“If you told Ria, then I should be allowed to tell Henry.”
Henry is his cousin on his Dad’s side, but I know they’re close. He’s like a brother to Marlon, who’s an only child.
“Fine, deal. You tell Henry, I tell Ria, and that’s it as far as family knowing,” I conclude.
Underneath the first rule, I quickly type the new addition in. We think of three more rules.
I read over the five points over and over, disbelief coursing through me. Is this really happening? Marlon peers over at my phone screen.
“And for how long do we need to do this?” he questions.
“Let’s keep it at a couple of months or something,” I say, because I really didn’t want this to go on for too long. Two months should be enough, right?
He tilts his head, “Is that long enough for our parents?”
I laugh humorlessly, “One week would be enough for them to go crazy, honestly. But we can say we’ve…liked each other a while. Two months should be good.”
Marlon and I peer at my phone screen one last time.
“So that’s it then. From now on, we’re officially fake boyfriend and girlfriend,” Marlon declares, and hearing it out loud sends a shiver through my spine.
I know that this is all just a ruse, but not for my parents. For both our families. In their eyes, he’ll be my first love. The first boy to court me, to ask for their permission. Firsts that I know aren’t really mine, but to them it is.
My first ever boyfriend, and it’s not even real.
When Marlon pulls up to my place, the front door is already open and the lights to the study room are on. Mum’s probably there right now, trying to sneak a peek at us through the blinds. He parks the car on the curb, and unbuckles his seatbelt at the same time as I undo mine.
“You’re getting out?” I ask.
“Contrary to what you probably believe, I am a gentleman, Garcia,” he drawls, before getting out of the car, leaving me perplexed.
Before I’m able to open my car door, he sprints to my side, opening it himself. He offers his hand, and I reluctantly take it, a scoff escaping my lips.
“Now, now,” he says, raising his brow, “You’ve got to act like we’re in love.”
A shiver runs through me as I step out the door. Together, we amble down the pavement pathway that leads to my front door, my hand in his the entire time. It feels sweaty, probably from gripping the steering wheel, and I want nothing more than to pry it away.
He stops us halfway down the pathway, close enough to the door that if anyone were trying to spy on us, they’d be able to. Marlon is gazing at me expectantly, forehead quirked upward in waiting. I can’t believe he’s making me lead this. Clearing my throat, I attempt in my warmest voice, “Well, I had a great time tonight Marlon.”
Immediately, Marlon’s face twists in amusement. We are hopeless.
“Me too. When can I see you again?” he asks, and I nearly grimace at the rom-com-script of it all.
What would the lead say next?
I’m clearly not built to be a lead, because now I’ve run out of words to say. So I improvise, and step closer. Surprise flickers across his face as I perch up onto my tiptoes.
“Sorry in advance,” I whisper quickly, before planting a kiss on his cheek. His hand whips up, lingering on the spot where I’ve just kissed him. It’s a nice touch.
Stepping away, I make my way up to the front door and glance back at Marlon, who’s eyes linger on me. I give him one more smile, one which is genuine, athank you, and head inside. There, in the study as expected, is my family, all waiting.
Dad’s eyes flicker toward the blinds just as Marlon’s car engine starts up, while Mum’s lips part in disbelief. Ria is the only one who isn’t flabbergasted. In fact, she just sits on the office chair, legs crossed, her lips contorted into a knowing smile.
“Hi guys…” I begin, as I slide off my shoes.
They don’t even greet me back, but launch straight into questions.
“Jaslene, are you and Marlon -” my Mum questions.
