Kelly’s smile falters, the corners of her lips twitching before she nods. “Oh, right. No problem. I’ll catch you later then, Jared.”
Once she’s out of earshot, I let out a quiet sigh of relief, glancing at Alli with a grateful look, while her eyes stay glued to her textbook, but the way she keeps flipping the same page back and forth tells me her curiosity’s about to spill over. Finally, she snaps her book shut and looks up, annoyance practically radiating off her.
“Okay, seriously, what was that? I already told you I’m not interested.”
I lean back, feigning nonchalance. “You heard how Kelly was talking to me,” I say, shrugging. “Thought it’d be easier if we just pretended to be a thing.”
“Just tell her no and that you aren’t interested directly instead of lying.” She raises an eyebrow, unconvinced. “And you think fake dating will help?”
I try to keep my tone light, even though I’m starting to feel the impending doom of the situation. “Look, I’m not asking you to be my real girlfriend. It’s just a temporary fix. Plus, if you help me out here, I owe you a big favor.”
“You would owe me?”
I nod, leaning in slightly. “Whatever you want. You name it.”
Alli sighs, rubbing her forehead like she’s trying to will the frustration away. “I spilled coffee on Ethan again.”
I snort, quickly pretending to cough to cover it up. “Did you want me to do his laundry, or is that pushing it?”
“No,” she replies with a hint of frustration. “But remember what you said? That you’d help me out if I needed it? Well, I really think I do now. Just the other day, someone asked for my number in the quad, and I was so stunned I couldn’t even speak. I just ran back to my apartment and tried to slap some sense into myself.”
“It couldn’t have been that bad.”
“Jared, you’ve known me for years. When have I ever had this much of a confidence issue? I used to be the one giving dating advice, not needing it.” She rubs her face with both hands, letting her shoulders fall. “But now, every time I try to talk to someone, my mind goes blank and I end up feeling like an idiot.”
I see the genuine frustration and embarrassment in her eyes, and I can tell this isn’t just about a favor. She’s dealing with something real. This is a big deal to her.
“Alright, I get it. I’m asking for a favor, and I’m willing to help you in return. It’ll just be a fake dating thing, nothing serious. No strings attached, no feelings involved. We keep it simple and end it when we no longer need it. Sound good to you?”
Alli hesitates, her frustration slowly giving way to resignation. “Yeah. Deal.”
“Deal.”
Alli gives a nod, still looking a bit unsure but willing to give it a shot. I can’t help but feel a rush of excitement at how weirdly fitting this arrangement is, even if it’s all for show. We’re treading into uncharted territory. There’s too much unsaid, andsomething tells me this will change everything, whether we’re ready or not.
Chapter 10
Alli
What the hell did I just agree to?
The question bounces around in my head like a ping-pong ball in an empty gym as I push the door open and step inside the apartment. The faint, sweet scent of vanilla clings to the air, but the place feels deserted. Too quiet. My bag slides off my shoulder and lands on the kitchen counter with a dull thud. A neon Post-It, barely hanging on to the fridge door, flutters dramatically like it’s auditioning for a rom-com. Olivia’s unmistakable handwriting sprawls across it.
Went to Sigma’s party, don’t wait up on me!
Xo, Olivia
I collapse onto the couch, the weight of my stress hitting me all at once. I glance at the coffee table, where my half-finished notes for Genetics are scattered among textbooks. Ever since my desk broke—one of the legs gave out when I accidentally leaned on it—I’ve been studying at the coffee table or dining table. It’s not ideal, but I’m making it work, despite my back protesting the lack of comfort. I really need to find a new desk on Craigslist, but I just don’t have the time with quizzes, lab reports, and my paper on genetic mutations.
And now, I’ve added “fake girlfriend” to the list. What was I thinking?
I shake my head, trying to shove the stress and swirling thoughts into the far corner of my mind. There’s no point in overanalyzing it now since it’s a done deal. Besides, it’s not likethis arrangement with Jared actually means anything. It’s just a temporary fix to an awkward problem. I’ll play my part, he’ll play his, and then he’ll owe me one. Simple. No big deal. Right?
Easy peasy.
I wander into the kitchen, pulling open the fridge door and lazily scanning the shelves for something that doesn’t require more effort than breathing. The soft hum of the refrigerator is almost deafening in the quiet apartment, which starkly contrasts the constant noise of campus life. It’s my “home away from home,” the place where I can unwind and be myself. I grab a carton of rocky road and a spoon, then settle back on the couch, savoring the peace and watching a rerun ofYou’re The One.
Halfway through Noelle and Brody’s conversation, where Brody confesses he wants more than friendship but Noelle insists she wants to meet new people around the cabana, I can hear the occasional whoops and cheers of students heading off to the campus parties. The sound drifts in through the window, adding to the excitement around me. I pull the blanket tighter over my legs and sink into the couch, trying to lose myself in trash reality shows.
