C⃣h⃣a⃣p⃣t⃣e⃣r⃣ T⃣e⃣n⃣

The diner was nearly empty in the early evening. Harrison and I were practically the only ones there. I pull a notebook and pencil out of my bag. "If this is going to work we're going to need to establish some ground rules."

"Ground rules?" He repeats. He was sitting backwards in his chair. His arms crossed and resting on the back of the chair.

"Yes, like a contract. Just so we're both on the same page." I give the blank paper a title.

"We're going to fake date each other not sell our soul to the other person." He chuckles at his own joke.

"I know, it's just rules. Like... no kissing. I don't want you to kiss me anymore," I write the rule down in the neatest print I could do.

"Wait. No kissing? How is anyone supposed to believe we're dating if I can't kiss you?" He leans forward.

I look over at him. "You may be comfortable with this kind of stuff but I've never had a boyfriend before. And I'd prefer all my firsts to be real not fake," I defend the rule.

"We don't have to make out everywhere, but a few kisses here and there wouldn't be that bad. Besides you kissed me first!"

"This is non-negotiable," I tell him, seriously.

"Fine. But we're going to have to come up with something or people are going to get suspicious. Especially if I'm not allowed to touch you," he points out.

"Okay," I tap the pencil on my lips as I think, "How about this? You can put your hand in my back pocket."

He looks at me like I just said something crazy.

"Hand in your back pocket? What are you talking about?" His tone was incredulous.

"Sixteen Candles?" He just sits there dumbfounded. "It's the opening image." Still nothing. "It's a couples thing." My voice gets soft.

"Yeah, maybe in the seventies," Harrison says. He takes a sip of his coke.

"Sixteen Candles was the eighties. John Hughes?" He shows no recognition of the name. "Okay, two more rules. You have to watch Sixteen Candles because it's a classic, and we can never tell anyone this relationship is fake. It would be too embarrassing for the both of us."

"Duh. First rule of Fight Club," he says as a matter of fact. I look at him, confused.

"Are you serious? You've never seen Fight Club?" I shake my head. "Okay, write it down. Double feature. After we watch that Candles movies, we are watching Fight Club."

I write down 'Sixteen Candles/Fight Club' and 'no snitching' on the paper. "What else?" I ask.

"You have to go out with me. To parties and stuff."

"Parties?" I mumble, not sure if he heard or not.

"A boyfriend should show off his girlfriend a little," he finishes with a smile.

"But does it have to be parties as well?" I ask, grimacing. I don't like to go out much. "I don't-"

"Ah," he stops me, "non-negotiable." A smirk forms on his lips. Using my own words against me. How rude.

I shake my head. "Fine," I give in. Writing down 'obligatory plus one'. "Then you'll have to drive me to work. Every morning, except Saturdays, at nine AM."

"Deal," he agrees, sitting up straighter.

"I think that's it," I say. I write down the last rule.

"I have one more thing," Harrison says. He takes the notebook and pencil away from me. "Approximately in a month from now I will be going back to join Tom in America. If were still together by then you're coming with."

What?! Too far out of comfort zone! Too far out of comfort zone!

"Do you seriously think we'll still be together by then?" I ask.

"Call it a contingency. What kind of girlfriend would let her boyfriend travel halfway around the world by himself?" He raised his eyebrows waiting for my answer.

I'm certain that in a month Harrison and I will not be together. Either he'll meet another girl or things with Harry and I will be better. It's the only reason why I would even think of saying "sure."

Harrison nods his head and scribbles it down. We both sign underneath and shake hands.

It's official. I'm 'dating' Harrison Osterfield. Oh my God.