the event finally ended, I grabbed my phone.

Text: I am heartbroken. I need to cry.

I waited for Mom to tell me to buy chocolate or go shopping.

Text: Huh? Do you have another Baby besides me?

I stared at the screen.

Is she going through menopause? What is she talking about?

Text: Not that kind of baby! You don't understand me at all!

I threw my phone into my bag, furious. I didn't check it for the rest of the night.

Chapter 4

I ghosted my mom for three straight days.

She would not understand. There is a massive generational divide. She has no concept of the visceral, chest-caving pain of a teenage heartbreak.

Then the month ended.

My bank account hit double digits.

Panic set in.

Text: Hungryyy. Food plz. So poor ??.

I sent a sticker of a cartoon shark holding an empty begging bowl.

Text: No money for food?

Technically, I still had the money she sent for the dress. But according to Girl Math, that money was allocated for fashion, not survival. It did not count.

I sent a GIF of a kitten sobbing uncontrollably.

Text: Yes. Please feed me, Your Highness.

Monica did not reply with words.

A notification banner dropped down from the top of my screen.

Received: $2,500.00.

My hand spasmed. The phone nearly slipped from my sweaty palm. I stared at the number, counting the zeros.

Text: Did we win the lottery?

Text: No. You said you were heartbroken. Go buy something delicious.

Text: Sorry for being a brat earlier.

Text: It is fine. We are family. Do not be a stranger.

There is no feud a wire transfer cannot fix.

I accepted the money with lightning speed. I ordered a massive seafood boilking crab legs, shrimp, crawfish, all drowning in spicy cajun butter.

The heartbreak was still there, a dull ache in my ribs, but my brain was too overwhelmed by the spice and the dopamine hit of expensive seafood to process the grief.

A week later, Sierra sent a link to the group chat.

It was a post from the campus "Spotted" page.

A student named Erica had snapped a candid photo of Montgomery on the basketball court. Sweat dripping down his neck, muscles flexed as he went for a layup.

The caption read: need to find this guy. Is he single? Asking for my future husband.

I scrolled down to the comments.

The top comment was from Montgomery himself.

Montgomery: I like someone. But I haven't caught her yet.

Over a hundred comments instantly piled up under his reply. The replies were unhinged.

User1: Even the Ice King gets rejected? There is no hope for the rest of us.

User2: Men always chase the ones who run away.

User3: Maybe he has zero game. Being hot isn't everything.

I nudged Sierra's arm.

"Does Parker know who Montgomery is crushing on?"

Sierra lowered her voice, leaning in like she was sharing state secrets.

"He does not have a name. But Parker said Montgomery sent the girl twenty-five hundred last week. Just because she texted him saying she was sad about a breakup."

I choked on my own spit.

"Excuse me?"

Sierra looked pained. "I actually feel bad for him. He is down so bad. The guy is a total simp for a girl who is using him as an ATM."

I sat there, stunned.

Montgomery? The guy who looks like he would sue you for breathing his air? He is out here paying girls emotional damages?

Two days later.

A new friend request popped up on my chat app.

The profile picture was a blooming golden lotus.

Request message: Sweetie, why did you delete Mom?

I frowned.

I ignored it. Definitely a scammer. Or a bot. Or just a crazy person.

Then my phone rang.

Caller ID: Mom.

I answered.

"Piper? I was in Tokyo all month. The service was spotty and I was busy shopping. But did you really have to delete me just because I didn't reply fast enough?"

My blood turned to slush.

My fingers went numb around the phone.

I pulled the phone away from my ear, minimizing the call screen. I opened the chat app.

I stared at the screen.

Two chats.

Two identical golden lotus avatars.

I never saved my mom's contact name. She changes her username every week to things like "Serenity Now" or "Wealth Accumulation."

The only constant was that golden lotus picture. She said it was good Feng Shui for money.

I identified her solely by that flower.

So.

If the woman on the phone is my mother

Then who is the person with the golden lotus avatar I have been texting for a month?

Who is the person I have been baby-talking to?

Who is the person who just sent me twenty-five hundred dollars?

Chapter 5