"My mom is going to kill me," I groaned as he pulled up in front of my house.

"Relax, I made sure to leave her a note. I said you felt sick so I left with you," he shrugged.

"You left her a note?" I asked, slightly surprised that he would do that because if my mom did get mad at me, that's not really his problem.

"Yeah, why? Is that bad?" he questioned.

"No, it's not bad I just didn't think you'd do something like that," I replied truthfully.

"Something like what?" he asked in confusion.

"You know what? Just- nevermind." I waved my hand dismissively.

"Okay," he chuckled.

"So um- I'll see you tomorrow?" I asked while grabbing my stuff.

"Yeah, I'll pick you up for school," he nodded.

"Alright, bye." I smiled.

"Bye," he said as I stepped out of his car. I was walking to my porch but I turned back around and walked to the driver's side. He rolled down his window and raised his eyebrows at me. "I had fun today, maybe hanging out with you isn't going to be as bad as I thought," I bit back a smile.

"Maybe not," he smiled.

"Night," I said.

"Night," he replied.

"Okay then, bye." Before I could walk away, he kissed my cheek.

"Bye," he smiled teasingly. I rolled my eyes and shook my head to myself while walking to my door. I turned and waved at him one last time before cranking my door open and stepping in.

"Hi hun!" my mom cheered. "Where were you?" she asked while putting the dishes away.

"Um- I was at Dearborn Park," I answered. "And then I went for dinner," I added.

"With Alex?" she questioned.

"Mm-hmm." I nodded.

"I thought you were feeling sick?" she pressed.

"Well um- I ran into Cody yesterday and then I ran into Amber today. She's the one who..." I trailed off.

"Honey look," she sighed, "I understand that you're going through some tough things, but you can't skip school because you had a confrontation with somebody, that's not how things work and I know you know that. Just watch what you do next time, okay?" she walked over to me.

"Okay," I nodded.

"Now tell me, how was the dinner?"

And she's back.

"Dinner was fine mom," I chuckled, "We're just friends," I said honestly.

"He's a good kid," she smiled.

"Well, dad doesn't like him," I pointed out.

"Oh, what does your dad know? I see the kid every day and I am telling you, he is great for you."

Here we go.

"Mom!" I whined.

"Just let me say it once and I won't say it again."

And I did.

"He's a keeper, okay? I think you two could hit it off, just give him a chance!" she pushed.

"Mom, he's a player," I stated.

"I don't buy that lie," she reasoned.

"It's not a lie, he has a new girl every week," I chuckled.

"That's because he hasn't been with you yet!" she sighed.

"Mom, that's not true!" I argued.

"If you're just planning on being friends with him, then may I please know why you've been hanging out with him lately?" she arched an accusing eyebrow at me.

"To talk about upcoming games," I lied.

"You didn't do that last season. Or the season before that. Or the one before that. Or-" I cut her off.

"Okay, I get it! I get it! I just- I don't see him as such an asshole anymore," I mumbled.

"What changed?" she asked. Her eyes are sparkling with hope, ugh.

"He was there when I saw Cody and Amber was his girlfriend. But he didn't even think of himself he just- he helped me, he still is. I mean, I have to like him a little because of that, right?" I said in a soft voice.

I was staring at the ground when her voice broke me out of my thoughts. "Honey?" she called out.

"Hmm?" I hummed in response.

"You're blushing," she whispered.

"No, I'm not! I don't like him and that is that, goodnight!" I sang while going up to my room. I got up into my room and set all my stuff down while smiling to myself as I shook my head.

My phone dinged in my back pocket and I took it out.

'What are you so smiley about?' I looked out the window to see him looking at me with a grin.

'You, actually. I already told you. I had fun' I replied. I watched as he shook his head with a smile.

'Goodnight, Faith' he texted.

'Night,' I answered before plugging my phone on charge, grabbing my pajamas and going to change.

I came back out into my room to see a silhouette of someone sitting on the foot of my bed and that freaked me the fuck out.

Why did I not turn the lights on?

I jumped before quickly turning the lights on and sighing in relief. "What are you doing here?" I asked while placing my hand on my chest while panting.

"You owe me an explanation!" Hayley stomped.

"Can you keep it down? My parents are probably trying to sleep, Hayles," I shut my door properly.

"You skipped school today with Alex. You kissed him in front of everybody. You called Amber out for cheating on Alex with Cody. What the fuck is going on?!" she interrogated.

"You're here at my house asking me this right now?!" I asked.

"Yes! And for the record, your mom told me this so she is not trying to sleep," she muttered.

"Okay, okay, I'll tell you everything just- keep it down," I sighed.

x-X-x

It was a while later and I had told her everything.

Except that we were fake dating.

I don't know why but I didn't want anyone knowing that, even my best friend. Don't get me wrong, I would tell her but something in me just told me not to. It's something between me and Alex that nobody needs to know about and I will make sure on my part that nobody does.

He did not tell Daniel that we're fake dating, in fact, he said he likes me so I did the same.

"Wait, so you like Alex now?" she questioned.

"I don't like like him. I-"

"You kissed him in front of the whole school!" She interrupted me.

"I'm starting to like him." I huffed.

"And this started when?" she asked.

"After the game when he helped me, when I saw Cody and Amber together," I mumbled.

"Faith, you do know that he's a player, right? I'm not saying he's going to play you, I'm just warning you. It's my job to do that as your friend," she looked at me.

"I know, Hayley. I know," I sighed. "Which is why I'm scared to let myself like him," I admitted. "I didn't think the kiss would make me feel anything I just did it to rub it in Amber's face, which was wrong and I shouldn't have done that but he's really not that bad."

I will go to hell for lying to her.

"I've been hanging out with him here and there and he's really different from how I thought he'd be. He's really nice," I nodded.

"Well, if you like him then, of course, I'm going to help you get him but just so you know, I don't think he's a good idea. If you two can convince me otherwise, then I'm all in," she huffed while folding her arms across her chest.

"Look, can you just open your mind up a little though? I'm not saying you're closed-minded but I know you have an impression of him in your head and I know it's not the greatest but just give him another chance. Please? For me?"

I am so going to hell.

"Okay, for you," she sighed. "I should get home now. Bye," she stood up and hugged me.

"Bye," I hugged her back before she showed herself out. "I am a sinner," I sighed while leaning against my bedroom door. I was dead tired by now so I just crawled into bed and let myself fall into a soundless sleep.

x-X-x

"I hate you!" I screamed at my alarm while snoozing it for the third time.

"Honey, you're gonna be late if you don't get up now," my mom peered in.

"I don't wanna go!" I whined.

Yes, I am a child.

"You didn't yesterday either, now come on, get up," she said demandingly before leaving. I huffed and got out of bed. I picked a white band tee with overalls and threw my hair up in a high ponytail. I put a little concealer on and headed downstairs.

"Mom, I wanted to ask if I- oh. Hi," I was greeted by Alex and my parents having breakfast.

What the hell is going on?

"Hi," he smirked.

"W-what are you doing here?" I asked while making my way over to the island.

"Having breakfast with your parents," he smiled.

"I can see that," I rolled my eyes. "But what are you doing here?" I repeated.

"Well, I was supposed to drive you to school and while I was waiting outside, your mom invited me in for breakfast."

Of course, she did.

"I think your dad approves now," he whispered while I sat beside him on a barstool.

"How'd you manage to do that?" I sighed while taking a pancake.

"I talked about soccer," he smirked.

Of course, he did and of course, it worked.

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