I stood shell shocked, not knowing how to answer, so I answered the only way anyone would. "What?"
Zach sighed again, running his hand through his hair and took my hand, leading me to the couch. I took in a uneven breath as our hands made contact. He sat me down and kneeled in front of me. I didn't think my eyes could get any wider. "I'm sorry I had to ask that."
I looked away for a moment. "Couldn't you ask your crush? She could possibly think of it as some sort of proposal to be your girlfriend?" I looked back at him and he was looking down.
He sat down on the couch and sighed, running his hand through his hair. "I'm sorry for bringing you into this. It's just... you were the first person that came into my head when my grandma asked."
I sat next to him, a little flutter in my chest when he said the last sentence. I looked away, "it's okay."
He stood back up, pacing, "And now, I don't know what to do. She's gonna be so dissapointed in me. And then someone's going to try to set me up with someone I don't know or like - "
"Zach -"
"They're probably gonna force me to marry - some girl they believe is right for me when I already know who's right for me! But I brought this upon myself, I know that and in an idiot for doing it -"
"Zach!" That caught his attention. "When's the wedding?"
He ran his hand through his tousled hair. "The two days after Thanksgiving." I nodded. "But there's a drive up to the location, so I'd have to leave on Friday and come back on Sunday." I nodddd again. He looked at me curiously, "Why?!
I took a deep breath. "I'll do it, I'll be your pretend girlfriend." I'd love to act like a couple with Zach even though it may never happen for real. This could be my only chance to at least know how it feels like.
His jaw dropped slightly and he gazed at me. "Really?" I nodded, bitting my lip. I was enfolded in a hug before I could comprehend what happened. "Thank you so much for doing this." He kissed my cheek, us still in position of a hug. "I love you for doing this for me."
My breath caught and I felt dizzy for a moment. Zach pulled back, looking concerened, "Are you okay?" I nodded, going back to the hug, laying my head on his chest, his chin resting on top of mine. It felt like an indirect way of him saying that he loves me. I frowned, but he doesn't meanit like that. I sighed internally, he doesn't mean it like that.
"Now to convince the parents."
(**)
"Mom! Dad!" I ran down the stairs to greet my parents once they walked through the front door. Zach had left about three hours ago and I thought it would be better if I told my parents by myself. Though, they would want to meet him. I don't think they've ever met."Can I talk to you guys for a moment? It's important."
My mom greeted me first and I kissed their slightly wet cheeks. She smiled, "Sure, sweetie, let us just dry off first." I nodded.
After ten minutes, they came back down the stairs, dried and changed into more comfortable clothes. My mom and dad sat in front of me on the couch. "What is it honey?"
I fidgeted with my hand for a few second s before deciding to just let all out. But should i tell them the truth? No, they don't need to know. "Zach's cousin is getting married and he wanted to bring me as his 'date.' The thing is.. there's a driving distance between here and the location of the reception and stuff, so we'd have to leave the Friday after Thanksgiving and return Sunday." I finally looked up.
They looked calm. "We've never met him, Aliyah."
"If meeting him is what you want, that can be arranged." My mom and dad sighed. "Please?"
