was it ever real?

07. fake boyfriend?

after hanging out with amorah and milo, i felt drained.

my eyes felt extremely heavy, my feet ached, and i felt so uncomfortable. i told the four that i didn't feel too good and asked if they could drop me off.

all i wanted was to kick my heels off, take this dress off, take a shower, cuddle with nano, and go to bed. i didn't even feel like washing and braiding my hair tonight, still, i knew i had to do it soon since i plan to put her in a protective style.

but before i get too comfortable, i wanna find a snack and knock on his door to ask him something.

i step through the front door of my apartment, greet nano, and remove my heels, letting them land wherever they please as i normally do. groaning, i sigh taking my hair out of the low puff and running my fingers through my scalp to release the stiffness from the gel and allow my hair to expand into its natural state.

i place my keys and purse on the island counter and begin to roam through the refrigerator for something to snack on. bent down, i grab the first visibly delicious thing in my view.

cupcakes

with my mouth watering, i place the container on the island counter in front of me and take a bite from the chilly cupcake. my taste buds finally reach ecstasy. this cupcake was definitely needed after such a long day.

continuing to stuff my face, i notice the watch still sitting on the counter.

maybe i should text chris tomorrow about returning it-

but next to the watch, i also see a pair of Vivienne Westwood earrings. aren't these mai's earrrings-

"hey..." vinnie startles me. he's leaned on the kitchen passage, observing me. he looks at me, peeks at the cupcake wrapper in my hand, then examines me again.

"heeey..." i wipe the icing off the corner of my lips and try to avoid talking with a full mouth. "how long were you standing there...?" i gulp awkwardly.

"not too long...but what was today about?"

oh right...

"...sorry about that, my dad came to visit and saw something of yours. he got so defensive about the thought of me having a roommate - especially a guy - and when i tried to defend myself, you came walking out of your room."

"right..." he stuffs his hands in the pockets of his black sweatpants and nods, squinting his eyes and bunching his eyebrows together.

"-but, speaking on that topic...i kinda need your help. my dad's looking forward to seeing my boyfriend" i put quotation marks on the boyfriend part, "at his birthday party."

"mhn??" vinnie slightly tilts his head, waiting for me to continue to ask my question.

i huff and roll my eyes, embarrassed to ask the question.

"and you want me to fake as your boyfriend?" he asks, lifting one of his eyebrows as if he was intrigued.

i nod, throwing the cupcake wrapper away.

"what if i'm already seeing someone?" he squinted his eyes at me. not giving me time to answer he resumes to ask, "why not ask the person who gave you that hickey?"

"he's...not an option." i blandly answer, unamused at his attempt to upset me.

"then why lie to your dad?" he questions me again but with a smirk on his lips this time.

"yes or no?" i huff, looking away as i cross my arms.

i don't understand why he had to be harsh or make a point all the time. of course, i know it's wrong to lie to my dad, i just...

"so you expect for me to forget when you left me that night, jenae?"

wait. what?

i left him?

that's actually the opposite

"i never left you. you were the one who said i should go, vinnie."

whatever game he's playing, clearly got to my head. irritation begins to burn inside me and i feel impatient and aggravated. my mind's racing from his nerve.

there's a short pause of silence, but the grin on his face doesn't fade.

"no thanks," he scuffs.

"i'm sure you can deal with it yourself." he begins to walk away so unbothered and leaving me in the kitchen. he was being petty, trying to make me look like a desperate fool

and it worked.

"don't forget to wash your dishes and clean up your shit!" i put my last input into the conversation before putting the cupcakes away, grabbing my heels, and walking into my room with nano by my side.

"i dunno what the hell we're gonna do now..." i utter, peeking at nano who was already looking at me.

but

maybe he's right.
why am i lying to my own father?
maybe i should tell dad the truth...