Fake

Chapter 4: The Favor

•Jordan's POV•

    I slumped down on my big bed, a sigh escaping my mouth. Why did Everett help me? He didn't have to do that. I was so mean to him. I sat up and stared into space, thinking. What could I do to repay him? I guess I could be nicer to him but it might make my reputation look bad. I stood up and stumbled to my wooden dresser. I than got dressed into sweats and a baggy shirt. I waddle to my stairs and I shuffle downstairs.

      I shuffle through my cupboards to find a snack. I just need fruit snacks or something. I start to panic after I see nothing. I sigh out of pure frustration. At least a bag of chips! Nothing. Nothing at all. Just healthy stuff. I frown after no luck. I stomp into my living room and plunge on the couch. I grab the remote and channel surf, to find Jane the virgin, my favorite show.

     Tears flooded my eyes. That was so beautiful! The wedding. The last episode. Everything was beautiful.

     My happiness ended with two knocks on the door. I rolled my eyes. "Daddy!" I yell, trying to see if my dad can hear me in this big mansion. "Crystal!" I yell for our maid. She's not here, she's on break. I groan as I get up and pull my soft warm blanket off of me. Two more knocks come from the door. "Coming!" I yell. I sprint to the door and almost fall on my way there.

       I twist the door knob and pull it open. To my surprise I see Maddie, startled when she saw the door. "Maddie?" I ask. "What are you doing here?" Her face had anxious written all over it. "Maddie?" I asked, raising a brow. "Jordan." She said impatiently, her foot tapping the floor in a soft beat. "What are you doing here?" I ask. What was she doing here? It's 6pm.

"Jordan." She says. She looked down and chewed her bottom lip. "I'm sorry." She mumbled. I widened my eyes. "Maddie you're scaring me." Her eyes glance at me. Her eyes shot on the ground before she breathed. "J-Jordan." She looked at me, dead in the eyes. What was she talking about? Why was she so nervous? Is she okay? "Everett." She announced. Her eyes glazed with tears. Everett? Is he okay?

      The silence got really loud. It was to loud for about 30 seconds as Maddie calmed herself down to help her tell me what was on her mind.

     I got so frustrated with the time she was wasting, so I blurted out what was on my mind. "Maddie, can you PLEASE tell me what is going on?" She looked at the ground again. Her voice was raspy and raw when she said, "fine." Her eyes met mine. She inhaled then exhaled.

"Everett is depressed right now Jordan." I raised a brow and smirked. "You didn't know this?" I sighed. She didn't know her OWN brother was depressed? Her brows narrowed when she searched my face. She looked offended. "No!" She started. "Everett was diagnosed with depression a long time ago." Her breathing hitched. She looked at her flats. A tear streamed down and hit the doorstep. "After dad got married to our stepmom, or in his words, "the worst person to walk the planet." Her red, streamy eyes met mine. Everett has depression; And he got it after his dad got married. I felt wrong. I felt guilty for making him worse instead of making it better.

"And." Her voice became more raspy. "It's only gotten worse ever since-" she stated. "His only friend died." I breathed. I stepped closer and wrapped my arms around her. Maddie's arms gripped me. She stopped tearing up and began sobbing hysterically. Her snot whipped across my shirt. I narrowed my eyes before ignoring it to help her feel better. She pulled away, wiping her nose with her denim sleeve. "Thanks." She sniffled. "I needed that."I nodded. "Is that why you came here?" I asked. "For comfort?" She stared at me. "No." My brows narrowed. "Then why did you come?" She breathed.

"I need you to act like you like him; start talking to him and maybe even date him. Another love is the only thing that will make his suicidal heart change." She looked at me, her childish look in her eyes. My mouth gaped open. Be his girlfriend? Be Everett stone's girlfriend? "Would he believe this?" I sigh.

           I don't think he would believe this. He knows I hate him, so it would be weird if I told him I liked him. Plus this would ruin my reputation.

     Her eyes met mine. Before they hit the floor. "I don't know; Jordan." She stammered. "I really don't." Her breath went hazy as her voice stiffened. "But I need to take the chance." I stared at her. "I don't think so Maddie. I'm sorry." I announced.

Her ocean eyes shot mine. Her brows furrowed before she crossed her arms. "You know how much it hurts seeing your brother in pain?" She began yelling with tears. "To hear him planing his death sentence?" Her voice boomed along the once silent neighborhood. "To listen to your older brother that was your hero, in the room next to you, sobbing hysterically and whining about why life isn't fair." Her tears rolled down like tidal waves along her face.

"Maddie.." My voice trailed off.

"No jordan! You don't understand what I'm going through! Or what HE'S going through. I mean look at you! Look at how wealthy and spoiled you are."

She really just said that. She really just called me spoiled. She doesn't even know me, yet she calls ME spoiled!

In a demanding voice I screamed, "Then if you live the same life, why aren't YOU depressed?"

Maddie frowned and looked at the ground. "Because my dad and stepmom actually like and respect me. And I hated his friend."

I paused. Wait. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. I needed to prepare for what this crazy life is going to throw at me.

"Maddie." I trailed off. "I'm sorry." Her eyes narrowed at me. It felt like she said with a look, "You disgust me."

I had to repay Everett even if it hurt me or worse. My beautiful, perfect reputation.

I breathed "What's the pay?"