False Pretence

6: there's a first time for everything

"What the hell?!" I yell, pushing Zack away from me and stopping him from doing what he was just about to do.

He jerks back, surprised by my outburst but his shock soon turns into anger.

"What are you doing?!" he questions angrily.

"What am I doing? I think the correct question is what are you doing?!" My voice is high pitched which does not bode so well with how loud I'm currently speaking.

"What does it look like I was doing? I was sealing the deal," he says like it is the most obvious thing in the world.

"Oh, that's fine then." I state sarcastically. "Silly me, I thought that people usually shake hands when making a deal but clearly I've been living in la-la land. Apparently, the normal thing to do is kiss the other person even if you're practically strangers!" My voice rises and Zack flinches at the volume.

"You've literally just agreed to being my fake girlfriend. What did you think was going to happen?" he rolls his eyes and this infuriates me even more.

"Yes, I agreed to be your girlfriend but I definitely did not agree for you to take advantage of me!" Even as the words come out of my mouth, I know I'm being a bit dramatic but Zack annoys me so much.

"Oh, come on." he groans. "I was hardly taking advantage of you, it was just a kiss. We're a couple now and like it or not that means we have to act like we're in love." Zack says the word 'love' as if it's toxic and I'm sure I see a small shudder go through his body too.

Some may think that I'm being stupid for acting like this when Zack tried to kiss me. I can literally hear what all the other girls at school would be saying if they knew I just rejected his kiss. The thing is, I've never been in a relationship before. There, I've said it. I don't trust easily and the thought of kissing someone seems so intimate to me. The thought of that person being Zack is even more bizarre and knowing me I would probably do it wrong and give him more ammunition to tease me.

"I just- No, we can't kiss," I state, trying to sound as firm as possible.

"Why are you being so dramatic? It's like you've never kissed anyone before." Zack laughs but my face pales because he's hit the nail on the head and is totally right. His laughter fades as he sees my expression. God knows what I look like but I'm pretty sure that it's clear from my face that what he said it right.

"Cara?" he questions. I don't reply as I get out of the car, murmuring something about getting late for class. I really hope that Zack can take a hint and leave me alone but of course, I don't have any such luck.

"Hey! Wait up!" he calls out to me but I'm halfway to the doors and am not about to stop now. If I can make it through them then hopefully I can get lost in the sea of people and I won't have to confront Zack until lunch. I pick up my pace, liking the idea of not having to see Zack until I've had some time to think. "Cara!" he calls again just as I make it through the doors. For the first time today I smile because there is no way that Zack is going to be able to catch up with me now. Our arguing in the car has meant that we've made it to school just before the bell rings when everyone is rushing to get to their class.

I get to my class just before the bell rings but my teacher hasn't arrived yet so I wait outside it with the other students. Unfortunately, Anya isn't in this class with me but I really wish she was because I could use her advice right about now. I mean, what the hell was I thinking, believing that I wouldn't have to kiss Zack if we were fake dating? Of course we would need to kiss! He's kissed practically every other girl he's been seen with and according to him they were only flings. Why would I be any different as his supposed long-term girlfriend?