The Art of Playing Pretend (On Hold)

13. Violet

I walked into school alongside Xander with his hand wrapped around mine. Everyone still gave us surprised looks and whispered to themselves about how we were "dating". We were getting pretty good with this act, I have to admit. We seemed like a genuine couple. Our kisses seem to now be spot on, as shown a few nights ago when Xander kissed me on the swing set.

My eyes widened when I realized that Xander was actually kissing me. Right now. When we were alone. When no one was watching. What was he doing?

He quickly pulled away a few seconds later, and his eyes filled with realization of what he just did. "I-I'm sorry, I don't know what I was thinking. I- uh... it felt like a good time to practice... so we could seem like a believable couple." He backed away and looked down at his shoes.

I peered my head at him to try to see his eyes. "It's okay Xander I get it." I walked my feet against the ground to give myself a small swing. "We should though."

He looked up and frowned. "Should what?"

"Practice more," I said. "I mean, what's the point of doing this if we're not believable, right?"

"Right," he said. "Exactly. Exactly why I kissed you."

I laughed. "Yes, exactly. Well, I think we should head back, they're probably worried about us." I got up and we started to walk to my house. "Oh, Xander."

He turned to me. "Yeah?"

I rapidly grabbed his face and placed a peck on his mouth. It only lasted for a second, but he definitely seemed to be disoriented from it. As I kept on walking, he still stood there wondering what just happened. "Oh come on," I said, "I know I'm good, but not that good."

He composed himself and rolled his eyes. He walked up to me and we eventually fell in step together.

I looked up and stalled, making Xander have to stop and look at me. "What?" He asked.

I stared at the sight in front of me and pointed with my free hand. "Do you see what I'm seeing?"

He looked in the direction of my finger and his hand immediately dropped mine. Before us was Lizzy and Danny walking and talking together. Talking. TALKING. "What the hell??" Xander said and he started to walk towards them. I followed his lead.

Once we were close enough, I decided to say the first thing. "What the hell is going on?!" I asked. They turned to me and Lizzy gave a bright smile.

"Danny apologized and now he's talking! Can you believe it!" She looked at him in awe. "Things are finally falling into place."

I beg to differ.

"What do you mean, apologized? I sure as hell didn't get one."

"Yeah, me neither," Xander cut in.

"He's just been busy explaining everything to his family," Lizzy said quickly.

"Yes," Danny said. "But I am sorry that I've been an asshole to you guys. I didn't want to, but of course my insecurities got in the way and basically controlled me. But here I am, trying to fight them. Do you think you guys can forgive me?"

I looked towards Lizzy, who couldn't seem to get her eyes off of him. "If Lizzy can forgive you, then I definitely can. It's good to have you back," I smiled and hugged him.

I know that I should've held back, that I should've yelled and said what he did was unacceptable towards us as his friends. But the I saw the gleam in Lizzy's eye that I haven't seen in months. It was that gleam that always gave me motivation because if she was able to be happy with everything she's gone through, than I could get through anything. When Danny stopped talking and she lost the life, I almost gave up. But now, seeing her as bright as ever, I couldn't thank Danny enough for bringing her back to life.