White Crest

3

Adelaide gathered her hair up in a bun on top of her head and put on her comfy grey sweatpants and put on Nathan's hoodie. She picked up her novel and her phone and ran to the rec building. She knew Jennifer and Aria were in the pool with the swimming team but she was happy to read by herself. She found an empty corner to read and sat on the couch, pulling her legs under herself. She saw Nathan come up and sit across from her but she chose to ignore him.

"Hey, Gaines." Nathan picked up a magazine and flipped through it.

"Nathan." Adelaide replied cordially but didn't make an effort to continue the conversation.

"Well. I was, uh, thinking... we should hang out more." Nathan scratched his head and looked down awkwardly. She looked at him dubiously.

"Are you suddenly desperate for attention because your friends are ignoring you? And we can't. I have a... um, a boyfriend!" Adelaide grimaced inside. 'He's forgetting all of his seducing tactics and went with 'we should hang out more?'

"What!? You do not!" Nathan crossed his arms.

"Yeah, I totally do! He's coming to see me actually. Tomorrow." She said defiantly. "Who? Do I know him?"

"Erm, Tyleerrr Rowe?" Adelaide said uncertainly making a name up in her head. "Why do you want to know?"

"Uh, to see if he was good enough for you. You shouldn't be going out with just anyone." Nathan blushed and walked to the pool table and grabbed a cue stick. When he was around the corner Adelaide grabbed her phone and called the first person she thought of. Her cousin Zachary, from the all boys school down the road.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Zach. I need a huge favour." She looked to see if Nathan was coming around the corner.

"Anything for you Addie. What is it?"

"I need you to be my fake boyfriend tomorrow, then I need you to break up with me in front of Nathan Page." Zachary laughed.

"Yeah, sure. He doesn't know me right?"

"No, he shouldn't. I gave you a fake name too."

"Ok, I'll come when you guys have free time."

"Thank you so much Zach!" Adelaide breathed a sigh of relief and shut her phone. Nathan walked around the corner.

"Who was that?" He came and sat on the armrest of her chair.

"Za... My boyfriend." Adelaide looked up at him with a smirk.

"I thought your boyfriends name is Tyler." Nathan said drily.

"Yeah, well we have nicknames for each other. I call him zebra." Adelaide stood up and grabbed her book.

"If you're sure." He scanned her face and Adelaide hoped that he couldn't read her thoughts. She started reached for her phone but Nathan grabbed it first. He put his number in and handed it back to her.

"Just it case." Nathan walked in the weight room. Adelaide rolled her eyes and went back to her dorm.    

"Laidy, your phone is ringing." Jennifer groggily handed Adelaide her phone.

"No, it's just someone texting me repeatedly." Adelaide unlocked her phone to find five unread messages from Nathan saying 'hi'. She texted back: 'I could file a complaint for harassment.'' She only had to wait a few seconds for a reply. 'I was just seeing if you were ok.' Adelaide rolled her eyes and replied. 'Im sleeping. leave me alone.' She shut off her phone and let it drop from the top bunk onto the floor.    

Adelaide waited outside of the rec building for Zach. He pulled up in his old car and got out. He was wearing a blue plaid shirt and ripped grey jeans that played off his dark skin and brown eyes. They looked so different appearance-wise people had a hard time believing that he was her cousin.

"Thank you so much Zach!" She opened the door for both of them but she stopped him before he walked into the main building.

"Ok, so what do I have to do?" Zach leaned against the wall.

"Your name is Tyler Rowe. Break up with me dramatically so that Nathan will give me some space. The whole needy girl thing is annoying to guys right?" She grabbed his hand and walked into the circle area of couches. "Oh, Tyler stop!" Adelaide laughed and sat down on his lap and played with his collar. Nathan walked up and scowled and sat on the couch across from them.

"This is Tyler?" Nathan sounded dubious.

"Yes. If you don't mind I have to talk to Addie alone." Zach looked at Nathan seriously. Nathan gave Zach a once over and rolled his eyes. He turned and was waved over by some of his lacrosse team mates.

"What was his problem? Ok, look sad and confused." Zach grabbed her shoulders. "Alright. Is it working yet?" She fought her better judgement to look over at Nathan.

"Yes. He looks mad. Look more distressed, then slap me." Zach tried not to laugh.

"What!? I'm not going to slap you!"

"Do it." Zach looked at her.

"Tyler, you're the most self-conceited asshole I have ever met! I wish I had never dated you!" Adelaide slapped Zach as hard as she could without actually hurting him. She ran out the door and jogged to her dorm. She burst out laughing and sat on a bench to wait for Zach.

"That was hilarious! That was a little awkward to be your pretend boyfriend though." Zach sat down on the bench next to her.

"I agree but how good were we? Sorry I called you an ass." She grinned at her older cousin and went to her dorm. Zach looked down at his hands quietly.

"Have you had any contact with Oliver or Adam?"

"No. I don't want to talk to them. Can we just drop it please?" Adelaide gave him a look. "Thanks for stepping in today."

"Anytime Addie. Just call me if you want to talk. I know your brothers would love to here from you. " Zach smiled and gave her a hug, got into his car and drove away.