"Shut up!" I groaned into my pillow as my alarm rang.

Happy Monday.

"Morning," my dad came in with his coffee in his hand.

"Morning," I yawned.

"Get up and ready, okay?" He kissed my forehead before heading out for work after saying bye.

I grabbed my phone and checked the date and time.

The date.

The date.

"Oh crap," I sighed. Today would have been my nine months with Cody and it is my first day with Alex. Great. I stood up and began walking to the bathroom but tripped over my covers that were caught on my foot. "Ow!" I screamed.

I stood up to meet a shirtless Alex.

Huh.

Wow.

No!

"Easy there, clumsy. Morning," he smiled while leaning through his window.

"Morning, naked boy," I smiled while copying his actions.

"Nice one," he snickered.

"Thanks!" I said sarcastically before we both rolled out eyes at each other. I closed my window and snapped the blinds shut. "This is going to be a long day," I sighed while walking over to my bathroom. I freshened up and did whatever I had to before picking my outfit. I took leggings, a tank top with a jacket on top. I threw on my converse and I headed out.

"Ready hun?" my mom called out as I made my way downstairs.

"Yup," I said while grabbing the fruit bowl that I put in the fridge last night. With that, we headed out.

"So, what're your plans for today?" she asked as we got in her car. I usually drive myself but I just didn't feel like it today.

"Um- go to school and then come back home and see where the day takes me. I'll probably just hang out at home," I shrugged.

"Hang out with who?" she questioned.

"Myself, mom," I answered honestly.

"Honey come on, that's just sad. Invite some friends over. Invite Alex," she said nonchalantly.

I choked on my kiwi. "Why would I invite Alex?" I questioned.

"You did on Saturday," she pointed out.

"Well, today is not Saturday, mom," I sighed.

"So who are you gonna invite? Cody?" she interrogated.

"No!" I said too quickly.

"Hun, is everything okay between you two? You didn't talk to him all weekend," she stated facts. "Did you two break up?" she gasped, probably in excitement and glee at the fact that he's out of my life.

"Would you be happy if I said yes?" I asked in slight disbelief.

"No! Not at all I just- I think you deserve better than him, sweetheart. Give it a chance with someone different," she sighed as she pulled up to the school.

"Bye mom," I resisted an eye roll and put up a smile. I love her but she can be a little too pushy sometimes. I was early as usual because I prefer reaching places early so I took my time and while I did that, reality struck. I can't do this. I can't be fake dating someone just to make my ex jealous and mad or to make him regret cheating on me.

I don't want to stoop to that level and be that kind of petty. I'm not doing this and I need to tell Alex before he starts something. I got to my locker, grabbed my books for my first two periods and then headed for homeroom. Eventually, people started filing in and he still wasn't here. I probably should have taken his number.

"Hey." I knew his voice and so my eyes did snap up when he walked in waving to Daniel who was seated in front of me. He came and sat down, turning to me. "Hey," he smiled at me. A lot of people looked.

Already? Great.

"I need to talk to you," I told him softly.

He gave me a confused look when I gave him the look that said 'shut up and listen', he did.

My first period was biology and he had it with me. And so when homeroom ended we left for it to meet a substitute teacher. I guess Ms. Geller wasn't here today. About fifteen minutes into the lesson, I slipped a note to Alex who was sitting behind me to meet me outside in two minutes. "May I go to the bathroom?" I asked and luckily the teacher let me. I went to a few classrooms away and waited.

He came out and looked in my direction before walking over to me. "What's up?" he asked with his hands in his jacket pockets and that carefree look on his face.

"I can't do it," I said quickly.

"What?" he asked.

"I'm sorry, I just- I can't do it. I can't be your fake girlfriend. I don't want a fake boyfriend. I'm not petty enough to go through all this trouble just to see him troubled," I huffed.

He stood there and listened patiently.

"See the thing is, he cheated and I know that, but if I stoop so low that I'm pretending to be with someone just to see him jealous or mad and guilty then I don't want to see it. I don't want to stoop that low. Do you?" I asked.

"Are you sure? Because I understand. I mean, who would want to do that. You're gonna have to see him everyday and act like you're happy in a nonexistent relationship so I get it, I was second-guessing it myself. We'll call it off. Cool?" he asked.

I was listening but my brain and eyes weren't there. My brain was thinking, shit, shit, shit, what do I do? And my eyes were seeing Cody walking down the hall. I started panicking and I realized how badly I want to hurt him the way he hurt me. I could probably never hurt him as bad because he doesn't care about me as much as I did about him but I could try my luck. "I'm sorry," I said to Alex.

"For what?" he asked with confusion swirling in his eyes.

When I saw Cody looking in this direction, I grabbed Alex and pulled him into an impulsive kiss.

What the am I doing?

I felt his arms go around my waist and that's when reality kicked in and I pulled away.

"What was that?" he asked.

"I just saw him and I- I'm sorry." I blurted.

"Saw him where?" he whispered, trying to spot him.

I grabbed his face and turned his face to his left where we saw Cody sprinting down the stairs.

He slowly turned to face me and then I realized how close we were standing to each other, our bodies pressed together and I pulled away. "Still calling it off?" he smirked and I fell into thought.

"I don't want to make him mad or jealous I just want an apology and I want to see the regret on his face," I mumbled.

"Have you two broken up yet?" he asked.

"I called him yesterday and broke it off." I sighed. "Have you and Amber broken up?" I asked.

"She's not exactly listening," he scratched the back of his head. "Apparently it's only a break up when both people want it. But from what I've done, yes, I've broken up with her," he sighed. "Alright, all we have to do now is make people notice. Bit by bit, we just have to drop hints here and there. Starting at lunch?" he suggested.

"Um- y-yeah, sure," I agreed.

"By the way, I have practice today. Are you gonna stay?" he asked as we began walking back to class.

"Should I?" I asked. "He does have football," I stated.

"Okay then, shall we?" he paused as we got to the class.

"Do you want to go first?" I asked.

"Ladies first, just don't trip, clumsy," he teased while opening the door.

I stepped in first and no one was really affected but when he walked in right behind me, oh boy. Everyone looked. And everyone talked.

"Bit by bit, huh?" I glared at him slightly while sitting in my seat.

"Can I get a pencil?" He turned his chair to face my table and rested his arms on my table.

"What are you doing?" I whispered.

"Asking for a pencil."

I rolled my eyes, "With five minutes left till the end of class?" I pointed out.

He shrugged and turned back to the front. The bell rang shortly after and I headed out. "Faith!" he called out from behind me.

I turned, acting surprised. "Yeah?" I asked, stopping in the middle of the hallway because that's how people notice. Just watch.

"Can I join you for lunch today?" he asked. Some people stopped walking to listen in and some subtly kept their ears on us.

"Well um- I don't usually eat in the cafeteria," I stated.

"Oh, I know. Can I meet you in the field?" Now everyone will be there. I hate attention so doing this probably isn't the best idea.

"By the bleachers, mm-hmm." I nodded. "I'll see you there?" I asked.

"Well, we have English before lunch so you'll see me there. I can walk you to class now?" he offered.

"You have class on the other side of the building so it's fine but uh- thanks. I'll see you later?" I asked.

"You bet," he smirked before we both went out separate ways.

I glanced at people to see them looking at me. I honestly do hate attention but boy will this be worth it.

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