Play Girlfriend.

Sia's POV.

“A party tonight, again? You can ease yourself and find someone else since Knight turned you down.”

“I'm not interested, Amy. I have work to do. My mum will arrive from New York soon.”

“It's so easy. Mr Chris doesn't touch girls that are taken.” She said, smiling sheepishly.

“Why is he still in the school? That's an open sexual assault!”

“As far as I'm concerned, Mr Chris has large connections in college, you know that too. So there is no easy way to bring him down when he's from the founder's family.” She shrugged.

“And you know all these, how?” I asked, taking in the information.

“It's easier when you're socially acceptable not staying home all day.” I rolled my eyes and she grabbed my hands, “You have to go to the party tonight,” Amy said, looping her arm through mine as we walked across campus.

“I don’t have to do anything, I'm not leaving the house today.”

She pulled me closer. “Sia, come on! It’s Knight’s birthday. This is the perfect chance to take him off your mind and find better guys that want you.”

I winced. “Who told you Knight turned me down?”

“Richard. He felt so sorry for you he had to offer to bring you home even after you threw up on his body.”

“What? I did that? Shit!”

“It'll be fun. And if you feel guilty, you can apologize to Richard tonight.”

I opened my mouth to answer, but the words tangled. “I just… don’t feel like it is the right thing to do. I can't get close to Richard when I haven't even gotten over Knight.”

“Richard, uh? He's not interested in you.” She confirmed.

I looked away. Why was I hesitating? Knight was the one I’d always liked. Sweet, golden-hearted, talented. My teenage dream. But lately... lately my thoughts weren’t on Knight. They were on Richard. Ugh.

“Fine,” I said, pushing the thought aside. “I’ll go.”

“Great! It's at the Coach's house. Dress pretty.” Amy boarded a cab and I was left standing.

That evening, I stood in front of the mirror wearing a fitted purple dress that hugged my curves like a second skin. I curled my hair, added a soft touch of lip gloss, and for the first time in a while, I wanted to look... unforgettable.

As soon as I walked into the Smithfield house, the music hit me harder than I could have ever expected. Was Mr Smithfield aware his sons had turned the whole house to a club?

I found a better corner to hide my face and picked a wine. Then I saw him walk down the stairs. I pushed away the wine and tried to walk away from Richard, who obviously was walking towards me.

But he wasn't, he was leaning casually against the wall in a dark shirt, his sleeves rolled, the curve of the mark on his neck peeking out just under his collarbone.

I tore my gaze away, only to lose my balance on the polished floor.

I slipped, then landed in his arms. Richard grabbed me, his grip was firm, his scent ridiculously intoxicating. Our eyes locked, and suddenly his lips felt way too close.

I pushed him back. “Watch it.”

He smirked. “Of course.” And walked away, grinning.

Knight appeared then, and stood beside me. The whole room was rocking with music and he found nowhere else to stay except near me? “This is the second time I find you at a party, and one that Richard attends. Is that a coincidence?”

“Are you stalking me?” I asked,

“I'm not. It's just that I'm my brother's lookalike and I definitely get mixed up all of the time and it's amazing to know that you have a crush on my brother.”

I smiled, relieved Richard didn't say anything wrong to him…

I paused, “What? Richard told you I have a crush on him?”

“You don't?”

He handed me a drink, and I sipped it quickly, maybe too quickly. “You should stay away from Richard,” he said suddenly, his tone darkening. “You don't want to get involved with him.”

I blinked. “What?”

Knight never talked to me or noticed me, now he did when I started getting close to Richard?

“You heard me, stay away from my brother or he'll ruin you too. Just be careful.”

I gave a tight smile. “Of course, thank you.”

But inside, I was rattled. Why was Knight badmouthing his own twin? Why was I caring more about Richard than what Knight thought?

The drinks kept coming. I laughed more than I should have. And then Richard appeared again, holding out his hand.

“Dance with me.”

“I shouldn’t—”

He pulled me in. We moved to the rhythm, my head spinning, not just from the music or alcohol, but from him.

We danced for a few minutes and strangely I enjoyed it. Then he guided me into a quieter corner, his hand on my waist. My breath hitched, and he kissed me.

I kissed him back. God, why was I kissing him back?

His lips were fire, his hands grounding. I didn’t stop and I didn't want to.

When he pulled back, his eyes searched mine. I looked away, my heart racing.

“I should go,” I whispered.

But he caught my hand again.

“You’re in love with my brother,” he said quietly. “So why did you kiss me?”  

I didn’t answer his question. I couldn’t.

So I did the only thing I could. I walked out of that party like I still had some dignity left.

***

I couldn't tell why I kissed Richard, I wanted to and didn't want to. But then the beautiful morning sun reminded me I could start all over again, forgetting the Smithfield sons. I got to school and alighted from the car when I saw them.

A familiar car pulled up outside the dorms. I ran towards them and my mother stepped out of the car, beaming like she was walking a red carpet… hand in hand with none other than Mr. Smithfield. Our college hockey coach.

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” I muttered.

“Sia!” Mom chirped, waving like a lunatic. “Honey, we’ve got news!”

I slid into the back seat without a word, putting on my shades and hoping I could somehow disappear.

“We’re married,” she said brightly, like this was some Disney fantasy and not my personal hell.

“Keep it down, you didn't tell me you’ll be showing up this sooner,” I groaned.

Mr. Smithfield chuckled. “You should be happy to see your mother. My boys already know we're married. They’re excited. Said they’d love to accommodate you as a sister.”

Sister? My stomach churned. I just decided not to involve myself with them.

“You left the college for weeks to meet my mum?” I turned to Mr Smithfield, who clearly wasn't reading the room.

“Yes, I did. I had to pick her up and we didn't want to make a scene, so we had our marriage in New York.”

I nodded vaguely, “Right.” And opened the door, walked off without another word.

So Richard knew. He knew our parents were getting married and still kissed me. Such a jerk.

Back in school, something felt off the moment I walked in. Eyes were on me and they were definitely whispering, staring and murmuring.

Amy found me instantly, grabbing my arm and tugging me toward the hallway.

“What the hell happened?” I whispered.

“Just come,” she muttered, we walked back into the class and everyone began staring again.

Richard was in class, legs stretched, leaning back in his chair like he didn’t have a care in the world.

Amy pulled out her phone and showed me.

I gasped.

Photos of Richard and I kissing at the party. In that dark corner. It was unmistakable.

Everyone in the class glaring. Not the photos, the captions. I couldn't speak and Richard obviously hadn't seen it or he did and didn't care about it.

Was that why Knight asked me to stay away from him?

“Sia, you sure are good at sharing two brothers.” A voice from the back mocked.

“What!?” I froze.

“You shut your mouth!” Amy snapped.

Before I could bolt, Richard stood and casually stretched. “What are you all doing?” he asked, loud and clear.

They all stopped mumbling and the room went quiet.

He looked at the photos and raised a brow. “So what? She's my girlfriend and not Knight's girl. She kissed me and not Knight. You guys have a problem with that?”

The murmurs exploded. I nearly choked.

He walked over, grabbed my hand like it was the most natural thing in the world. I tugged it back and stormed down the hallway. He followed.

“What the hell was that?” I hissed, spinning to face him behind the stairwell.

“Damage control,” he shrugged. “You want them calling you names all semester?”

“You pitied me?” I asked, jaw clenching.

“No,” he said flatly. “I was saving my reputation too. Now the other girls will back off, I have a girlfriend now.”

I laughed, bitter. “No, you don't. I'm not your girlfriend. That was just to save face.”

I turned to leave, but he caught my wrist.

“We’re not done,” he said. “If we’re faking this, we have to play it right.”

I stared at him.

“You knew your dad was marrying my mom,” I said quietly. “You kissed me, and now you're asking me to play being your girlfriend, right? Knight was right.”