“Just let them stare,” he says, and walks in front of me.
I follow him to the table where our friends are sitting and we take a seat in our usual spot. Thankfully, everybody in the cafeteria starts talking again. I cringe, thinking that they’re probably talking about us.
“Hey, guys,” I say, when I realize that nobody is going to say anything.
“Just because you have a boyfriend now doesn’t mean you’re not still my bae,” Jason says, making me laugh.
“Actually,” Estaine says, putting his arm around me, “I’m pretty sure that’s exactly what it means.”
“This is just...” Teagan says, her voice trailing off. “Unexpected.”
“Are you kidding? Those two have been flirting since the first day of school. I’m surprised it didn’t happen sooner,” Ian says.
“Exactly,” Emma says, agreeing with him.
“I didn’t expect it either,” Bryce says.
“Like you’d ever stop thinking about yourself for two seconds to notice anybody else,” Emma says, her voice suddenly cold.
Good. They’re still broken up.
But why is he sitting at our table?
“By the way, how are you?” Teagan asks. “I know you were close to your cousin.”
“Oh, no. It wasn’t Jake. It was a... uh... different cousin,” I say. “One I don’t get to see that often.”
“Still,” she says.
“I’m okay,” I say.
“I’m glad that Estaine went to the funeral with you,” she says, making me feel even more awkward.
“Me, too,” I say.
Seriously, I have no idea what I would’ve done without Estaine there the last few days. I would’ve been completely bored out of my mind.
“You two are gonna be cool, right?” Jason asks.
“What do you mean?” Estaine asks.
“I don’t want to listen to the two of you fighting for the next two years,” Jason says.
“Dude, no fighting,” Estaine answers. “She’s into MMA and can totally kick my butt.”
I grin at his confession. “Don’t worry, Jason. We won’t be fighting.”
“MMA? Seriously?” Jason asks, his mouth slightly open. “Is there anything you can’t do?”
“Lots of things,” I answer.
“Like what?”
“I can’t let you know my weaknesses. You might use them against me,” I say.
“I already know one weakness,” he says, looking at Estaine. “I’m really happy for you two. You make a good couple.”
“Thanks, man,” Estaine says.
My face warms at the compliment.
If only they all knew that is was fake.
A little later, Estaine, my friends, and I all part ways so I can head to my first class of the day... English with Mr. Anderson. Poetry, actually, and I dislike poetry. I mean, some of it’s beautiful, but I can’t seem to ever figure out the hidden meaning behind poems. I’m always wrong, and Mr. Anderson always calls on me. I swear he hates me.
As I’m about to walk into class, somebody’s shoulder bumps into mine, hard; causing me to drop all of my books. I wasn’t expecting it, or I would’ve defended myself.
“Stay away from Estaine. He’s mine.”
I look up to see Paige towering over me, but I’m not at all intimidated by her. If I can take Estaine down in a fight, I would have no problems with this girl.
If she’s interested in Estaine, I should tell her the truth—we’re not really dating. Or I should tell her that Estaine broke up with me. What if he is interested in her? Am I holding him back from it? But I just can’t seem to bring myself to.
“Actually, he’s mine,” I say, smiling at her.
“Not for long. What could he see in you, anyway?” she asks; her nose wrinkled and her lips cast into a frown.
Even snarling at me, she’s quite beautiful.
But she’s right.
What would a guy like Estaine ever see in me? I’m not pretty like her. He belongs with a girl like her.
But I won’t let her know that. I can’t let her see my weakness.
“Apparently, he’s seen more in me these past two weeks than he has in you for the past two years,” I say, standing my ground. “If you come near me again, I will make you regret it.”
“Girls, girls, get to class,” I hear Mr. Anderson say, then he looks at me sharply. “Phoenix, in my class. Now.”
Paige is smirking as she walks off. I pick up my books and walk into my English class.
That is probably not the last time I will be hearing from her.
12pm.
Being in a fake relationship is hard.
Thankfully, I haven’t had any more run-ins with Paige this morning. That girl sure knows how to get under my skin. Maybe I should have another run-in with her. If she tried to fight me I could scare her badly enough that maybe she would leave me alone.
But Uncle Matty and Jake would be mad if I got into a fight.
Yeah, maybe I should just let it go.
But first, I need to talk to Estaine. If he does like Paige, he has a right to know. I won’t force him to continue being in a fake relationship with me.
I catch him just as he’s about to walk into the dining hall.
“Hey. Can I talk to you real quick?” I ask him.
“Sure,” he says.
He follows me about ten feet away from the door. I don’t want anybody else to overhear our conversation.