Fake Dating The Enemy

26

Elizabeth

I wake up in the morning, my head pounding. Oh God, why did I drink so much last night? There's a light knock at the door, Luke stepping into the room. 

"Morning." He says, careful not to be too loud. I sit up, rubbing my head.

"Hi." I groan, and he hands me a glass of water and some Advil. "Why are you being so nice to me? I expected you to be furious with me."

"I told you last night that I can't always be the overprotective big brother. You need to do your own thing and learn from it." I nod and he sighs, sitting next to me on the bed. "I hate that he drove you to acting out like that. I want to kill him." I instantly shake my head.

"Luke, no. I don't want to be the reason the two of you stop being friends. I want things to go back to how they were before Thomas and I ever got into this mess."

"Elizabeth-"

"Please, Luke. For my sake, just do this. Please." He nods, rubbing a hand over my back in attempts to comfort me.

"Alright. If that's what you want, I'll be civil with him and act as if nothing happened." 

"Thank you." I say, smiling at him. We might butt heads a lot, but Luke is genuinely the best big brother a girl could ask for. I feel like a total bitch for getting involved with his best friend because I know, deep down, things won't ever be the same for anyone.

Thomas

I haven't slept all night. I couldn't knowing that Elizabeth was out there, drunk and making out with random men. Why did I leave? Why did I have to be such a dick? My phone rings, and I instantly reach for it hoping it was Elizabeth, but it wasn't.

"Luke, if you're calling to yell at me, I really don't have it in me to deal with it today."

"I'm not calling to yell at you." Oh. "I'm calling because I'm worried about Elizabeth, and I know things between you two are... well, I really don't know how to describe it. She's really fucked up, Thomas. I've never seen her act the way she did last night."

"Yeah, I know. She called me."

"She did?"

"Yeah, and she was drunk off her ass. I doubt she even remembers calling me." A heavy sigh escapes him.

"Listen, as much as I want to hate you for what you did, I can't. Well, for her sake I can't." Yeah, can't blame him much on that one.

"What are you saying?"

"She wants me to be civil with you. She wants to act as if nothing has happened, and she wants to go back to how things used to be." Wait, what? "To be honest with you, I don't know how to do that."

"I don't either." I say, taking a deep breath. "Luke, listen. I didn't mean what I said the last time we spoke. I love your sister. Honestly, I do. I fucked everything up, and I don't know how to fix it or if I even can."

"I wish I could tell you what to do. If it's any help, your best bet is to just come back and try to talk to her face to face. I can't tell you if it'll work in your favor, but what is meant to be will be." 

"Yeah, I guess you're right." How am I supposed to act as if nothing happened? She meant everything to me, and I fucked it up. I can't even forgive myself for being so stupid so how could she forgive me for breaking her heart?

*

After giving a lot of thought to my conversation with Luke, I realized there was no possible way Elizabeth would ever forgive me. So, I decided to do what I do best, and I'm returning to who I was before. If she wants to act as if nothing happened, then so be it. 

Me: Hey, I know it's been a while, but would you want to meet up for coffee? There's a lot I want to discuss with you.

I send the text, and within seconds my phone goes off. 

Sophia: I don't know why I'm even giving you the time of day, but sure. I'll be in the area around 1:00. Don't be late.

Me: Trust me, I won't be.

I look at the time and notice its 12:30. I throw on my shoes, grab my keys, and I'm out the door. I know, deep down, it's a bad idea to be communicating with her. Although, I don't feel as if I have a choice. If I have to go back to how things were before, she's my only option. 

"This better be good." Sophia says when she arrives, taking a seat across from me.

"It's nice to see you." 

"Thomas, what's going on? Shouldn't you be with your girlfriend?"

"There is no girlfriend." I say, a smirk rising to her lips. "That's why I contacted you. I miss you." I reach a hand out, touching hers softly.

"I feel like this is a trap." I shake my head, and she sighs. "You're single? 100%?"

"I wouldn't be here if I wasn't." She nods, slowly. "Let me make it up to you for being a dick in the past. Dinner? My place?"

"I don't know, Thomas. You're different now. Can you even handle a one night thing?"

"I definitely can." I can, can't I? 

"Alright. I'll be over around 7. Is that good?" I nod, and she shakes her head at me. "You're something else, Thomas. She's dumb for not keeping you around." She gets up and leaves, leaving me there, alone. If only she knew it wasn't her that was dumb. It was me.

"Thomas?" A familiar voice brings me back to reality. I turn, seeing Luke and Elizabeth's mom standing behind me. "What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be in Florida? Where's Elizabeth?"

"I had to come home to deal with something that came up. I'm going back down a day or two before the wedding. Elizabeth is down there with Luke and Ashley."

"Oh." She says, nodding. "Why were you with Sophia? I know the two of you have a history. Is everything alright between you and Elizabeth?"

"I was just apologizing to her for how I've acted in the past. Elizabeth really changed me. How's Greg?." I say, trying to change the subject.

"Oh, he's doing fine." She says. "You bring out the best in Elizabeth, Thomas. I don't think she's ever been happier." I open my mouth to speak, but her phone starts to ring. "Oh, that's Greg. I should get going, but we'll see you two next week." I nod, watching her walk away. 

"Fuck." I curse under my breath, grabbing my phone to text Luke.

Me: We have a problem.

Luke: What do you mean?

Me: I just saw your mom. She thinks things are fine between me and your sister. I didn't know what to say.

Luke: Listen, that is between you and my sister. I won't get involved for that.

Well, shit. I toss my phone on the table, letting my head fall into my hands. This whole thing has gotten so fucked up. I try to ignore the racing thoughts going through my head, and I head back to my house to get ready for tonight. There's nothing like a night with Sophia to get my mind off of things. 

*

I finish setting the table, and the doorbell goes off. I try to hide the smile that rises to my lips as I go to answer the door. Standing on the other side is the one person I never thought I'd see.

"Hi, Thomas."