T & C’s Apply

JUNE’S POV

The difference between a truth and a lie is how well you sell it. 

Every good agreement comes with rules. Ours just happened to involve lying. 

His expression changed.

Humor.

And his attention sharpened.

“If you don’t know, which you probably do, I used to date James Dowman,” I started. 

“He’s an ass.” James and Adrien were on the school's football team but at totally different club academies. Rival ones too.

“Anyways, he cheated and I want revenge.” 

Lying was the easy way out, how would I say I wanted to use him kindly?

“Okay, this is interesting,” he said. “What do you want me to do?”

“Date me.” 

The words left my mouth before I could take them back.

There are easier ways to ruin your life than pretend to date Adrien Hayes.

I just didn’t choose one of them.

“What?” He blinked.

“I mean, pretend to date me. Also, I want to enjoy my last few months. You give me access to that.” 

“You mean… like fake dating?” 

“Exactly.” I said.

Silence stretched between us.

“I’m in.” 

My heartbeat hit my throat.

“I’m willing to pretend for appearances. You help me academically, and I’ll help you too. Whatever your plan is. I think I’ll be gaining more than just grades from this.” He grinned. 

“Besides, we seem to share a dislike for Dowman. I wouldn’t mind to spite him by making you my girlfriend.” 

I swallowed hard. Pretending to think.

“Alright… deal.” I nodded slowly.

Shit, I was really doing this.

His eyes sparkled, and I caught a flicker of something I couldn’t name. Maybe it was curiosity. Maybe it was interest?

“Good,” he said, standing up. He reached across to shake my hand. 

I looked at it for a second, then took it. 

His grip was warm, firm and somehow certain.

But I wasn’t done.

“There are rules.” 

His lips curved.

“There always are.” 

He leaned closer, “Go on then.” His voice dropped slightly.

“Tell me the rules, Carter.”

“Rule one,” I began. “What happens in public stays convincing.” 

He watched me like a tv show. Like I was his entertainment.

“That’s common sense. How about what happens in private?” He teased.

I rolled my eyes and continued.

“Rule two. We don’t interfere in each other's personal lives unless it’s necessary.” 

“What exactly is necessary?” He asked, leaning back to rest properly on the cushion.

“You’ll know.” 

He laughed.

“Rule three, no unnecessary lies.”

That was hard for me to say. I was already lying to him about my intentions.

“That’s interesting,” he said slowly. “Considering, this whole thing is built on one.”

I didn’t respond because he wasn’t wrong.

“My turn.” He stood and let me sit down on the cushion.

“Rule four. Do not disappear when things get inconvenient.” He said.

That caught me off guard.

“I won’t.” I assured him.

“Rule five, try not to fall for me. No feelings.” 

I rolled my eyes.

Like that was even a possibility.

“That’s not a problem.” I replied.

“And I’m allowed to kiss you right?” He asked casually.

I hadn’t thought about that. 

The idea scared me a bit. His eyes stayed on me, searching.

“If deemed necessary.” I finally answered.

“As for the tutoring, every Tuesday from two o’clock till four thirty. And on Thursdays, two o’clock till three. Is that alright?” 

“Sure.” He said.

“That will be all.” 

I was about to leave when he grabbed my hand and pulled me close.

“Shh.” He said after noticing the bewildered expression on my face.

I heard voices. 

Slowly, they drifted away till we couldn’t hear them.

He slowly released me and I didn’t know I was holding my breath till I let out a breath.

“You’re welcome.” He took a small bow and began walking away. 

He stopped in his tracks and turned to me.

“By the way, if you’re going to be my girlfriend, you have to stop looking like you hate the idea.” 

Then he left. 

I had just agreed to a risky role. 

I steadied my breathing before I slipped out of the library. It was almost five.

I checked my phone and found three missed call from Jules and seven text messages.

Apparently, she left early to help her mum prepare for a party at her house. 

The bus ride home was quieter than usual. 

Or maybe it just felt that way.

Looking out the window, London blurred in familiar contrasts. Clean streets into worn pavements. Glass buildings turned into ageing flats.

I thought about my results from yesterday again.

I didn’t fail, I just wasn’t impressive. 

But I could be.

I adjusted my bag on my shoulder and walked the short distance home. 

The door creaked when I opened it.

“Mum? I’m home!” I arrived a little after six.

“In the kitchen.” She answered. I dropped my bag and made my way into the kitchen.

The aroma of stew filled the room. Her shoulders were slumped, she was always tired.

I don’t imagine working as a maid is easy.

“How was school?” 

“It was okay.” I replied while opening the fridge, hoping to find something cold to drink.

“I forgot to ask yesterday. How were your results? I got home so tired yesterday, it skipped my mind. I’m sorry.” 

“It’s okay. I got two A stars and one A.” I said casually.

“Honey, that's brilliant. You’re doing so amazing, all your hard work is finally paying off. I know you’re going to do just as great in your finals.” She left her cooking and hugged me tight.

That comforted me.

“Thank you mum. Is there anything I can help with?” I asked, rolling my sleeves.

“Don’t worry, you deserve some rest. Go freshen up.” She said and kissed my cheek.

She studied me for a moment, like she could see through everything I wasn’t saying. 

She released me from her grip.

“Where’s dad?” I asked.

“In the room. Resting.” 

I paused.

“He had another interview today, I have a good feeling about this one.” She responded.

I could hear the neighbors' television through the thin walls. Laughter from a show that probably wasn’t funny.

“Hey dad.” I opened the bedroom door gently and sat at the edge of the bed.

“Hi honey, how was your day?” He replied softly.

“It was okay. Annoying classmates, homework, the usual. I got my results yesterday.” 

“Really? How were they?” He asked, sitting up.

“Two A stars and an  A.” His face lit up instantly. 

His smile widened. Proud and warm.

He pulled me into a hug.

“My beautiful, smart girl. You keep making us proud,” he said. “Thank you, I love you.” 

That made me feel warm.

“I love you too. Mum said you went out today, how was it?” I pulled away from the hug and sat beside him. 

“It went okay. The interviewer seemed to like me, I hope I get employed.” He said it like a prayer.

“Me too. I’ll go have a shower.” 

I stepped out, walking down the narrow hallway till I reached my door.

My room was small. Pale yellow walls and some fairy lights.

Just enough for a bed, a closet, a small desk, a mini bookshelf obviously overloaded with too many books.

Pinned notes, reminders, were pinned to the wall in careful order.

I peeled every layer of clothing and stepped into the bathroom.

“WHAT!!!???” Jules' voice boomed in the dark. I told her about the deal with Adrien but left out the real reason I initiated it. 

“Calm down.” 

“CALM DOWN??? You just got into a relationship with the soccer star.” She highlighted. 

“He’s just a regular guy.” I said, sounding bored.

“He’s not just any guy and you know that. Are you aware that he is Lori’s ex?” She mentioned.

I paused.

Shit.

“Get ready to be involved in some drama. That girl is crazy and she’s going to hunt you down but you know I got your back.” She said, we talked some more before she fell asleep.

I glanced at the clock on my wall.

10:45pm.

Right next to it, was a framed cheque of three thousand dollars.

I had stared at it the same way the day I got it. 

Most of it was already gone.

Debts, bills, things we couldn’t afford to ignore.

I swallowed hard, my eyes lingering on it far longer than I expected.

The money was proof.

That I could do something. That I could fix things.

And if lying was a part of it, so be it.