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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 protection273ＰＥＮＡＮＡD4rD6C38UI

But I can't do that.  That would ruin everything.  He doesn't want a relationship.copyright protection273ＰＥＮＡＮＡKYSYyp6oLQ

This is supposed to be fake, but the way he makes me feel is anything but.  copyright protection273ＰＥＮＡＮＡVPafB0WWa5

Just having him this close, feeling his breath on my face, is causing my brain to short circuit.  copyright protection273ＰＥＮＡＮＡNeiVOBsHO1

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 protection273ＰＥＮＡＮＡV8Tc6MEQyM

"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 protection273ＰＥＮＡＮＡJTFv9tAc2c

How did this happen?  Oh right, it was my brilliant idea.  Two birds, one stone.  Yeah, just brilliant.  copyright protection273ＰＥＮＡＮＡtymrYdLkxA

More like two bullets, one foot... because I totally just shot myself in the foot, both of them actually.  copyright protection273ＰＥＮＡＮＡP2VdyttOt8

Great, and now I'm mixing metaphors.  Could I be any more lame?  Just stop thinking for once in your life.  copyright protection273ＰＥＮＡＮＡE8bSLqwBaL

Yes, thinking.  Thinking is what got you into this stupid mess in the first place.copyright protection273ＰＥＮＡＮＡCqxFlSqW1O

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 protection273ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUvgtTYBsQ

Yeah... keep telling yourself that. copyright protection273ＰＥＮＡＮＡNlTUBjlYLu

I am so screwed.  copyright protection273ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZYg9Gs3VJ

When I return to reality, Ben is laughing.  At me?copyright protection273ＰＥＮＡＮＡc31FJ6e1Wv

"Are you done?"  He continues to softly chuckle.copyright protection273ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0pSmpp69oR

"Done with what?"  I wasn't doing anything, was I?copyright protection273ＰＥＮＡＮＡz2MKoovY5Z

"Over thinking."  What the?  copyright protection273ＰＥＮＡＮＡxNoYq7DCkr

"I wasn't-" He cuts me off before I can finish the lie.copyright protection273ＰＥＮＡＮＡLrWdLaIIFy

"Oh please, I can literally hear the wheels spinning.  Don't even try to lie to me."  He smirks.copyright protection273ＰＥＮＡＮＡKa6akJ0MC7

I huff, crossing my arms.  Real mature, I know.  copyright protection273ＰＥＮＡＮＡs1vSgEHjjV

"Fine.  I'm done.  Happy?"  Yep, that was way more mature.  Good job, Katarina, you are officially a petulant child.copyright protection273ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qnW6FxIb1

"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 protection273ＰＥＮＡＮＡo8Xdy8L9jt

"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 protection273ＰＥＮＡＮＡDh42M4cGwT

"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 protection273ＰＥＮＡＮＡkTRTQ0ijZn

"I will be, once everyone believes it."  I am more honest than I meant to be.copyright protection273ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJviRR5us0

"You don't think they will?"  He sounds slightly worried. copyright protection273ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1qGJQQuOOB

"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 protection273ＰＥＮＡＮＡkzVIKaZdOu

"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 protection273ＰＥＮＡＮＡoBqMLlUVGc

"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 protection273ＰＥＮＡＮＡDHFnCbzkyt

"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 protection273ＰＥＮＡＮＡrcbmqYhlK0

"Yeah, but why.  We need to get our story straight."  I want to be flattered, but I remind myself this isn't real.copyright protection273ＰＥＮＡＮＡlSuNijlEbx

Ben doesn't really date.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjru0AtgduM
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I'm not really an exception.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdN9AQ1JrLB
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Ben would never really date me.copyright protection273ＰＥＮＡＮＡt42i2p9pTc

"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 protection273ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkBi9js2jf

I scoff.  Yeah right. copyright protection273ＰＥＮＡＮＡB1Bsf5zDQb

"You don't believe me?" He sounds offended, but I can't believe him.  He's way too attractive to want me.copyright protection273ＰＥＮＡＮＡHzoYpZU4tF

"No, why would I?  I am-" He cuts me off before I can insult myself.copyright protection273ＰＥＮＡＮＡTIK5IXTc0e

"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 protection273ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2cH1Kwncp8

Remember, this is fake. Crap.copyright protection273ＰＥＮＡＮＡY290OMPZz0

"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 protection273ＰＥＮＡＮＡYcPNfPwBLs

"Yeah, right." I know better.  copyright protection273ＰＥＮＡＮＡGC4g8Vrria

"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 protection273ＰＥＮＡＮＡym1P795tdC

"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 protection273ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1v2gdAFPR5

"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 protection273ＰＥＮＡＮＡh6FGwSKyx1

"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 protection273ＰＥＮＡＮＡPMHI7M51IS

"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 protection273ＰＥＮＡＮＡItqxuvRX6F

"I really need to go." I try to sound convincing.  I really do, don't I?copyright protection273ＰＥＮＡＮＡnjD45acw5b

"No, you don't."  Guess I wasn't convincing enough.copyright protection273ＰＥＮＡＮＡBjWbnJUfej

"Fine, keep talking then." I give in, despite my better judgement.  What can I say?  I am an idiot.copyright protection273ＰＥＮＡＮＡyWlXcyEZzO

Especially when it comes to this beautiful, stupid boy in front of me.  With his curly hair and dimples, how can I resist?copyright protection273ＰＥＮＡＮＡPERNF88zRI

"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 protection273ＰＥＮＡＮＡHxXJzxO9dY

"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 protection273ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5X2pK2yJ6g

"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 protection273ＰＥＮＡＮＡWuHY0eQzDd

"I am not your Sweetheart."  I pack as much disdain into the nickname as possible.  copyright protection273ＰＥＮＡＮＡVcFSuhgBlT

"Oh, yes you are.  You are all mine, remember?"  My breath hitches.  Something about that feels so very right.  I belong to him.copyright protection273ＰＥＮＡＮＡEP7E6lMZba

He chuckles.  "You are going to have to get better at this whole faking it thing."  copyright protection273ＰＥＮＡＮＡOpgNJ1erbo

My heart drops.  Right.  Faking it.  Almost forgot.copyright protection273ＰＥＮＡＮＡRaQuOjl2Yq

"Okay, well you need a better pet name because that one sucks."  I have always hated cheesy pet names.copyright protection273ＰＥＮＡＮＡvEl0K0c4Fb

"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 protection273ＰＥＮＡＮＡEhECIOWRrT

"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 protection273ＰＥＮＡＮＡV6uLOGZ07W

Because it totally isn't real.copyright protection273ＰＥＮＡＮＡJc2b92ReLU

"Okay. No Babe, no Sweetheart... How about Gorgeous? Sexy?"copyright protection273ＰＥＮＡＮＡP818JNQ2jF

I groan.  "Nothing typical. Let's make it simple, nothing you've ever called another girl."  copyright protection273ＰＥＮＡＮＡiogXqO7idg

"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 protection273ＰＥＮＡＮＡr6X4k21deu

Gross. copyright protection273ＰＥＮＡＮＡMtPlXDpVN8

"Oh, I thought of it!"  He seems proud of himself.  "I'll just call you Beautiful."copyright protection273ＰＥＮＡＮＡIaA9qXz4v5

I sigh, trying to ignore the pitter patter of my heart.  "I said something you've never called another woman."copyright protection273ＰＥＮＡＮＡP8gPnnbREz

"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 protection273ＰＥＮＡＮＡXWjPYBxehX

Pitter patter. 277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlLumCwq8Vo
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Pitter patter.copyright protection273ＰＥＮＡＮＡBotQmCObHp

"Oh." I can't quite comprehend what that means.  copyright protection273ＰＥＮＡＮＡEpZINGqrRh

"What?  Let me guess, you don't believe me again?"  I can hear the drowsiness seeping into his voice, overtaking the irritation. copyright protection273ＰＥＮＡＮＡgyT486cFxH

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Pitter patter.  copyright protection273ＰＥＮＡＮＡD7vmoXqTZr

"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 protection273ＰＥＮＡＮＡqn6f56cyOI

"No, don't leave." Be still my heart.copyright protection273ＰＥＮＡＮＡASlv0Yv0ip

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Pitter patter.  copyright protection273ＰＥＮＡＮＡTbP362ZsRI

Oh, how I want to stay, but I can't.  copyright protection273ＰＥＮＡＮＡh4Hv5ypcBA

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Pitter patter.  copyright protection273ＰＥＮＡＮＡhrS0bnLq8h

Can I?copyright protection273ＰＥＮＡＮＡaSAPhZLzyc