“Okay, sure. It’s a deal.”
That night, once I’m home, I actually get the sudden inspiration to write again. Something original, and entirely mine. I write a little love story set in the library, a meet-cute between the characters. The piece is only a paragraph long, but I’m happy to say it belongs to me. I can’t believe that Marlon, of all people, had inspired me to write again. I share it with him after, before closing my eyes to sleep.
He was right. What onEarthhas the world come to?
Seventeen
I’m on a call with Kiara and Dianeon Saturday morning, when one from Marlon rudely interrupts it. I hold my phone away from my ear as my ringtone - SB19’sBazinga- plays loudly.
I narrow my eyes, and text a quick apology to Kiara and Diane in our group chat. We’d called this morning to discuss our upcoming short film assignment, but had gotten sidetracked gossiping over how Kiara’s crush, Riley, had begun flirting with her over Instagram.
I accept Marlon’s phone call, and groan threateningly as a way of greeting.
“Whoa, okay hello to you too weirdo,” Marlon says.
“I was talking to Kiara and Diane,” I tell him, pursing my lips.
“And you can get back to them, but firstly I need you to be ready to go out this afternoon. This is last minute but we’re having a social competitive game today at the court and it’d be weird if my girlfriend didn’t show up.”
My stomach curdles at the reminder that I’m theso-calledgirlfriend now.
“You’re right, that is last minute,” I grumble. Then, lowering my voice, I say, “Also, I thought the ruse was just for our families?”
“Well, I mean, you don’t want to risk it, especially with some of my basketball members being a part of the community.”
That’s true and deep down, I admire Marlon for being a little more careful with the ruse than I expected. I sigh. Today I was planning to catch up on some film-school homework as well as push through one more chapter ofWhisper of the Darkbefore giving up on it.
“PleaseGarcia,” Marlon whines into my ear, and I pull the phone away.
“Okay,” I drawl, “But you better tell me all about your date with Christine yesterday.”
When I texted Marlon, asking how his dinner with her went last night, he told me he’d tell me next time we see each other. He was really going to make me wait until Monday. The nerve.
“It’s a deal.”
He hangs up and texts me the time he’ll be picking me up. I resume the call with Kiara and Diane after, apologising for the disruption, telling them that it was just Marlon. They begin to coo over the fact I’ll be accompanying my fake boyfriend to a basketball game, and I remind them that
He’s a fake boyfriend
It wasn’t like it’s the NBA or anything
They certainly practise like they’re in the NBA.
If you told me I’d be spending Saturday afternoon surrounded by sweaty boys throwing balls around, I would’ve laughed right in your face.
A couple of girls and I sit on the side of the court. I observe Marlon and his team as they practise their dribbling technique. I recognise a few of his teammates’ faces - two of them actually went to my school, and another I’d seen at Filipino festivals, while others I recognise from Marlon’s socials.
“Hey, Jaslene right?”
One of the girls - the one with pink highlights in her hair - sits beside me, a smile on her face. Her friend, I’m presuming,the one with blonde hair, follows in her direction, taking the seat beside her.
“Yes, that’s right,” I say, desperately flicking through my memories to when I could’ve possibly met this girl. I don’t think I have.
The girl with the pink highlights places a hand atop her chest, flustered.
“Sorry, I forgot to introduce myself. I’m Tiana, I’m Charlie’s girlfriend, the point guard on the team.”
I nod slowly, smiling, trying to remember whether Marlon told me what a point guard is. I turn toward the girl with the blonde hair.
