Fake Dating The Enemy

7

Elizabeth

Thomas: Meet me at the beach

Waking up at 7:00 in the morning to this text from Thomas was not something I expected. Nonetheless, I changed into a bikini and threw on shorts and a t-shirt. I made my way to the beach and, surprisingly, it was dead.

I walked down the path to the sand, looking around. Once I saw that familiar face, I ran over to him. He smiled at me, his body covered in salt water and sand.

"Good morning, sunshine."

"Good morning, indeed." I say, taking a moment to soak in the view. "What made you want to come to the beach today?" I asked, taking off the shorts and t-shirt.

"Just thought it was a nice way to enjoy the beautiful day." Living in South Carolina has its perks. The beach was just one of them. "Care for a swim?" He asks, motioning towards the waves.

"I'm not much of an ocean swimmer." I say, rubbing my arm, anxiously. "I'll definitely go in a little, though." He takes me by the hand, guiding me into the water.

"Do you trust me?" He asks, and I nod. He leads me a little further out, and the panic starts to set in. The water is up to my mid thigh.

"Thomas, I don't think I can go much farther."

"Just a little more, sunshine." I shake my head as he tries to get me further into the water. Panic fully sets in, and I start to breathe faster.

"Thomas... I can't." He notices the look on my face, and wraps his arms around me. He brings me a little closer to shore, and places his hands on my cheeks. His eyes lock on mine, and my breathing slows.

"Hey." He says, softly. "You're alright."

"I... I don't-"

"Shh, it's alright." I throw my arms around his neck. He hesitates before wrapping his arms around my waist. "Come on, let's go back to the sand." He guides me to the sand, and we sit down. He holds me as I rest my head against his chest.

"I'm sorry." I say, and he chuckles softly.

"You don't need to be sorry. I shouldn't have taken you out there."

"I don't know what happened."

"You had a panic attack. It's alright. It happens. You're safe now." I look up at him and realize this is the only time anyone has ever been so nice to me during one of these moments.

"Thank you." I say, my breathing even now. "For being there for me." He nods, and we sit in silence for a moment watching the waves roll in.

After a little while, Thomas clears his throat. He stands up, holding out his hand. I take it, standing up. For a moment, we just stare into each other's eyes.

"So, you hungry? I packed a picnic lunch." A smile rises to my lips.

"How nice of you."

"Well, my fake girlfriend deserves a romantic gesture." I laugh, and we head over to where he has the picnic basket set up.

"This is so nice. I've never done anything like this before." He smiles as I help him unpack the basket. We eat the sandwiches he prepared, and I glance in the basket to see what else he brought. I gasp as I see a package of chocolate covered strawberries. "How did you know I love these?"

"A gentleman never reveals his secrets."

"You talked to my mom, didn't you?" He laughs and nods.

"Yeah." I laugh, immediately opening the package and taking one out. I bite into it and let out a heavenly sigh. "Are they good?"

"The best. You want one?" He nods, and I take one out, holding it in front of him. He takes it with his mouth, and I feel heat rise to my cheeks.

"Delicious." He says, and I fight the urge to make a comment. "What else should we do today?" He asks, and I shrug.

"I don't know. I kind of like just being here. It's peaceful to just sit on the sand."

"Well, we can't stay here forever." He says, but I wish we could. It's such a beautiful day. "What if we rinse off, get dressed and take a walk down the boardwalk? We could go on the ferris wheel."

"Only if you buy me cotton candy after." I say, jokingly.

"Deal."

When we reach the ferris wheel, my hands start to get a little clammy. I've never actually been on one before, but I've heard it's fun. It doesn't go fast, but it doesn't take forever either.

"Ready?" Thomas asks as we are next in line. I nod, and we sit down. The attendee locks us in, and the ride starts. Naturally, my legs start to swing back and forth. "You aren't scared of heights are you?"

"Wow, now that we're halfway up, I totally forgot to say that I am." He looks shocked, but his face relaxes when I laugh. "I'm just kidding. It's so easy to mess with you."

"And people wonder why it was so easy for us to torment each other." He smirks. We get to the top, and the ride stops.

"Is this normal? I've never been on one before."

"Yeah, it is." I nod, and he chuckles. "Nervous?"

"No, just thinking."

"About what?"

"If this was a real date, this would be the part where it's the most romantic." He clears his throat, looking at me.

"Is this not romantic enough for you?"

"Oh, I- That's not what I meant." He chuckles, wrapping an arm around my shoulders. "I- Uhm.."

"How about now?" He leans in to whisper in my ear.

"Thomas, I-" The ferris wheel begins to move again.

"Damn, lost our moment to kiss." He smirks, and my face heats up. He chuckles, noticing the red on my cheeks. "You got some sun today, sunshine." I know damn well he knows it isn't from the sun.

"Yeah, I guess I did." His arm stays around me until we get to the bottom. We get off, and begin walking down the boardwalk. "You owe me a cotton candy." I say, and he smirks before stopping at the cotton candy stand.

"Blue or pink, sunshine?"

"Blue, of course." He rolls his eyes, sarcastically. He hands it to me, and I smile, appreciatively. "Thank you."

"You're welcome." He takes a hunk off, popping it in his mouth. "You're right. Blue is better."

"Blue is always the best." We find a nearby bench to sit on and enjoy the cotton candy.

"Was this good for a first fake date?" He asks, and I smile.

"The best fake date I've ever been on."

"Wow, means a lot coming from you." I laugh and shake my head. "This was nice." He says, looking at me.

"It was." I say, pausing a moment. "Thank you." He smiles in return as we continue to look out at the waves.