Faults

Chapter 10: Taylor

It's been two months.

Acting has become significantly easier. All I have to do is be more soft spoken and listen more carefully to what people are saying. I've done my best to have virtually no slip-ups but the hardest part would have to be not using my ability. That's definitely been the most difficult aspect of faking being my brother. Every time we use our abilities in class, I'm forced to say that I'm having trouble with it and can't demonstrate.

The guilt is starting to eat away at me, but I'm not sure if I could come forward about the truth. It's unlike me to feel guilty about something like this which makes me not want to say anything.

My hatred for Archie has significantly decreased. The more time I spend with him, the more I see he isn't a bad guy at all. He's very caring in actuality. I can see why my brother likes him. I can see why I'm starting to like him. This only makes coming out with the truth more complicated, especially if Aydin ever comes back.

I don't know what I should do about what really happened two months ago but that may be because of what Archie is doing right now. He's kissing his way up my neck and I can't say I'm not enjoying it. There really might be something to this liking-guys-thing.

Every time Archie has asked me what my answer is to being his partner, I keep saying I don't know. Then, he either leaves or kisses me. He chose the latter today.

"Archie," I say breathlessly.

"Hm?"

I hesitate before speaking. "I have an answer."

He pulls away from me and looks me in the eye. "You're serious?"

"The answer's yes if you're willing to believe it," I reply with a small smile.

He presses his lips to mine and pulls away again. "Oh, I'll believe it." He kisses me once more and then whispers against my lips, "Thank you."

I have no idea what I just did but I'd be lying if I said I regret it.

Looks like the truth isn't coming out any time soon.

※ ※ ※

Almost another month has passed and Archie has started acting strange. He's acting nervous. Skittish, almost. Whenever I try to bring it up, he's quick to dismiss it and then proceeds to do something to distract me.

I don't know what to think about it. He won't tell me anything so I've stopped asking. He just seems extremely on edge. My best guess is that it has something to do with his kingly duties.

I'd say it's not my problem, but it kind of has become my problem. He talks less, doesn't kiss me much, barely comes around to see me. Distant would be a great word for how he's acting.

Like right now. We're sitting at the edge of the lake, completely silent. Usually, he's telling me about one thing or another, maybe even cracking a joke. I'm not sure what to do in this situation as I've never actually cared for someone before. Archie has changed that.

What am I going to do about Aydin when he gets released in a few days?

That's when everything clicks.

Archie has got to be worried about Aydin's release due to the fact that he thinks my brother is me. I totally understand why he's concerned about me being released, but I haven't done anything in three months, have I? There's nothing to worry about except for the fact that the world is going to come crashing down around me in just about four days' time.

How do I break the news to him that Archie has technically moved on to me? More importantly, how do I keep up this act? Eventually, if not immediately, one of them is going to find out about the lies I've been upholding. This can't go on for much longer.

Shit.

What the fuck do I do now?