2 1
Let's Play Pretend
Tuesday came quicker than I would have liked. Other than the fact that I had a huge AP Calc test I'm sure I failed, it was marking the first day of Jalen and I's fake relationship.
Jalen told me he wanted to start as soon as possible, but I felt like we both needed a second to think this all over. He agreed in the parking lot yesterday, but called me later that night. I ignored the first one, acting as if I wasn't able to talk on the phone, but I quickly changed my mind when Jalen began texting me and the misspelled words were giving me a headache.
Our phone call ended with Jalen convincing me that there's no time like the present. I was shocked he'd even say some shit like that, so I listened when he explained that now is the time to begin this. Everyone already assumed his and Cortney's argument was about me, and what other way is perfect enough to introduce this new relationship than to act as if their breakup meant we could finally make things official.
Nerves overcame me after we hung up, making me toss and turn all night, and bite my nails off during Noah and I's car ride to school. My leg was bouncing the entire time, making Noah realize something was wrong, and making me tell him to leave me the fuck alone, which resulted in him being pissed off at me for the rest of the day.
But I didn't have time to care about his feelings, not when I knew I was about to enter school and change everything. Sure, I was talked about before, but publicly claiming myself as Jalen's girlfriend would no doubt change my life.
Jalen waited for me by my locker, making a show of pulling me into his arms for what he called a good morning hug. I had to ignore the tingling in my stomach as he held me, whether it was from his touch or everyone's stares, I'm not sureâbut I felt nervous every minute after as I gathered my books for the day from my locker.
Those nerves calmed slightly when Jalen intertwined his hand with mine, as he walked me to my first period classâshocking me that he had even known what and where it was. Stalker much?
Sitting together at lunch was nothing new, but still, it garnered more people's attention, seeing as Jalen sat closer to me than usual, insisted on holding my lunch tray, and walked me to the bathroom when I announced I needed to go. Truth was, I didn't really have to use it, but seeing everyone watching me and then noticing that Cortney was nowhere to be found had me nervous as fuck.
I needed a breather, but Jalen wouldn't allow me one. He was on me like white on rice. It was suffocating.
I said that to him when I came out of the bathroom, but all he had done was smile and walk by my side, not holding my hand that time. I guess that was his way of compromising.
His moment of obeying my wishes must've passed, however, as he's currently gripping my hand as if we'll die if he lets go.
"Remember what I said about needing space to breathe?" I murmur lowly to him, knowing I need to watch what I say and who I say it to now that we've started this charade.
I'm not even sure who I can or cannot tell the truth too. I've had to dodge Rachel in class and in the halls. Anytime I glance at my phone, I see hundreds of notifications by her name, but I can't answer any of her questions.
Jalen lets out a laugh that sounds fake as hell. "Everyone knows I'm a touchy person. It'd look weird if I stood on the opposite side of the school, Lyndon."
He's smiling, but his words sound scolding, especially the way he just said my name. Like a parent upset with their kid.
I stop walking, making him stop as well due to our tightly linked hands. He turns to me, trying to keep that smile on his face, but I can tell by his eyes that he's struggling to do so.
"Remember that I'm doing you a favor, Jalen," I say sweetly, stepping closer to him. To everyone, it must look like I'm whispering sweet nothings to him, when really, he's five seconds away from getting smacked. "I'm not the one getting anything out of this, which means I have nothing to lose."
Jalen smirks, taking a step closer, putting our faces barely an inch a part. He gazes down at my lips briefly, before looking in my eyes and saying, "Are you really not getting anything out of this?"
My breath catches in my throat, and I swallow hard, trying to contain myself. I'm not sure if I want to kiss him or smack him, but I figure the smarter choice is to pretend I'm not affected at all and shrug. "Right now, all I'm getting is death glares from the entire student body."
I let my eyes move to the side, seeing a handful of people from our senior class trying to discreetly watch us, but failing.
Jalen's eyes never leave mine. "Ignore them."
"Easier said than done," I whisper, becoming aware of the effect he has over me. No matter how annoying or pushy he's being, I can't seem to shake this damn attraction away. But I have to try, especially with this stupid charade we're putting on. I can't let myself get wrapped up in it. "We never established boundaries, by the way."
"Boundaries?" He questions with a tilt of his head, resembling a confused puppy. Of course he doesn't know that word. Jalen's not really one to follow rules.
"What we will and will not do in order to prove we're dating," I begin. "Rule one: no kissing."
A bark of laughter comes from Jalen as he throws his head back. When he looks at me, and sees my blank face, he blinks hard and asks, "You've got to be kidding me. Lyndon, come on. Are you serious?"
"As a heart attack," I answer.
He sends me a wide eyed look. "It's not like we've never kissed before."
My cheeks redden at the memories, and at the fact that those kisses between us have never been talked about. And neither has how we feel about each other. Everything's just being swept under the rug, and for the briefest second, I see my parentsâbecause I'm doing what they always do.
"But that was before," I reason. "Now we're just pretending, so we need to keep things... professional."
"You sound like my mom," Jalen says with an eye roll.
"You tried fake dating her too?" I say in a louder voice, annoyed. Jalen makes a disgusted face, probably picturing himself doing just that and trying not to gag. To move past that lame ass response, I add on, "Look, I'm doing this to help you, and the only way I can properly do that is if we set some boundaries. I need rules."
"And no kissing just has to be one of them," he sarcastically adds.
"Yes," I say seriously, ignoring his tone. "Also, no showing up at my house."
"You're gonna break that rule first," he says with a laugh.
I roll my eyes, once again ignoring his comments. "And absolutely no dates. We spend time together in school and that's it."
"Nope, not agreeing to that one," he says while shaking his head rapidly. "How in the fuck am I going to convince my parents we're serious if I'm only holding your hand in school?"
I bite my lip, trying and failing to think of a smart response.
Damn it, he's right. Holding hands in school isn't enough to sell a whole relationship.
My eyes begin to water. I hate feeling out of control, and that's exactly what's happening. I want to help him, hell, I want to be with him, but I'm scared.
Holy shit, not even twenty four hours ago I agreed to do this and I'm already freaking out.
"Hey," Jalen says softly, bringing both of his hands to lightly touch my arms, rubbing them soothingly. "It's not too late to change your mind. I know I'm asking for a lot, so I'd understand if you'd want to stop."
I shake my head, knowing that even if I walk away, that won't stop the rumors. Deep down, I also know that I don't want to walk awayâthat's the part that's got me so upset. I'm being indecisive, and it's annoying, but I can't help it.
I think Jalen Uccello is going to drive me crazy before we get the chance to even graduate.
"I want to help," I whisper, figuring that's the best way to say I'm staying without telling him it's because of my growing feelings. "I just don't know how to."
"If you're gonna do this, then I need your all," he says in a serious tone. "It's either all in or all out."
"I'm trying to be all in," I say in a defeated tone, knowing that this really is all I can give him right now. "If that's not enough, then maybe you should find someone else."
Jalen sighs, eyes looking around us, before coming back to me. I worry for a second he spotted some girl in the crowds gathering around us that's a better choice than me.
Maybe that would be his better option. Maybe that'd be my better option.
But it's not the one he chooses.
"I want it to be you," is all he says.
And those words are enough to have my heart beat racing, especially as his hand cups my face, thumb lightly caressing my cheek.
"Let's just take this one step at a time, yeah?" He asks quietly, aware of how many people are watching.
"Yeah," I say with a nod, smiling at him.
That smile fades when a horn honks next to us. I turn to see it's Noah behind the wheel of our carâthe one he insists is only his. There's a scowl present on his face, reminding me that not only is he still pissed at me from this morning, but he hates Jalen. Seeing Jalen with his hands on his sister probably isn't the best thing for any of us right now.
I shake off Jalen's hands as best as I can without causing anyone to think we're fighting. Jalen keeps one locked on my arm, though, not allowing me to walk away.
I turn to him, hoping I can send him a look that tells him to let go before I do cause a scene and blow our chances at faking this relationship on the first day. But that's when I notice Jalen's not even looking at me. He's glaring at Noah, who's giving him the same look in return.
Oh hell no. I do not need to deal with this today.
"Hey," I say as softly as I can, not wanting my voice to come out harsh. I reach a hand to touch Jalen, succeeding in bringing his gaze back to me. "I gotta go. I'll see you tomorrow, though?"
He nods once, raising his hand to cup my cheek again, leaning in. My eyes widen. His soft lips touch my cheek, staying there for several seconds before he slowly pulls away, flashing me a bright smile that has his dimple popping out. "See you tomorrow."
I quickly rush into the passenger seat, waiting for Noah's angry gaze to land on me. He says nothing as he starts driving off.
"So, how was school?" I ask, wanting to break the silence.
"I'm dropping you home," he replies.
"What, why? I thought we were meeting up with Daniel?"
Daniel had group texted saying he missed me and wanted to hang out. I laughed about it to Noah last night, using that as a brief distraction from the shitshow I knew I landed myself in.
"I'm meeting with Danny. You can stay your ass home," he says as he takes a sharp turn.
"Stop being a dick. Daniel wants to hang out with me, so I'm going. He's my friend, too," I argue.
"Why don't you go hang with Jalen and his friends instead? Seems like you've made yourself fit right in with them," he says angrily.
"What the fuck is your problem? I can't make friends?"
"Are you really gonna sit there and tell me that Jalen's just your friend?"
Ugh, I can't do that. Even if he technically is, we're pretending. Noah's got the biggest mouth in the world. If I tell him the truth, everyone at Arlin Preparatory will know before today's over.
"Is that why you don't want me going? You're mad I didn't tell you first?"
Noah rolls his eyes and stops short in front of our house, making my seat belt tighten around my chest. I reach my hand out to smack his arm, knowing he did that on purpose. He dodges the attack, instead turning to me with a glare.
"I don't give a shit about knowing who you're messing around with," he states. "But I thought I made myself pretty clear when I said Jalen shouldn't be an option."
"You made your feelings about him clear, yes," I begin, nodding my head. "I know you don't like him, but I do. You said it would be my mess to deal with, so let me deal with it. Mind your business."
"Kinda hard to do that when your business is all everyone in school fucking talks about," he says in a louder tone.
I pause, realizing that the rumors going around about me don't just affect me. But then again, it's not like they're saying anything crazy. Knox only said our family was mentioned that one time, but I haven't heard a thing. If the talk of Arlin Preparatory is just my relationship with Jalen, then Noah can handle that.
"Ignore them," I answer, restating Jalen's oh so wise words.
Noah rolls his eyes. "Just get out the car. I don't want to keep Danny waiting."
"Ugh," I say with a groan. "Would you stop being so possessive? He's my friend, too. He invited me out and I already said I'd go. I'm not gonna let you or your assholeness make me look rude for not showing up."
Noah's eyes narrow, but he doesn't say anything. I stare at him with the same expression, not giving a fuck hold long we sit here. Noah must grow tiredâwhich is shocking, seeing as we usually hold this staring contest for much longer before anyone gives upâbecause he sighs and turns toward the windshield again. He puts the car into drive, and begins heading toward the coffee house Daniel said we'd meet at.
It's quiet between us for the entire ride, as Noah parks the car, and as we walk into the coffee house side by side, bell obnoxiously ringing as we open the door.
"There are my twins!" Daniel happily, and loudly, announces from the corner of the room. People turn around to glare at him, and just as I'm ready to send them one in return for having the nerve to do so, Daniel sends them a charming smile, saying, "I am so sorry. It won't happen again."
Not how I would have responded to that, but then again, Daniel's practically an angel.
"Man, fuck these people," Noah says with a wave of his hand.
Even though I'm mad at him, I can't help but agree, seeing as that would have been my response.
Daniel shakes his head and smiles at Noah's antics, sending another apology everyone's way before facing us. "I ordered your coffee and a muffin for you, already," he tells Noah, before turning to me with a worried expression. "I'm sorry, Lyndon. I wasn't sure what'd you like, and didn't want to order for you and make you feel like you had to eat or drink it."
"Daniel, please stop apologizing for the rest of our time here," I say with a laugh. "I'll go get something. It's fine."
The bell annoyingly chimes again, and I'm both shocked and happy to see Elijah walking in.
"Perfect timing," Daniel comments with a smile. "Elijah can go on line with you."
"Damn, you didn't get him anything either?" I ask playfully.
Daniel's eyes widen with worry. "No, IâI didn't knâ"
My laughter cuts his words off. Noah shoves me to the side as he takes a seat across from Daniel. "Lynnie, go be a bitch somewhere else for a minute."
Daniel lets out a nervous laugh, and I can see the relief come to his eyes when Elijah finally reaches us. "Eli, hey! Go on line with Lyndon, please. I didn't order you two anything."
Elijah raises his hands in the air. "Woah, can I put my shit down first?"
The chuckle he lets out as he dumps his gym bag onto the floor clears the tension in the room. Just like that, Elijah's able to calm Daniel down, and make me less angry. In fact, Noah reaches for his muffin and happily digs into, rather than throwing another insult my way.
Elijah raises an elbow toward me. "Shall we?"
I link my arm through his. "We shall."
Our laughs mingle as we reach the line. We unlink our arms as Elijah turns to me and says lowly, "Danny's not always this jittery."
"What's wrong?" I ask, figuring something had to have been up, seeing as Daniel never seemed like a Nervous Nelly before.
"Coach has been on him ever since we lost last Friday's game," Elijah says solemnly. "For some reason he's blaming Danny, as if he's the only member on the team."
Elijah shakes his head, clearly aggravated just thinking about it.
"Does the Coach do that often? Put the blame on him?"
"All the time," Elijah says with an eye roll. "He's constantly putting the weight of the world on his shoulders before a game, then wonders why he messes up right after. It's too much pressure."
I glance at Daniel, who's looking calmer and happier as he and Noah laugh over what I'm sure is some dumb thing my twin just said.
"That must be horrible," I comment. "Feeling like it all depends on you, when there's supposed to be a whole team out there helping. Does Daniel ever tell him anything?"
Elijah sends me a look of disbelief. "Getting Danny to speak up for himself is impossible."
I stay silent, suddenly becoming aware of just how little I know about him. Sure, I know he's sweet and probably the nicest person I'll ever meetâespecially at schoolâbut I don't know him. Or even Elijah. It seems like Noah's claimed this side of the group as his, and I've claimed the other as mine.
This becomes more clear after we order our drinks and reach the table. Rather than taking a seat, Elijah remains standing as Noah nods toward an older woman sitting three tables down from us, resulting in the three boys bursting out into laughter.
Wow, I feel so left out.
Once they gather themselves, Elijah places our drinks onto the table as I place the napkins and straws by them. Then, I shove him out of my wayâthough the force barely moves himâand take the seat next to Daniel, leaving him to sit with my brother.
Elijah chuckles, then takes the seat next to Noah and grabs his drink. "So, how do you think you did on that test?"
Just as I groan and am ready to tell him I'm sure I failed, Noah cuts us off by raising a hand between our faces. "Pause that conversation. I don't wanna talk about schoolwork."
"No one gives a fuck," I say in his direction. "Anyway, Iâ"
"Actually," Daniel cuts me off, sending me a shy smile. "I want to talk about you and you know who."
My hands begin twirling the wrapper of my straw as I feign confusion. "Me and who?"
Noah lets out a groan of annoyance from his end of the table, and just because I wanna piss him off more, I let myself smile when Daniel says, "You and Mr. Jalen Uccello."
"Oh," I say with a laugh. "You wanna talk about that?"
I glance toward Noah, loving the annoyed expression on his face. I notice Daniel glancing his way as well, and trying to hide his laugh, which only makes me giggle because I'm realizing he's only asking so we can mess with Noah.
"What do you wanna know?" I ask with a bright smile, resting my elbow on the table and leaning my head onto my hand.
"How did this relationship come about?" Daniel asks with fake enthusiasm. "How did you two lovebirds make things official?"
"Well," I begin with what I think is a dreamy voice, ready to dive into some ridiculous fairytale story to further annoy Noah. I glance his way, taking in his glare directed at both Daniel and I, but my words get caught in my throat when I see Elijah next to himâconfused and... upset?
My eyes stay on Elijah, making him look my way and ask, "You and Jalen are dating?"
"How could you have not heard the news, Eli?" Daniel asks while laughing. "It's all everyone can talk about. Right, Noah? Remember how Winnie tracked you down in the halls just to ask if it was true."
The shit eating grin on Daniel's face and the pissed off expression on my brother's makes me realize exactly why he was so pissed about me dating Jalen.
"Oh my god," I groan. "That's why you were mad? Not because you cared what was being said about me, but because you thought some girl named after a damn animated bear wanted to holler at you, but she really just wanted to ask about me?"
Noah blinks at me. "Holler at you? Lynnie, I think you've been spending too much time with our parents. No one talks like that anymore."
I kick my foot out, feeling it come in contact with a leg, but realize it was the wrong one when Elijah says, "Ouch."
I bring a hand to my face and apologetically say, "Elijah, I'm sorry. That wasn't meant for you."
I reach my other hand toward him, as if touching him will somehow take the pain away, but he recoils from my touch. It's not some big move he makes, it's subtle and barely noticeable, but I caught it.
"It's fine. It doesn't hurt," he says while nodding to himself.
He doesn't look me in the eye as he speaks, though, and his face remains emotionless for the next several minutes we spend in silence as Daniel continues teasing Noah. That sends a wave of nausea through me.
It makes me wish I could jump up and scream that I'm not dating Jalen, that we're just pretending, but I know I can't.
So far, only the people in that circle yesterday know. Just Jalen, David, Malia, and myself. Another wave of nausea hits me as I finally accept that their side of the group is the one I unknowingly claimed as my own, while Noah got this one.
I'm scared to find out who chose the wrong one.
ââââââââââ²âââââââââ
Walking into school that Friday morning is bittersweet. I'm happy the week is done, giving me a break from Arlin Preparatory and the drama surrounding it, but it also means Jalen and I need to work on this whole fake dating thing.
How are we going to go a whole weekend without seeing each other? What newly official couple doesn't make the effort to meet up, even just for a little?
I shake that thought away, focusing on putting one foot in front of the other as I make my way to my locker.
Standing there, waiting for me, in all of his glory, is Jalen Uccelloâwearing that black leather jacket I haven't seen all week. He must have used his motorcycle today.
My eyes take him in, allowing myself a moment to admire just how good looking he is, especially when he's wearing that jacket that brings out the beautiful blue of his eyes.
His arms open the closer I get, and once I'm in arms reach, he pulls me into him. In moments like this, when Jalen's arms are wrapped around me, I'm allowed time to ignore all of the stares and whispers.
Jalen releases me too soon, pulling back with a wide smile. "Feel like ditching first period?"
The faint smell of cigarettes reaches me, making a frown come to my face. I knew Jalen smoked, but I hadn't smelt it or seen it since the first time we hung out. I had hoped it was just a one time thing.
"I don't want to miss attendance," I tell him.
His own frown comes to his face, though there's a playful glint in his eyes. "Come on, I don't wanna be here. Leave with me."
I shake my head, determined to stand my ground. "I'm not getting any more phone calls home. It's my one goal for the week."
"I thought our relationship was your one goal for the week," he replies with a cheeky smile.
Hearing our relationship come from his mouth makes butterflies fill my stomach. It makes me smile. "Sorry, attendance takes priority over you."
"Fine," Jalen says with a sigh. "I guess I'll just have to leave with someone else."
I raise a brow. "And who will that be?"
Jalen takes in my defensive stance, biting the side of his lip to contain his smile. "Relax, Green Giant. David will leave with me."
I roll my eyes at his reference to my height and about being jealous. Because I'm not. Totally not.
"I'm just keeping up appearances," I say nonchalantly, whispering. "I wouldn't want to put in all of this work dating you just so you can ruin it by leaving with some other girl."
"Mhm," Jalen hums, leaning against the locker next to mine with a wide grin. "Right."
"I'm serious."
"Okay," he says, irritating smile still present on his irritating face.
"Whatever," I say with an eye roll. I open my locker and begin digging through my belongings, trying to ignore Jalen, but his watchful eyes won't leave me. "Shouldn't you go find your friend before he heads to class?"
Jalen stays silent, still observing me, before he's sighing and pushing off the locker. "The chances of David even being in this building right now are slim as fuck. No one comes this early besides you, the freshmen, and now me, because of you."
I shove my book bag into my locker, deciding to just carry the books I need rather than taking my whole bag. "If it's too early for you, you can just give your good morning hug after first period."
He chuckles at my poor imitation of his deep voice, before stepping closer and saying, "You didn't let me finish. I don't know if you've noticed, but a hell of a lot more people started coming early, too. For us."
My stomach swarms again at us. "How could I not have noticed just how many people show up to watch us like fucking hawks?"
Jalen does a one shoulder shrug, seeming as if he truly doesn't care. "Just more of an audience to put on a show for."
"I don't like the sound of that," I manage to say over my racing heart.
His eye catches something over my shoulder, before he's leaning in, cupping my cheek the same way he did earlier in the week when Noah picked me up. I worry, just like I did that day, that he'll kiss me. This time the worry is because I want him too, and that's not good.
Jalen places a slow kiss on my cheek, similar to the previous way he did. When he pulls back, he lets his hand linger on my face for a couple more seconds, before moving to push my hair behind my ear.
I stare at him, stuck in some sort of trance, and he must notice because he bites the corner of his bottom lip again, attempting to hide his smile.
David passes by, making me wonder if he's the person Jalen had been looking at. Jalen sends him a nod that David returns, before the latter is sending me a glare I'm used to always receiving from him.
I don't return it like I usually would, because all I can focus on is Jalen's hand that's moved to cup my waist.
"Are you leaving?" I ask, not liking the breathless tone in my voice, especially since we didn't even kiss.
Once again, I'm reminded of just how much control this boy has over me.
"Yeah," he nods, still not letting go of me. "Last chance to change your mind and join."
I pause, thinking it over, before common sense hits me over the headâthankfully. "I'm not. I'll see you later?"
"Definitely," he confirms, taking note of my questioning tone. "I'll be back to pick you up at dismissal, baby."
My heart races at how naturally the word rolls off his tongue, making me wonder for a moment if he even meant to say it.
His hand drops from me after, sending me one last smile before he's turning to reach where David is. The two talk for a couple of seconds before they're leaving the building.
I feel like I can catch my breath once I know he's gone, turning back to my locker to grab the last of my things and head to class.
"Do you really think he's done with Cortney?"
"No way, they'll never be over."
The voices of girls I don't know reaches me from a few lockers down. I keep my head halfway in mine, hoping to catch the rest of the conversation even though I know I shouldn't.
"I don't know, I haven't seen Jalen looking this into another girl in a while. Being around her all the time in school is new."
I grin to myself, realizing this idiotic plan is working.
"Maybe she's his new Elena."
Elena? Who the fuck is Elena?
"Fuck out of here. I promise you, she's just another Chloe Martinez."
"For Jalen's sake, I really hope she's not."
My heartbeat is all I can hear, but unlike before, the pounding is too damn strong. The sweat on my hands makes me almost drop all my books to the floor. Luckily, they bang into the locker, but this garners the attention of the girls who were talking, along with others in the halls.
But I don't care about their stares for once. All I care about are these new names I've never heard before, and the connection they have to Jalen, and the connection they now have to me.
I grab my books, slam my locker shut, and make it to the bathroom down the hall. In there, I take in a huge breath.
A thousand questions swarm my mind, all leading back to one thing: the rumors of Jalen being some fucking manwhore, believing they're all true.
I wonder if these are the rumors Noah heard from the track team. If that's why they don't like Jalen, why Noah can't stand him or the fact that we're togetherâwell, he thinks we're together.
But Malia told me rumors here are bullshit. Would she really say that to her cousin if she sees her falling for the guy they're all about? Would she let me go blindly into all of this?
Then again, I didn't make it known to Malia that I like him. For all she knows, I'm doing this to just be nice. Or, I'm just desperate to make friends. Maybe she thinks I want to mess around with Jalen and don't expect anything serious.
I wish that were the case, but I know it's not. I'm a relationship kind of girl, and no matter how much I deny it or say I'm staying away because of past hurt, I know I'm not. Agreeing to do this only brings me closer to Jalen, allows me to fall harder.
I should've said no when he asked to fake it. Why didn't I just say no?
The bathroom door opens, and I look to see who it is, for once wishing it'd be Malia so I can question her.
Instead, it's Rachel. It takes me a minute to recognize her, seeing as her hair is straightened. I'm so used to always seeing it frizzy or wavey on a good day, that it's odd to see her with the same hairstyle as me. She's even pinned half of it to the side like I usually do.
She's also wearing the school's skirt. I'm the only moron walking around in it during the beginning of Decemberâalso known as winter time in freezing cold New York. Everyone else is wearing the school slacks, something I'd wear had my mother not ordered the wrong size, making them look like capri pants on me. I've been wearing the thickest stockings I could buy to cover my legs, and it still doesn't keep me warm. Why the fuck would Rachel do the same?
If I wasn't such a stubborn bitch, I'd have asked my dad sooner to find a way to hurriedly get me a new, correctly fitted pair. But I waited too long, and now they're out of stock.
I'm freezing because of karma. This bitch is freezing by choice.
"Lyndon, oh my gosh," she gushes when she sees me. "I feel like we haven't talked in days."
We haven't. I've been avoiding you.
"How've you been?" She asks politely, but her grin gives her away. "I heard about your new boyfriend."
I nod my head, deciding she's definitely not one of the people I can trust with this secret. "Yeah, seems like everyone has."
Rachel nods. "You know how fast news spreads around here. I've been wanting to ask you how that happened since Tuesday morning."
Of course she'd have heard the news the second it came out.
Wait a second... Rachel knows all the gossip, meaning she might know who these Elena and Chloe girls are!
"Hey, Rachel, have youâ" I begin, but I stop when Rachel rolls her skirt at the top to have the hemline higher. She makes it reach mid thigh, just like mine isâbecause, again, Mom can't measure my size correctly for shit. I instead move to stand next to her, becoming spooked by the similarities we have in the mirror. The only main difference right now is the color of our hair and eyes. "Um, new hair?"
"You like it?" She asks excitedly. "I decided to try something new. See how it fits me."
I nod. "Yeah, change is good."
The bell rings after that, making me clutch my books to my chest. "I'll, uh, see you in class," I hurriedly say before high-tailing it out of there.
As I walk the emptying halls, all I think about is Elena, Chloe, Rachel's hair, and harassing my parents to hurry up and get me some damn pants.
ï¹ï¹ï¹ï¹ï¹ï¹ï¹ï¹ï¹ï¹ï¹ï¹ï¹ï¹
A / N:
I just realized I don't have a ship name for Lyndon and Jalen. After writing twenty-one chapters and having these characters in my mind for far longer than that, I still never came up with a name for them. I have one for Lyndon and Elijah though: Lynjah, which sounds like ninja. I love it. Anyway, hoping to have the next chapter up by Friday!