I sat there looking out through the window. It was almost dusk. It was so silent in the car that he had to put on some random song on the radio. My eyes were still looking out the window. I saw a car passing by us. I found a couple walking by the footpath together hand in hand.
I sighed. I can't believe I said yes to have some boyfriend. I don't know if I did right or not.
"Take a left from here." I said in a low voice so that only he could hear me.
I looked sideways to glance his way and wondered again, how did I end up with him in the car? Taking me home? Sitting beside me? Being my boyfriend.
"You don't need to be awkward." He said from beside me.
I don't need to be awkward? Let's see, I just made a boyfriend almost an hour ago who I have never known in my entire life. And he is good looking. He is sweet too. And in the past hour I found that he is flirtatious too. And yes, I am sitting beside him while he is driving me back home without having anything to speak. Yes, definitely not awkward.
I kept my head straight but looked at him from my peripheral vision.
"I am not." I said trying to sound convincing. I cleared my throat now fully facing him.
He turned his face slightly towards me raising his eyebrows and a smile on his face. He turned the music down and went to drive again.
"Let's talk then." He said smirking.
I tucked a strand of my hair behind my ear well aware that his eyes were on me, "Sure. What should we talk about?"
He fell silent for a while. I couldn't help but move my gaze towards him. To appreciate his perfection. His face. His eyes, they were their natural colour right now. Grey.
He finally looked at me catching me off-guard, "The very foundation of a relationship starts from the fact that there are no secrets between them. So what about that?"
"We are not really dating." I said a little sourly.
"I was talking about friendship. We can be friends, right? We'll let people believe that we are dating but that doesn't mean we need to be strangers." I was so engrossed in his eyes that I didn't notice that we stopped. We both were still looking at each other before I felt the need to look away. I did. I looked around and found that we were in front of my house.
I should be getting out, shouldn't I? But I didn't. Maybe because there were a set of eyes which were keeping me glued to my seat.
I looked around at everything but him. He put his hands on top of mine which were sitting on my laps. I took in a deep breath before snapping my eyes towards him.
"Besides," he continued, "I need to know everything so that I don't get surprised in the future. I can protect you."
I cleared my throat. Boy was he good? Yes. Definitely.
"I am surprised Brian didn't tell you already." I said.
I expected Brian to already tell Luke all about it. I mean why would Luke even agree to fake date me without even knowing anything. That was all the more weird.
"He did." Luke admitted.
I sighed in relief, "Then what do you want to know?"
"It isn't the same listening it from Brian. You know him, he would miss major details. So I would like to listen to it from you."
I lowered my gaze to look at my hands but I found his hands still covering them. I don't know why but it didn't feel right so I took my hands away. I couldn't help but look at him. To make sure he wasn't hurt. I was sure he was the right guy the minute he nodded his head at me in understanding and put his hands on the steering wheel.
I smiled softly, "Well then, I'll tell you."
He didn't say anything but just look at me, waiting for me.
I took in a deep breath, "We were ten when Xavier and I were told that we were to marry each other when we grow old enough."
"Ten?!" He interrupted.
I shushed him before continuing, "We had a good relationship. And by that I mean friendship." I looked at him smiling. He smiled back shaking his head.
"So well I think I already had feelings for him because it wasn't really difficult for me to accept him for something more than just a friend. And the more the time passed I think the more I fell in love with him...But it wasn't the same with Xavier. He never thought of me for something more. And I completely understand that. You can't just change your feelings in a day. So I gave him time. Space. Whatever he needed. I tried my best to not push myself onto him because he wasn't ready.
But seven years is more than enough. Don't you think?" I looked him in the eyes trying to search for answers, "Well I think they are. Seven years are enough to completely change your world. Your feelings. Everything. So the day I came to know that I would be going to the same school as Xavier made me happy. Made me feel like there was finally some hope. That all wasn't so ruined after all. I could try to spend more time with him. But turns out he didn't only felt anything for me. But he despised me too.
It just hurts, you know. To see the guy you have loved, cared and done almost everything for to not give a crap about you. Only insulting you in front of others. Not taking a stand for you. Leave you feeling vulnerable in front of everyone. And doing things to make you confused. Taking you to his spot, opening to you about his feelings. But just as friends. Getting furious when I talk to his best friend. But at the same time going out with a girl himself."
"The deal." I heard Luke say. I sighed closing my eyes and nodding at him. I almost forgot that I was talking to Luke. It felt like I was just letting all my feelings out.
I saw Luke turning and adjusting himself so that he was sitting facing me completely.
"I don't know Xavier. But he actually sounds like a dick." He whispered.
I laughed at his words making him laugh with me.
"There. Keep that smile of yours there. You look more beautiful." He said. His eyes softening at the corners.
I waved my hands dismissively, "I am not beautiful."
He shook his head before leaning in a little closer and whisper, "Don't let anyone ever tell you otherwise. You are beautiful. I find you beautiful. Any guy who doesn't is blind, do you understand?"
I wasn't blushing before but right now if possible my whole body could be blushing.
"Thanks." I mumbled.
"And remember you have me now. As a friend. Someone you can let your feelings out to. I am not going to lie Liya, I wasn't sure about it before but after meeting you I am sure. I will be happy to do this with you. For you. And not to boast," he chuckled lightly, "but I can be a great friend. Just remember to lean on me whenever you need, okay?"
I stared at him dumbfounded. My mouth gape open. My heart was fluttering and doing what all not, "Yeah, I can definitely see you as a college student."
He laughed, "What is that supposed to mean?"
"Look at you so mature." I said still not able to believe his words. Can guys this good looking be sweet and soft too? I guess I have always had a misconception which just cleared up right now.
"I have had my share of experiences to make me who I am." He laid his head back on the seat still smiling.
I could see the setting sun hitting the features of his face in the right spots.
I am staring I think. I shook my head to clear my mind, "I-I'll go now." I mumbled. Although Luke did everything to make me comfortable and he did too but there were just moments when I would feel this wasn't right to him.
I opened the door to get out when I heard him call my name,
"Liya?"
Still holding onto the door's handle I turned around only to find him just mere inches away from my face. I sucked in a deep breath at the close proximity between us. I could smell his breath on my face as he moved closer.
I tried to open my mouth, "W-what a-are you d-doing?" The words came out more jagged down.
I closed my eyes as I felt his hands holding my face lightly. What the hell is going on?! Before I could even act I felt his lips press down softly on my forehead. I sucked in a sharp intake of breath.
He moved a little away from my face. His hands still holding my face lightly. He gazed into both of my eyes with his grey ones, "You have to get used to this if you want everyone to believe that we are dating." He whispered.
He asked me something else but I wasn't listening anymore. My head was completely dazed. He shook me slightly asking me if I understood him. I looked at him without any expression on my face and nodded my head at him. He smiled down at me before going back in his own seat. I looked at him as he seemed completely fine. Not even a little bit dazed.
I got out of the car and without looking back I went inside.
As soon as I was inside I pressed my back against the door staring at the floor. Am I doing the right thing? I won't complicate the situation more, will I?
But just as Luke said, we are just friends. We are just dating to show Xavier.
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