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Our bodies are not quite touching, but I can feel the heat radiating off of him.  If I just pushed myself forward half an inch, our bodies would meld together, like I remember all too well.  copyright protection135ＰＥＮＡＮＡuOZ3azwBgW

But I can't do that.  That would ruin everything.  He doesn't want a relationship.copyright protection135ＰＥＮＡＮＡZrvEeXINs8

This is supposed to be fake, but the way he makes me feel is anything but.  copyright protection135ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8RsqHSAXJw

Just having him this close, feeling his breath on my face, is causing my brain to short circuit.  copyright protection135ＰＥＮＡＮＡRdlQhvqN6G

I don't know how to feel or how to act around him.  I'm antsy and I really need to get out of here to clear the fog he causes in my brain, but I need to clarify a few things before I do.copyright protection135ＰＥＮＡＮＡK67gKmds9G

"Okay, so we are doing this?  For real?  Well, for fake, I mean... well, you know what I mean.  But we are actually doing this for real, for fake?"  Oh god, I'm rambling. I can't stop myself.  copyright protection135ＰＥＮＡＮＡAix3IeWjcF

How did this happen?  Oh right, it was my brilliant idea.  Two birds, one stone.  Yeah, just brilliant.  copyright protection135ＰＥＮＡＮＡP3SaTaFjYM

More like two bullets, one foot... because I totally just shot myself in the foot, both of them actually.  copyright protection135ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0IS7YCuc5D

Great, and now I'm mixing metaphors.  Could I be any more lame?  Just stop thinking for once in your life.  copyright protection135ＰＥＮＡＮＡSFWqIFEEYR

Yes, thinking.  Thinking is what got you into this stupid mess in the first place.copyright protection135ＰＥＮＡＮＡkNUcXOnD8l

One minute I was thinking that I just need a way to show everyone that I'm fine and the next, I'm asking Ben out. Just pretend, of course. copyright protection135ＰＥＮＡＮＡp83hg2UKfZ

Yeah... keep telling yourself that. copyright protection135ＰＥＮＡＮＡo8FkyoZd3X

I am so screwed.  copyright protection135ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4nKZAINXlW

When I return to reality, Ben is laughing.  At me?copyright protection135ＰＥＮＡＮＡiL4m3koY5E

"Are you done?"  He continues to softly chuckle.copyright protection135ＰＥＮＡＮＡXtMDNk1My4

"Done with what?"  I wasn't doing anything, was I?copyright protection135ＰＥＮＡＮＡKCsuB2dpZz

"Over thinking."  What the?  copyright protection135ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhkqDoL2mQ

"I wasn't-" He cuts me off before I can finish the lie.copyright protection135ＰＥＮＡＮＡHkktX8OZVm

"Oh please, I can literally hear the wheels spinning.  Don't even try to lie to me."  He smirks.copyright protection135ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4FZwaByn0x

I huff, crossing my arms.  Real mature, I know.  copyright protection135ＰＥＮＡＮＡWmPhNtGzw2

"Fine.  I'm done.  Happy?"  Yep, that was way more mature.  Good job, Katarina, you are officially a petulant child.copyright protection135ＰＥＮＡＮＡpdnKHkSvjN

"Very.  Are you?"  He pulls my hand up to his mouth again, placing a gentle kiss on it before entwining our fingers and laying them between us.copyright protection135ＰＥＮＡＮＡRntRUDss1t

"Uh... yes? I guess."  I'm not sure how to respond.  I'm glad everyone will back off and leave me alone, does that count?copyright protection135ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0YPQfDjWcQ

"You guess?  We are throwing this rock for you.  Shouldn't you be happy?"  Just by his words, I would think he was annoyed, fortunately I can hear the amusement in his voice.copyright protection135ＰＥＮＡＮＡYC4lmLGfh0

"I will be, once everyone believes it."  I am more honest than I meant to be.copyright protection135ＰＥＮＡＮＡ29ow0i9sKa

"You don't think they will?"  He sounds slightly worried. copyright protection135ＰＥＮＡＮＡVL8LBooVkB

"I highly doubt it.  We will need to get our story straight and probably-" He cuts me off before I can finish our To Do list.copyright protection135ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjdQFACmPT

"Wait. Why wouldn't they believe it?"  He sounds curious and slightly annoyed, maybe.  It's hard to tell.  I would give anything to be able to see his face in this moment.  I really hope he's not irritated, because I'm pretty sure my explanation won't help.copyright protection135ＰＥＮＡＮＡmS2Ko32xwN

"Well, for one... You don't date.  So why would you date me?  And two, they know we aren't very fond of each other.  And let's see... three, we've barely looked at each other in the past month, so why would we suddenly start dating?"  I cringe as I finish my rant.  Thank goodness he can't see my face in the dark.copyright protection135ＰＥＮＡＮＡIryRdagC5B

"Okay..." He starts out, hesitantly.  "Let's see.  One was about me not dating, well that's easy, obviously I made an exception for you."  copyright protection135ＰＥＮＡＮＡdRVrIB1kXQ

"Yeah, but why.  We need to get our story straight."  I want to be flattered, but I remind myself this isn't real.copyright protection135ＰＥＮＡＮＡejJh47k7FQ

Ben doesn't really date.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNslc244gWa
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I'm not really an exception.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQEx58Cs5ra
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Ben would never really date me.copyright protection135ＰＥＮＡＮＡVoiugwEw8J

"Seriously?  Why wouldn't I date you?  I would be a complete fool not to.  You're perfect." He says it so nonchalantly, I almost believe it. Almost. copyright protection135ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8mB3NjEPEB

I scoff.  Yeah right. copyright protection135ＰＥＮＡＮＡGSVp90xu8c

"You don't believe me?" He sounds offended, but I can't believe him.  He's way too attractive to want me.copyright protection135ＰＥＮＡＮＡl3BDxRaboi

"No, why would I?  I am-" He cuts me off before I can insult myself.copyright protection135ＰＥＮＡＮＡVwFxAtReiv

"Well, for one... you are fucking gorgeous.  For two, you are adorably funny.  And for three, I can't think of anyone I would rather spend time with."  He lightly strokes my cheek with his free hand.  I close my eyes, enjoying the contact, as his words sink in and wrap around my heart.copyright protection135ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZoMoyNW3V

Remember, this is fake. Crap.copyright protection135ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9oYK2vCcH0

"Now, what was two again?  Oh right, we don't like each other or something like that?  I'm not sure what you mean by that.  I happen to like you quite a lot."  My heart feels like it might beat out of my chest, if only the words were true.copyright protection135ＰＥＮＡＮＡvDxaa7E2mX

"Yeah, right." I know better.  copyright protection135ＰＥＮＡＮＡxdWW0lvNhy

"Believe what you want, but I assure you, it is very true.  Now, why don't you like me?" He stops stroking my cheek, but continues to hold my hand. copyright protection135ＰＥＮＡＮＡIrXHbZdObU

"Well, let's see... You insulted me with a cliched half-hearted blow-off and then completely ignored me for an entire month, while parading around with a literal bimbo parade.  Yeah, that might have something to do with it."  I feel the anger bubbling up, but I try to push it down. Completely losing it on him would not help. copyright protection135ＰＥＮＡＮＡOHymSItwKQ

"I'm... Kat. Fuck.  I am so sorry.  I know nothing I say can make it right, but please believe me when I say I never meant to hurt you."  I want to believe him, I really do, but I just can't. I need to get out of here. Now.copyright protection135ＰＥＮＡＮＡti4qf4LKR3

"Okay, whatever."  I try to pull my hand from his grasp, but he holds right.  "Listen, I should really get going, anyway. Vanessa is probably looking for me."  I doubt she's actually thinking about me at all, if she's even conscious at this point.copyright protection135ＰＥＮＡＮＡjAughGfvur

"Don't leave, Kat.  If this is ever gonna work, you have to stop running away from me.  Besides we still have more to discuss."  He's right, I know he's right, but I can't stay this close to him.copyright protection135ＰＥＮＡＮＡpj8YG0Gaxr

"I really need to go." I try to sound convincing.  I really do, don't I?copyright protection135ＰＥＮＡＮＡ01K4rZ9dK1

"No, you don't."  Guess I wasn't convincing enough.copyright protection135ＰＥＮＡＮＡg3BLjTszoX

"Fine, keep talking then." I give in, despite my better judgement.  What can I say?  I am an idiot.copyright protection135ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Oh9MXat7H

Especially when it comes to this beautiful, stupid boy in front of me.  With his curly hair and dimples, how can I resist?copyright protection135ＰＥＮＡＮＡU8IEdaEmno

"Okay, two is easy, too.  Obviously, you just finally gave into my charms.  After I groveled, of course. And you can't forget the huge romantic gesture."  Right, like that would ever happen.copyright protection135ＰＥＮＡＮＡnDrZpLSRkh

"Oh yeah, and what's that, Little Birdie?" I have to call him on his crap.  Everyone knows Ben isn't the romance type.  Nobody is going to believe any of this.copyright protection135ＰＥＮＡＮＡPl66uS3Flb

"Oh, you just leave that to me, Sweetheart."  He really put a lot of effort into that one, didn't he?  I roll my eyes, even though he can't see me.copyright protection135ＰＥＮＡＮＡmgj5VxfATC

"I am not your Sweetheart."  I pack as much disdain into the nickname as possible.  copyright protection135ＰＥＮＡＮＡYhgqgGc9yx

"Oh, yes you are.  You are all mine, remember?"  My breath hitches.  Something about that feels so very right.  I belong to him.copyright protection135ＰＥＮＡＮＡrnSxtnqx2M

He chuckles.  "You are going to have to get better at this whole faking it thing."  copyright protection135ＰＥＮＡＮＡIp22uYzKyt

My heart drops.  Right.  Faking it.  Almost forgot.copyright protection135ＰＥＮＡＮＡmxKDY1jbbR

"Okay, well you need a better pet name because that one sucks."  I have always hated cheesy pet names.copyright protection135ＰＥＮＡＮＡICeAaIYAf1

"Hmm... Babe?" He again sounds amused, he must love making fun of me.  He knows of this weren't fake, he wouldn't call me anything.  He wouldn't even look at me, let alone talk to me.copyright protection135ＰＥＮＡＮＡmXqp0VozFX

"Ick.  No."  I'm afraid to say it out loud, but I don't want to just be another girl.  Even if it isn't real.copyright protection135ＰＥＮＡＮＡ22uNFtOYE0

Because it totally isn't real.copyright protection135ＰＥＮＡＮＡQmD5XNNWo2

"Okay. No Babe, no Sweetheart... How about Gorgeous? Sexy?"copyright protection135ＰＥＮＡＮＡXL0na0iyzY

I groan.  "Nothing typical. Let's make it simple, nothing you've ever called another girl."  copyright protection135ＰＥＮＡＮＡvC00pFueE8

"Well, I can't think of anything else right now.  So, let me think."  He sounds serious, but I doubt he will be able to come up with something new.  I bet he's used them all. Probably just this week.copyright protection135ＰＥＮＡＮＡeuvSztGnp4

Gross. copyright protection135ＰＥＮＡＮＡpmPqK0q3z0

"Oh, I thought of it!"  He seems proud of himself.  "I'll just call you Beautiful."copyright protection135ＰＥＮＡＮＡ15C251HAgm

I sigh, trying to ignore the pitter patter of my heart.  "I said something you've never called another woman."copyright protection135ＰＥＮＡＮＡIuRenrH3O7

"I've never called another girl that.  Just you."  Well, there's no ignoring the somersaults my stomach is doing or the warmth in my chest.copyright protection135ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7euXEeX4iw

Pitter patter. 139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH7lTt7agPM
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Pitter patter.copyright protection135ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4kCHmII4iZ

"Oh." I can't quite comprehend what that means.  copyright protection135ＰＥＮＡＮＡq1uifRJXUy

"What?  Let me guess, you don't believe me again?"  I can hear the drowsiness seeping into his voice, overtaking the irritation. copyright protection135ＰＥＮＡＮＡ52MzZqOXv6

Pitter patter. 139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpcS24kJ1QF
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Pitter patter.  copyright protection135ＰＥＮＡＮＡuAq6hNO0R6

"I just think it's a little hard to believe.  But I really think I should go now, we both need to sleep."  I start to get up, but he's still holding my hand.  It felt so natural, I completely forgot.copyright protection135ＰＥＮＡＮＡZi7tAnkjle

"No, don't leave." Be still my heart.copyright protection135ＰＥＮＡＮＡRqgEZg4NdA

Pitter patter. 139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpAVQaGqnV6
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Pitter patter.  copyright protection135ＰＥＮＡＮＡUHakNr7CrZ

Oh, how I want to stay, but I can't.  copyright protection135ＰＥＮＡＮＡIqhQTRddby

Pitter patter. 139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMlCzC4Q1Hn
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Pitter patter.  copyright protection135ＰＥＮＡＮＡs3YJHYZLLd

Can I?copyright protection135ＰＥＮＡＮＡlGVw0JX8lo