𝐝𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭 ✾ (𝐣𝐞𝐧𝐳𝐢𝐞)

FIFTEEN !

DIFFERENT !

SLOWLY, I PRESSED My ear tightly against the door, careful not to make a sound. only minutes before, nadia had asked johnny to 'speak privately' with him in her bedroom.

as anyone who knew me would know, i had a fat crush on johnny. so, my jealous mind guided me to the outside of her room. just making sure they weren't doing anything, of course. definitely not eavesdropping.

"what do you mean, you told her? we promised not to tell anyone," johnny whisper-shouted, obviously upset with nadia.

"johnny if you would let me ex-"

"nadia! we barely know her, what if she tells people? you know how dumb we would look if they found out we were fake dating?" he interrupted. even though the door was in the way, i knew he was pacing the room, and his hand was in his hair.

"no, john. you barely know her. you've met her, how many times? two? she's not going to say shit, i trust her," nadia defended me. if i was being honest, my heart melted.

"okay, whatever. why would you tell her?"

a pause. i could tell she was thinking of a way to not expose my secret. "i was in the moment, okay? we were having a really deep discussion, it was three in the morning. it just came out," she explained.

"in the moment, my ass, nads." through the tiny crack of the door, i could see a sliver of johnny. he shook his head. "i know you, i know that you're lying. what's the real reason?"

"jesus, you blind ass. are you really going to make me explain? how do you not know already?" she asked, coating her voice with saltiness.

"no, nadia. i don't fucking know. if i knew, i wouldn't be asking you right now, would i?" he played the 'salty' game back.

yet another pause. it got so quiet, i could hear nadia breathing heavily out of her nose. which, in the few days i've gotten to know her, is one of the things i'd picked up on. she does it when things get stressful. at least, i think.

her voice lowered to a much quieter volume, "kenzie obviously has a crush on you!"

it took every cell in my body to keep me from kicking the door in, but deep-breathing stopped me from doing so. however, i could feel myself blushing madly. only one thought could come to mind;

that's awkward.

"big fucking bet, nads. mackenzie just doesn't seem like the kind of girl to have... emotions," he joked.

at least, i hope it was a joke.

"i'm serious! i'll prove it to you, i don't know how, but i will," she said proudly. mentally, i begged her not to prove herself.

he laughed, "okay, you do that. i'm going back out there, and we're going to act like we never talked about this, got it?" i could feel his hand hit the door knob, but i stayed in my spot.

"no! that isn't all," nadia stopped johnny from leaving. thank god, i didn't want to move from my position quite yet.

"what?" he sighed, clearly tired of the topic.

"this," she paused, "is done. we can't keep this lie going, i like other people. i'm sick and tired of not being able to date just because of something that isn't even real."

johnny didn't say anything in return before grabbing the door knob again, a sign for me to hurry around the corner and down the steps.

i was halfway down the staircase when i heard the bedroom door slam shut. desperately trying to not expose myself, i raced into the kitchen before he could see me on the stairs.

when he appeared at the bottom of the steps, he was staring at his phone, fingers typing rapidly. noticing his flustered expression, i grew curious of the reason he was upset.

maybe his feelings for nadia weren't fake.

johnny was nearing the front door, about to leave. part of me dreaded starting a conversation with him, but another part dreaded him leaving. if i wanted him to stay, i had to think fast. "are you okay?" i blurted.

he looked up from his phone. "i'm okay. thanks mackenzie." and with that, he left.

in my head, that conversation was going to be way more romantic than that. we would've talked about how love can suck- even when you're not in a relationship. he could've kissed me to make himself feel better, but that's a little bit of a stretch.

yet, the few words we exchanged still managed to create butterflies in my stomach.

KARLEIGH SPEAKS !
this book is so cringy oh my god i hate it lololol also this took me at least 4 days to finish writing!1!1!