2 0
Not So Golden Couple
"Is this wrong? Should I have even done this? Should I have just stood home? Yes, I should have. What was I thinking?"
I slap a hand to my head, going over the scenario again.
I left my house in a rush, slipping by before anyone could notice, though I'm sure they all heard the engine of the car. I can only imagine how pissed my parents are.
But the urge to see Jalen was too strong to ignore, even if the possibility of Cortney and her family being around is true.
I groan loudly, removing my hand and bringing it back to my lap.
"I want to see him. I just don't want to see her," I add on, surprising myself at how much venom came into my voice at the end. "Ugh, what do you think? Should I go back home?"
My rambling ends when the officer standing by my window raises his flashlight, momentarily blinding me.
"M'am, I've already told you that I do not care about your problems," he begins, lowering the light and raising a hand into my car. "I just want your license and registration."
"Right, of course," I hurriedly say while passing it to him.
He quickly compares the picture on the license to me. "Are you visiting, or you live in New York?"
"I'm living here, sadly," I say, then add when he raises an eyebrow, "Moving here has caused all of my problems."
"I suggest getting a New York license," he states before walking to his car.
He returns in a matter of seconds, handing my license and registration back, then passing me a ticket.
My jaw drops in shock. Great, a fucking ticket, as if I needed to add more problems into my life.
"You ran a stop sign. You could have caused serious damage if another car had been on the road."
Not that I don't agree, but damn, I can't catch a fucking break today.
I sniffle before reaching for the ticket, deciding to accept my fate and head back home.
The officer hesitates at my window. When I look up at him, barely able to see as my eyes begin watering, he sighs heavily and leans into the car. "Look, if Jadenâ"
"Jalen," I correct.
"That's what I said," he says with a shrug. "Anyway, if he gave you his address, that means he wants you to come over."
I freeze, thinking it over for a second. Jalen didn't protest when I asked to see him, instead telling me his address and giving instructions of what door to walk too once I arrive.
"I'm going," I announce, glancing back at the officer, reading the name over his badge. "Thank you for the advice, Officer Serrano!"
His eyes narrow at my chirpy tone, seeming annoyed that I went from being on the verge of tears to smiling so quickly.
"Don't run anymore stop signs," he advises before walking off.
I take a second to gather myself, before tossing the ticket into a cup holder and continuing my previous task of driving to Jalen's house.
I reach there quicklyâseeing as Officer Serrano stopped me just a block awayâand begin following his words and parking two houses down, quietly walking along the side of his driveway after, clutching my wallet, keys, and phone in my hands tightly.
The driveway is extremely long, and once I pass that, I'm going around the house, looking for the sliding glass doors on the side that I was told to wait at.
Obviously, I'm not allowed to enter through the front. That only makes my nerves increase, believing Cortney and her family must be here.
I send Jalen a text saying here!!!, wanting to add that he needs to hurry the fuck up and let me in because it is freezing outside, but knowing that'll only slow him down, seeing as he'll need time to read it all.
Before I can debate whether or not I should just start banging my fists against the door, it's opening and my arm is gripped tightly by someone who pulls me into the warmth of the room, quickly closing the door behind us.
Seconds later my eyes raise upward to see blue eyes that have become so familiar to me in these past two months. My chest tightens at the sight of Jalen looking toward a door on the other side of the room, making me assume he's checking if anyone heard and is coming.
I know that should worry meâthe fact that Cortney could be here, that his parents are most definitely here, a younger sister I didn't even know existed is somewhere hereâyet, I don't care. I don't take a moment to even look at what room we're in.
All I do is take notice of how his tense shoulders drop when he realizes no one's coming. His head turns back to me, eyes dropping low to look at my legs that are exposed from the dress I'm wearing. When he looks back up, his mouth slightly opens, ready to say something.
He doesn't get the chance to speak as my arms reach out to wrap around his shoulders, legs taking two steps closer to where he is, quickly covering his lips with my own.
His reaction is automatic. Large hands curling around my waist, pulling me closer. Lips moving just as frantically against mine.
Suddenly, I can't remember why I was hesitant to come here.
Just as I'm pressing my body closer to Jalen's, he moves away, dropping his hands from me and taking a step back.
"What the fuck is happening?" He questions when I try reaching for him again. "Not that I don't like it, but I'm so confused right now."
I take in a deep breath, bringing my hands in front of me, noticing I still have all of my belongings in them. "I just got a ticket."
Jalen lets out a laugh. "What?"
I reach for the slip of paper sticking halfway out of my wallet. He examines it before snatching it out of my hands.
"Lyndon," he scolds. "Everyone knows about that stop sign at the corner."
"Everyone but the girl who just moved here!" I defend.
Jalen's eyes widen at my volume, reminding me that I still don't know who's on the other side of that door.
"I don't even care about the ticket," I confess in a lower tone. "I'm more pissed at my parents."
He hands the ticket to me, bringing a hand to my back as he guides me further into the room. I notice we're in a bedroom, that much is obvious from the bed at one side and the dresser on the other. He brings me to the other corner, seating us on a couch. Jalen gently takes my wallet, keys, and phone from my hands, placing them on the coffee table in front of us.
"What happened with your parents, Lyndon?" He whispers.
I shrug my shoulders, wishing I hadn't even mentioned them. My eyes already embarrassingly watered while talking to Officer Serrano. I don't need that happening now.
"Come on, something bad clearly happened," he presses, placing a hand on my shoulder lightly. "You wouldn't have run away here if it hadn't."
He says it as if being here, in his mansion, is so bad. The place looked beautiful. But I'm assuming it's the people inside that he doesn't like. This only reminds me that Jalen has his own issues with his parents, and because of that, I decide to confess my own.
"It sounds stupid, but nothing actually happened. My parents are just at home pretending everything's okay in our family when it's not. And it never will be if they keep sweeping shit under the rug like they always do."
Jalen's hand moves over my shoulders, pulling me into his side. "It doesn't sound stupid. It's how you feel. My parents do their fair share of pretending, and it annoys the hell out of me, too."
I lean my head onto his shoulder, and his head automatically lays on top of mine. For the briefest second, I feel my stomach flutter at the realization of how well we fit together. How warm I feel tucked into his side, how okay I am now that his arm is around me.
That feeling disappears when what he said finally dawns on me. I lift my head quickly, knocking into his chin and earning a low groan out of him, but I ignore that and ask quietly, "Is Cortney here?"
Jalen makes a confused face, before realization hits him, and he shakes his head. "My parents had her and her family over for dinner, but they're gone now."
I hate how natural it seems to him, how having her over here for a holiday is such a normal thing.
My uneasiness must show on my face, because his hand moves to my back and rubs slow circles as he says, "I wouldn't have told you to come if they were still here, Lyndon. Don't worry."
I guess he assumes I'm anxious at the thought of seeing them, when really, it's the fact that they were even here in the first place that's getting to me.
He sends me a smile that I'm sure is meant to further calm my nerves, and make me believe him. The dimple popping out almost does the trick. I feel better seeing him smiling, looking beautiful as ever, but it doesn't make me believe him at all.
"Anyway, I'm sure you didn't come here hoping to talk about that," he begins saying, leaning closer as his hand on my back inches lower. "In fact, with the way you came in, I'm thinking you didn't come here to talk at all."
Brief flashes of me grabbing Jalen the second I walked in cross my mind, making me bite my lip, attempting to stop the nervous laugh I'm ready to release at my actions. That seems to be the wrong thing to do, because Jalen's eyes zone in on my mouth. He reaches his hand to cup my face and uses his thumb to unhook my bottom lip from my teeth, before leaning in and kissing me.
And just like that, my worries are gone. My annoyance at my parents, at Cortney, and at anyone else disappears.
I feel on fire from Jalen's touch. Between his hand holding my head in place and his other one cupping my waist, it's too much. That must be why I happily oblige when he begins removing my heavy coat.
Jalen moves away after, making me think he'll stop again, but when I open my eyes, I see he's taking a moment to look me over. Once he's done so, he looks at me, and the smile he sends has me reaching to pull him closer again.
I begin moving onto his lap, an action I tried accomplishing the first time we kissed before Cortney interrupted. But she's not here, and she won't stop me.
One of Jalen's hands grip my waist, encouraging me to come closer. The other slowly travels up my thigh, sending chills through my entire body.
His lips leave mine, moving down my neck, until he finds that one spot that makes me weak. Jalen bites down, making my hips roll into his, resulting in him letting out his second groan of the night, but this one is nothing like the first. It's the hottest sound I have ever heard, and suddenly, it's all I ever want to hear again.
Rather than getting my wish, I hear a vibrating sound that causes both Jalen and I to pull back in confusion. The sound goes off another time, and another, and another. I realize it's not a vibrator, meaning Jalen thankfully wasn't that prepared for my visit. It's my phone. It vibrates one more time before I turn around, realizing someone's blowing up my phone with texts.
Jalen's arm remains firmly wrapped around my waist as I reach for the phone and see Noah's contact name along with a notification of five messages.
Twinny twin twin: where in the fuck did u go lynnie
Twinny twin twin: it's late and you barely knew how to drive in florida after years of practice
Twinny twin twin: get the fuck home
Twinny twin twin: my car better look the same way it did when you found it
Twinny twin twin: k, be safe
"It's my brother. I gotta go," I announce, not sure if Jalen was able to read the messages.
I rise from his lap when I realize he's not letting go, and he scoffs in annoyance. I think for a second it's because I'm leaving, but then I quickly realize it was because I mentioned Noah.
"What's that all about?" I question. I might as well get some answers, seeing as I've been wondering if Jalen hates Noah just as much as Noah hates him.
"Track team are jerks, that's all," he says with a shrug, standing up as well.
Facts, but it seems like more than that. "Funny, that's what they say about you."
Jalen lets out a fake laugh, mimicking my voice as he says, "Yeah, so funny." His voice is normal again as he adds, "Get out of my house."
I laugh loudly, before trying to keep it low as I remember where I am. I also remember how crazy it is that I even showed up here like this. This isn't something I normally do. Randomly showing up at a guy's house? That's not me.
Liam always invited me, especially after any family gathering because he knew how chaotic they ended up being. He even knew how the non-chaotic ones made me feel the worst, and made sure he was there for me.
The reminder has my laughter ending. I begin walking toward the door, and Jalen follows closely behind. He reaches for the handle before I can, but he doesn't open it. Instead, he uses his other arm to pull me closer as he leans down to kiss me.
His lips move slowly, slower than they did the other three times we've kissed, and they feel so soft. Yet, I don't enjoy it. The heavy feeling in my heart won't allow me too. Not when Liam was just on my mind.
Jalen pulls back, frowning, obviously realizing something's wrong.
He nods his head after, but doesn't say anything more as he sends me a small smile, and holds the door open.
I don't know what he thinks made me pull back, but I know it's not because of any lingering feelings for Liam. It's the fact that he once mattered so much to me, and all of a sudden, that went up in flames.
I'm scared it will happen againâwith Jalen.
I guess that's why I don't explain myself or look back as I speed-walk out the door, down the driveway, and to my car.
ââââââââââ²âââââââââ
Art was never really my thing, but it's slowly become my favorite subject. I have to work a lot harder than usual to do good in the class, which is annoying, but it's the one time I get to actually relax. It also helps that Elijah's there, and it's the one class we have together where we're alone. AP Calc is flooded with Rachel and her annoying questions about Jalen and The Boys, and Dedra, who is so sweet but only reminds me of David and the rest of them.
It may be dumb to prefer Elijah over the rest, seeing as he's a part of this infamous group I hear so much about, but I can't help believing he's different. I never see him around any of them except Daniel, and he never does anything that makes me question what kind of person he is.
Just as art's become my favorite class in Arlin Preparatory, Elijah's become my favorite person here.
If only Jalen could be as simple, and cause me less headaches, just as art and Elijah do.
That little voice is my head reminds me that if Jalen was simple, I probably wouldn't like him, and that's the problem.
Liam wasn't simple, either. He certainly wasn't as talked about or mysterious and confusing as Jalenânot by a long shotâbut he still wasn't the unknown, quiet, nice kid.
Clearly, I have a type, and it's not good.
I roll my shoulders, attempting to push all those thoughts away, as I walk to my locker, happily dumping my books for the day as Ms. Fairfull let us out earlyâagain.
"I'm heading out. See you tomorrow?"
I turn toward Elijah, taking in his kind smile and sending him one of my own. This is how I end all of my days. Walking side by side with him to my locker, but never lingering long enough to talk outside of class. He's always in a rush to leave, while I take my time reorganizing things in my locker, knowing I need to wait for Noah to be dismissedâalso, I'm never eager to get back to my house, especially not like Elijah is.
"Yeah, see you tomorrow. Run on home," I say jokingly.
Elijah laughs, fixing the strap of his book bag as he says, "I need to sleep off this long ass day."
"I feel that," I state, sending him one last smile as a goodbye as he walks off.
Just as I sigh and turn to my locker, thankful for the silence, I hear heels clicking behind me.
I freeze, knowing it's either Malia or Cortney.
Sadly, I'm not sure who's the worse option to talk too.
I turn and see it's Malia, barely sparing me a glance before her dark brown eyes are gazing down the hall.
"Hey," my cousin greets dryly, looking extremely uninterested in starting up a conversation.
"Hey," I echo in the same tone, deciding it's best to ignore her and the few other students beginning to gather in the hall.
Damn, why can't I ever get some alone time?
Though I expect their voices to take up the halls, I'm instead given the silence I want. It's too quiet in here, especially for the halls of Arlin Preparatoryâthe school that is constantly filled with murmurs of rumors passed around, something I've learned during my time here.
Their eyes are cast in the same direction as Malia's.
"What's going on?" I ask her, but of course, I'm ignored. Story of my damn life.
Rather than getting time to dwell on how rude Malia is, I'm distracted by the vague sound of yelling. I realize it's coming from that way, and that's why everyone's watching silently.
My ears perk up, eager to hear what's being said. Suddenly, I feel more apart of this school than I ever have as we all wait for the drama to unfold.
I take a subtle step closer when I hear the voices getting louder, believingâjust like everyone elseâthat whoever's arguing is about to exit the room.
"You always fucking do this!" A feminine voice shouts.
"Oh, stop," a masculine one replies in a lower tone.
Those voices sound familiar, and so does this argument. Their voices fade away as it sounds like they're moving further into the room, away from the door as they continue arguing.
I stop moving, almost getting whiplash from how fast my head turns toward Malia.
Malia has that same look on her face just as she did that day at the Williams' barbeque, when this same couple argued before we left. She knew who it was then, and she knows who it is now.
And I'm pretty sure I know now, too.
"Malia," I call out, garnering the attention of people around us in the halls.
Their eyes dart between us and the door down the hall. Their eyes linger longer on meâsome judging, some entertained, and some envious. Correction: a lot of them are envious. A lot of girls and even some boys.
Those looks are always directed toward Malia, but with the argument happening down the hall and everyone putting together that it's the golden couple in there, I've become the person they won't leave alone.
My chest feels tight at all the stares, and at the fact that they're still in that room and I don't know what's going on. All I know is Malia steps in front of me, blocking their view so that all I see is her dark brown eyes.
She says nothing as she grabs my arm and guides us to the bathroom, quickly turning to cast a glare at everyone in the halls that clearly says you know better than to follow me in here.
It works because no one follows as I bulldoze through the door, trying to catch my breath.
"Don't tell me they're gonna blame me for this," I say, knowing she'll understand exactly what I mean.
Malia rolls her eyes, reminding me that her act of kindness was probably more so to save her own reputation, rather than caring about getting me to safety.
"Lyndon, how many times do I have to tell you that what they say does not matter? Rumors in Arlin are complete bullshit."
"To you, maybe," I counter. "But not to everyone out there, and not to me. I don't want to be known as the girl that breaks up what's clearly the school's golden couple."
Malia lets out a pitiful laugh. "Lyndon, I promise you are not and will never be the reason those two break up."
I can't tell if those words are meant to make me feel better. All I know is that they don't. Not at all.
"What are they fighting about, then? What were they fighting about that day of the barbeque?"
My cousin walks further into the bathroom, opting to lean against the windowsill on the other end, surely to avoid any eavesdroppers from hearing her say, "Jalen's parents have been trying to marry him off to Cortney for a while now."
"But they're so young," I quickly say, choosing to focus on getting the details rather than patting myself on the back for guessing correctly that they were the ones fighting that day.
"Not right now, in the future," Malia explains, but it doesn't ease me at all. "They have no faith in Jalen to keep up family appearances. They think he'll ruin the Uccello name. Marrying Cortney will guarantee them having eyes on Jalen at all times, while also combining their wealth with the Rousso family's. It's a win for both."
"For everyone but the kids they're forcing into this," I say lowly.
"More so forcing Jalen than Cortney," Malia comments.
"Really?" I ask in shock. Who would be okay with marrying someone their parents picked out for you, especially if that someone clearly does not want you? "Cortney's okay with it?"
"As okay as she can be," Malia says while examining her painted nails. "Cortney'll do anything to please her parents, while Jalen will do anything to piss his off. It's a match made in hell."
Our conversation ends when a door slams loudly from down the hall. We make it out of the bathroom in time to see Cortney angrily walking down the hall. I try grabbing Malia to make her stop moving until Cortney at least passes, but she keeps going, resulting in us walking right by the angry girl. Her movements never stop, but she manages to send me a pissed off glare when we pass.
Great, more reason for her to hate me. What the fuck were they arguing about!
I keep following Malia until she leads me outside, where Jalen is already standing to the side of the steps with David.
Was he just waiting there the whole time for Jalen? Fucking weird.
"So, what's your next move?" I hear David asking as Malia moves to stand next to Jalen, leaving me between her and Davidâagain, great, the two people who annoy me the most at Arlin Preparatory on either side of me.
Jalen shrugs, jaw clenched tightly as he stares off to the side.
The group remains silent, making me think for a second that they're not talking because an outsider is hereâme.
"I don't know, bro," Jalen finally says. "I'm not doing this anymore. That's for sure."
David barks out a laugh. "Finally breaking up with her?"
"How many times have you tried doing that before?" Malia asks, sounding a lot more sympathetic than David did.
"Too many," Jalen answers Malia, scowl present on his face. "Forget about Cortney, though, it's my parents that's the problem. They're the ones pushing this."
Welp, that's all the confirmation I need to believe what Malia just said and everything Jalen's said about that relationship prior.
It's silent among them again. I hold my breath, half in the group and half out, unsure of what to do with myself. Unsure if I belong.
Jalen and I have barely talked since I showed up at his house Thursday. He can't text, and I refuse to talk on the phone. His voice makes me just as weak as his touch, and I can't afford to be weak. Liam took advantage of that, and I've finally realized how not over that relationship I am. The hurt is still too fresh.
I really like Jalen, a little too much, but I can't let it go anywhere. But I also don't want to lose him. It's nice knowing someone else feels the same way about their parents that I do about mine. Obviously, we have entirely different reasons and situations, but it's the same feeling.
He's also given me a sense of belonging when we hang out, making me feel like maybe New York can be my home.
"Well, any bright ideas?" Jalen asks as he looks up from the ground, eyes searching David, me, and Malia, before raising his hands and then dropping them to his side.
And in that moment, he's done it again. He's made me feel like I do belong here, and how can I possibly give that up?
"The only way to get your parents off your back is to find someone new and show them you're serious about it," David announces.
"My parents don't give a fuck about me being happy in any relationship," Jalen says with a scoff.
"That's why you need to show them you're serious about it. That you really want that relationship to work," David argues. "I know the perfect person to be your girlfriend."
My head reels back, concerned over who this perfect person will be. I already gotta deal with Cortney's shenanigans, I can't watch someone else throwing themselves at Jalen, too. Having just a friendship between us or not, it'll bother the fuck out of me.
"Malia," David finally says as if it's the most obvious thing in the world. "Everyone already says she's super easy and fucking you anyway. It's believable."
David looks straight ahead at Malia, sending her a bright smile.
"Yup, because I'm just a sexual object and nothing else, huh?" Malia snidely asks, glaring at David.
The tension between them is too much for this tiny circle, and I feel stuck right in the middle of it. I look forward, at Jalen, whose eyes are already locked on me. He motions with his head to the side, stepping away after, making me realize he wants me to follow him.
The staredown between Malia and David continues as I walk Jalen's way, happy to walk side by side with him quietly to the parking lot, rather than continue being in the other two's presence.
"Well that was... awkward," I say, ignoring how awkward it's becoming between us as we stop at his motorcycle and it's still quiet.
Jalen reaches for his helmet, playing with the straps between his fingers.
"Jalen?" I question, bringing my hands to cover his, tired of him using the helmet as a distraction. "Look, I don't know all the details, but I'm really sorry this is even something you have to deal with. It's not right for your parents to force you into this."
Jalen's head raises, looking over at something behind meâI'm assuming it's Malia and David arguing, I don't know. But when he looks down, finally allowing us eye contact, those blue eyes make my stomach drop. And it's not like the way they normally do. It's not that excited, oh my gosh what's gonna happen between us feeling, it's an oh crap what's he about to say one.
His mouth opens and closes, preparing himself to say words he's clearly having trouble getting out.
Geez, Jalen. If it's that hard to say, then maybe you shouldn't say it.
"Would you be my girlfriend?"
My eyes widen like saucers. My mouth opens and closes a few times, I'm sure making me look like a fish out of water trying to catch a breath.
Did he really just fucking ask me that? Holy shit!
"Uh, um," I mutter, unable to say a damn thing. Jalen's staring at me with a blank expression. "What?"
"It's not a friendship between us. I don't know about you, but I don't go around kissing or wanting to do a lot more than that with my friends," Jalen begins saying, speaking as if we're discussing the weather. Meanwhile, I'm ready to fucking hyperventilate. "But I also know we've never talked about any of that or how you seemed like you wanted the same thing as me last week, but left looking as if you couldn't get away from me fast enough."
"Jalen, Iâ"
I cut short, unsure of what to say.
Everything you said is right.
Damn right you're not my fucking friend.
Hell yeah I wanted to do a lot more.
And there's the key word: wanted. Past tense. I went there looking for it, and left wishing I never went.
Ugh, fucking Liam! He ruined everything!
I shake my head, trying to push away Liam and what he did, trying to refocus on Jalen, but I can't.
"I don't want a relationship right now," I state firmly, finally finding my voice once that dreaded r word is said. "I'm still hurt from how my last one ended. Heâhe... cheated on me."
Jalen's face drops, just as I assumed it would. Revealing why seems like the only way to dodge Jalen's previous question without completely jeopardizing everything we have.
It's a shitty, but completely valid excuse to want to protect me and my heart from anymore hurt.
"I didn't know that's why you two broke up," Jalen says lowly, eyes softening. "I'm sorry, Lyndon. That's fucked up."
His voice hardens at the end, jaw clenching just like it had earlier when he was pissed about Cortney.
My heart flutters at the fact that my hurt angers him, making me want to smack the shit out of myself for letting that get to me.
You're not ready for a relationship, remember?
"I feel shitty for even thinking this," Jalen mumbles after a few more seconds of silence between us.
I take in a deep breath. "For thinking what?"
"Asking if you could just fake it," he says with a shrug.
My eyes narrow in confusion. "You can't fake it with Malia?"
I have to stop my hand from slapping over my mouth at the words, because I definitely wouldn't want to see those two all over each other. But David had suggested it, and pushing Malia onto Jalen seems like the safer choice than... faking a relationship with him.
"We both know the rumors going around," Jalen begins explaining. "Everyone's had to have heard about the times we hung out, and made up their own stories about it. Hell, that's what's got Cortney so pissed off in the first place."
"Wait a second," I interrupt, raising a hand in the air. "Was that argument about me?"
Jalen sighs heavily, then nods. "Kind of. It started with her complaining about her parents being angry with her because of me, and it somehow ended with her bringing you up. Apparently, her parents knew you were at the party she threw for me, and assumed something was going on."
My cheeks flush at the fact that they're not exactly wrong, something did happen at that party.
"So, if you're going to follow David's idea and get your parents off your back by showing them you're in a serious relationship, your best bet is doing that with... me," I state, though it comes out as more of a question.
"Rumors are a bitch," he says with a laugh, though it sounds forced. He raises a hand to touch the handles of his bike parked next to us, clearly trying to find something to do as the awkward tension comes again. "Lyndon, forget it. I don't want you to feel pressured, or do something you clearly don't want too."
I throw my head back, closing my eyes and holding in the scream I want to let out.
This seems like the stupidest idea in the entire fucking world, yet when I open my eyes and look at Jalen again, I feel myself ready to agree. He shouldn't feel forced to be with somebody he doesn't like, and the fact that it's his parents doing this to him angers me more.
I picture that little boy from the photo I saw, who had to be around eight years old, the age in which Jalen got left back at. Just a small child who struggled in school, who felt like he was stupid and not worth the trouble, who's now only become older and more insecure when it comes to learning. And it's all because of his parentsâthe people who were obligated to seek help for their son with a disorder, yet never did.
So, because of that anger, and this overwhelming urge I have to help Jalen because of those silly feelings I can't let go of, I nod my head once.
Jalen turns his head to the side, examining me, waiting for what I'll say after that.
I nod my head again. "I'll do it."
"Are you serious?" Jalen asks with a bright smile, before tuning it down and asking, "Are you sure?"
I nod one more time, smiling at him as widely as I can with all my worries and doubts surfacing by the second. "Yes, I'm sure. I'll be your fake girlfriend."
I may not be ready for a relationship, but how hard can a fake one be?
ï¹ï¹ï¹ï¹ï¹ï¹ï¹ï¹ï¹ï¹ï¹ï¹ï¹ï¹
A / N:
It's taken me longer than intended to update, and I'm sorry about that. I had this chapter planned since I posted the last one and was ready to write it, but the past week and a half has been an emotional rollercoaster for me. There were family issues I had to deal with. I tried writing, but I didn't want to ruin my storyline by making this chapter super depressing. I feel better now, and I hope that comes across.
I want to thank everyone that's read, and voted, and commented! I especially loved reading your thoughts, and would love to hear more on how you feel about the characters and overall plot!
Hoping to have the next chapter ready and posted by the end of the week. Clearly, things are about to get interesting now that Lyndon's agreed to fake date Jalen.