The house is a mess because I’ve been in town visiting my mom for a few days. I knew it would be, which is why I returned early in the morning, so I could clean up before I had to begin my day.Things aren’t exactly how I expected when I walk in. Yes, the house is a mess, but Alex is scrambling to clean up the kitchen. I drop my bag and look around at the array of clothes and shoes thrown around the living room.“Hey, babe… I really was going to have this cleaned up before you got home.”“I see that.”He smiles at me and I can’t help but forgive him. The problem is that he knows that, and someday that charm might run out. Except with my luck it won’t.“When are you leaving?”“I’m going to hang around a couple more days.”“That’ll be nice,” I say as I give him a hello kiss.We’ve been married for almost two years now, and even with our duties, I feel like we’re in our honeymoon stage. I’m every bit as in love with him now as I was when we first mated, and I wouldn’t change any part of
The backlit mirrors in Mier'Chelie's don’t flatter me at all. I look like a rat!Weeks of planning, and my cardigan sleeves seem a bit long. The headband I put on is doing nothing to tame my wavy hair. Are Chuck Taylor knockoffs okay for here?Still…maybe Oliver will notice the effort.Speaking of which, has he seen my text messages? It’s already 9:43. If we eat and leave on time, we can get to the New Year’s firework show…“Lookin 4ward to u gettin here”—30 minutes ago, unread.I scrunch my eyes tightly. I worked hard to learn how eyeliner works, so I don’t want to mess it up, but…“Keep it cool, Cynthia… Just…two more minutes.”I already have a text reminder alarm set. There’s no need to bombard him.It’s okay. Just two more minutes.When I start opening the bathroom door—“Don’t go!!”—I almost smack myself in the face with it.Who’d scream like that here of all places? I got my answer when I peeked out the door.Jessica Parthow. She looks absolutely stunning in her deep blue dress
I’m watching them in slow motion, absorbing every bit of information crawling into my brain. Old, rusty cogs finally crackled and started turning, a flickering light blinking on.Ah. This is why he didn’t answer my texts.Before either of them notice me, I stumble away from the door like the handle burned me. Nausea and heartburn crawl up my throat and scald it with acid.Being at this party is suddenly the worst idea I’ve ever had. So, I start wobbling toward the stairs, reeling.Oliver… He and I had been best friends for years. He knew more about me than most people, sometimes even more than my mom.And I told him…I told him I didn’t want to date him, even when he asked me. I wanted to keep my best friend and not lose him.But Oliver changed my mind. Said friendship would make our love stronger… What a joke.My eyes burn as I make my way down the stairs. With the new year here, the party’s now in full swing. If they were being rowdy before, they were chaos now—chaos that quickly swe
#chapter 3“Yooo Alex! What’s up, man?”I vaguely hear someone call out to him as I cling to his wrist.Of course, someone here must recognize Alex. For better or for worse, he’s one of the most popular people at Redmond.Someone makes a noise of confusion. Then, the pain in my other arm disappears, and I’m losing my balance. But the hand on my wrist changes positions, catching me softly. My vision starts to clear in his hold, still shaking.A quick glance back toward the inside of the house shows Oliver hovering nervously. Curious onlookers peer at us.“Heyo.” Alex’s voice rumbles against my cheek. Aren’t I ruining his shirt? “Sorry, just dropping by, but I’ve gotta jet.”Then, he’s turning me away, easily supporting my weight. He waves back as he leads us away.“I’ll catch you guys later!”“Oh, uh, sure…”Suddenly, I feel a hand grab my left arm tightly. A whimper escapes me as I get pulled backwards, but Alex turns. He dislodges the hand and stands firm, glaring back with furrowed
New Year’s Day was on a Wednesday, so school started back the following Monday. At least I had a few days to deal with my emotions and plan for the worst.Oliver may not have been the captain of the hockey team, but he was fairly popular in his own right. Moreover, I was seen with Alex. The rumor mill at Redmond High was certain to be rolling with new gossip.My schoolmates do not disappoint.In the school halls, people whisper as I pass by, watching me with hawk-like eyes. Some laugh at me, whispering about icing and cupcakes.I keep my gaze on the ground, trying my best not to mind them.The best thing I can do is just mind my own business. Give it a few days, and something else will probably happen to attract everyone’s attention. I’ll be able to return to my normal life, sans a fake boyfriend.At least, that’s what I’m hoping for. But the road to get there seems more bumpy than I could have anticipated.During lunch, I go through the line, picking up my usual tray of Redmond’s poo
“S…Stop… Following me.”I hurry to the back halls to avoid as many eyes as possible. All of the regular kids took the main ways, but I had my preferred paths. And I would prefer if Alex wouldn’t follow me there.As thankful as I am that he kept his promise and returned my car, he and I aren’t friends.“C’mon, seriously. I was wrong to say that. What happened to you?”This…really can’t keep going on.I stop suddenly, and he stops just as quickly. When I turn around, it’s with an aching chest that just keeps squeezing no matter what I do.“Y-You told Oliver—to…to accept my ‘no.’ I’m telling you…n-o. So. Stop. I’m f-ine.”Alex stares down at me, his hands at his sides.This time, when I turn around and flee, I don’t hear him following me.— — —My goal to fade into the background continues to fail. I don’t realize how badly I’m failing until after school, though.As I make my way to my locker, I feel more eyes on me than usual. This is supposed to be my calmer pathway to my locker, so wh
Again. Alex has somehow come to my rescue. Once is a happenstance. Twice, a coincidence.I’m cold and dripping wet, my face against his neck, but he holds me so easily. When I feel my body start to move, I open my mouth.“...Books.”“Huh?”“My books… In the…on the chair.”“...Are you seriously worried about your books right now?”I back my head away from the lovely pine smell and stare up at him with lidded eyes. He stares back at me, then he sighs, shaking his head.“Nerd.”He finds where I’d tucked my backpack and picks it up, going back into the dark pool room. Somehow, he cradles me with a single arm and fills my book bag with the other. Is all of his strength really from hockey?Suddenly, he pauses. Before I can ask why, I hear a bunch of footsteps rushing up to the broken door.“She’s in here! In here!” Danielle’s voice rings out. “I saw her steal the keys to the pool room and—!!”When she enters, she’s followed by three of her friends and two security guards. At first, she imme
“Hey, Cynthia?”I snap out of my thoughts as I quickly shut my mostly empty locker, surprised to hear someone call out to me. But I recognize who it is a moment later, turning around to see Hailey. She looks at me, her worry clear through her glasses lenses.“I heard vaguely about what happened at the pool. Are you okay?”I nod in response to my somewhat friend. We met in Drama Club. She’s a performer, but I prefer working in the background, getting everything to work smoothly.We started talking a bit more after I drew a poster for one of the upcoming performances. She’d complimented it eagerly. Since then, we occasionally chat, though we’re not super close.She has an easygoing presence, so I don’t mind speaking with her sometimes.“Fine…uhm…Alex helped.”“Yeaaah, I heard about that, too,” she laughs a little, though there is still worry in her tone. “Uhm…I figured, since it seems like you and Alex might end up, eh, kind of knocking into each other, there’s something you should know