Faking It

19:Faking It:19

Chapter 19

Alina

"Catch, princess!"

I'm just barely able to turn when Aiden throws a bag of Dorito's right at me. It smacks me in the face.

When he sees my glare, he gives me back a sweet, sort of innocent, little smile.

Due to the fact that he's currently forcing me to wear neon pink on neon green with neon orange shoes and a neon blue headband, he's sort of kissing up to me by tossing me a bag of Spicy Sweet Chili Dorito's every time he sees me in the halls.

They're kind of my guilty pleasure. Sue me.

Seeing as this is (I believe) the fourth bag that he's thrown at me, people have finally stopped giving weird and unusual glances in the halls. Honestly, I don't know how many of these he actually has with him.

"Right, so, have you actually eaten any of the chips?" Aiden asks as he weaves his way through the crowd, snaking an arm around the back of my neck.

I nod to him, holding up two fingers, causing him to chuckle. "For such a small little thing, you really do eat quickly."

I roll my eyes, and drop the fact that he just told me I've got such a puny height. I won't deny it. It's true and it's a bit annoying. But I'm betting that being on the shorter side is going to help me in some magical way at some point in my life. When that time comes, I'll shove it back in Aiden's face...assuming that he's still associated in my life at that time.

"Ah, where exactly are we currently headed?"

I point to my pre-calculus book, and he shakes his head. "Crap. I have to go to health," he mumbles. "All the way at the other end of the school. Gotta run, see you at lunch Princess!" Without a second glance, he bolts back towards the health and gym area.

"Good morning, Alina," Mr. Callaway says at the door. I'm not really sure what to do anymore, so I kind of just give a short smile and rush inside.

What am I supposed to mentally call him? Mr. Callaway? Nick? Cousin Nick?

It shouldn't be bothering me as much as it is, but I can't help it. Instead of fully focusing on the lesson, I mindlessly end up writing down the notes while I keep thinking of how it would be that we'd end up finding my cousin here. Mom obviously was surprised when she "introduced" us all, as if she'd accidentally bumped into him at the supermarket or something.

"Alina, would you mind staying after class for a moment?" Callaway suddenly says to me, making me furrow my eyebrows in confusion.

Isn't it only midway through class?

One look at the clock nearly makes me forget that I'm supposedly a mute. Class is over in three minutes. Three minutes.

I spaced out, into my own little thought bubble, for over thirty minutes. How had that even happened? I'd never meant to space out so much. Is that what Callaway wants me to stay after class for? If so, he'd probably tell my mother how poorly conducted I am in class, and then I'd be in for a lengthy and time consuming lecture.

Oh, god.

The bell rings and everyone dashes out the door in an instant, eager to start filling up their stomachs. Everyone except me.

While they all run out the door, I stand up and start packing up, placing my binder and book in my backpack. After actually putting the backpack on, I take slow steps up to Callaway's desk, and wait for him to say something.

He actually looks pretty...well...uncomfortable.

"I know," he finally begins, "that this might be...a little bit...different. I mean, I'll try to act both ways during the school day; I'll still be your teacher, and carry on rules and regulations, but I'm still your cousin. We're family, you can always count on me if you need someone for something, anything."