the long game -guy germaine

chapter 7

valerie nichols
"What am I doing?"
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Guy asked me to meet him in the music room later tonight. I'm nervous... last time I asked him to meet me was to tell him Adam and I were faking it but then I chickened out and asked for advice to get Adam to like me. You don't think- you don't think he's gonna ask me for advice with a girl, right? I hope not.

It's now 7:45pm. I just got out of the shower, I think I might get Julie to french braid my hair. I change into pajama pants and sports bra. I'll put my shirt on before I leave but right now I'm sweating.

"Hey Julie?" I call out from the bathroom.

"Mhm?"

"Can you braid my hair?" I peek my head out the bathroom.

"Yeah of course," Julie gets out of bed and grabs the chair at my desk. "Soooooo?"

"So what?" as I laugh I can feel my nose scrunch.

"Where are you going later?" she raises her eyebrows.

"Guy asked me to meet him the music room. I'm kinda nervous,"

"Oh? Why?"

"The last time we went I asked him for guy advice... I just hope he isn't asking me for advice with a girl. You know?"

"I mean yeah. But aren't you with Adam? Why would you care if Guy likes someone?" she starts braiding my hair.

"Cause well- oh you know!" I don't know how to give her an honest answer without telling her it's fake. "Look, me and Adam are not together. We just are making everyone think we are.."

"WHAT?" Julie starts jumping up and down. "Why? Give me all the details!!"

"Well the varsity guys are dicks. We both hate them so we wanted to get them mad," I start picking at my nails.

"Why would the varsity team care?" she finishes the first braid.

"Last year- before you guys were here uh... Scooter and I were dating. It didn't really end well. He was really nice upfront but as soon as we were around people he was a jerk and would say things about me to his friends. There's more stuff but I don't wanna get into it..." I bite cheek. I can feel my eyes start to water.

"Oh? Well he seems like an absolute dickhead. Did the plan work?" She looks at me through the mirror, I nod. "Well then that's good! I won't tell anyone about you and Scooter- or that you and Adam are faking it." She winks as she ties the other braid.

"Thanks Jules. I gotta go!" I run out the bathroom and head to the door.

"Val? Aren't you forgetting something?" she points to the zip up on my bed.

"Oh! Yes right! See you later!" I run out the door. As I'm heading to the music room I see Rick and Scooter.

"Oh hey Val," Rick winks.

"Rick c'mon let's go.." Scooter tries to grab his arm. I can feel myself shrinking.

"Hi Rick?" I try to walk past them.