Fake Dating The Enemy

30

Elizabeth

As soon as my voice cracks on the last line of the song, I know I need to get out of here as fast as possible. I won't let anyone see me cry. I push the door open as quickly as possible, rushing out into the cool night air. I reach for the side of the building, steadying myself as I hyperventilate while tears cascade down my face.

"Elizabeth." A familiar, soft voice calls from behind me. I hesitate before turning around, seeing Thomas standing a few feet away from me.

"Go away." I say, breathless. "I don't want to be near you right now."

"I know, but I'm not leaving you alone out here when you're upset."

"You're the reason I'm upset, Thomas. You're always the reason behind why I'm upset!" Without realizing it, my feet are moving me closer to him. I poke him in the chest, shaking my head at him. "You're a fucking asshole, and I don't want to speak to you ever again." I try to turn away from him, but I stumble due to my heel getting caught in a crack in the sidewalk. Before I can catch myself, I fall and hit my knees on the cement hard and fast. "Fuck!" I scream, and Thomas rushes to help me up.

"Here, let me help you up."

"No!" I shout, shoving his hands away. "Do not touch me." I try to stand on my own, but my left knee is throbbing too much.

"Please, let me help you." He says, and I sigh, holding out my hand. He helps me up, gently, and I have to hold onto him for balance.

"Elizabeth!" I hear Ashley shout, noticing her and Luke rushing over. "Are you alright?" She asks, looking at my busted up knee. I glance down and notice some blood bubbling at the surface of the scrapes, threatening to spill down my knee and leg.

"You need to get that cleaned up. We'll take you back to the house." Luke says, and I shake my head.

"No, I'll get an Uber. Enjoy the rest of your night."

"Nonsense, I can take you back." Thomas says, and I laugh.

"No, absolutely not. I will not get in a car with you." I pull my phone out, but it's dead. "Fuck, my phone is dead."

"Just let me take you back." Thomas pleads, and I sigh.

"Fine." At this point, I'm still holding onto him. I let go, trying to stand on my own, but I can't. It hurts too much. Ashley holds me up while Thomas goes to get his car. "I can't believe I'm allowing myself to be in a car with him."

"He's just trying to be nice." Luke says, and I hold back a laugh.

"Nice? Please. Also, what happened to me needing to get over him? All of a sudden you're okay with this?"

"I just want what's best for everyone." Luke says, and I keep my mouth shut. He doesn't know what's best for anyone, especially me.

Thomas pulls up to the curb, getting out and coming around to open my door. My heart skips a beat at the memories of all the times he would open the door for me. We lock eyes for a split second before I hobble into the car. He shuts the door, walking over to the other side to get in. I can't let him have this effect on me. Not again.

The whole ride back to the house, I try to focus on anything other than Thomas and my throbbing knee. I knew I shouldn't have worn these heels with this dress. The second I put them on today, I knew they'd be a bad decision.

"How bad does it hurt?" Thomas asks, trying to make small talk. I hate small talk.

"I've felt worse." I say, my voice monotone. Thomas sighs, gripping the steering wheel until his knuckles turn white.

"What's it going to take for you to be civil with me?" He asks, looking at me with those sad puppy dog eyes.

"I don't know if I'll ever be civil with you. I'm doing my best to be nice for the sake of my brother and Ashley, but it's taking everything in me not to slap you."

"Yeah, I'm sure I'd deserve that." He says, but not in a sarcastic way. It's as if he truly realizes how much he hurt me. We pull up to the house, and Thomas gets out, rushing over to open my door. I try to stand and walk on my own, but my leg almost gives out. Thomas catches me, and sighs. "Here, let me carry you."

"What? No." I can't believe he seriously suggested this.

"You can barely walk, Elizabeth."

"I can walk. It just hurts." Thomas sighs, not wanting to argue with me, and he picks me up bridal style. "Put me down!" I shout, and he ignores me. He carries me to the front door, holding me with one arm while he digs in his pocket for his spare key. "This is ridiculous, Thomas. Put me down."

"I will when we get you inside." He takes me to the bathroom, sitting me down on the toilet. I take off my heels as he rummages around for a first aid kit. He kneels down in front of me, grabs one of the alcohol wipes, opening and rubbing it over my knee.

"Fuck!" I scream as it burns.

"I'm sorry, I know it hurts, but we need to clean it." He says, looking up at me. "It'll be over soon." He says, and I nod. I squeeze my eyes shut as I feel the burning sensation on my knee once more. I start to feel a cool sensation on my knee, and I open my eyes to see him blowing softly over it. "Feel better?"

"Yeah. It does." He smiles, reaching for a large bandaid before placing it on my knee. "Thank you." I say, genuinely as he helps me stand up. Now that the heels are off, I can support myself better on my own.

"You're welcome." He smiles at me, and I try to hold one back, but fail. "You know, all I can think about is how not long ago, that was you cleaning me up after my fight with Conrad."

"I try not to think of that night." I say, and realization hits him.

"Right. I- I forgot. Well, I didn't forget. I don't think I could ever forget that night."

"Neither can I, unfortunately." He nods, and I take a deep breath before asking him the one question I still need answers to. "Did you mean it? When you said you loved me?"

"Yes." He says, not a hint of hesitation in his voice. "I meant it then, and I still mean it."

"Then why did you leave? Please, just tell me." I can see a mixture of emotions flashing around in his eyes.

"You were sleeping, and I noticed that bruise on your face from when he hit you. All I could think about was how I couldn't protect you from that moment."

"That wasn't your fault, Thomas. I got myself in the middle of everything. Him hitting me was an accident."

"I- I know, but I still felt responsible." His voice starts to crack, and I can tell he's holding back tears. "I thought that if I couldn't protect you from that, then I wouldn't be able to protect you at all. I got in my head, and I let my own insecurities win. I got scared because, for the first time in my life, someone loved me as much as I loved them. I thought I was protecting you by leaving, and I know that makes no sense, but I promise I never wanted to hurt you."

"I know you didn't mean to hurt me, but you could've just talked to me. You could've addressed how you felt, and I would've reassured you that none of it was your fault. Instead, I wake up to you being gone and feeling used. I felt numb for days, and I still kind of do." Thomas takes a step closer to me, tucking some hair behind my ear.

"I will do whatever it takes to make it up to you. Even if it takes the rest of my life."

"Thomas-"

"I'm serious, Lizzy." I don't even stop him from calling me that. All I can focus on is how his lips are hovering directly over mine. One small step is all it would take, but I take that step backwards away from him.

"I'm sorry. I- I can't." He nods, understanding.

"I'm going to go make myself comfortable on the couch." With that, he leaves and I'm left standing there with a different aching in my chest.