The Girlfriend: Fake It Till You Make It

Chapter 5: First Public Display

Aaah... This fucking cat! How the fuck did it even get into my room!? Now there are two things that make me want to use the F-word. Ryan, and this f-ing cat!

Ding! A message on my mobile phone. At this time of the morning it could only be one person. Sarah.

>> What happened after you left yesterday?

>> How do you know Jordan?

>> What did you mean when you said you're interested? 😕😕

>> 😡😡😡

>> Why aren't you replying to my messages?

>> 🤬🤬 Message me when you read this!

And they went on like that for a while. And they were all from the day before. I'd been in such a daze after I'd left Jordan that I'd completly forgotten to check messages - answer calls - function correctly!?

>> Jordan is now my girlfriend.

I counted down, 3, 2, 1 - my phone started ringing. Putting it onto speaker...

"Girlfriend!? H-How? Wh..Wh.. What?" Sarah stuttered in disbelief. "Since when have you been gay? Gay for books, maybe..."

"Sarah, calm down. It's fake. She's going to act as my girlfriend in public. It's not real. She's only doing it to keep Ryan off my back." I reassured here. "But you can't tell this to anyone!"

"Wow! Just, wow! You really come up with some crazy shit sometimes Em," Sarah now laughing.

"Desperate times, Sarah. Desperate times."

"So how is this going to work? Are you just going to walk around school hugging and kissing?"

"We didn't really discuss what the types of affection we'd display, but I just figured we'd hold hands occasionally." I really hadn't thought this through, had I?

"Well, congrats anyway, " Sarah, still laughing. "Your first relationship, huh? And with a girl at that... I never would've guessed it in million years. If nothing else, there is one highlight from it."

"What's that?" I asked.

"You have a super hot girlfriend," Sarah chuckled. "I'm even a little jealous."

"You have to promise that you won't mention anything about this deal to anyone! Understand?"

"I promise." 

By the time I arrived at the school gate, I'd already been the recipient of pointed fingers and whispering. Meh, just ignore them. I don't know these people anyway. As I passed through the gates, I was stopped dead in my tracks.

There she was, waiting for me. Jordan. My girlfriend?? She was standing there in her usual black jacket, torn jeans and boots. Her short pixie cut hair frame the delicate features of her face. I'd never paid attention to it before, but now that I look at it - Sarah was right - she is very pretty. A stunner, actually!

Great! Now I'm starting to feel self concious about my own looks... This is something new for me?? How annoying.

"Morning?" Jordan said, stepping forward.

"Uh...Morning. Did you sleep well?" Why did I ask that??

"Fine. Are you ready for this?" she asked, putting out her hand for me to hold.

I could only stare at her hand. She had really smooth skin and dainty hands with trimmed nails. I looked up at her smiling face, lost for words. All I could do was reach out and take her hand in mine.

My face must be beetroot red now. I can feel it.

"Come on, lover," she teased. I gulped. Steeling myself, I thought, Let's do this. I stepped forward as confidently as I could. Which wasn't much.

Jordan led the way into school, occasionally looking back at me with a smile. I could only stare at her beautiful face as she strode forward with confidence. For people on the outside looking in, I must have appeared like a lovestruck girl. Maybe an idol worshipper?

Walking through The Quad, students who were preparing for class stopped to take a look. The whispering behind cupped hands started quickly after that. I could feel the heat in my cheeks rising again. Seeing I was struggling, Jordan squeezed my hand and gave me a comforting look.

Strangely enough, it did make me feel better. I lifted my chin, squeezed Jordan's hand back, and looked forward. Ignoring the gossipers around.

As we entered the corridor, we passed a bewildered Ryan, the expression on his face just screamed - What??!!

Ignoring him, we went straight to my locker, where Sarah was already waiting. She was grinning from ear to ear at me, giving me the 'two thumbs up'.

"Morning Sarah. This is... Jordan. My girlfriend," I said loudly enough for the people around to hear.

"Morning Sarah," Jordan said with a smile, shaking Sarah's hand.

Sarah blushed, then giggled. "Hi, Jordan." I gave Sarah my best - what the hell are you doing - look. Seeing it, Sarah let go of Jordan's hand.

"Nice to meet you, Jordan."

"Likewise." Turning to me, Jordan said, "I'll see you later, Em?"

I nodded. She squeezed my hand and gave me another reassuring look before she walked off.

Sarah squeeled. "I'm so jealous! I don't care if she's a girl... She's hot!"

"She's only doing it for attention - such as basic bitch."

I heard the comment coming from behind me. It was being said just loud enough for me to hear. Intentionally.  Without turning around, I already knew who it was going to be. Aside from Ryan, and that stupid cat, this was the other bane of my existence. 

Brittany Collins.