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I stare at the floor. "Yes, I mean no. Yes, it’s supposed to be over. No. There’s nothing more going on. It’s just an act. I only kissed him to make our relationship look real for the party guests. I didn’t realize it would become such a big deal.”
“Brinn…”
“The engagement party is all Jackson’s parents. They posted it in their excitement before even talking to us. I feel terrible for lying to them. They’re such amazing people.” I’m rambling. “His mom––”
“Brinn…”
I snap out of my daze. “Yes?”
Shae studies my face, a thoughtful look in her eyes. "I’ve never seen you like this. It’s gone too far. You are too caught up in all of it.”
I fidget with the zipper of my sweatshirt. “No, really, it’s not a big deal. I can handle it.”
Her disbelief is evident. I know her well also. “All right, if you say so. But be careful, Brinn. I don’t want you to get your heart broken.”
“Me. Broken heart? Not a chance,” I say with a grin. We sit down for lunch without talking anymore about the situation. I’m thankful for the reprieve.
Her words linger, though, as I leave the cafeteria. The online posts have clearly caught the attention of my fellow students, evident in the lingering stares and whispered conversations that trail me across the campus. Every step is observed with scrutiny and watchful eyes.
Great. As mentioned, I’m not comfortable with a lot of attention.
But my determination keeps me going, like always. I can't afford to back out of the relationship just yet. The news has already spread wildly, and ending it without good reason will reflect poorly on both of us.
Days pass, and the complexity of the situation reaches a boiling point. My parents left me a message to meet them at the house tonight, along with my brother. Looks like my luck just ran out. They must know.
***
Later that evening, I drag myself up the sidewalk to my parents' front porch. But I make it no farther, I’m frozen. After working so hard the last few years, I can’t bear to see the disappointment I know is on the other side of that door.
I’m not sure how long I’ve been standing there when another car pulls into the driveway. Greyson. He joins my side and puts an arm around my shoulder. “It’s going to be fine. I got you.”
“How am I an adult and still afraid to face them?” I rest my head on his shoulder.
I wrap my arm around Greyson’s waist. No matter how much my parents have pitted us against each other growing up, they’ve never been able to break our bond. He has always been my rock.
“I don’t want to go in.”
“I know, neither do I,” he chuckles. “I think I’m about to get scolded too.”
“You, the golden child? Never.” We both burst into laughter.
After taking some deep cleansing breaths, we head inside.
Our parents sit on the couch, clearly waiting for our arrival. We take a seat across from them like we’ve both been called down to the principal’s office.
This is ridiculous.
I feel a sudden surge of boldness. “Look, Mom, Dad, I know why we’re here. But I don’t need to explain my actions, and I don’t need some sort of reprimand. I’m an adult. I make my own choices, and this was a path I chose. It has nothing to do with Greyson.”
Greyson shoots me a look that says, “You go girl.” Bolstered by his support, my emotions spill over. “The pressure you have both put on me is part of the problem. Everything I ever do is to get your approval, but it’s never enough.”
I inhale deeply, feeling the air fill my lungs as I take a moment to gather my thoughts. Closing my eyes, I focus on the rhythmic beating of my heart, then exhale slowly, letting the tension escape with my breath. I straighten my posture and regain composure, ready to continue.
“I made a deal with Jackson. I agreed to play his fake fiancée at a few family events. In exchange, he’d give me the highest recommendation to look great on my transcript given the weight of his family name. With it, I should graduate in the top one percent of my class.”
My mom’s expression shifts, her eyebrows arching. She leans in closer. “Oh, well in that case.”
Jeez. She’s never going to change. Why do I waste my breath?
