Faking It (Fake boyfriend Duet 1)

"Small group, huh?" I flash Gun a sarcastic look as we step inside Rodney's house, the loud music and overflowing party-goers greeting us immediately.

Good thing I decided to dress up even when I thought it was just going to be a small party. I'm wearing a cute mikimouse crop top with a denim patra, red sneakers, my hair encased in a red bandanna and oval sunglasses.

Gun holds up both his hands. "I swear, I didn't know."

Oh, he's soo full of shit.

But before I can chide him further, Daph —who looks pretty in her lace crop top over a floral-print skater skirt, her hair dolled up in a curled, high tail— is already hooking her arm through mine. "Come on, let's go get something to drink. I'm parched."

Well, we're already here are we? Might as well have fun while were at it.

Leaving Gun by the door, we push through the thick crowd to head for the kitchen. Thankfully, we don't have to. There's a bar setup in one corner of the house, so we just make our way there instead, and grab ourselves two soda caps filled with beer.

After taking healthy swings, we make a beeline for the dance floor — or at least the spot where people are dancing —and shake our butts off the music. And for a while, I forget about everything: Gun, Zac and the conundrum that I'm in. I move my hips like no ones watching and get lost in the thumping beat of the speakers. I'm no graceful dancer, my movements are kind of sloppy, but I don't care if anyone's watching.

"Oh, I love this song!" Daph yells into my ears as Physical by Dua Lipa comes on.

"Me too!" I scream the lyrics along with her, giggling like crazy when we butcher them.

Every once in a while, my eyes connect with Gun who's watching me in amusement from the couch with Rodney and some of their teammates. I blow kisses his way, making him chuckle and shake his head. I'd love to drag him to the dancefloor with me, but Daph would think that as odd. So I simply content myself with exchanging flirty, mischievous glances with him.

And because I'm in a Gunther-filled haze, it takes me a while to notice that Zac's with the basketball guys too. He's in the single-seater, shooting daggers at Gun.

God, I hope he won't cause any scene.

And if he's read my mind, his gaze shifts to me. He doesn't give me the angry look though. Instead, his eyes turn soft, he's looking at me the same way he used to. Like we were still together.

Only it's not the same. That look used to make my insides flutter. Now, it doesn't have any effect on me at all. I've truly moved on. I pretty much know it already, but this......this is the confirmation I didn't know I needed. My eyes find Guns' once again, and this time I feel something. My heart rate spikes up, my skin flushing as anticipation knots in my stomach. I can't wait to be alone with him again.

Before I can do something stupid— like throw myself at him in front of this crowd —i tear my gaze away and approach the bar. Water. I need water. Preferably to cool my skin.

I blame Gun. And, okay, dancing too.

It turns out there's no available water in the bar, so I amble to the kitchen to get some, waving to Daph and signalling that I'll be right back. Thankfully, the kitchen isn't packed like the rest of the house. There only a few stragglers chatting amongst themselves. I say hi to familiar faces before moving to the fridge, greedily guzzling down the water bottle I find inside and grabbing another one for Daph.

"Nikitta, can we talk?"

I remain still. Is that Gabriella Donovan? Turning on my heels, I almost bump into her. Taking a step back, I eye her warily. "What do you want?"

She lifts up a finger as if telling me to wait, before ordering everyone to leave the kitchen. I'm not even surprised to see them complying without protests. When the resident Queen Bee of Horizon High wants you to do something, you follow right away.

"Spill it Gabriella. I don't have all night." I say boredom lacing my tone.

Yeah, I'm not one of her followers.

"Fine. This won't take long." She huffs, flipping her blonde hair over her shoulder, clearly annoyed that I'm not acting the least bit intimidated. "I know you're just pretending to be in a relationship with Gun."

My heart stops and lodges in my throat. Then picks up it's pace and hammers against my chest. How the hell did she find out? Did Gun tell her?

"Don't bother denying it. I heard you two talking outside the boy's locker room."

Relief courses through my body knowing he didn't betray me. But then my mind races back to that day. I thought he and I were all alone in the hall. Apparently I was wrong.

Now that Gabriella knows our secret, it's just a matter of time before everyone else finds out. They thought of me as pathetic when Zac dumped me. What will they think of me once they learn the truth?

Sneering, her eyes flick over me. "I have to admit though, you had me fooled there. Who would have thought you'd be desperate enough to enlist Gun's help just to get Zac back?"

I raise my chin in defiance, even though I'm freaking out and my insides are knotted in anxiety. "So what? You're going to blabber your mouth to everyone?"

"Yes." She says with a smug smile.

I seethe, balling my fists at my sides, wanting nothing more than to clock that smug look off her face.

"Unless, you end your pathetic arrangement with him. He's not what you want, anyway. You want Zac. You're still not over him. You wouldn't have come up with the stupid fake boyfriend if you were."

This girl. She thinks she can blackmail me? Ha! Where does she get off.

I let out a mocking laugh. "And how do you know all those things? Are you a mindreader or something?"

Gabriella ignores that. "Go get your ex and leave Gun alone."

"So you can have him for yourself? He doesn't even want you." I scoff, making her cheeks red and her nostrils flare. Truth hurts, bitch. "And isn't Lytton your best friend? If there's anyone who needs an ex back, its her."

She waves a dismissive hand. "She'll get over it."

"Geez. You're such a great friend, Gabriella. What will Lytton ever do without you?"

"Shut up. Are you going to do it or not?" She glares.

I smile sweetly. "How about this: You're not the boss of me. So you can shove your demands down you're throat. Now if you'll excuse me, there's a party to go back to."

"I'm serious. I will tell everyone." She threatens at my retreating back.

"Suit yourself." I yell back, flipping her off over my shoulder for a good measure.

I was worried for a moment there. But now that I think about it, there's a high chance that Gabriella won't even do it. Everyone knows she has a thing for Gun, if she decides to open her mouth, people will think she's making up stories just to get his attention. She'll look pathetic in their eyes, especially when they see us acting like a real loving couple.

And that's the last thing a girl like Gabriella Donovan wants.

So I'm just gonna ignore her threat. That's the best thing I can do. My steps slow to a stop when I see Zac just outside the kitchen, looking like he's been waiting for someone. When she straightens up from the wall he's been leaning on, I instantly know that someone is no one other than me.

Concern is etched on his face as he strolls over. "Is everything okay?"

Why is he asking me that? Warily, I narrow my eyes at him. Has he been listening to my conversation with Gabriella? Or what if he's working with her?

How dare he......

Reading my thoughts on my face, he raises his hand in surrender. "Whatever you're thinking, I have nothing to do with it."

I cross my arms over my chest. I'll be the judge of that. "Why do you sound defensive then?"

He blows out a breath. "Because I know you."

"Oh, you know me?" I sneer.

"I didn't mean it like that."

"Awww, don't you two look good together?" Gabriella, who just walks out of the kitchen coos at us. Then winks at me as she passes. "Remember, what I said Nikky."

Glaring at her back, I grind my teeth and ball my fists. Ughhh, why does she have to be a massive bitch?

"Ignore her. She's just being a bitch." Zac says, echoing my thoughts which only pisses me off.

I frown at him with glowering eyes. "And you're an ass. First, you dumped me. And now, Lytton. Both in just a span of a week. Are you in a habit of breaking hearts know Zac?"

His cheeks burn a bright red, embarrassment crossing his features. "I didn't mean for any of it to happen."

"Bollocks." I snap, controlling the sudden urge to wring his neck.

Two weeks ago, I was head over heels in love with this boy. I cried buckets of tears over him. Now I simply want to wring his neck. It's as if I've never really fallen in love with him. Like I thought I did.