The sixteenth time I saw him, we were going to tell him the truth.

Allie's P.O.V

"I think we should tell him," I said causually.

Chris almost choken on his own spit. "Why?" He asked, horrified. "He'll go batshit crazy on my ass."

"So?" I said. "I'll be there, and it's not like he has a right to be mad. It's not like we were friends."

"And now you're all buddy-buddy," Chris said flatly. "This might ruin your friendship."

I thought I detected a little bit of bitterness and jealousy in his tone. "Aww, is wittle Chris a little jelly?" I teased in a baby tone.

Chris didn't even flinch. "Don't be an asshole, Allie."

I dropped the act and asked seriously, "okay, honestly, what's up? Why do you not want to tell him?"

Chris sighed. "I like hanging out with you. You're fun to be around. And to be honest, it was kind of nice to have something Luke didn't for once, since he usually gets everything he wants."

Despite his efforts to keep his tone light, I could tell he was feeling a bit down. "What do you mean?" I asked gently.

Chris shrugged noncommitedly. "Luke, I dunno, he always gets the girl, and like, people always liked him more."

I was kind of flabbergasted to be honest. "But... you're the one that got into college! You're gonna have an awesome career and be super successful! Not to mention you look totally cute in a snapback!"

Chris blinked. "I look cute in a snapback?"

I paused, realizing what I said. "Well, yean," I coughed. "I mean, you got that whole all-American, blonde-haired blue-eyed thing going on, and the snapback adds to your boyish charm."

A lazy smile crossed Chris' lips. "Thanks Allie."

"Yeah, well, we can't all be as beautiful as I am," I teased.

Chris punched me gently in the shoulder. "Shut up."

"You love my sassiness," I batted my eyelids, making Chris laugh.

"Right, sure, its the next best thing after homework," he snorted.

I fake-frowned. "I don't appreciate your tone."

"I don't appreciate your existence," Chris said.

I gasped, putting a hand over my heart. "Well, that was rude. And what are we, coming up with sixth grade comebacks?"

Now Chris looked offended. "Hey, that comeback never dies."

"Oh please, that joke died with the dinosaurs."

Chris shook his head, laughing. "Okay, fine, I surrender, I know when I'm fighting a loosing battle."

I smirked and leaned backwards into my couch. We were hanging out at my apartment and Jasmine was hiding out in her room as Chris and I took over the living room. It was now October, and we'd been in school for about a month and a half, not counting the three weeks I had been living in Ohio. Chris and I had been "dating" since the beginning of September. Luke and I became friends in late September and we had hung out once or twice, Luke always being careful of my boundries because I had a "boyfriend."

I thought it was time to drop the act and 'fess up. 

"So are we going to tell him?" I asked again, bring the topic back to Luke.

Chris sighed. "Sure, whatever."

"If you don't want to we don't have to," I said, sensing that he was still a little reluctant.

"No, it's fine," he said, smiling at me reasurringly. 

I felt the sudden urge to hug him and did so, leaning over and wrapping my arms around him. Chris tensed, but slowly brought his arms around me. 

I let go after a short while.

"What was that for?" Chris asked.

I shrugged. "You've done a lot for me, I figured I owe you something."

"Oh, you owe me more than a hug," he joked. "Maybe a high five or a fist bump. And if we get crazy, we can hug again and maybe, just maybe, a peck on the cheek is in order."

"Woah now," I said, holding up a hand. "Let's not get crazy, now. You may have crossed the line."

"What line?" Chris feigned looking confused.

"This one," I said, drawing an imaginary line with my hand. "This line that I just drew."

Chris laughed. "Okay, in all seriousness though, you don't owe me anything but the pleasantness of your prescence."

"Not even like, a coffee or something?" I asked. "Free drink?"

That made Chris chuckle. "You're not even twenty one yet."

I shrugged. "The people at those frat parties don't know that."

Chris really laughed at that one. "Those drinks are free anyway."

I smiled. "Whatever. Seriously though, you pretended to date me just to get back at your friend for me, and you hung out with me when you didn't have to. So what do you want? I'll do anything," I said. "But sex," I added hastily. "I'm not gonna do any sexual favors."

"Oh darn," he said, snapping his fingers. "And here I was hoping you'd suck me off."

I punchd him in the shoulder, not too gently. "Fuck off, I have standards."

"And here I was thinking you thought I was that cute all-American stud," Chris sighed dramatically.

I rolled my eyes. "Please. I wouldn't fuck you even if we were the last man and woman on Earth."

"Good to know," Chris said, standing up and stretching; I saw a little bit of his stomach, tan and muscular. "I gotta go," he said, grabbing his hoodie off the back of the couch. "I have class early tomorrow."

I stood up as well. "Okay, I have some classes in the morning too."

I walked him to the door and he turned to me. "Bye, Allie," he leaned down and pecked my cheek then left, leaving me staring after him. 

...

Luke was coming over 

It had been three days since Chris and I agreed to tell Luke that we were faking our relationship. Chris was sitting next to me nervously twisting his hands together. I could tell he really didn't want to tell Luke, because he was worried about losing his best friend, but it was his idea to fake this whole thing after all, so I figured he should at least be here while I did all the talking.

"So," I started.

"So," Chris said. "We're really doing this?"

I nodded. "It's only fair. We're friends now."

Chris sighed. "If the only reason you're doing this is because you have some little school-girl crush on him, I'll still do it, but be careful, because Luke isn't the kind of person to have long-lasting relationsips."

"What? Why would you say that?" I asked. "I don't like him."

Even as I said it, it sounded fake. I internally winced at my suddenly horrible lying skills. I don't know what happened. I'm usually a great liar.

Chris nodded, but he looked unconvinced. Just then, the doorbell ranging, saving us from an uncomfortable silence. I hurried to the door and opened it.

Luke greeted me with  bright smile. "Hey Allie. What's up?"

"The sky," I said automatically.

Luke rolled his eyes. "Wow, Allie, I'm trying to be nice and you answer with that kindergarden response."

I shook my head and let him in, and he made himself comfortable in an armchair opposite Chris, he looked kind of pale.

Luke did the bro-nod thing at him. "What's up dude?"

"Nothing," Chris answered. "What's up with you?"

Luke shrugged. "My mom is on my case again, but you know,that's normal."

Chris nodded in understanding and I suddenly felt awkward, sitting down next to Chris and twiddling my thumbs as the two friends caught up. Chris glanced at me and you could tell he was trying to signal for me to start talking.

Luke caught on and looked between us. "Why do you guys look like you did something illegal?"

I wasn't the type of person to be beating around the bush, so I blurted out, "We're liars."

_________________________________________________________________

Hey guys, sorry for the long wait, I started school on the the first and its been totally crazy. I got math homework on the first day! And I got assigned a chapter to read AND answer questions on on the first day too. They're loading me up, man. And I have to go coach soccer today and I have a paper due by Tuesday... its a mess. 

Not to mention its a new school.

And even with two study halls, I barely have any time to write, so I'm apologizing in advance for late updates and cliffhangers. 

Hang in there with me guys.

Love ya!

-T A Y L O R