Fake Dating The Enemy

3

Elizabeth

I watch as Thomas's eyes land on Ashley. Luke embraces her in a hug, and gives her a tender kiss.

"They do look happy." I say, Thomas tearing his eyes away from them to look at me.

"Yeah, and I wish I could be happy for them. I mean I am, but I'm still hurt he wasn't honest with me."

"Maybe try making this clear to him." I say, trying to be helpful. He shakes his head. "Yeah, I get it." Luke and Ashley make their way over to us.

"Thomas!" She says with a wide smile. "Wow, you've really changed since high school."

"It seems we all have." He says, looking at Luke. "I'm surprised you found your way into Luke's arms. The two of you never seemed to like each other back then."

"Hm... seems familiar." Luke says moving his eyes between Thomas and me. "Anyway, we wanted to surprise you guys with the news that we'll be spending the next four months here, back home."

"What?" I choke out. I shoot Thomas a look, and his look is mutual. We were not expecting this. We didn't plan on this going this way.

"Yeah, we really wanted the chance to plan the wedding with our families back home." Ashley says. "Plus, it would be so nice to form a relationship with you, Elizabeth. I don't have any siblings, and I would love to have that sister relationship with you."

"That would be nice." I say in an attempt to be civil. My mind is racing. I can only imagine what is going through Thomas' head right now. It's moments like this that make me wish I could read minds.

"Thomas, could I have a word with you? In private?" Luke asks. "Ashley, Elizabeth. Why don't the two of you get to know each other better." The two of them walk off, and I wish I could be a fly on the wall. I want to know what they're talking about.

"I'm happy Thomas has you." Ashley says, ripping me from my thoughts.

"Huh?" I don't know why her words come as a shock to me.

"From the way Luke talks about you, you seem like the perfect girl to bring some happiness into Thomas' life."

"Oh, trust me. Thomas and I have spent our whole lives jumping down each other's throats. I never thought it would be possible for him to like me."

"Funny how things work that way. They always say you pick on the ones you love." I almost choke.

"Oh, we're far from love." I say, getting uncomfortable.

"Oh, sorry. I didn't mean it like that." Ashley says, embarrassed. "I just meant that it makes sense that the two of you used that hatred to cover how you really felt. It's hard to get him to open up. You make it seem easy."

"We haven't been dating long." I say. "He hasn't opened up much."

"I'm sure he will. I can tell he trusts you. You should see the way he looks at you. His eyes never shined that bright for anyone." Trying to not let the words affect me, I change the subject.

"So, how come you and Luke are having the wedding so soon?"

"It's sudden, I know. We love each other so much that we just want to get it over with. I'm just glad I could convince him to spend a few months here to plan with our families. It'll be nice to spend time with you and Thomas. We can really get to know each other."

"Yeah, it'll be fun." God, this is so awkward.

"Your brother worries about you, you know. He's very protective of you. I think that's why he's so skeptical of you and Thomas being together."

"Skeptical? So he doesn't believe what we have is genuine?"

"I wouldn't say that. I think he's just shocked is all. Like you said, you two were always fighting and arguing. Again, it makes sense. I told Luke you two look happy, and I don't want him coming between that." She genuinely seems like a sweet person, but my guard is up. She's the type of person I could easily befriend and tell everything to. However, I can't do that. She's one of the two people we are trying to convince that what we have is real.

"Luke shouldn't worry about me. If anything, he should be more worried about how he made Thomas feel."

"What do you mean?" I fear I've said too much already, but I can't go back now.

"Thomas was hurt at the fact that Luke wasn't honest with him about being with you. He was more hurt that Luke made me break the news to him of your engagement."

"Oh." She says, trying to process this information. "Thomas and I were never serious, Elizabeth."

"I know, and he's not upset that the two of you are together. He's hurt that Luke felt he needed to hide it from him."

"I think he was simply trying to protect his friend's feelings. You can't blame him for that."

"Maybe, but you can't blame Thomas either." She nods. "And it also wasn't fair for me. He relied on the hatred Thomas and I had toward each other to take the blow."

"I don't think he meant for it to seem that way."

"Maybe, but it's still the idea that he did everything he could to avoid telling Thomas himself." It feels good to get this all out in the open.

"You should tell your brother how you feel. I'm sure he didn't want to hurt you both." I open my mouth to speak, but my thoughts disappear at the sight of Thomas rushing towards us. From the look on his face, I can tell something is wrong.

My eyes wonder and watch as Luke stands where they were once talking. His eyes meet mine and he quickly looks away, turning his back on me. Something is wrong.

"Thomas? What's wrong?" I ask as he stands before me.

"Will you walk with me? Outside? I need some air." I nod quickly, excusing myself to Ashley.

Thomas takes me by the hand, weaving us in between the crowd of people and outside. He paces back and forth. He's obviously upset, and I speak softly to try to calm him.

"Thomas?" I say, causing him to look at me. "What happened?" His eyes never leave mine as he opens his mouth to speak.

"I think he's on to us."