0.4

~ Ethan

I've made up my mind to confront her. I'll ask her why she had to do what she did. Why she cheated on me with no other person but... Liam Parker. She knows the history between the both of us. Parker and I haven't always seen eye to eye. He hates me for no reason and I don't give a damn. If anything, I'm pleased I don't have to deal with him.

Since he and Skye had been together for quite a while, I tried my best to stay off their part. I don't want to fight with Skye over her boyfriend. Our fights are meaningless, though; I never want the reason for a fight to be over a guy.

Speaking of Skye, she's the prettiest chick in Lincoln High. Not that I'd ever admit that to anyone. I think all the guys at school know this; everyone knows Skye Anderson is drop-dead gorgeous. I catch both genders staring at her round ass whenever she's in sport wears. I can't deny but I sneak a peek at her body sometimes. It's perfect! But that's the other Anderson. The one I have created for myself to gawk over and stare at. The Anderson in my head.

Skye Anderson, the soul that owns the perfect body I like to stare at, is a total bitch. I don't use this word often, especially when it has to do with girls, but... if you meet Skye, you'd get to know what I mean. I've known her for years now since we were kids. My family and I moved to the next apartment beside hers when I was five, and she was four.

As kids, we'd fight over the smallest things. As a pre-teen, I developed a dislike for Skye. The reason being that she found a fault in whatever I did. Nothing I did could impress her, she'd prefer her way. Her way, her options, her choice, her opinions and I hated her for that. We grew into teenagers and Skye turned worse. In my opinion, she's a spoilt, annoying perfectionist nerd who thinks she's better than everyone else.

I groan at the pang of hunger gnawing at me. I've been sitting in the same position for a long time, thinking about my childhood with Skye, and I have forgotten I need to get my lunch. Raising my gaze to stare around, I spot Ava. She's walking towards me. I sit upright, awaiting her arrival and she doesn't come. I look back up and see she's now speaking with Liam. They kiss for a little while and walk hand in hand to a table.

"Ava's mean." A deep but familiar voice says beside me. It's Caleb, my friend.

"Yeah, yeah." I nod in agreement, my eyes are still on Ava and Liam. I wonder how long they have been doing this. I don't have feelings for Ava, I never had. I just enjoy... the sex. With other girls, you never know. But with Ava Mitchell, it's so great and I'm angry Liam gets to enjoy all that now.

"What are you thinking about, man?" Caleb asks again.

"Nothing," I smile.

"You know, I can tell you're pretending to date Skye. It's so obvious. What are you two up to anyway? Trying to see if Ava or Liam gets jealous?"

"Genius," I tap his back. I'm about to leave here and grab some lunch when I see the last person I want to talk to. She's already here and she flops down on a chair, a journal and pen in her hand.

"Hey, Skye." Caleb nods at her.

"Oh, hi Caleb." She smiles at him. I give her a what is this all about look but she doesn't budge. Instead, she looks at Caleb. "Can I borrow your friend for some time?" She asks.

Caleb gives me a look before he stands up and walks off like he's been paid money to abandon me. Dickhead!

I notice Skye's attention now on Liam and Ava. A smirk plays on my face as I lean in and ask her. "Wishing it was you, Anderson?"

She turns to me, her attention now divided. She glances at the couple and then back at me, and then she smiles. "No. What about you... wishing it was you Ava's making out with right now?" She throws my question back at me.

"No," I reply with a small frown.

"Good, then let's do this." She says, placing the journal and pen on the table. "If we're doing this, we need rules." She sighs after saying the last word.

"What kind?" I ask, the word 'rules' suddenly piqued my interest.

"First rule, no falling for each other." She says, already writing in her journal. I groan inwardly. Even her handwriting is so perfect.

"Right, that one's good. I can't have you falling for me." I smirk at her.

"You're such a jerk! I'd never fall for a jerk like you," She hisses and bites down on her lower lip. My attention is now on her wet, plump lips. I quickly look away before she notices.

"Next rule, no real kissing." She says.

"That's bullshit, Anderson. How are we supposed to make our exes jealous if we don't kiss? That one is out..." I tell her.

"There are other ways to get them jealous, pervert. And it doesn't have to include kissing okay? I stand on this one. No kissing,"

"Who dates without kissing? What are we? Twelve?" I ask her with a scowl.

"It's not even real, Ethan. We are fake-dating so we don't have to do what real couples do." She stares at me for some time before putting her second rule down.

"Okay then, I get to make the third rule. Since there's no kissing, I'll say this. We have to go on dates, we'll have an Instagram account, and there must be a PDA." I say to her. For a while, she thinks about my rule.

"It's all fake, Ethan. You don't have to take me on dates. I think the Instagram account isn't needed."

I grab the pen from her fingers and take the journal as I put down my rule. When I'm done writing, I smile sheepishly at her. "There, it's done," I say with a shrug.

"You're so impossible." She huffs but I lean in and peck her on her cheek. I'm suddenly aware of how many eyes are on us. Eyes including Liam's and Ava's. Great! Skye is fighting the urge to glare at me as I caress her cheek with my thumb.

"So... Girlfriend?" I ask her, totally enjoying myself.

She hesitates, but then nods and smiles. A fake smile, I can tell. "Boyfriend," She answers.

~ Skye

I'm in Biology class and I can't concentrate on what Miss. Phil is saying even when I try so hard to. I've never been this absent-minded during a class. It's all Ethan's fault. I turn my head slightly, and our eyes meet. He holds up a piece of paper on which his 'phone' is written.

I sigh and check my phone.

Ethan: Thinking about me?😏

I type out a reply real quick before Miss. Phil noticed I was on my phone.

Me: You wish.

Ethan: I know you are. Let's meet after school, for dinner. I'll text you the address.

I purse my lips and think for a while before typing.

Me: Is it a date?

Ethan: Whatever you call it, Baby. Now put that phone back in your locker and listen to what Miss. Phil is teaching like a good little girl that you are🤤

I swear I can't hold back the blush that appears on my face. I drop my phone in my locker and say a silent prayer that Ethan doesn't see my flushed skin.

A small nudge brings me back to reality and I turn to my side. Harper is making silly faces at me. Did she... peek at my texts? I nudge her back and she giggles at my frowny face. Finally, the bell rings and Miss. Phil walks out of the class. Students all file out as it's the last class of the day but I remain seated, not moving.

"Somebody's got a date tonight," Harper grinned, clapping her hands in excitement.

Butterflies are in my stomach as I shush her. I can't say for sure but I'm excited about it. I've never been on a date. Even though Liam was my boyfriend once upon a time, he never took me on dates. This... was my first date. Even if it's all fake, my subconscious reminds me.

"I'm not sure if it's a date for real. You know Ethan and how he plays around," I say to Harper.

"Come on, Skye. It's a date! I read the text he sent you. He's gonna text you the details later?" She smiled, her eyebrows raised.

"Fine. I won't lie... I'm nervous because this is my first date and I don't want to ruin it. I know it's all fake and stuff... I just want to let myself have fun and believe I'm in a relationship for some time." I murmur. We are outside the school now, walking to the parking lot where I can already spot Harper's mum.

"Okay, babe. What if I come over and get you ready? I mean, all dolled up so Ethan can't take his eyes off you?" She's staring at me with her eyes pleading.

I shake my head. "Thanks, Harper. But I've got this." I say to her.

"Are you sure..."

"Yeah, if I need any help, I'll just ask my mum," I say and she nods, her shoulders slumping in defeat. I wave her goodbye and sniff the air, it's so clean. Looking around, as cars drive out, I can't help but wonder where Mum is. She's never late.

I get a snack from the Cafe and decide to wait a bit longer before calling. I'm sitting, munching on my burger when I hear a family car honk. It's Mum.

"Anderson!"

I turn to see who's calling my name. OMG! It's Ava. Like the Ava Mitchell. The one who's dating my ex-boyfriend. I don't know what to do since Mum's already here. I know she can see Ava standing beside me. I decided to ask her what's up.

"Mitchell," I say to Ava.

She stares me up and down like she's trying to size me up. I also do the same to her. She's in a sports bra and tights, her blonde hair is neatly braided and... I hate to admit but Ava's gorgeous.

"I see you're dating Ethan now," She smiles a carefree smile like she didn't care. Liar! I know she's jealous.

"Yeah, you got a problem with that?" I ask her, in a tight voice.

"Aren't you two like... Enemies? At least that's what I heard from Ethan while we were still... you know, together. He said you're a perfectionist nerd he can't stand. He calls you a bitch, darling. How are you dating him now?" Ava grins.

I know she's trying to provoke me, get a reaction from me but something in me is hurt by her words. I have to say something to her. If I don't, I'll be the fool.

"I don't care if you're with Ethan now. If you ask me, I'd say you need the sex. You look like you need it. Ethan's crazy... I enjoyed every single time. But then, Liam? He's crazier... Have you seen his..."

"Excuse me? You don't speak to her that way. She's my daughter." I turn to see Mum by my side, and her hand rests on my shoulder.

Ava rolls her eyes. "Mummy's baby." She mutters then stalks off.

Mum glares after her and she holds me close to herself, patting my hair. "Don't listen to her, Skye. You don't need to have..."

"How long have you been here?" I cut in.

"Since she stopped you? I had to know what it was about. You didn't look comfortable," Mum says.

I scoff. "I know you care about me, and have my best interests at heart. But next time, I'd appreciate it if you let me handle cases like that." I tell Mum as I fasten my seatbelt.

"You weren't gonna say a word to her," Mum says.

"Now she thinks I'm still a kid of 5 who listens to every word her Mama says. I don't need you butting into my business like that again, Mum. It's embarrassing." I'm angry now and don't care how my voice sounds.

Mum looks shocked. "I... I was just trying to help."

"I don't want you to help me. I don't want you to do things for me. I don't want you to drive me to school anymore. I'll get a license... I can take care of myself." I say those words and turn my head to the other side, the wind from outside the car whipping my hair.

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