Fake It Till You Make It

Leighton

The only person I tell is Katie. Regardless of the relationship being fake, she is supportive. She's actually happy for me. She knows I've always had a crush on Jaxon. She wants me to try new things with him, like kissing and cuddling and holding hands, but we both know that's too bold for me. When people ask me about it, I tell them it's real. The next day, there's a school basketball game. Jaxon drives James and I to school since he's staying with us for a week or so. When he drops us off he lets James go ahead of us and pulls me by the arm back to him to talk to me. He's leaning against the car.

"You should sit with me today at lunch. I'll save you a seat." He says.

"Okay. I guess. But save one for Katie too." I say.

"Okay, I will. Also, there's a basketball game tonight. We should sit together."

"Okay. Good thing you only play football, because now you can sit with me at the basketball games."

"Lucky me." He says, holding out his hand.

I look down at it.

"Was that supposed to be sarcastic?" I ask.

"Not at all." He says.

He takes matters into his own hands and reaches down to grab my hand. He laces his fingers in between mine. I jerk my hand back.

"What're you doing?" I ask.

"I'm sorry babe, I can't hold your hand?" He asks.

My heart flutters when he calls me babe.

"I've never held someone's hand. I don't want it to be fake. I don't think you know how inexperienced I am." I say.

"Well now I know. But nobody's gonna believe this relationship is real if we don't show some sort of affection." He says, holding his hand out once more.

I take a deep breath.

"Yeah, ok. But you gotta promise not to go any further than holding hands." I say.

"Promise. Unless you want me to."

"That won't be a problem." I say, putting my hand on his as he slips his fingers through mine and squeezes tight, pulling me behind him.

    Later, at lunch, in the lunch line, Katie is in front of me. Jaxon sneaks behind me and wraps his arms around my waist, holding me close. I jerk my head around to see that it is him. I know he's trying to make our relationship look real, so I rest my arms on top of his and cover his hands with mine. He leans down and kisses me on the cheek, his soft lips on my cheek makes my stomach do a flip. The line moves. He nudges me forward.

"Move up." He tells me.

"What was that for?" I ask.

"What was what for?"

"Kissing me on the cheek."

"You know what is was for." He says, linking arms with me.

I smile.