I held her gaze for a heartbeat longer than necessary before pulling my hand back, the warmth of her skin lingering on my fingertips as I cleared my throat and took a step back. “Yeah, of course. You’re my girlfriend, Ally-Bear. It’d be strange if I went there alone.” I forced a smile, hoping she didn’t notice whatever was happening inside me.
“Fakegirlfriend,” she emphasized.
Alana’s words hit me like a punch to the gut, the reminder cutting deeper than it should have. Of course I knew we weren’t actually together, and it wasn’t like I was in love with Alana or felt any romantic emotions toward her, but did she have to mention thefakepart every other minute?
“Still. My family thinks we’re together, and that by some miracle, you’re not just going to leave me for some other guy in a week, so… you’ll have to be there.” Besides, I was pretty sure I told her the event was a good time for her to let loose. Nobody was going to know her, let alone care about her.
“I mean, if Austin were to ask me out on a date in a week, Iwouldleave you for him in a heartbeat,” she replied before carefully grabbing another two cupcakes, but this time, to place them onto the tray with all the rest of the finished ones.
“As long as you’re giving me some baking lessons, I wouldn’t even care.” Being left for someone else, fake relationship or not, sucked. It was my idea, I knew that, but for some reason, that didn’t make it any less annoying.
“Well, since the only good aspect about your cupcakes is my recipe, I know you desperately need help. I couldn’t possibly leave you stranded like that.”
18
ALANA
Eden
Will you let me borrow your notes?
Borrow my notes? He waswaysmarter than me in Business. Even if I gave him my notes, he probably wouldn’t have understood a single thing because I barely had a single clue what I was even writing down.
Also, why wasn’t he coming to class today?
Alana
Why?
Eden
Oh, Ally-Bear… I’m in Boston, did you forget?
It’s game day. We’re playing the Bayview Sharks tonight.
Alana
Right. Sorry, it must’ve slipped my mind…
Eden
It’s alright! So, will you lend me your notes so I can copy them?
Alana
Alright?
Will you be back on Monday?
Eden
Someone’s missing me already, I see
Alana
… Nevermind.
Eden
