2Chapter Three
Nolan's mouth flops open and shut like a fish gasping for air as he searches for something to say. His golden eyes were wide in shock-and, if I'm being honest, a bit of disbelief and panic-and for a second I'm almost afraid they're going to pop out of their sockets.
As soon as the thought enters my head, I start to imagine them actually falling out. Two little white, gold, and black orbs rolling around at my feet. Or, maybe they would squash from the fall. I suppose I've never dropped a pair of eyes before-how far would they have to fall to do so? Would explode? Would my feet and ankles be covered in eye goo-or blood?-if it were to happen?
I shake my head, forcing my overactive imagination back. This is not what I should be focusing on at the moment. (and besides, I'm pretty sure the tendants that hold them in the socket would catch them before they hit the floor) What I should be thinking about is the fact that the boy I've had a crush on-although, maybe the better word for it is admiration-actually likes my older sister.
"You can't tell her," he finally squeekes out.
It takes all of my self control not to roll my eyes. Right, because that conversation would go well.
"Hey, Steph. I just thought I'd tell you, Nolan-y'know, your best friend? The one you're not dating? Who also happens to be bffs with the one you are?-Yeah, well, he's got a thing for you.
"Oh, and just while we're at it. I kinda have a crush on him. Not that that's going to do me much good because this guy who is basically the Gaston of our school has decided that he wants to go out with me and is willing to do anything to get what he wants. But how's your day been?"
"Don't worry," I say, waving my hand dismissevely, "That's not exactly a conversation I'd want to have, anyway."
"Really?" his shoulders sag in relief.
I move to nod, but stop myself as a thought occurs to me. I need a boyfriend. One that's in college. One that Flynn Grelle would have never met before.
Nolan's in college. He's never met Flynn.
And I'm just letting this perfect opportunity go down the drain.
"Actually," I cut myself before I even give myself the chance to speak, "You could help me out with something, since, y'know, I'm doing this favor for you."
Nolan narrows his eyes at me, his mouth pursing into a displeased frown. "Wait, are you saying you're blackmailing me?"
"Yes," I'm matter-of-fact because if I'm not, I'll back out. Blackmailing is a horrid thing to do, especially to someone one claims to care for, but I see no other option. I don't know if he would help me otherwise. Desperation causes people to do stupid and despicable things. "Or, no. I suppose I probably don't have to. Maybe the timing is just a coincidence."
I glance down at my feet, suddenly unsure of what to say. If he finds out about Flynn, he might be thrown into such a rage, or feel obligated to tell Stephanie. And once that happens, it will only be a matter of time before my brothers find out. And well... after that it's all pretty much lost.
"There's this guy at my school," I begin, shuffling my feet nervously. "He is a bit.. infatuated with me. Um, today he asked me out, but I told him I had a boyfriend and he called me on my bluff so I need you to pretend to be my boyfriend to get him off my trail."
The explenation is rough at best, with no real details that he'll probably need, but I couldn't help it. I just needed to get it out there in the open before I chickened out.
Nolan raises a dark brow at me, "Um, okay... why did you tell him you had a boyfriend instead just simply turning him down?"
"Because he's the most popular guy in school, and could ruin me before first period is over and I'm not going through that again?" I cross my arms defiantly over my chest and shoot him my best are you really that fucking stupid? look. "Nobody just turns him down. Nobody."
"He's not some god, Belle. You could've just said 'no.'"
I sigh and shake my head. I should've known that he wouldn't understand. Stephanie and her friends have always been in their own little world, blissfully drifting around the middle of the popularity scale hwere nobody ever noticed them, and even if they did, they were quickly forgotten. This allowed them the ability to not have to worry about things like being the social outcast or keeping appearances up.
"You don't have to," I press, "I'm not even asking you to do that much. Just, if anyone happens to come around asking you if we're going out, you just confirm it."
"I don't know," Nolan sighs and scratches the back of his head, "I really feel like you should tell Stephanie about this-"
"No!" I shriek, before freezing at his surprised look. I clear my throat awkwardly and glance away. "She'll tell my brothers once she finds out-"
"Ah," he nods, having understood even before I get the chance to explain. "Yeah, that wouldn't be very good."
"You understand." I feel my shoulders sag in relief and a smile spread across my face. But I still feel a wee bit uneasy. Maybe he's just saying that now. There's no way to know for sure if he'll suddenly decide that telling my sister would be the best option. "Besides, I can't help but worry that if Stephanie knew about this, I'd have to feel obligated to tell her about this guy I just found out who has a crush on her."
Nolan freezes before shooting me a glare. "You just said you weren't blackmailing me."
"I changed my mind."
"For like the thousandth time since we started this conversation."
I shrug, "I'm a girl. It's kind of my right. So are you in?"
He sighs, before running a hand through his short dark hair. "I suppose I don't have a choice, do I?"
I know it's been a while since I've updated and I apologize. I've been working on something and have been pretty distracted with it, but I'm back now and I promise I'll be doing my best to stay focused!
Please review!