My Fake Relationship (8 page)

When my mom got home, that night, she came into my bedroom to see how I was.

“Olivia,” she whispered.

I looked up from my homework my eyes sore and tired.

She smiled. “You should be in bed.”

I smiled a little.

“So should you.”

She nodded her head and laughed.

“I’m just about to.”

I put my head back down in my books.

“Olivia is something wrong?” Mom came into the room and looked at me; worry in her eyes. She could always tell when something was wrong. I pulled off my reading glasses and set them on the night stand.

“Zane and I got into a fight.”

“Aw honey,” she said and gave me a hug. I almost broke down but I decided to say strong. She pulled back and gave my shoulders a squeezed. “It’s ok. Things like this happen in a relationship. It happens every day. You just got to stick through and eventually things will work its way out.”

I smiled. But it’s a fake relationship mom. Zane doesn’t really like me and I…..I’m still not sure. But he wouldn’t want me anyhow! And besides, we can’t get along

                            “He’ll come around” she whispered.

I sighed.

“Sure mom when pigs fly”.

                            “You’re probably right.” she smiled.

“Yeah, thanks mom.”

She smiled and kissed my forehead.

“Night sweetie.” She left my room shutting my door. I looked out my window at the stars and smiled. I coughed which surprised me. Great I was probably getting a cold.

“Ugh, mommy!” I called; my nose stuffed up. My mom rushed into the room.

“Oh what’s wrong?” she asked. She put her hand to my head.

“You have the flu I think. I’ll call the school.”

I smiled.

“Thanks.”

She nodded.

“Your father is coming home tomorrow.” She said shutting my curtains. Her voice was shaky but brave.

“Why don’t you go take a hot bath I’ll come and get you when your soup is ready?”

I smiled.

She left the room but popped her head back in. “Oh and the meds are in the cupboard above the sink.” I stood up and got my clothes together then filled in the big tub with all sorts of bubbles and soaps to make your nose open up and laid in it.

After I took my bath I forced a whole bunch of pills down my throat wanting to feel better again. Mom made chicken soup and I carried millions of blankets into the den and found a comfortable spot on the couch will a big bowl of hot soup. I turned on the TV to watch the Twilight Zone all day.

A call came later and I thought maybe it was dad but mom came into the living room a smile on her lips.

“It’s Zane.” she whispered.

I narrowed my eyes at the phone held in her head.

“Here” she handed it over to me.

I took the phone and turned it off.

“Olivia!” she yelled.

I rolled my eyes.

“Mom, Zane was a jerk to me. I’m not giving in that easily.”

She sighed.

“OK fine, it’s your decision.” She walked back out and into her office. He called 5 times that day. Every time I picked it up, he tried to say he was sorry and not to hang up. The last time I almost talked to him but didn’t. I laid down on the couch and fell asleep.

The next morning I was feeling a lot better! Mom still made me stay home though. I sat on the couch in my black and purple PJs with my hair in a messy bun. I was watching Tom and Jerry, eating a bowl of cereal. I usually did this on Sunday mornings but it had been busy for a while. The phone rang in mom’s office so I didn’t bother getting up.

“Mom, phone!” I yelled. I heard her answer it. I turned the TV up and sighed. My mom came out of her office a couple minutes later trying to hide a smile.

“What are you grinning at?” I asked frowning at her. She just pursed her lips together.

“Um. Can you go get the newspaper for me?”

I put the TV on mute and stood up.

“Sure.” I walked out the front door and saw the paper on the step.

“Good morning.”

I jumped and looked out at the driveway. Zane smiled his white teeth gleaming in the sun leaning against his car.

“What are you doing here?” I yelled.

He held a single red rose and put it to his nose to sniff still looking at me.

“I wanted to apologize for being a complete asshole to you.”

I shifted on the porch my feet freezing. He came forward a little and held out the rose.

“Please forgive me?” He put a little pout on his face that made me want to melt.

I pushed a loose strand of hair behind my ear and crossed my arms realizing I was in my nighty, I looked away from him to show I was mad.

He sighed. “Olivia,” he said; his voice soft but amused. “Come on! Please!”

I looked back at him and clenched my teeth. He was doing this on purpose. He hated me! Oh, but he was so cute! Get a hold of yourself!

“Pretty please.” he pushed out his bottom lip and titled his head to the side like a lost puppy.

I started to smile and the looked away.

“No! No, no! I saw that.”

I pursed my lips together trying hard not to laugh. He came up the steps and I kept looking away.

“I saw that,” he whispered.

My stomach fluttered. He put his fingers tips on my chin and drew my face over to his. His blue eyes glistened with excitement and something else. He put his lips right in front of mine. Teasing me. I stopped breathing for a moment and he just grinned. His bottom lip rubbing against my lips and I shivered.

“Please?” he asked again; his voice low and seductive. I nodded staring into his eyes. He smiled and stepped back. I let out a breath I didn’t know I had held. He got down on his knee and I stared at him in. “Will you be my fake girlfriend?” he asked holding out the rose. “Again,” he added.

I laughed and smiled.

“Why not?” I said throwing my hands in the air. He grinned and stood up. I took the rose and smelled it.

“Mm, I forgive you.”

He looked at me. Again the strange gleam in his eyes came as he looked at me. And not just at my body or face. He saw me. He looked into me. I felt like I was losing myself in his eyes. His hand came up and touched my cheek with the back of it. A smile played on his lips. I just started feeling the warmth of it.

“Olivia!”

We both jumped and turned to see my dad getting out of his car and coming up to us.

I glared.

“Dad,” I said through my teeth.

He frowned at the two of us. Even Zane seemed to glare.

“Mr. Walker,” dad said to Zane.

“Sir,” he answered. Dad looked at me.

“A little late to be wearing your bed clothes?”

I gasped.

“Dad I was sick.”

He made an O with his mouth nodding. He went past me.

“Is your mother home?” he called.

“Yeah,” I looked at Zane and he shook his head and rolled his eyes.

“Does your mom know?” he whispered.

I shook my head.

“No, I didn’t have the heart to tell her.”

He nodded.

“Do you want to go to the play ground?” he asked.

I laughed a little.

“Sure,” I looked down at myself and chuckled. “Let me get changed first.”

He laughed and we walked back into the house. I could hear my parents talking in my mom’s office and urged myself not to listen. I walked up the steps and into my room. I laid the rose down on my dresser and I changed quickly out of my PJ pants and slipped on a pair of jeans. As I unbutton my top I looked at the rose. I smiled biting my lip. My PJ top fell to the floor as I grabbed a bra quick stilling looking at the rose. I picked it up and smelled it again.

“Oh, I’m sorry!”

I jumped slightly and turned around. Zane stood at the door as I clutched my bra to my bare chest.

“It’s ok,” I said softly.

He stared at me. I turned my back to him feeling my face turn a little red as I slipped on my bra and found a t shirt. I put his rose back down and turned around to him and smiled a little. His eyes were glazed over and he still was looking at me.

“I-I didn’t-I mean—“

“It’s ok, chill.” I laughed. “You already almost got my shirt off so it’s no different.” 

He looked down and I swear I saw pink come to his cheeks. I grinned.

“Is Zane Michael Walker really blushing?!” I said putting my hands on my hips.

His head sunk lower and I saw he was smiling too.

“Aww, that’s so cute.” I walked over and looked at him. He lifted his eyes to me. His cheeks were red but he was smiling.

I laughed. “Wow, not so tough anymore are you tiger?” my words soft.

He gasped a little.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

I laughed and patted his shoulder.

“It’s ok I won’t tell the football team,” I went out past him grabbing my shoes from the door.

“You little….” He trailed off as I started running and laughing. I ran out the door grabbing my heavy coat.

“Olivia!” he yelled. I ran behind the yard and across Mr. Roger’s yard then found my way to the park. Zane caught up and pushed me as I stopped at the gate.

“Ow!” I yelled laughing. He laughed. He pulled his jacket on the rest of the way feeling the chilly air. I opened up the gate and walked in. the grass was browning and crunchy under my feet and leaves fell onto the slid and on the swing. I ran over to the swing and jumped on. Zane laughed and zipped up his jacket.

“You’re real funny, you know that?” I grinned. He ran over and put his hands on either side of the swing his face inches from mine. My breath caught in my throat a moment.

“Oh, really?” I asked. He nodded smiling lightly. The smile was something I had never seen before on his face. Only in his eyes but it would never spread this far on his lips. It made me melt in side.

“Yeah,” he nodded.

“And here we go!”

I squealed as he pushed me up then went under me as the swing came back down. I laughed. I kicked my feet so I went higher and then felt the thing start to move. I slowed a little laughing hard.

“Whoa there girl!” Zane said grabbing my swing and stopping me.

“This thing isn’t meant for us.”

He laughed and nodded.

“Yeah, I think it’s been here for a while.”

I nodded and looked around.

“Since I can remember, it’s been here.” Zane sat in the swing beside me and kicked a little to swing slowly.

“We lived in a small town before. I always loved it; summer evenings in the fields. My friend and I had a tree we would always climb. It was great.” he said quietly gazing out across the park. “But when my mom broke up with her boyfriend there, she said she couldn’t stand to stay. So we moved.” I watched his eyes. They were dark blue now. He looked over at me and smiled sadly but the smile didn’t reach his eyes. I didn’t know what to say. I bit at my lip then turned in my seat to look at him. I put my legs up on his lap and smiled. He rolled his eyes and grabbed my legs. I jumped slightly surprised. He turned his swing and put my legs through his swing on either side of him.

“Does your mom have a boyfriend now?”

He stiffened and I watched.

“Yeah, she does,” the words were forced from his mouth I could tell.

“Is some---“

“What movie are we going to watch tonight?” he said his words sharp and trying to tell me to shut up. I frowned.

“Um, I’m not sure.”

“Something good,” I nodded. His hand was on my leg and my heart was pounding in my chest. Good God Olivia! His hand is just touching your ankle stop freaking out!

“Princess?” and there went the romance. I looked up and he was raising an eyebrow.

“What?” I asked my breath a little ragged.

“You’re really out of it aren’t you?” I smiled. I pulled my legs back from his swing and stood up. “Come on,” I said. He stood up.

“What are we doing?” he asked. I smiled.

“Going on the slide.”