pretend | e.d

chapter two

I walked down the dark road, no clue where it was heading too, other than away from my neighbourhood. It was quite scary, walking all alone at this time of night. But I'd never admit that to someone... I'd just act tough, make myself seem like I don't give a shit about anything, when that's not the case at all.

I started to notice a dim light in the distance, which got brighter and brighter as I got closer. I never realised how cold I was until I read the sign, automatically dragging me inside of the place that seemed to be called, the discount diner. The bell rang signalling that another customer had entered when the door opened, and I earned a tired and forced smile from the women behind the counter. I headed up, pulling out the cash I had stuffed in my pocket, earning a funny look.
" I'll have a black coffee " I said simply, while the girl nodded, not saying a word.
She's either tired, or scared of me. To be honest, it's no surprise. My dark red hair, a few obvious tattoos and visible piercings... some people find that scary, I find it intriguing. It didn't help that I had a black hoodie over my head, half covering my drained and tired looking face, either.
A few minutes later the girl came back with my coffee, handing it to me as I handed her the cash, telling her to keep the change.

I found a seat at the back of the diner, instantly sitting down, making myself comfortable since I knew I'd be here a while. Most likely all night, if it's 24 hours.
I brought my lips to the cup, holding it in my hand and smiling a little at the warmth. As soon as the liquid hit my tongue I pulled away, my eyes wide.
" fuck, ow " I cursed, fanning my mouth down with my hand.
I looked at the opposite end of the table, my eyes landing on a magazine that must've been left from the customer before. I quickly reached for it, replacing my hand with the magazine, desperate for cool air. After minutes of recovery, I put it down, opening it up and looking at the first page. It was a magazine all about models, which I didn't find interesting whatsoever, but I continued to read. It was all just a way of hoping to pass the time.

My eyes wondered around the empty diner, landing on a couple who sat happily, eating a late night meal together. I watched them closely, almost beginning to admire how in love they looked, until I remembered that love doesn't exist. Not to me, anyway. As a kid I believed in love, everything about it I found so magical. I wanted it, and wanting it got me here today. I'd lacked so much love and affection in my life from my parents that as soon as I could get it from someone else, I was blinded by it. Safe to say that all it did was break me, and make me realise that love doesn't fucking exist.
I was completely pulled from my thoughts when the bell rang again, and another customer entered the diner. I watched his every move, how he walked past the couple, heading straight to the counter mysteriously. As soon as he started to order, my eyes wondered back to the couple, however the blonde girl was missing. Instead she was now stood behind the brown haired boy at the front.
I was about to return to my magazine, until the intriguing boy turned around, looking at the girl in shock.
" Vallery, what're you doing here? " He stuttered in confusion, while I eavesdropped the conversation.
" oh, I'm here with my new boyfriend... " The girl by the name of Vallery, said awkwardly.
I listened even more carefully as I picked up on the situation. The way the boy looked when she told him, said it all. They used to date. You could tell from a mile away, that he looked shattered, completely broken, when she said new boyfriend.
" who're you here with then, Ethan? " She asked the boy, who looked around the room nervously and scratched the back of his neck, trying to think of something.

Ethan, that's his name.

It was like a light bulb popped up at the top of his head, an idea had hit him when he spoke.
" I'm here with my new girlfriend too " The guy said, while I naturally scoffed, laughing a little to myself at his pathetic excuse.
He obviously heard, as his head snapped in my direction, his eyebrows furrowed in annoyance before he returned to his ex.

I shook my head in amusement, looking back down at the spread about the Kardashian's in the magazine. However, minutes later, it was snatched from in front of my face, giving me a close up look at the boy with the invisible girlfriend. I smirked as I looked at him closer, noticing his sharp and good looking features. He was hot, but fucking dumb. That coverup, was one of the worst I've ever heard. It took me a couple of seconds to realise that he was in fact sitting at my table, right opposite me.
" I'll pay you if you be my fake girlfriend just for tonight " The boy randomly blurted out, completely shocking me, considering how rudely he asked.
I put down the magazine, looking into the eyes of the boy who just got rejected.
" excuse me? " I raised a brow, my lips slightly parted in annoyance.
" I said, I'll pay you if you be my- " He repeated stupidly, before I cut him off, shaking my head.
" I'm not fucking deaf, I heard you " I rolled my eyes, earning a sigh in response.
" well will you? " He asked again, making me scrunch up my nose.
" No! Just because you got rejected it doesn't mean you're going to have some girl from a diner willing to pretend to be with you " I responded, making him sit back up straight, a stupid look on his face.
" I didn't exactly get rejected... I- " he begun, trying to stand his ground before I cut him off.
" Ethan, you got rejected " I told him again, an even more confused look playing on his face.
" how do you know my name? " He asked in disbelief.
" again, I'm not fucking deaf... I heard the entire conversation... quite embarrassing, Mr I'm Here With My Girlfriend " I teased, using quotations, making him roll his eyes.
" oh shut up, just please do it... I'll pay you, I'll give you anything you need- " Ethan rambled, obviously desperate.
I sunk into my seat, a sigh escaping my lips which shut him up. The more I thought about it, the more I realised how much I needed a place to stay, unless I want to sleep on the doorstep of a diner. I don't even know this guy, but he doesn't seem particularly strange... other than the fact that he just asked a random girl to be his fake girlfriend, but that's besides the point.
Plus, he just offered me money, he's bound to have some place I can stay at for a couple of days.
" on one condition " I said through gritted teeth, his eyes instantly lighting up.
" what? " He perked up, before I told him.
" I need a place to stay " I announced, as he fell silent.
" you're homeless? " Ethan stupidly asked, his voice high pitched in shock.
" no you dumbfuck, I just ran away from home! Do I look homeless? " I shot back, glaring at the guy opposite me.
He smirked, about to speak before I raised my hand, stopping him from digging the hole deeper and deeper.
" don't even go there " I warned, making him laugh in response.
I shook my head, waiting to hear his answer to my previous statement.
" so, you want to stay at my apartment? " Ethan double checked, and I nodded, my arms now crossed as I looked at him.
He took a while, before nodding, stretching his hand out from across the table, which I hesitantly shook.
" deal "

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A/N- they met ooo