Something Complicated

Chapter Twenty-Five: The Best (Fake) Boyfriend Award Goes To...

If there is an early bird competition among organizations in the university today, Lit Club will be at the forefront. Heck, we will even take home the top prize.

Zach has made us all agree to meet at the office at seven in the morning! Yup, SEVEN IN THE MORNING! He said he has a paper due at eight, and some members have school work to do late afternoon to night. So we have no choice but to meet up at this time.

I have told Stefan that he doesn't need to pick me up and that I will just take the bus. His class is at nine, and it will be unfair to ask him to drive me to school when he should still be sleeping.

But then, here he is, standing gloriously outside our gate.

"What are you doing here?" I think maybe I am just hallucinating or dreaming because of lack of sleep. But when I rub my eyes, he is still here.

"Uh, picking you up?" He says with a grin. He looks perfect for someone who woke up at five in the morning.

It's 5:45 a.m. and I look like a disaster with my hair still wet and with no make-up on. But Stefan is just as picture-perfect as always. His hair is neat, with hair wax and everything. His clothes are neatly pressed and he doesn't look sleepy at all! Seriously, is he even human?

"But you didn't have to. I told you I'd just take the bud to school," I am being a little cranky instead of being appreciative because I'm shy. He doesn't need to do this. This is out of his job as a fake boyfriend. Aside from that, I feel conscious about how I look.

"Seriously Lee, you don't have to cover your face," He pulls my hands away and stares at me straight in the eye. "See? You look pretty good."

I blush at that so I cough. "Time is running. Should we get going?"

He laughs. "Ah yes. Sorry, I was distracted," As he opens the car door for me, he whispers, "Stop being a distraction to me, Lee. I might go crazy."

In the fifteen seconds between closing the passenger side's door to starting the ignition, it feels like I have held my breath. His last words have caught me off guard and my pulse starts to race. Why am I feeling this way towards him?

"And I have something to give you, Lee," Stefan says as he drives out of our neighborhood. "Can you please get it from the backseat?"

I remove my seat belt and sigh. He catches my arm and says, "Sorry. I forgot earlier."

There waiting for me in the backseat are two boxes of donuts and my mouth drops. It will be dumb for me to ask, but I do it anyway to give me time to tame my heart. "What's this?"

"Your favorite donuts. Matcha," He glances at me and winks. "There are two boxes so you can share them with everyone in Lit Club. Or you can also not share if you're being a little selfish."

I have no idea why I laugh at that. "But how? Donut shops are still closed at this time."

"I bought it last night after dropping you home. I thought that would perk you up in the morning so..."

"But I told you not to pick me up," I stare at the boxes of donuts and feel my cheeks flush.

"You seriously thought I was not going to pick you up, Lee?" He tilts his head to the side. "I decided last night, and nothing could ever change my mind."

I am quiet because I do not know what to say to that. He tucks a strand of my hair behind my ear when the car stops at a red light. "Go eat your donuts. You need the energy before the meeting," Then he smiles. That act alone makes me blush.

But what comes next is like a death sentence to me. His fingers brushes my collarbone, and I feel his heat pierce through me. They travel from my neck, to my arms, down to the back of my hand. He presses his thumb against my pulse and whispers, "I like it when you blush."