The bright afternoon sun made for a warm summer's day. With a new semester having started, there were students flooding the campus from every angle. The burning heat caused for shorts and a T-shirt from Catalina's part. She loved the summer, but fall would always have to be her favourite season. Catalina stared at her phone, walking towards the bus stop as her classes had ended for the day and she was hoping to race home and watch her favourite show. Distracted and engrossed by Andrea's new picture, she leaned against the bus stop's post, preparing to write a comment after she'd double tapped the photo.

     Cheerfully, she typed away, smile on her face as she ran a hand through her short hair. Suddenly, she felt a pair of hands land on her shoulders harshly, causing her to yelp and nearly drop her phone.

     "Hey!" Daniel laughed as Catalina turned about to face him.

     Slapping his arm, she laughed the fear off. "What the hell, Dan? You nearly killed me."

     "It was my idea!" Madeline popped out from behind the boy, sly smile on her lips. "I wanted to see your face."

     "And are you satisfied?" She crossed her arms over her chest, pouting.

     Madeline grinned, nodding her head quickly. "Very," she sung, hugging her books to her chest.

     "So, Drea told us that you made Jae smile, what's up with that?" Daniel smirked, winking at the redhead.

     "I made a stupid joke and he liked it," she shrugged, "that's all."

     "Isn't he cute?" Madeline wrapped her arm around Catalina's, gushing.

     Catalina rolled her eyes, shaking her head as she did so. "Sure, if you say so."

     "What? He's cute! I mean he needs help smiling but you're doing great so far!"

     Sighing, Catalina looked down at her phone.

     "No, no, no, no, no." Daniel took her phone from her hands. "You're gonna tell us what he said after you joked."

     She raised an eyebrow, looking between both of them. "Why?" She scoffed.

     Madeline looked at Daniel and grinned. "Because Danny here said that he has no friends and he never smiles."

     "He laughed and I bid him goodbye. That's all that happened."

     "Shit! Ain't that Jae?" Daniel peaked over Catalina's shoulder.

     Catalina turned immediately and looked around. "Whe—oh, I know what you're doing!" She stomped her foot. "It's not funny. Literally, nothing happened, stop—"

     "Catalina? Was it?"

     Turning towards the voice, she gave a smile. "Heeey." She waved.

     "These must be your friends, huh?" Jae asked, lifting a brow and analyzing them. His gaze was almost scrutinizing, as if he were looking at bacteria through a microscope instead of human beings.

     "Yes," she laughed, "yes, these are my friends. Daniel and Madeline. Guys, this is Jae."

     "Ah, Maddie, I forgot my gym clothes in the locker, come with me!" Daniel gave a nervous laugh. "It was nice to put a face to the name, see ya!"

     "He's a horrible liar," Jae deadpanned as they both watched Madeline and Daniel run off towards the student center and seek nice air-conditioned refuge.

     "Yeah," Catalina laughed, "he is." She fanned herself, the heat getting to her.

     They fell silent as she pulled her water bottle from her bag, taking a sip.

     "So, um?" Catalina cleared her throat, trying to pop the bubble of awkwardness that floated around them.

     Jae shrugged. "Nothing, just wanted to get your name right."

     "Right, well you can call me Cat, it's what my friends call me."

     "So, we're friends?"

     "Pft-yeah! Friends help each other out and you helped me back there. So, just know you can trust me for whatever it may be." She gave a bright smile, her eyes almost sparkling.

     "Just as long as you don't constantly ask me for favours."

     She shrugged, "Who knows what the future will bring. But for now, there's nothing."

     He extended his hand and instead of shaking it, she gave him a two-finger salute.

     Jae blinked at her.

     "What? No one shakes hands anymore," she frowned. "Ugh, fine." Taking his hand, she shook it.

     "So, since we're friends... Well, I need a favour." He rubbed the back of his neck, cheeks colouring pink ever so slightly.

     "I should've known. You're a sly fox, Jae-Jae," she sung, wiggling her eyebrows before taking another sip of her drink.

    Catalina gave a smile, sitting down next to Jae. It had been a week since he asked her the peculiar favour and she had still regretted going along with it. The elevator had taken its sweet time getting to the top floor where the restaurant was and she had nearly had an anxiety attack when she thought she might have been late for the big day. Luckily, when she arrived, she found Jae all by himself.

     The table was set brilliantly and lavishly. A white lace tablecloth sat beneath the elaborately and beautifully designed china. There were a thousand glasses upon the table and an expensive flower arrangement. She wasn't poor but this was stunning to see, for after all she never knew Jae was rich enough to afford such a luxury (though she should've guessed since he was an international student, after all). She loved the soft pastel hues of the room and the beautiful flower print curtains that hung in front of the long windows.

     "Do I look good enough?" She hushed over, shifting in her seat uncomfortably.

     Jae looked her over. "I would've suggested that a black dress seemed a bit gloomy, but at least you have a good necklace," he breathed. "They'll be here soon so just keep silent."

     "Wait," she gasped, "you didn't tell me how to greet them. Is there something I need to do?"

     "The less you do, the better."

     She scoffed, "I don't want them hating me! If I'm going to be your fake girlfriend for two weeks, I better be the best damn girlfriend they'll ever meet and you'll ever have."

     Groaning, he spoke, "Just give a short bow. They know you're ignorant, you're white."

     "I'm not! I'm Colombian! There's a difference."

     "Hello."

     Catalina heaved in defeat, her first impression was tainted by her pride for her country and she could feel herself die a bit inside.

    Jae stood and Catalina followed closed behind. He bowed and so did she.

    His mother was a short lady with a bob hairstyle, she wore a light blue dress which looked as if she were going to see the royal wedding instead of sharing a dinner with her family, her eyes were like chocolates but those of the extremely expensive kind. Then, right behind her was who Catalina assumed to be his father. The man stood tall, about half a foot taller than Catalina herself and he wore the face of astuteness and grace. He wore a fashionable Italian tux with fine shoes. Jae's mother seemed to be playing 'good cop' by the evident smile on her decorated lips.

     "Hello, it's an honour to meet you both." Catalina offered them a warm smile, extending her hand out.

     "Catalina, yes?" His mother's voice was sweet and gentle and her hand was as soft as satin.

     "Yes, Mrs. Kim." She nodded.

     "We finally get to meet you. Our son has kept you a secret for the most part; I thought you might've not been real at all. It would be great to get to know you during our visit." It was his father's turn to speak. "Though, I could see why he tried to keep you hidden, we aren't exactly keen on westerners."

     "Honey." Mrs. Kim gave her husband the look. "She is a very charming young lady."

     After some more formalities, they all sat down at the table and ordered their food. They had a starter and the main course had been served after only a few exchanged words. For the most part, the dinner had been awkwardly silent and Catalina couldn't bare it. She'd always been embarrassed eating in front of strangers, and it wasn't helping that they were from a golden cradle.

     "What do you study?" Mrs. Kim asked, a sweet smile on her lips.

     Catalina gulped the slice of beef she'd been chewing. "I have a double major in environmental science and geography," she stated.

     "And what do you plan on doing with those?" Mr. Kim questioned.

      "Well," she set her fork down, "I plan to do research, more specifically hydrological research. I'm a huge envi-enthusiast and I really do want what's best for the planet."

     "That's very noble," Mrs. Kim smiled, "very, very noble. I hope you really get a great career from that."

     "And your family? What do your parents do for a living?"

     Catalina smiled. "My father is a business man and my mother works at the bank."

    "The bank?" Mr. Kim Raised an eyebrow. "What does she do there?"

    She would have rather remained silent, but the stern face of Jae's father was enough to scare even Andrea. "She's a teller. Sometimes she works at the call center, though."

     They spoke a little more, about her career and her family, but most of the questions had been how they met and what they liked about each other, as was something Catalina had expected for they were a 'couple'.

     "Well, to be honest, we met in the library," Catalina began, "I was dared by my friends to make him smile so I went up to him and that's how we started talking."

     "Yes," Jae added, "and I asked her out at the bus stop."

     "Mhm, it was a little cheesy and sloppy but I gotta hand it to him, his smile is addicting."

     "That's so romantic!" His mother crooned, "Isn't it, sweetheart?"

     "Mh. Very," Mr. Kim agreed.

     "Well," Mrs. Kim stood from her seat, "I do think we ought to be going home now."

     "Yes, it's getting late." Catalina nodded. "My parents might just worry if I don't head home."

     "I'll drive you," Jae stood, offering her a hand.

     "No, it's okay, I can take an uber."

     "No, I'll take you home, come on." He took her hand and helped her to her feet.

     "Thank you for the food, it was splendid and I'm also very glad that I was able to meet you." Catalina gave a smile, bidding a farewell to his parents before Jae offered her his arm and they walked out of the room together. He led her over to the elevator, past the chatting customer's of the high-end restaurant and the eyes of his parents.

     "Well, that wasn't so bad," she sighed, slipping her arm from his and catching her breath for she felt as if she was suffocating. "I think it went rather smoothly, don't ya think?"

     "They hated you," Jae deadpanned, "they really hated you."

     "What? How? I thought they liked me?"

     "They didn't. My mom is usually the one that's rude and my father is so nice. They switched roles, which means they don't approve." He pressed the elevator's button, slipping his hands into his pockets.

     "Wha-? I swear, I blew their minds!" Catalina argued. "Did they really not like me?"

     Jae cleared his throat after looking back over his shoulder. "Lean against the wall."

     "Uh, why?" She blinked, narrowing her eyes. "If you're trying to seduce me it ain't gonna—"

     "Just do it."

     She heaved in annoyance, but obeyed nonetheless, leaning against the wall next to the elevator and then looked up at him. "Now what? Are you gonna—"

     He placed his hand just above her shoulder. Leaning over her slightly.

     "What're you doing?" She drew herself in, watching his every move very carefully.

     He chewed his bottom lip. "I bet you a smoothie that my mom is going to come looking for me in twenty seconds."

     "The elevator will get here before her," Catalina stated, lips pursed in a straight line.

     "We need to seal the deal."

     She put her hands up in front of herself. "I'm not going to kiss you!"

     "We won't kiss, we just have to make it look like we're about to." He shrugged.

     "I don't want them hating me any more than they already do, Jae. It's not right. I don't think we should do this whole fake dating thing. Why did you lie to them in the first place?"

     "Seven, six," he mumbled.

     "Wait," she murmured, pushing him away. He was close, way too close. His scent was intoxicating and her head was spinning. His cologne was strong and sweet; why were scents so alluring and expensive? Why was cologne so weird?

     "Cat," he rolled his eyes, "it's just for two weeks, what's the worst that can happen?" He pushed a strand of her hair behind her ear.

     Catalina closed her eyes, relaxing against the wall that supported her. They weren't going to kiss, he assured her. There was nothing to worry about.

     "We need to make this look real," Jae whispered. Slowly, he leaned over her, his warm breath on her lips and his free hand on her hips.

     She could feel her face heating up and she felt slightly dizzy, her heart swelling in her chest as she felt something stuck in her throat. Catalina braced herself for the kiss and tried her best not to shy away.

    "Sung-Jae! Oh! I am so sorry." Upon the voice of Mrs. Kim, he jumped away from Catalina, clearing his throat. "I didn't mean to interrupt you two, I was just..." She looked over at Catalina who was bright red and clearly avoiding eye contact. "I just wanted to bid you both a safe drive. Be careful now, and don't get home too late."

     "Thanks, mom, I'll be home straight after I drop her off." Jae waved as the doors of the elevator opened. He pulled Catalina in after they bowed and soon, the doors closed.

     Catalina only found it safe to talk when the elevator had already descended two floors. "What was that?"

     "You didn't think I was actually gonna kiss you, right?"

     She blushed. "N-no," she choked, "of course not."

     Jae raised an eyebrow, turning to her. "Don't tell me you haven't had your first kiss, Cat."

     "What? No! I mean, yes, I have had my first kiss." Her cheeks were on fire and she looked away from him.

     "Right, sure you have."

     "Is it so hard to believe?" She crossed her arms over her chest. "Am I ugly or something?"

     "No, you just sounded suspicious, that's all." He shrugged, "Anyway, you want to see me smile?" He asked.

     "Why?" Catalina glared at him. "Are you gonna tease me?"

     Jae blinked. "You did say my smile was 'addicting'," he replied with a smug look on his face.

     "Yeah," she groaned, "I regret that already."

     "Your loss," he said sarcastically, "this one was free."

     "Wait," She looked up at him, "what about you? Have you had your first kiss?"

     "None of your business," he deadpanned.

     "Jerk."

     "Thanks."