458Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC9fQncbRQA
458Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNS2NCVnZ4w
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.  8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡDwsiEMYOzn 維尼

But I can't do that.  That would ruin everything.  He doesn't want a relationship.8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡTP4Mp0eIO7 維尼

This is supposed to be fake, but the way he makes me feel is anything but.  8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡmwDEXIlF7g 維尼

Just having him this close, feeling his breath on my face, is causing my brain to short circuit.  8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡbDQZLJJ2jn 維尼

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.8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4RbPlLMI0x 維尼

"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.  8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡE7xWlQ0CZX 維尼

How did this happen?  Oh right, it was my brilliant idea.  Two birds, one stone.  Yeah, just brilliant.  8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡgud1q1v0Rn 維尼

More like two bullets, one foot... because I totally just shot myself in the foot, both of them actually.  8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡQUlai4dUvc 維尼

Great, and now I'm mixing metaphors.  Could I be any more lame?  Just stop thinking for once in your life.  8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡf7qyzNzT42 維尼

Yes, thinking.  Thinking is what got you into this stupid mess in the first place.8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡdGoWBbNlkg 維尼

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. 8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡffdHdOLSQa 維尼

Yeah... keep telling yourself that. 8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡAC9iryzWCk 維尼

I am so screwed.  8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5w0KTtpaDo 維尼

When I return to reality, Ben is laughing.  At me?8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡ33VWysKeIj 維尼

"Are you done?"  He continues to softly chuckle.8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡ30wLTzBFoq 維尼

"Done with what?"  I wasn't doing anything, was I?8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡzrHW7IgKJW 維尼

"Over thinking."  What the?  8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡo5vKoCpq8Z 維尼

"I wasn't-" He cuts me off before I can finish the lie.8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡxb8dy1vmpd 維尼

"Oh please, I can literally hear the wheels spinning.  Don't even try to lie to me."  He smirks.8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡFnJqmfkfvx 維尼

I huff, crossing my arms.  Real mature, I know.  8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡzGZgzaEOQ0 維尼

"Fine.  I'm done.  Happy?"  Yep, that was way more mature.  Good job, Katarina, you are officially a petulant child.8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡSoBAwjK9Jh 維尼

"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.8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡH7YzSZKeCr 維尼

"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?8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡmykflEzxhF 維尼

"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.8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡ26A5lfEZXu 維尼

"I will be, once everyone believes it."  I am more honest than I meant to be.8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡw1om1LAtNh 維尼

"You don't think they will?"  He sounds slightly worried. 8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡc7cRd362ZE 維尼

"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.8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡREMbMATraP 維尼

"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.8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡDA03EyZXhy 維尼

"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.8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1LBOX9EHM3 維尼

"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."  8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡIE9dQShhT3 維尼

"Yeah, but why.  We need to get our story straight."  I want to be flattered, but I remind myself this isn't real.8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡKbU4A2vy8s 維尼

Ben doesn't really date.458Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR1ts0jZsWX
458Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPEJn5KN4sf
I'm not really an exception.458Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaSpSHe1W61
458Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnb7AUvrRXh
Ben would never really date me.8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡvqCKZ5kZqW 維尼

"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. 8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡoec20gVhzm 維尼

I scoff.  Yeah right. 8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡt0Pzup69jj 維尼

"You don't believe me?" He sounds offended, but I can't believe him.  He's way too attractive to want me.8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡC3XttCxCMO 維尼

"No, why would I?  I am-" He cuts me off before I can insult myself.8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡFYURDgSrMU 維尼

"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.8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡw4YW2PVcUW 維尼

Remember, this is fake. Crap.8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6txEDdglY0 維尼

"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.8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡNcwXt4MKsn 維尼

"Yeah, right." I know better.  8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡDOT6dMD1rH 維尼

"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. 8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡLlMk4ibcTB 維尼

"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. 8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2GmhqQc8Ee 維尼

"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.8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡ92HdGSW8o8 維尼

"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.8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡwFjCmOVsGt 維尼

"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.8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡLXTf9wD1hs 維尼

"I really need to go." I try to sound convincing.  I really do, don't I?8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡZvXpD6GBDI 維尼

"No, you don't."  Guess I wasn't convincing enough.8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡjjI509S5UT 維尼

"Fine, keep talking then." I give in, despite my better judgement.  What can I say?  I am an idiot.8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡxUdPpwHCPp 維尼

Especially when it comes to this beautiful, stupid boy in front of me.  With his curly hair and dimples, how can I resist?8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Kg6lnwvzI 維尼

"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.8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡnEltYmos1M 維尼

"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.8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡvXmvOJm73S 維尼

"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.8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ1wKsvMa9F 維尼

"I am not your Sweetheart."  I pack as much disdain into the nickname as possible.  8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2CAIXmbb5F 維尼

"Oh, yes you are.  You are all mine, remember?"  My breath hitches.  Something about that feels so very right.  I belong to him.8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡHlWAHfypBV 維尼

He chuckles.  "You are going to have to get better at this whole faking it thing."  8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡs9mlC4rHtA 維尼

My heart drops.  Right.  Faking it.  Almost forgot.8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡoNTW8Nf0Hq 維尼

"Okay, well you need a better pet name because that one sucks."  I have always hated cheesy pet names.8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7R1va274cn 維尼

"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.8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡEYLnyMuNVm 維尼

"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.8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5mQWSISWPx 維尼

Because it totally isn't real.8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡa4EMBENfyd 維尼

"Okay. No Babe, no Sweetheart... How about Gorgeous? Sexy?"8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡQKJLMS6efD 維尼

I groan.  "Nothing typical. Let's make it simple, nothing you've ever called another girl."  8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡGR1LStgGG0 維尼

"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.8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡZceOqQud1d 維尼

Gross. 8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡjra5KKl2kp 維尼

"Oh, I thought of it!"  He seems proud of himself.  "I'll just call you Beautiful."8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6BbHizVqky 維尼

I sigh, trying to ignore the pitter patter of my heart.  "I said something you've never called another woman."8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡzxrPJLI6Nf 維尼

"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.8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡzFtCCxgqdn 維尼

Pitter patter. 458Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwDqvEDaPFO
458Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNHu8thE8gC
Pitter patter.8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Kpum4Qhru 維尼

"Oh." I can't quite comprehend what that means.  8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡISoscYTmbB 維尼

"What?  Let me guess, you don't believe me again?"  I can hear the drowsiness seeping into his voice, overtaking the irritation. 8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡb1WYRlvLcA 維尼

Pitter patter. 458Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4vSIAitizW
458Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ZVvjPIYt1
Pitter patter.  8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡRUunS7CTs8 維尼

"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.8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡMXX1pTr6Xn 維尼

"No, don't leave." Be still my heart.8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡFbajFQWr9Q 維尼

Pitter patter. 458Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhPc8TKMtSs
458Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjn3NtW2EQU
Pitter patter.  8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡpenPVkECdq 維尼

Oh, how I want to stay, but I can't.  8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡAkzojxwQWp 維尼

Pitter patter. 458Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaswHG0ffes
458Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDPRcCLfyeX
Pitter patter.  8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxpsjaRbIg 維尼

Can I?8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡCfjHEYkXUo 維尼