Guessing Sparkles (WA 2013)

The Awkward Dinner

Zach Reynolds picture on the side

"Love is just a word until someone comes along and gives it a meaning." - Anonymous

Chapter Thirteen: The Awkward Dinner

 "So, please tell us how the two of you started dating," Mom said and smiled. "I honestly don't know how you met each other."

 My cheeks reddened as Peter took my hand and placed a soft kiss on it. Sure, it was a small gesture, but that actually made my heart skip a beat. I was the type of a girl who would go for small yet sincere gestures than the outspoken one. When I looked up, I saw his eyes looking intently into mine. The kind of look that could make you feel as though you were the most beautiful girl in the whole world. The one that could melt you down on your seat. I swear, he could beat Tom Cruise's gaze. Funny, but the way he was staring in my eyes somehow made me feel confuse if he was still acting as though he was really in love with me. Because in my opinion, I'd like to believe that he was sincere just for this moment. This was exactly the reason why I didn't agree when he asked me to be his fake girlfriend. My heart wasn't strong enough to fight against the urge to fall for him. 

"We accidentally ran into each other at the library," I said and broke the eye contact with him since I could no longer stand his gaze. "He was there to buy a book."

It was the only thing that my pretty mind thought would sound convincing for them. Apparently, it wasn't as brilliant as I thought it was. Funny, but after what I said, I no longer considered myself a writer. That, my friends, was the most awful story there ever was. The table that was once filled with laughter and happy vibe suddenly turned really quiet. I swear, it was the loudest silence I had ever experienced. I studied the expressions painted on their faces and my heart already knew that they didn't buy the story I just said. All I wanted to do that time was to run away and hid my face because of so much humiliation. 

"Um, I'm pretty sure that could beat all the romance novels ever written," Mom said and smiled.

"I second that," Katniss said and giggled. "So, um, what do you like about my sister, Peter?"

Somehow, I wanted to thank Katniss for saving me and changing the topic to avoid further more humiliation. Her question was actually pretty interesting. Even though it was clear to me that Peter and I were just acting—I still wanted to know what I was in Peter's eyes. He smiled at Katniss and turned his gaze at me. I watched as he took my hand and placed it near his heart. 

"The first time I laid my eyes on her, I already knew that I will love her forever," he said, smiling sincerely. "I guess, what really made me fall for her was because she was different. She's the type of girl who'll prefer a single rose than a bouquet of luxurious flowers. That's actually the girl I want in life. Clarie deserves to be loved."

I wanted to be happy with what I heard from him, I really do, but I just couldn't. My heart knew what was the truth. And the truth was that, all of it was a lie. I was hundred percent sure of the fact that while he said those words— Margarrette was the girl he was picturing in his mind. The realization somehow made my heart feel sad. But then again, I reminded myself to refrain from thinking about it and just get along with Peter's act. 

"That's really sweet," Katniss said and leant her head upon Matthew's shoulder. "I'm really happy you finally found someone who will love you genuinely, Clarie bear."

My gaze then turned to Katniss and Matthew. They looked really great together. Katniss was wearing a white dress that looked really good on her. She wore her hair down in loose curls and there was just enough make-up on her. There was happiness painted all over Katniss's face, and I felt how in love she was. Matthew, on the other hand, looked happy too. But not because Katniss was in love with him—because I finally found a guy who would replace his spot in my heart. That he will no longer feel guilty of choosing my sister over me. There was a smile painted on his lips. A friendly smile, to be exact. Sadly, I wasn't as happy as he thought I was. My 'love story' wasn't real. It was like a fictional, romance book written by Nicholas Sparks—too good to be true.