Love At First Lie | Herophine Fic

Might As Well

HERO

It's been a few days since Charlie sent the message that's been playing in my mind like a broken record. But now, thanks to our conversation and her sending the dummy contract, it's not just the one message that's haunting me. It's everything. Fucking everything. I sound so fucking stupid but I've lost sleep over it, mulling it over my head continually. Anyone would think I'm insane but I have.

As I requested, Charlie sent the dummy contract pretty much as soon as I accepted her offer for it. It was there and waiting for me in my inbox. Staring me in the face on a notification when I woke up the following morning. I was too tired to read it so I left it until I got home after work. Thankfully, I was alone so I could give it my full attention and not be distracted by conversation or any FIFA invites.

At first glance, everything seemed legit but I'm no legal expert. I had no idea. She could have downloaded it offline or something, I don't know. So to ease one of my worries - if that's even the right word to use - I asked one of our Legal Executives at work, Emmy, to review it for me. I told her that it was for a friend that was considering going in the show and was just a dummy version of it. She eyed me knowingly but didn't question me further and said she'd review.

I had it back by lunchtime and Emmy reassured me that it was all legit. But her knowing eyes didn't leave me as she handed it back to me discreetly in the communal area. I did my damnedest not to give myself away but I think she'd already cottoned onto me when I spoke to her early in the morning. Like me, Emmy is one of the few who comes in nice and early so she can leave early too. She lives in Ealing so it's a fair trek like it is for me.

It goes without saying that I know I'd be part of a fake couple. As Charlie deduced from my light Instagram gird, I'm single. Therefore, I don't have anyone to bring into the show with me as my official and most importantly real girlfriend. I've had one girlfriend in the past during my first year and half of second year in college. It was the typical teenage romance but we drifted apart and wanted different things. So we went our separate ways.

Getting into a relationship hasn't really been on my priority list. I've not even given it a thought since going my separate ways with my ex. But this show is based on that premise. Being with someone. Only, in my case, it's faking being with someone to try and fool others so we make it to the finish line.

One of the many questions I've contemplated is whether I could actually do that. Whether I could pull it off or not. And not just pull it off but do it convincingly. I've no idea what my acting ability is. I've never thought of going into performing arts. So equally, I've no idea whether I'd be able to convincingly lie and say the girl standing next to me - essentially a stranger - is my girlfriend.

Another thought that's crossed my mind while I've been mulling over everything is the fact that people would see me. And by see me, I mean they'd see me on TV. Acting - either really well or really badly depending on my skills - next to a stranger, trying to convince people that I was with her. Whoever she may be. Namely, the boys would watch it without a doubt. I can see them making a point of sitting down every night wherever it's on and watching it religiously. Because at that point, they'd know. I'd have to tell them, whether I wanted to or not.

And of course, my family would also see it too. I couldn't just drop off the face of the Earth and not tell them. One thing I noticed was zero contact via a phone for the duration I'd be in the show. So I wouldn't be able to speak to anyone and I can't see my mum - being in the movie industry - passing up on the opportunity to see me on TV. She's always said it was my calling but I beg to differ.

Just to top it off, I've no idea what any of their reactions would be either. I can't even imagine how the boys would react. Probably full-on ripping into me along with my sister, Mercy. Titan probably wouldn't give a shit considering how much he keeps to himself. But I've also got to think about my co-workers, my boss, the general population of the UK. Fuck, even those in other countries too because this shit sells and can be very easily dubbed into another language or have subtitles added.