Fake Dating The Enemy

14

Thomas

I let the ocean water sweep over my feet as I stare out at the waves. There's just something about being here. It's peaceful. I remember, growing up, this was the place I always turned to when things got tough. That's why I never left. I couldn't imagine not seeing this view whenever I wanted.

Me: I'm sure I'm the last person you want to hear from, but I can't go another day without talking to you. I miss you. I want to fix things. I want to be friends.

I don't know why I'm texting her. She hates me. I don't blame her. I hate me, too. My phone dings, taking me from my thoughts.

Elizabeth: I miss you, too... in a friendly way. I miss having you around. You should join Conrad and me at the boardwalk today. It would be nice for the two of you to get along.

Me: If it means being able to be your friend again, I'll do it. I'm already on the beach, so I'll be around.

I smile at the thought of having her back in my life. Even if it's just as friends, it's better than not having her at all. While I have mixed feelings towards her and Conrad, I'm willing to put it aside for her happiness.

"Thomas!" I turn, seeing Elizabeth and Conrad on the boardwalk. I wave, heading over to them.

"Hi." I say, sticking my hand out to Conrad. "I feel we've gotten off on the wrong foot. This is me extending an olive branch." Conrad takes my hand, shaking it.

"Elizabeth wants us to be civil, and I'm willing to do that for her." I nod in agreement.

"Yay, this is totally not awkward at all." Elizabeth says, walking down the boardwalk. We follow her, and she stops, looking at the cotton candy stand.

"Want some?" Conrad asks. She nods, and he walks over to purchase her some. When he comes back with pink cotton candy, I fight back a smirk.

"Thank you." She says, taking some off. I walk over to the stand, purchasing the blue cotton candy.

"She won't admit it, but she likes the blue better." I say, trying not to sound like a dick.

"Oh." Conrad says, watching me hand her the blue. "I'm sorry, I should have asked you your preference."

"Oh, it's alright." She smiles at him. "I appreciate the thought." He tucks some hair behind her ear, making her blush.

"Oh, look. The ferris wheel." I say, giving Elizabeth a look. "You guys want to go on?"

"Not me." Conrad says. "I'm terrified of heights." Of course he is.

"Elizabeth?" I ask, and she looks torn. "But only if it's alright with Conrad." She looks at him, and he nods.

"It's fine with me." She hands him the cotton candy for him to hold it, and we head over to get in line.

"Thank you for giving me another chance." I say, looking at her.

"Like I said, Thomas, I miss having you around." She looks anywhere, but at me. We're next in line, and I take a quick glance back at Conrad, his eyes glued on us.

"He seems like a good guy." I say, gaining her attention.

"He is." I smile, softly, at her. "Ready?" She asks, and I realize it's our turn to get on.

The attendee locks us in, and I feel the nerves start to creep in. Why am I so nervous? It's just the ferris wheel. I've been on one a bunch of times. I take a moment to look over at Elizabeth and realize it's not the ride making me nervous.

We get to the top, the ride stopping as usual. It's not until we don't move for a good five minutes that we realize the ride isn't in motion. Elizabeth's hands start to tremble as she grips the bar in front of us.

"Stay calm, folks!" The attendee calls out. "We'll get this moving in no time!"

"Oh, God. No. No, no, no." The panic in her voice sends a sense of worry through me.

"Hey." I say, cautious of my next move. I place one of my hands over hers causing her to look at me. "I'm right here. You're going to be alright."

"I- I don't know what's wrong with me."

"You're panicking. Breathe with me." I take a deep breath in and let it out slowly. She mimics my breathing and starts to calm down. "There you go."

"How are you so good at helping me through this?"

"You're not the only one that deals with it." I say, offering a small smile.

"You do?" She asks, and I nod. "I never would've thought that."

"There's a lot you don't know about me, sunshine." A blush creeps up her cheeks. "Sorry, I shouldn't be calling you that."

"No," she says. "But I don't mind." I can't help, but smile. I glance down at the ground and notice Conrad's eyes on us.

"It's a shame he can't be the one helping you up here." I say, trying to be nice.

"I don't think he'd even know what to say to me in the moment." I continue to look down at him as she continues. "You intimidate him, you know."

"Me?" I ask, holding back a smirk.

"Don't be cocky." She says, noticing the tone in my voice. "He knows how I felt about you. It seems all he does is try to make me feel the same about him." Felt. The past tense of the word stabs me in the chest.

"And do you?" I ask, looking right into her eyes. I wrap an arm around her shoulders, and she looks lost for words.

"Thomas-" I make her nervous. I like it.

"Just answer the question, Elizabeth."

"No." She says, and I swallow the lump in my throat. "I don't think I could ever possibly feel the way I did towards you with anyone else." I open my mouth to speak, but the ride starts to move.

I remove my arm from around her, sitting up straight. I look out and notice Conrad staring me down. This isn't going to be awkward or anything.