Blair O'Connor was the life of every party-popular, fearless, and always the center of attention. But behind the perfect image was an abusive boyfriend who slowly stripped away the girl she used to be.
After finally breaking free, Blair transfers...
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February 12th 2005
I was definitely drunk, no question about it, because I could feel the familiar loosening of my filter, that dangerous sense of confidence that only seemed to come out after a few too many drinks. And right now, lying here next to Patrick, I found myself blurting things out without even thinking.
"I have an idea," I announced, turning to face him after my phone had gone silent. Connor, my ex, had somehow gotten my new number and was apparently making it his life's mission to remind me he was still around. My phone had buzzed four times in the past two minutes, and I could feel the irritation building up inside me.
Patrick looked at me over the pillow wall, his brow furrowed with that mix of curiosity and patience he always seemed to have. "What's up?"
I took a breath, feeling my words rush out before I could reel them back. "This is probably so stupid since I'm not in the right state of mind, but... I was thinking... Since you, you know, like Lizzie and my ex won't stop being a stalker, why don't we, like—" I paused, already feeling the heat rise to my cheeks as I realized what I was about to propose, "fake being together? Or... something."
For a second, there was silence. Just me and Patrick, our faces barely a foot apart as he blinked, trying to process whatever ridiculous thing I'd just said.
"What am I even saying..." I muttered, rubbing a hand over my face. The idea sounded completely absurd now that it was out in the open, but I kept talking anyway. "You want Lizzie to notice you, right? And Connor will leave me alone if he thinks I'm with someone else. It's a win-win."
Patrick looked at me, his face unreadable, and then, to my surprise, he cracked a small smile. "You're actually serious about this?"
"Yes," I said, more confidently than I felt. "I mean, why not? It's just... pretend. And maybe it'll work. I could make you look good in front of Lizzie, you know? She'd have to notice you if you had a girlfriend."
He let out a low chuckle, looking away for a moment as if he needed to consider the idea properly. "So, let me get this straight," he said, turning back to me. "You want me to pretend to be your boyfriend so your ex gets off your case, and in return, you'll help me make Lizzie... jealous?"
I nodded, already feeling a weird mix of nerves and excitement bubbling up inside me. "Exactly. It's foolproof."
He raised an eyebrow. "Foolproof, huh?"
"Okay, maybe not foolproof, but pretty close," I said, laughing a little despite myself. "You'd just have to play along, maybe hold my hand at school, look... interested. And I'd do the same for you, you know, act like I'm totally into you so Lizzie gets the hint."
He let out a long, thoughtful sigh, tapping his fingers lightly on the pillow wall. "So, we'd have to sell it. You know, be convincing."
"Exactly," I replied, my mind already racing with scenarios that we'd have to act out. "And it's not like it has to be for long. Just until Lizzie starts noticing you, and Connor gets the message and backs off."
