He's at my house, sitting on our living room couch like he owns it— because my mom is almost always not at home. Did I mention he's my next door neighbour? Ha, well. The more you know. 

Brandon had left after I'd told him we were 'dating', mainly because the bell rang but also because, well, we're 'dating'.

I sigh, irritated.

"For the last time, Aiden. Yes, you have to pretend that we're... together. For the sake of my safety, and yours too." I reply, exasperated. More for my sake, though.

"But..." He says, pretending to think.

"But what." 

"What do I get in return?" He asks, with a smile. I almost think that he's joking. I'd thought that, for once, he might do something generous and help me without expecting something in return.

Why did I not expect this though?

Was it that he didn't let go of my hand even when he very well could have, or the way he stepped forward so as to acknowledge that we were really 'dating'? But of course. Who am I to think that he actually has some kindness in him.

I sigh. I always sigh when I'm anywhere near Aiden. And it's almost always— no wait— it's always in irritation. And roll my eyes. That happens a lot too.

"What do you want?" I ask, mildly tired, for some reason.

"I dunno, anything."

"Dude—"

"Fine. I'll think of something and let you know tomorrow. Until then, you owe me!" 

"Yea. Ok." I reply, as he gets up and sees himself out. He didn't even say goodbye!
Not that I hoped he would.

I mean, he does have a spare key to our house. Which is just— Why, mom? Why did you give it to him? 

"In case of an emergency." She'd replied when I'd asked her. Ha, the only emergency that we're going to have here is Aiden himself, so it is of no use giving the key to him, mom. But alas, she was too busy feeding him his favourite choco chip cookies to even think about the emergency thing.

So Aiden's always hanging around at my house which is —by the way— a fucking nightmare.

As you can probably make out from this, my mom loves Aiden. Hell, she'd even adopt him and abandon me if she had the chance to.

He behaves like a well groomed dog in front of her. Showing your true identity, aren't you, mister Aiden? Well, minus the 'well groomed' part.

It's all a disguise to get under my skin. And I hate the fact that it works.

Honestly, I don't even care what Aiden wants in return. I just want Brandon to leave me alone. As I was walking home, I had a strong feeling that he was following me.

So now he knows where I live.

Which is not good. And—

The doorbell rings, making me jump more than I would have in normal circumstances. Mom's never home at this hour of the day, it's only five pm. I almost think it's Brandon, and my stomach tightens with nervousness.

I open the door cautiously— ready to punch the person behind it— but its just Lyn. I heave a sigh of relief.

"Can we talk?" She demands, a hint of anger in her voice. 

The last time a certain someone asked this to me, the consequences were... disasterous. And then I realize— I completely forgot to let her in on the 'pretending to date' thing.

I invite her inside, before saying, "Ok— hear me out, I can explain."

I expect her to lash out any minute, but she starts chuckling silently, like she heard the best news ever. Me and Aiden dating is quite the opposite of that, so I'm confused. The chuckling turns into fits of laughter, which are not so silent, and soon enough— she's roaring away on the couch, tears forming in her eyes.

I'm still confused.

"Um, are you done?" I ask as the laughter slows down and eye her cautiously, fearing she might start again.

"Yeah, Yeah. I'm done. Sorry about that." She replies, still grinning.

"So uhm— about me and Aiden dating—"

"Yes! Yes yes yes yes! It's about damn time! You should've told me though, I'm your best friend after all." Lyn exclaims in one breath. "I'm so happy for y'all!"

Wait. Hold up.

Lyn thinks that me and Aiden are actually a thing, and she's fine and dandy with it. 

In fact, she loves it!

"Katelyn, I don't think you've got the correct info—"

"Oh, I've got it correct all right! Y'all announced it in front of the entire school, remember?" She half yells.

No, no. She's got it all wrong. I hate him, I don't lik—

"Remember?" She repeats.

"Lyn, listen—"

"I'm just so happy! Now you don't have to be a third wheel, we can even go on double dates together and—"

"Katelyn. Stop. We're not... together. I just said that because Brandon wouldn't leave me alone." I finally say, relieved to get it out of me.

The smile on her face disappears, as if it were never there. Okay, now I feel bad. I shouldn't have told her the truth. But she was happy with us being together! Even when she knew so damn well that we cannot stand each other.

Literally everyone in our grade knows that me and Aiden are rivals. But now the entire fucking school thinks that we're dating.

Dang it.

"Aw man, the whole school wanted you guys to be together..." Lyn mutters.

When did that happen?

"What— what do you mean?" It is my turn to yell now. Not in happiness though. "Since when?"

"Since... forever. Wait. You don't know?" She genuinely asks.

Of course I didn't know!

God.

Well, it doesn't matter now.

Word is out now, and there's nothing I can do about it except...

Play along.