𝐟𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐛𝐨𝐲𝐬 | niki

9 | believable performance

The first thing I feel when I enter Jake's dorm room, packed with six other boys, including Niki, is nervousness. It's kind of overwhelming to be in a situation such as this, when all my life I've tended to avoid boys.

"Boys only bring trouble." Mum used to say.

So now that I was in a boy's room, fake dating a boy also, is definitely not something I was expecting to happen in my sixth year at Hogwarts.

"What film are we watching lads?" Jake asks. "Oh, and girls." He smiles at me and I smile back as I stand there awkwardly in the middle of the room, not knowing where to sit.

Hana had found her way over to the beanbags on the floor, beside Jake.

I begin to fiddle my hair, looking around for some place to sit, when my eyes catch Niki sat up on the bed with his feet up, leaning against the pillows against the headrest.

He raises his brows at me, and taps at the empty space beside him, urging me to come over. Reluctantly, I take off my slippers and hop onto the bed, sliding in next to him.

I feel our bare arms touching each other, as we're sat so close to one another, and it only makes me feel even more nervous.

"I think we should watch a horror for sure." Sunoo suggests, and most of us agree, apart from Jay.

"I think no." He disagrees, and Sunghoon throws a pillow at him, making both myself and the boy sat next to me chuckle.

"Right, we're definitely putting it on now." Jungwon laughs and whilst Jay complains, Jake proceeds to set up the horror film which projects onto the empty white wall opposite the bed, so that everyone surrounding either sat on chairs or beanbags can see.

The lights are switched off, and everyone settles down. Niki however, suddenly pulls out his wand and chants a spell, and eventhough everyone heard him, they act as if it's normal.

Seconds later after being confused as to what spell he casted, the volume from the film is suddenly set into a surround sound system, making it feel as if the noise is practically in the air.

It sounded crazy, as if we were there in real life. I turn to look at Niki, who seems to already be looking at me, with bright eyes.

"I never knew you could do that." I whisper and he spins the wand between his fingers.

"I can do a lot of things sweetheart." He whispers lowly in reply and I quickly look away from him, focusing back on the screen.

***

We're a quarter of the way into the film, and at some point during, Niki had stretched out his arm, wrapping it around my shoulders so that my head practically rested on his chest, and still does up until now.

My heart races, and I'm conflicted as to whether it's due to the fact that:

a) I know if I turn to look up at him, my lips would only be a couple of millimetres away from his.

b) this movie is so super scary.

I think it's B, not going to lie, because the next thing that spontaneously pops up on the screen is a clown and a couple of us in the room scream in fright, one of those being me.

In the moment, I don't notice that I've now curled up into a ball, tucked into Niki's enclosure, but I do notice that Niki is tensed up too just as I am from the jumpscare.

He breathes out, "fuck."

And I swear, my stomach flips and I scream internally just from hearing the sound of his deep low voice when he says that.

Wait what am I even thinking!?

"You scared Nishimura Riki?" I whisper, not daring to look up at him, since I know how I'll feel when I do.

"Not as much as you, Nari Akiyama." He replies and I can hear the smirk on this face.

Soon after this, I begin to grow cold, and I think Niki does too because as soon as I attempt to warm up my hands, he pulls the duvet over the both of us, so we're even more snug.

We're doing a good job of making this dating thing believable.

If it wasn't for the deal I made with Niki, I highly doubt I'd even be here in this situation, or even this close to Niki.

Another jumpscare takes us by surprise, and the result of this one takes me aback. I feel Niki's hand under the duvet, instantly grab onto mine, his fingers interlocking with mine as he tries to calm himself down.

At this moment, I can't resist but look up at his face, and I only get a second to observe before he glances down at me, gazing into my eyes.

His grip on my hand tightens gently, at the same time he raises his brows at me with a smile forming on his face.

I bite the inside of my cheek and look away first again, not being able to maintain the eye contact.

This is only part of the act, right?

I let go of his hand from under the covers and search for my phone, hiding away between the sheets. I finally grab it, and take a glance at the time, the harsh light stinging my eyes.

"Niki, we need to leave now."

"What, why?" He asks and I show him the time, nearly turning seven.

He thinks about it for a moment, and then the realisation hits him.

"Damn Nari, you just want some alone time with me, don't you?"

"It's a requirement that we need to fulfil, don't take this the wrong way." I roll my eyes and he chuckles.

"Okay Ma'am."

The two of us slide out of bed, in our annoyingly matching outfits as we try to slither our away out of the dorm.

"Oi, where are you two lovebirds off to?" Sunoo asks loudly, pausing the film.

"Uh..." Niki can't think of a slick response and the boys begin to chuckle, seeming to assume other things as they tease Niki, making his face turn bright red.

"Have funnn!" Jungwon giggles.

"Don't do anything I wouldn't do!" Jake adds, the boys and Hana bursting out into laughter whilst me and Niki leave the dark dorm.

***

As we enter the library for our daily study session, I notice Niki looking down at his phone with a smile across his face. I attempt to ignore it but begin to grow curious.

"What are you smiling at?" I ask bluntly.

"Jake just sent me an amazing photo." He replies, turning the phone for me to see a picture of the two of us, stood by the door of Jake's dorm when we tried to leave.

The two of us are in our matching outfits, grey joggers and white tank top for me, and white vest for him. In the photo, I'm looking up at his blushed face, giggling, whilst he looks down at me.

My jaw drops. "When did he even take this!?"

"Apparently Sunghoon took it." Niki laughs. "Nice right?"

"It looks so..."

"Real?" He suggests and my eyes widen slightly at this.

He knows nothing between us is real. He's the one who decided that, and I'm the one who went along with it. Enemies don't fall for each other.

"Nevermind, let's get to work." I sigh, as we set ourselves up on the table we sat at yesterday for our first session.

The candles are lit by Niki and I take out our books and pens.

"I'm so tired, witch." He groans, plopping his head on the desk. "I like girlfriend Nari, not tutor Nari."

"Deal with it." I become strict, something that Niki needs in order to actually do the work without slacking off.

I make him do a question task whilst I read over the text books.