3 Months

Chapter 5

-Gavin-

Haley, my ex, sitting in my bed, looking good. Me, mouth wide open, supposed to be dating Zoey, but Haley looks good. I know I have to send her home, I know I have to tell her to turn around, but she looks so good. No, no no! I'm dating Zoey, well not really? I mean if I wanted to have Haley I could but- No! She'd tell everyone and the bet would be over before it even started! Man up and tell her to tell her to leave.

"Haley? What the fuck?" I start to say as she just stares up at me with her blue eyes, tempting me even by saying nothing.

"Gavin listen I know we had our bad times, but I can see the change in you. If you are willing to give that thing Zoey Parker a chance to make me jealous it worked! I know you want me, cut the act and we can work this out," she begins lifting the hem of her dress and smiles "together."

I stared at her blankly, trying to gather what she just said and my own thoughts.

"First of all," I say calmly but asserting my dominance, "I'm not doing anything to make you jealous, secondly Zoey Parker is not a thing, and thirdly there is no us to work out, we're not a thing." I state it so bluntly and honestly shocked at my restraint by her temptations, realizing my desire to win the bet must be stronger than I originally thought.

At first, she doesn't say anything, but her look could kill a thousand Zoey Parkers if they were standing right in front of her. She sighs and laughs at the same time, making a sound that almost sounds shameful as she begins to move off of my bed making an attempt to make eye level contact with me.

"I don't know why you always do this to me." She sighs and looks like she's about to cry, I would comfort her if I didn't already know the manipulating intentions behind the stare.

"I know we could work I know we have the potential but its like," She stops for a second and pushes her ashy blonde hair out of her face, "It's like you give everyone a chance but me, when I've given you literally my everything." It's in that moment that I actually feel bad for her, but it's too late for us, too late to take a chance on someone who is trying to manipulate me on cheating on a relationship I'm technically not in, whatever.

"Haley," I begin to speak realizing this isn't the time for crude words, but blunt honesty, "This would never work, you come here and try to pry me away now that I'm in a relationship and you blame this all on me when we've both known the terms of this friendship, I'm happy now. Please this needs to end."

"When did this relationship with her even start? I was in your bed like 2 days ago." I sighed realizing I hadn't even thought that far in advance, what do I say? I was with Haley the literal day I stated my fake feelings for Zoey.

"We hadn't talked about it, I was upset but we became official later that day, I know the timing sucks and I'm sorry but I want to give her a chance now" Haley doesn't say anything, she just grabs her stuff and begins to walk out, looking down and keeping her thoughts to herself.

"I'm not going to be waiting anymore, I'm done this was your last chance." She says as she walks out the door. I sit on my bed and rub my hands together, knowing this was only the beginning to a long three months. 89 more days.

-Zoey-

The morning arrived sooner than I was hoping for, the thing is, I couldn't even complain because this was my doing. Looking back, I'm not sure why I agreed to help Gavin. It's not like I needed the money or needed to wanted to hangout with him. Maybe in a way I felt bad for him? Maybe in a way I think deep down, that him failing or surviving this task is up to me and it's nice to feel in control for once. I slowly put my brown hair up into a ponytail and sling my bag over my shoulder, Gavin is picking me up. I step out onto my front porch once again questioning why I am doing this, we aren't even friends, I don't even know him. I see his car round the curb and stop into a parking position. He starts to honk his horn and I slowly begin my walk over. I open the door and throw my bag to the ground trying the avoid the impending eye contact.

"Hello?" He says laughing to himself and turning towards me, waving his hands in front of my face. I turn to him, staring at his green eyes trying not to crack a smile.

"Yes? Hello." I reply and hold his stare, we've only spent one afternoon together, but you can still feel the tension between us, yes I know his family history but I don't really know his personality or what makes him tick.

Gavin smiled at me, he does have a nice smile even though I hate to admit it. He shakes his head and puts both of his hands on the wheel and begins to pull away from my house, I realize it is too late to backout.

"So," I start, trying to ease whatever tension is between us. "How was your weekend?" I turn to look at him and he sighs autibly.

"Interesting to say the least, don't be surprised if Haley is staring daggers at you all day." He lets out a little laugh.

"Guess I can't say I'm surprised about that" It's in this moment I wish I could take my offer back, why did I even do this?

We slowly roll up to the school, somehow it looks more prison like than normal. The silence of the car ride still prominent but I can feel Gavin's eyes on me. We sit there silently for a moment or two before he finally sticks out his hand. I stare at in front of my face for the second time this morning.

"Come on gimme your hand let's do this" He states it so boldly I can't help but stare at him, I then realize that this is not weird it would be normal for two people in a relationship to do this. I slowly grab my backpack and am about to open the door when Gavin interrupts me.

"Let me get the door." He says as he grabs his own bag from the back and exits the car. I sit in my seat waiting for him to walk over to my side. I hear the door open and pull my own bag around my shoulders. He shuts the door and reaches for my hand. We haven't practiced this, physical intimacy, hand-holding or anything else. It's just weird, to feel his hand against mine as we make the walk into the school. I can see the eyes on us and it makes me squeeze Gavin's hand harder. Gavin squeezes back and I'm reminded of the money, and whatever other reason I'm burying deep down for doing this. I gently pull him to the direction of my first period since he insisted on dropping me off when we created our game plan. In some tragic coincidence, Haley is in that class and she aggressively struts past us when she sees we are standing by the door. Gavin turns to me and gives me an apologetic look, before leaning in and kissing me on the cheek. It feels weird and warm but I try not to look uncomfortable as he pulls away. The kiss make me wonder if we will ever have to go further than that, a question saved for later. 

"Text me for lunch okay?" He is more soft spoken than usual and looks almost shy as he slowly pulls his hand away from mine. I give him smile, that nearly is genuine and look towards my classroom when the warning bell rings.

"I will, promise not to forget about me." I joke as trying to lighten whatever this mood between us is. He looks at me once more and leans in again as my breath begins to get tight. He bypasses my mouth and cheek and goes for my ear.

"I don't loose, I don't give up, and we both want that money, I won't forget you." He whispers before pulling away and beginning his walk down the hallway, giving me one final wave before he disappears into the crowd. I stare for a minute realizing this is only the beginning of many, many mornings. 88 days to go.