Head Over Leather #Wattys2017

III. Deal with the Devil

Even though Ethan's number was burning a hole in my pocket throughout the day, I still refused to even acknowledge his offer. What would he even want from me? I already told him I wasn't taking down the article.

As I make my way to the cafeteria, a few people compliment me on the article yet again and it sets off something in me, because I find myself worrying about Ethan. If everyone read the article and was praising me, how were they reacting to him?

I find my answer when I enter the cafeteria. Ethan's usual table is occupied by Eva and Derek, along with the rest of his 'crew'. Across the room, I see Ethan sat alone, eating a sandwich, as his gaze is trained on his former friends. I tuck my auburn locks behind my ear and allow myself to watch him for a moment.

He's hunched over, eating away at the sandwich almost as if to distract himself. He seems to have had enough of torturing himself and instead is now focusing on a textbook. Strange. I didn't think Ethan Andrews was the type to do homework. Let alone have books with him. Glancing around, I subtly make my way to the table, my steps almost hesitant.

"Hey," I manage to muster up a small, somewhat genuine smile and his blue eyes light up in surprise, but nonetheless he offers a small smile in return.

"You really wanna be seen with a social pariah?" Ethan smirks, a smudge of mayonnaise glistening on the lower corner of his mouth. My eyes stay glued to the spot, long enough that Ethan raises his eyebrows in confusion, watching me intently.

"You have..um..a little.." I stutter the words out, but my mind can't seem to function, so I reach out and wipe the smudge with my thumb. Judging by the look on his face, I wasn't the only one surprised by my actions. We stare at each other for a short moment, before a smug look graces his features.

"That was hot. Maybe next time, I'll suck on it." Ethan grins cockily, tilting his head, mocking me with his gorgeous stupid face. I scoff in disgust and glare at him, trying to ignore the slight flutter in my stomach at his words.

"You're a pig. Here you are flirting with me, yet 5 minutes ago you were sitting here like a kicked puppy." I sigh in exasperation, shaking my head at him with wide eyes.

Ethan chuckles lightly, taking another bite of his sandwich, gaze still trained on me. His tongue slips out to lick the sauce off his lips and my shirt collar suddenly feels awfully tight and restricting. "Who says I'm flirting with you?" He bites back, challenging me.

"You know, I came here, because I pitied you. But now you're being an ass, so I'm leaving." I stand up, ready to leave him be, but his hand reaches out and catches my wrist.

"I'm only messing with you, Sawyer. Sit. You're the only one in this goddamn school I can tolerate right now. Besides, a gorgeous creature like me can't be that bad of company right?" He asks, a smirk settling on his lips. I find myself grinning at his remark, before placing myself back down on the seat. Ethan looks at me for a minute, before I hear tin foil scraping along the table's surface and I glance down only to find the other half of his sandwich.

"Heartache wrapped in leather and cheap cologne..and sweetness." I nod, picking up the sandwich and taking a bite. He rolls his eyes at me and continues to finish his own sandwich.

I almost don't notice the looks we get as people start to notice the bad boy isn't so alone after all. We exchange quips and tease each other for the remainder of the lunch period and it's odd how easily we get along without even trying.

***
Ethan and I fall into a routine after that day. Whenever Jess works in the newsroom during lunch, I keep Ethan company in the cafeteria. I even pack my own lunch now, because after all he's a growing boy. If anyone asks, I won't admit it, but I've made use of his number too. Nothing too drastic, just a 'how are you?' here and there and 'what are you bringing for lunch?'.

"So, now that I've earned your trust.." Ethan begins and I can't help but let out a laugh. Although we've conversed more than we ever have in the years we've known each other, I'd hardly call it a bond of trust. More like 'I-kinda-ruined-your-reputation-so-I'm-eating-lunch-with-you-so-you're-not-a-complete-loner bond'.

"I have a proposition. Remember the day I gave you my number so you could help me fix my reputation?" I nod in response, stabbing away at my pasta salad with the shitty plastic fork. "Well, I was thinking that you should be my girlfriend."

I choke on a piece of pasta at the sound of his proposition. What the hell? Before I have the chance to tell him to piss off, he says, "Hear me out. We pretend to be boyfriend and girlfriend. You get to be the next Eva Grey and not only does she see me with someone else, but someone else who's just like her. Maybe she comes to her senses, maybe not. Point is, I end up breaking your heart in the end. Hypothetically."

I stare at him for a while and wonder just how desperate he must be to uphold a reputation that he won't even remember in a few years time. "But why me?" It's the most obvious question playing on my mind. We haven't had an ounce of interaction in the past 5 years and now he wants me to be his fake girlfriend.

"Think about it. You wrote an article basically praising Eva and taking a dig at me. It'll be interesting to people, because of that. Plus, I get to be the heartbreaker this time." I swallow hard, seriously debating his offer. It wasn't that I wanted to be Eva, but I did owe him. He was miserable without his friends and girlfriend. The article didn't help either. I'm finding it hard to see what I get out of it though.

"Let's make it more interesting. I will try to be like Eva, but we'll make it known to everyone that it's a game. Whoever falls in love first loses. Heartbreaker wins. I get another story featuring the talk of the school and you get to be the center of attention. The perfect place to play up your bad boy behavior. You'll be the one who propositions me to play." I surprise myself with my own plan, having not thought it through at all. But I'm going to need another story if I want to build my legacy at the Chronicle and this is it.

I watch Ethan as he contemplates the idea. He's sucking on the inside of his cheek and I can't help but let my eyes trace over every freckle, hair, detail on his face. He lets go with a pop and focuses on me again. "Deal. We start tomorrow." With that, he flashes me a grin and stands up, slinging his bag over his shoulder, leaving with a flirty wink.

What have I gotten myself into?

*****
Besides the game, Ethan and Maya seem to have formed a sort of friendship. What will happen next? Read to find out!