Fake It Till You Make It

Jaxon

My life is pretty good, nice house and nice things, cool best friend. The only bad things are that my dad moved on when I was a toddler and started a whole other family, and my delusional mom and I are living with my abusive stepdad. I was kicked out once again by my stepdad, and that's why I asked James if I could stay with him for a week or so, and he said yes. I know Leighton has a crush on me, and I know she tries to hide it and fails. She's pretty cute for a sophomore, but she's totally off limits, which is why I stick to teasing her. What she doesn't know is that I definitely could've stood my ground earlier when she tripped and fell on me, but I wanted her to land on top of me so I staged my fall. Now as James is in the bathroom, I hear Leighton crying from her room. I knock on the door before coming in.

"Leighton? Are you okay?" I ask.

"Go away." She says, her face in her pillow and muffled cries coming from her.

"What's wrong?" I ask, sitting on the edge of her bed and putting my hand on her back.

"Mom told me it was her fault dad left, she cheated on him!"

"My dad left me too, and I'm sure that even if my mom cheated on him and he knew about it, that wouldn't have been the reason he left. Your dad would still be in your life if he cared about you, regardless of what your mom did." I say.

"I know you're right, but I don't want to believe that. I want somebody to blame it on." She says through cries.

"Leigh, if you need somebody to blame, blame him. He's the one in the wrong here."

She sits up and looks at me, and then she dives into my arms for a hug. I hold her close, breathing in her fruity coconut smell that she always has.

"Thank you." She says, crying into my shoulder.

"No problem." I say.

She pulls away, wiping her eyes. She pulls her hair back into her famous messy bun she always does that looks so cute on her. She catches me staring at her.

"What?" She asks.

"Don't change your hair." I say.

She smiles cutely, her dimples showing.

"Why?"

"I like your hair and eye combo. And your buns are cute." I say.

"Thanks." She says, blushing.

"So you won't?"

"I guess not."

"Good." I say, standing up.

"Where are you going?" She asks.

"You want me to stay?"

She looks away, seemingly embarrassed.

"No. It's fine."

"You sure?"

"Yeah."

"Ok. Cheer up kiddo." I say, walking out.

"I'll try." She mumbles.