Novel & Cerita When Is National Fake Friend Day

“Fine.” “The third.” He looked at me directly. “The exit clause. You’ve written it as mutual termination only. I need a unilateral option.” I kept my face even. “So do I.” He considered this. “Simultaneously unilateral, then. Either party can end the arrangement with seven days' notice, no justification required.” “Two weeks.” “Ten days.” “Fine.” He made another note. Outside the window the city moved in its indifferent way, glass and light and distance, and I thought about how strange it was to be sitting in this office negotiating the terms of a fake relationship with a man I’d met over pasta and forced proximity twenty-four hours ago.

"Then we sell it. We look happy. We look like a couple. Within twenty four hours, every news outlet will be running stories about us instead of about you throwing wine." Nyla hated how much sense this made. "And when does this fake relationship end?" "We figure that out later. Right now we focus on fixing your reputation before the board votes you out." She took a breath. "Fine. Tomorrow night. Eight o'clock." "Good. Wear something stunning. We are giving them a show." The next day, Nyla stood in front of her closet for twenty minutes trying to decide what to wear to a fake date. She finally chose a deep blue dress that made her look elegant and confident. Not like someone having a breakdown

" I half smiled at him and left the premises. The streets were very busy with couples who came and walked with their boyfriends. It was about nine at night and the weather was cold. In the distance I heard the whistle of a car. It was Trisha and Veronica. My best friends. —Aileen, come up, we're late! Trisha called from the other seat. She was driving. -Where we go? "We're going to Moonlight and we're not taking no for an answer," Veronica said. I got into the back seats of the car and closed the door. "I thought they forgot," I muttered. Today was my birthday and I had not received a message from them congratulating me so I thought they had missed it. I see that no. "Happy birthday, Aileen!

The text said it all. "I got home in one piece. The trucks were clearer this time. Good morning. Happy one-day friendship anniversary, friend." I typed a response right away. "Me: I have never heard of a one-day friendship anniversary; I don’t think it’s a thing. Plus, it hasn’t been twenty-four hours." Almost right away, I got a reply from Jack. "Jack: You’ve never heard of a friendship anniversary?" With a shocked face emoji. "Me: I’ve heard of that but never a one-day friendship anniversary."

“Tee—” “Y’all are still into each other, obviously, there’s no way in hell, I’m getting into that. Ciara loves you.” “That’s kinda my whole point.” She stares at me for a beat. And then it hit her. She gasps, “Oh my God.” I try again. “Tee—” “You want me to fake date you?” She says it like it’s the worst thing after the fucking civil war. “Just for a week.” “A whole week?”

(One day earlier....) It was the first day of April or as everyone would say April Fool's Day. According to the netizens, it was the best time for someone to declare their love because if they got rejected, they could just laugh and say—"Haha, I made a fool of you!" At the very least, they could retreat in a splendid manner.

Kaleb cut me off, drawing a smile from his friend. "It's a fake date; of course she won't meet with the guy, so relax, man, she's all yours. Plus, you can always create a fake account and pretend to plan a meetup; he won't know it's you. If he shows up, then we will have our first proof that he is spying on Ayla." I loved the way Dean explained everything to Kaleb, who seemed ready to beat my date up. "Then I'll create an account tonight and try to get a date tomorrow so that we can hurry nabbing him," I spoke, licking my lips in anticipation.

My heart does a stupid little jump. “You’re saying we should fake date?” Laura nods. “Yes, dear. Just for a few months, until we get everything in place.” “Hmm.” I lean back, settling into the couch. “What’s in it for me?” “What?” Rhett asks, surprised. He looks at me like he knew I’d say yes, but not this fast. Not this easily. “Why not?” I shrug. “As long as I’m getting something huge out of it. I need publicity too.”

Greg’s hand trembled as he held his phone and stared at the bulletin, reading it over and over again. In the group chat, the friends who had attended his birthday party tonight were blowing it up with curses. [Frank, what kind of sick, fake news are you spreading now? It was bad enough when you posted that funeral hall picture, but you’re now photoshopping an FBI bulletin? Believe me when I say I’ll report you right this second and get you locked up.]

I can't save you. “You did this intentionally, didn’t you?” I turned, looking directly into the vivid, mocking eyes of Priya, who stood right where I had tripped. She just smiled—a slow, cruel spreading of red lipstick. Around us, the VIP lounge was alive with the glow of smartphone screens. Everyone was capturing the scholarship girl’s fall from grace. Mutters sprawled across the floor, gossip already spreading like a sickness. “Isn’t that the bitch who turns every guy down here at Lux?” someone whispered loud enough for me to hear. “Guess she isn’t so special now,” another added with mocking laughter.