RO🌹E

Chapter 2 : The Contract

Celestine

My heel taps uncontrollably on the floor as I note down another thing from the top of my head, it's the last thing I can think of  for now but it seems reasonable enough. I pack everything up and bend down to finish tying my shoelaces which is exactly when I hear the honk of the car,  I glance up at to look at the time and it reads '8:00 am'.  Well, he's definitely punctual.

"Who's that honey?" I see my mom creeping next to the curtains getting a good look I'm sure of Alex, I didn't want her asking too many questions which is exactly why I asked him to just let me know when he was here."Oh that's just a friend who agreed to drop me off at school for today." "Mhm," She doesn't really seem to be paying attention to my words much, "A very handsome friend I see" And now I know why"Oh really? Damn I didn't notice" She gives me a look before I laugh it off and kiss her cheek goodbye, I speed walk to Alex's car before my mom herself can leave the house to find out if he really is JUST a friend or not. "Hey Alex" "Morning Tina" I frown at his choice of nickname but don't say anything as he drives away from my house. I didn't notice it last night because I was a bit too busy having a midlife crisis, but now I see it. Alex's car is so....Alex. I mean I'll admit I didn't expect the cute panda keychain hanging in the car but other than that, everything here basically shows my perspective of him. It's a black Mercedes with tinted windows and just your simple air freshener. I'm not sure what I expected but this seems fitting...Although I will later ask the story behind that panda-But for now, I don't plan on letting this car ride go silent again, and besides I've got to talk to him anyways."So listen," "Yes?""I've been thinking this over...and I mean REALLY thinking this over and I've concluded we need a contract." That sentence earns me a slight snort from him."A contract? Are we negotiating the shares of our company or something?" "Just listen will you?" The smile I've barely seen returns for a moment before he nods at me to continue"Ok so, you might think this contract thing is cringe or whatever but frankly I don't care. I've read too many books with the fake-dating trope to NOT make a contract""Whatever you say Tina." Yeah no I officially hate that name."Don't call me Tina" He frowns at my tone and statement."I thought that was your name?""Well....not really, it was just a stupid nickname Mindy gave me that I always hated but went along with for her sake. But anyway just don't call me Tina." "Yes ma'am" Holy shit. He just "yes ma'am-ed" me, I don't know why but I've always found that so hot."Uh, you were saying?" Shit-"Right, um.. basically I laid down some rules I think would be good for us in this particular situation.Rule 1. Limited physical contact and pda, it's only for show to piss off Mindy which means what we can do is stuff like:Kissing on the cheek or hand or MAYBE neck, maybe a little hand holding a little physical contact here and there, a few cute hugs...basically whatever is gonna sell this lie.Rule 2. Cute stories, or posts on social media is required cause Mindy loves stalking you so seeing me on your socials would make her wanna kill one of us, or both of us.Rule 3. We don't HAVE to contact each other unless it's regarding the deal.Rule 4. We can't have sexRule 5. We CANNOT fall in love with each other."I think that last rule is what got me a snicker,"Fall in love?" I put my head slightly down in embarrassment but I will not be taking that rule off,"Well I mean, I know we won't but.... it just felt right to add that in there." Yes Celestine, because mumbling will get you the upper hand in this conversation for sure. "But anyways, you think I'm missing anything?"He takes a moment to ponder everything I've just said before speaking,"Nah, I think you got it all Rose." Once again, I frown at his choice of nick name but not due to lack of liking for it."Rose?" He points towards my pinky nail on my right hand,"You have a rose on your nail." I look towards my finger to see the rose I painted as an attempt to see if I could ever be a nail artist or something, I probably could but that's not the point. "You noticed?" He nods nonchalantly as if he didn't just notice a small ass flower on my pinky."Well, roses are my favorite flower. Basic I know but....... I like em." He just nods but doesn't say anything for the rest of the ride. When we reach the school, I gather my bag but I feel a hand on my thigh stopping me from getting out of the car, I momentarily freeze forgetting how cold his hands always are, I look towards Alex to see what's wrong. He takes a look around surveying how many people are there before looking at me with those green emerald eyes of his."Listen, you already know I'm a bit popular here but that basically means you're going to be hearing a lot of people talking now that you're going to be hanging with me. What I want is for you to try and ignore it as best as you can because most of it is just bullshit. But what I do want you to pay attention to is the look on Mindy's face when she sees you with me yeah?"I nod at him before he asks me to stay inside. I wonder where he's going for a minute before he walks over to my side of the car and opens my door for me. Well damn, I mean I know this is supposed to be a show or whatever but I can't ignore how gentleman like that is. But what I do try to ignore however is the number of gasps I hear right as I step out of the car and stand next to Alex. He was right, people really do stare and talk, I mean they pretend like they don't but it's definitely clear that they do. I take a deep breath as Alex places his hand on my lower back leading me away from the parking lot, as we near the high school doors he whispers to me, "Ready to see a pissed of Mindy"Ignoring the sparks I feel from his version of physical contact, I smirk at his playful tone, "Fuck yeah" That gets me a smirk in return as we make our way to our classroom. His first class isn't with me but he walks me to it anyways, when we're right in front of it he gives me a small smile."Look in," I do as he says only to find a Mindy with a rather ugly expression on her face. Anger mixed with shock covers it and gives me a sense of accomplishment considering that's EXACTLY how I felt 2 weeks ago. I get so caught up in Mindy's dumb face that I don't notice when Alex comes closer to me,"Remember to ignore whatever any dumbfucks say yeah?" "You could've told me that without whispering you know""I know, but then we wouldn't've gotten the reaction we just did." I look behind to see many faces of shock and gossip-hungry eyes. I walk towards my desk and take a deep breath. Today is going to be a long day, isn't it?

The bell rings signaling that I have P.E next, I sigh as I get my ass up and walk towards my locker to get my clothes. Oh and by the way, I was right. It  HAS been a long day, and it's only gonna get longer which gains another internal sigh from me. This whole day has consisted of nothing but people "pretending" not to stare at me and *note sarcasm* because they absolutely FAILED. I mean, isn't gossip supposed to like something you do in a hushed tone? Do people realize that? Because all I could hear all day were the phrases:"Her? why her?""wasn't he with Mindy?""Maybe they aren't dating? Maybe he's just using her""I mean Mindy did look like she was cheating so maybe he's getting back at her?""But why with her?""Alex needs to improve his taste""Maybe he's just fooling around I'm sure he'll dump her in no time."

Yeah. No I'm serious I actually HEARD all that...THE WHOLE DAY. Look I know Alex told me to ignore them but seriously? I mean I understand what I signed up for but SERIOUSLY? Geez what even is Alex some kind of god??I sigh again before all the hair on my arms stand up and a nauseous feeling enters my stomach.What the hell? I was speed walking so as to not hear any more dumb gossip so I'm the only one in the changing room....but why does it feel so wrong?I'm not usually a very paranoid person so what's going on? I decide not to take any chances and speed walk to the washroom to change there instead.As I enter the gym I notice a few people already running laps and internally hope that coach doesn't notice I'm late. Whoever decided the washroom should be on the opposite side of the school of the changing room really did make it on my death list. I feel the stares on me again but this feeling is what I've been feeling all day so I'm genuinely lost about why I felt so weird in the changing room...Why was I so paranoid? I mean no one was even in there. These thoughts keep running in my head right before I run into a wall. Wait what? A wall?I look up to see those chocolate brown eyes and strawberry blonde hair staring at me with an apologetic look,"Oh hey sorry about that" I'm too dumbfounded and focused on his arms helping me up to be able to actually come up with a coherent statement as a response"You alright?" .......SAY SOMETHING DAMNIT-"Huh?" Never mind should've just kept my mouth shut. An amused smirk lights up his face as he discreetly scans me for any injuries"I was asking if you were okay? Considering you just ran into me and all that""Oh yeah...yeah...""Yeah as in?" This time his smirk turns into an actual smile and while I'm happy I made my crush smile I'm NOT happy about how I CAN'T EVEN SPEAK."As in I'm okay.. really." He nods but it doesn't look like he's buying it, He opens his mouth to say something before I notice long nails rest on his shoulders and that perfect blonde hair and smug smile come up beside him,"What's the matter sweetie? She trynna get your attention by assaulting you now?" I think I physically feel my cheeks heat up in embarrassment while Mindy laughs away but I truly hope it seems like I'm just tired and sweaty from running. Before I can tell my nonexistent comeback I feel a hand snake around my waist and instantly feel a bit lighter...which I don't know why."What's the matter sweetie? She disturbing you as usual? Want me to take care of it?" Alex says it in a low voice which ignites a heat in me I didn't know existed, but judging by Mindy's vanished smile and angered look he definitely said it loud enough for them to hear."Take care of it? What am I a freaking fly?" Alex breaks eye contact with me to give one of the most smug smiles I've ever seen. "I'm glad you realized, Bye." With that being said, he led me away from them but continued to keep his hand on my waist and his mouth close to my ear."I'll drop you home today yeah?" It takes me second to actually process what he says before I can reply"Uh no, I'm staying here in the library to finish off some work""Fine then I'll stay with you then." I frown at his words "Why?" He looks as if he's searching for an actual logical answer,"Mindy has cheer practice after school so if she sees us hanging out I'm sure she'll get mad." Oh...right..."Oh yeah, cool." "Okay just text me when you're there ok?" "Uh yeah ok." He walks off leaving me there with that stupid stinging sensation I shouldn't even have. Come on Celestine. You know this is all for show, he doesn't actually like you...even if he just offered to stay back after school to be in the library with you. I take a deep breath internally cursing myself for forgetting that as I make my way back to get ready for class.