“You can be my fake girlfriend,” he said, a bright smile on his face. “Bethany will be so jealous, she’ll realize she made a huge mistake. Plus she never did like you. You’re the perfect candidate.”
My mouth fell open, and I tried to process what I was hearing. “I’m not sure this is a good idea—” I started.
“It’s a great idea,” he said. “I should have thought of this sooner. At the party. I know for a fact that Bethany only told the school that she’s going out with that dude because she got mad about our kiss. She’ll go ballistic when she finds out that you’re my girlfriend.”
I shook my head. “Ian, we can’t do this. We’re just friends.”
Just friends. Nothing more. No risk of losing Ian.
He grabbed my hands. “Come on, Lena. Just for a few days, maybe a couple weeks. I promise.”
Ian’s perfect—and hopeful—blue eyes stared back at me, waiting for me to say yes.
But I couldn’t.
No, I said I wouldn’t risk our friendship again.
But then he said the one thing he knew I couldn’t refuse.
“Lena,” Ian began. “I dare you to be my fake girlfriend.”
Five
OH MY GOD.
How did one kiss on a dare turn into a fake relationship with one of my best friends?
I couldn’t see a way out of it now that I’d agreed to it.
I only hoped that it would only last a few days and then Ian would get what he wanted—Bethany—even if I hated the very idea of those two getting back together.
Sure I had kissed a few boys for funsies here and there, but I’d never had a real boyfriend. I’d never really liked any guy quite enough for that. And now my first boyfriend was going to be Ian? A pretend relationship with my closest guy friend?
A lie?
Most of that night was spent tossing and turning—and freaking out—about the whole thing, but by the morning, I woke up with a whole new mindset.
So what if I had a fake boyfriend? I decided I might as well have fun and roll with the whole thing. If anyone could pull this off, it was me.
When I walked into school, I did so with confidence and a deep breath. Time to find Ian, my new boo. According to his texts last night, he wanted to walk me to every one of my classes, spend lunch with me, and have the entire school know by the end of the day that we were a couple.
That was the plan.
I found Ian at his locker and tapped him on the shoulder.
He turned to me, a knowing smile forming on his face. “Good morning, babe,” he said, shutting his locker and glancing around.
“Good morning, uh, handsome,” I replied, cocking a brow playfully.
He held out his hand and exhaled. “Ready?” he asked.
“As I’ll ever be,” I said, forcing a smile.
He stared down at my hand, enveloped it with his, and led me toward my first class of the day. I tried not to think about how awkward it felt to walk with him like this. Would everybody see right through us?
Right away, students left and right stared or did double-takes as we passed by, clearly surprised by this new development.
Usually, I spent a few minutes before first period with the #BFFs, but today I was late as it was, and apparently, I’d have a new morning routine with Ian.
We arrived to my class and came to a stop. Ian looked around nervously, like he wasn’t sure what to do next.
Go in for a kiss? Peck on the cheek? Squeeze of the hand?
He settled for none of the above. Finally meeting my eyes, he said, “Uh, see you after class?”
“Sure,” I said.
The warning bell rang, and he took off. I walked into class, where Tori and Ella were already waiting.
Tori glanced at the now empty doorway. “What was that?” she asked, the expression on her face somewhere between disbelief and excitement.
I sat down.
Ella leaned in. “Did we see things, or did you and Ian just—”
I nodded. “We’re kind of a thing now.”
Ella sat back in her chair like she was considering what I’d just said.
Tori laughed. “Kind of? What does that mean?”
I exhaled. “Well, he’s kind of my boyfriend, as in…not really,” I hinted.
Ella blinked. “Lena, you’re not making any sense. I thought you said that kiss didn’t mean anything?”
But Tori looked like she was starting to put two and two together.
I fiddled with a loose string on my shirt. “Like I said, he’s not really my boyfriend…as in pretend…”
Ella gasped. “Pretend?” she said way too loudly.
I shushed her, and she clamped a hand over her mouth.
Tori shook her head and smiled. “Only you, Lena, would have a fake boyfriend.”
“Fake’s a strong word,” I mumbled. “Besides, it’s only to make Ian’s ex jealous. If I have to kiss Ian for funsies a few times for that to happen, well, so be it.” I gave them a wink and grin.
Ella laughed. “Goodness, Lena. Just be careful, though, okay?” she said.
The bell rang, and they faced forward. I did the same.
I leaned in toward her. “Nothing to be careful about,” I assured her. “It’s all pretend. I only agreed because of a stupid dare. Before I know it, Ian will be back with Bethany, and this will be over.”
So I didn’t like Bethany. But if Ian wanted to be with her, who was I to stop him?
Tori turned around and whispered, “I just hope it ends up being that simple.”
After school, Ian held my hand and led me through the crowded hallways toward the soccer field.
What I didn’t expect was to run into Bethany.
Somehow, we had successfully avoided her during every single class change earlier. I kept thinking we’d catch her walking toward us, maybe standing at someone’s locker. I’d been ready for that first moment between us, to match her steely gaze or hurtful comment in a second.
But, of course, the instant I had relaxed and forgotten all about her, she rounded the corner in front of us.
Ian immediately tensed up and dropped my hand. I grabbed it and held on, meeting Bethany’s gaze head on.
She strode up to us, books held up to her chest and her long hair flowing down her shoulders.
Her eyes went from our clasped hands to Ian. “When I heard about you two becoming a thing, I said I wouldn’t believe it until I saw it for myself.” She paused. “And here we are.” Bethany’s voice dripped with venom.
Ian looked down at her. “Hey, Beth.”
Her eyes narrowed. “Really, Ian? I can’t believe you’d do this.”
I scoffed. “That’s rich, coming from you,” I said.
Her head snapped toward me. But then her mouth curled into a smile. “Lena.”
She turned back to Ian, placed her hand on Ian’s arm, and I rolled my eyes, withholding a strongly-worded comment. “You look great, Ian. I’ll text you later?”
I linked my elbow with his, holding on to his arm like I was drowning and he was my life raft. “Babe,” I said loudly. “We’re gonna be late for practice if we don’t keep moving.” I gave Ian a big kiss on the cheek and then flashed Bethany a smile. “Buh-bye now.”
I didn’t wait to check out Bethany’s expression.
Hauling Ian behind me, I exhaled when he came back to his senses. “S-sorry about that. I wasn’t expecting to see her,” he confessed.
We turned the corner and stopped. I faced him. “She’s gonna see through this in a millisecond if you practically drool over her like that every time.”
Ian looked away sheepishly.
I focused my eyes on him, tone serious. “If you really want to make her jealous, we need to make this seem real. Because she didn’t believe us for a second. I mean, did you see the way she looked at you?”
Ian blinked back at me, hope evident in his expression. “Do you think she still has feelings for me?”
I sighed. “Ian, I don’
t know. To me, it seems like she’s just being possessive. Like she knows she can have you back in a heartbeat if she wants. But why would she already be dating some other guy if she really liked you? I’d never do that to someone I really cared about. And neither would you.”
Just like that, Ian deflated again. “You’re right,” he said. He ran his hand through his hair. “Why are we even doing this? It’s never going to work.”
I bit my lip. “Because you’re going to show her what she’s missing out on. A truly great and caring guy. Who doesn’t need someone like her.”
He scoffed. “Is that even the kind of guy that girls want?” he muttered.
I put my hands on my hips. “Yes! Just look at my friends. Not one of their boyfriends are jerks. They’re all nice guys. So no, nice guys don’t always finish last.”
He shrugged, not seeming convinced.
“Who knows,” I tried. “Maybe she’ll realize she made a big mistake if she thinks we really are an item.”
Ian looked up hopefully once more.
“And if not,” I went on. “Then we’re going to show her that you’re better off without her. No moping around, okay?” I said, squeezing his arm with my hand.
He nodded. “See you at practice?” he asked.
“Sure thing,” I said, getting the sense he wanted to be alone.
The #BFFs came up to me, then, backpacks over their shoulders. Tori shouldered a gym bag too.
She cocked a brow. “We saw Bethany. That was interesting.”
I shrugged.
Harper came in close. “So is she like super jealous?”
We formed a tight-knit circle, staying out of everyone’s way as much as possible.
I sighed. “I think so because she was all over him, but with Bethany, it’s hard to tell if it’s because she really likes him and wants to get back together with him or she just hates the idea of another girl claiming him so quickly. Especially me,” I said.
Rey said, “What do you mean?”
I glanced around. “She always did hate the fact that we were pretty close. She never did like me. Which is fine because I’ve never been a fan of her either.”
Ella nodded. “Does she like any girl, though? Even her friends seem more like they’re just accessories to her.”
I agreed. “I know, right?” I shook my head. “I just hope he realizes that he’s way too good and pure for her. Deserves way better, if you ask me.”
Tori smiled. “We think so too.” She winked at me, and I knew what she was trying to imply.
But instead of addressing that, I eyed my phone and said I was late for soccer practice.
The whole way down to the field, though, I couldn’t get Bethany’s smug face out of my mind.
Six
“Lena, why didn’t you say anything?” Samantha practically shrieked when I entered the girls’ locker room.
I knew it was only a matter of time before the rest of the team found out, but I didn’t think they’d be so ecstatic about the news.
Katie came up to me. “Girl, I don’t know if I should be jealous or happy for you.” She wrapped me in a hug. “Just kidding. So jelly, but still so happy for you two.”
Samantha gave me a wink. “I guess that truth or dare kiss really turned into something, huh?” She gave me a wide grin.
Even as we made our way to the field, the chatter wouldn’t stop.
And of course, I had to go along with it, letting the girls know how excited I was to be with Ian too.
According to them, I’d snatched him right up, without giving any of the rest of the girls a chance. But what could I say? It’s not like I could let them in on the secret.
If this was going to work, I had to make sure that no one else found out the truth. Ian was counting on me, as much as I hated the reason this was even happening.
Perry dribbled her ball at her feet on the grass. “I knew you two would end up becoming more than just friends.”
Katie rolled her eyes. “Did not.”
“Did so,” Perry argued. “I always thought he had a thing for you last year, Lena. And why he stayed single for so long.”
I scoffed. “I don’t think so.”
Usually, I was pretty good at reading that kind of vibe from guys, and Ian had not been sending them. Nope.
If anything, Ian seemed to be one of those guys that just didn’t give off those vibes. He’d never been one to confess crushes or make comments about how hot a girl was. At least not to me.
I assumed he talked about it on some level with the guys. Or maybe grunted. Who knows. I just always thought he was being respectful or something.
But secretly crushing on me? No way. Not possible.
Sam nudged me. “I just think you guys are like the most adorable couple ever.”
The other girls murmured in agreement as we began stretching.
Sam went on. “And with Homecoming coming up in a few weeks—oh, you guys have to coordinate your outfits and everything!” She clapped with excitement.
I shook my head. “Simmer down over there. This relationship is like a couple days old. No need to start thinking about Homecoming. Besides, you never know…” That sentence trailed off, and Katie gave me an odd look. I shrugged. “I mean, next you’re gonna want us to pick out china patterns or something.”
Samantha’s mouth fell open like she was perplexed and didn’t know quite how to respond to my exasperated comment.
Thankfully, Coach blew his whistle precisely at that moment, immediately shifting everyone’s attention on him. “Okay, everyone. Five laps with your ball. You know the drill,” he said, checking something off on his clipboard.
The boys and girls varsity soccer teams practiced together a lot of the time. Especially since we shared the same coach and assistant coach.
We warmed up together, we ran through countless drills together, and sometimes we even scrimmaged together.
Today was no different.
I tossed my ball a few feet in front of me and began dribbling around the field, ignoring the looks of the guys and girls at me and Ian.
Now was time for business, not laughing or gossiping. Everyone knew I loved to goof off on the bus or after a game-winning goal, but never during practice.
Even if my pretend boyfriend was a few feet away.
While I waited in line during a passing drill, though, one of the senior guys, Miguel, came up to me. “So it’s true, Lena? You’re off the market? I thought you didn’t do the boyfriend thing?” he said with a smile and a wink.
Miguel had asked me out before. We may or may not have kissed during junior year, but that didn’t mean I wanted to date the guy. It was totally for funsies. He just hadn’t gotten the message.
I shrugged, too focused on the assistant coach about to throw me the soccer ball to come up with a coherent response.
He hissed playfully like he’d been burned on the chest. “Ouch. Talk about burn. Well, if you end up needing a date to Homecoming, you know where to find me.”
I scoffed, keeping my eye on the ball coming towards me. My foot stopped it perfectly on the grass. Without a second glance at Miguel, I said loudly, “Keep on dreaming.”
Several of the guys snickered, but I was already off.
Sure, boys were cute, but my first love was soccer, and there wasn’t any boy that would change that.
Not even this fake relationship with Ian. Besides, we both knew it wouldn’t last.
And I was fine with that.
My favorite part of practice was the scrimmage at the end. I threw on a maroon penny, ready to kick the yellow team’s butt.
Scrimmage or not, I liked to win. Or at least give it my all.
My dad always said you could walk off the field with your head held high if you gave it your best, no matter how badly you lost.
“There will always be someone who is better than you, Lena. It’s a good reminder to stay humble. Do not forget that,” he would say. I could hear his voice in my head just as if he was
standing right next to me.
But that didn’t mean I didn’t like to win.
And I especially liked beating the boys. I wasn’t sure most of them knew the meaning of the word humble, and it was always nice to give them a nice heaping serving of it on the rare occasion the girls could win.
Ian stood under the net across the grassy field.
There was a chill in the air, but we no longer felt it. Instead, sweat continued to drip down my neck and forehead.
The boys were winning two to one, and I was determined to make another goal after the one that had just gotten past our defense.
Chris winked at me from a few feet away. He was a forward, which meant he was fast. His job was to shoot. Same as me.
Beyond him, Miguel stood as sweeper. The main defending player. I had to get past him to take a shot at their goal. And then I had to hope that Ian wouldn’t be good enough to stop it.
He’d already blocked a couple of really great shots. Ian was an even better goalkeeper than he was last year.
The whistle blew, and I kicked the ball forward to Katie. The two teams battled back and forth for a few minutes, but eventually, we made it near the goal.
Samantha passed the ball to me. Miguel wouldn’t get to me in time.
This was my chance.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Ian getting into position to block whatever I was about to send his way.
With a quick glance at the right bottom corner of the goal, I ran toward Ian and the goal he was protecting.
He was just a few feet away now, and my lungs burned and my legs felt like they were on fire. But, giving it everything I had left, I kicked the ball toward the right corner.
Ian lunged, diving for the ball.
Barely nudged it with his gloved fingers, but it was enough. The ball hit the right post and bounced away.
But my eyes stayed on Ian. Something was wrong.
He wasn’t getting up. He usually had the reflexes of a cat, but now, he remained on the ground.
I ran over to him.
Kneeling beside him, I asked, “Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry. Are you okay?”
#TheBoyfriendDare Page 3
