Paints, Pencils and Parties

9. The Rules Laid Down

Olivia's eyes are analysing my every movement sceptically as I walk through the canteen hand-in-hand with Xavier. So are everyone else's, but hers matter the most to me. I don't want her to think that I'm betraying her. She is the only person who'll know about this fake arrangement.

I give her the 'I'll tell you everything about it' eyes, to which she nods her head lightly, still a little sceptical.

Just then, Xavier turns left, which is the wrong direction. We're sitting at the back, alone. And in the left is...the hockey table.

Oh no.

"Xavier, where are you going?" I ask, panicking.

His head whips in my direction. "We're sitting with my friends, aren't we?"

I widen my eyes and whisper-shout at him. "No, we aren't, you idiot. We're sitting alone."

He stops in his tracks. "Oh, I thought we- never mind."

I lead us to a table at the back for two. As soon as we sit down, the canteen resumes its talking. Yes guys, the fun is over. Thanks for letting me breathe again.

"Listen, I'm not hungry. Are you?"

"You know that you just dragged me here saying that you were hungry, right?" He raises his eyebrows.

Irritation blooms under my skin. "That was just to shut you up. Now, answer me. Are you hungry?"

He shakes his head.

"Great. Now, we have a total of twenty-eight minutes to go over the details of this fake arrangement. You can lay down your rules, if you have any, and I'll lay down mine. Obviously, the first one being not to kiss me."

"That one is-"

"That topic is closed, and not up for debate any longer. We can kiss each other on the cheek, but that's it. And why are you so hellbent on kissing me?"

His eyes darken. "I don't want to kiss you. I only brought the topic up so that whatever is going on between us looks real. After all, you're the one who wants to take revenge on Angela, not me."

Yes, this is what I wanted. Now, I can easily prove my point to him. "Exactly. This is my revenge, not yours. I know what I'm doing. My every rule is thought about thoroughly."

Is what I said just now funny? I don't think it is. Then, why is Xavier smiling with his dimples on full display?

"Give me your hand." He says, still smiling.

"What? Why?"

"Angela is looking at us. We need to hold hands."

I quickly interlace my hand with his, like I've read those very cute couples in books do.

His hands are soft, in contrast to mine. Mine are rough. They have always been rough; I don't know why. Though, his fingertips do seem a bit hard.

This is my first-time holding hands with someone, and it's for a fake arrangement. I inwardly sigh. What a great life I have.

I push my thoughts aside, and look at Xavier, who's looking at me like I'm an enigma to him. I don't know if I'm hard to read or not. I always think that I wear my heart on my sleeve. I think that I'm quite transparent. Maybe, it's just taking extra-long with him.

I clear my throat lightly, and make sure to keep my voice low. "The second rule is that no one can know that this is fake. I'm only going to tell Olivia because she's my best friend. I've known her long enough to know that she will not tell Angela anything. Plus, even if I don't, she would be smart enough to guess what's going on. Any questions?"