four

Kiyoshi was different from other people, I knew that much from our few encounters; neither were quite pleasant, might I add.

I noticed that we crossed paths more often than usual—on my way to school, during passing periods, and in the library. But every time we would happen to cross paths, he did what I couldn't do—pretend.

I didn't understand why pretending was so hard for me. In any other situation, I would've gladly forgotten what had happened. But with him, I just couldn't. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't get the image of him out of my head, and his screams were still ringing in my ears. It seemed impossible for me to forget that day.

So I found it strange when I suddenly felt an arm wrap around my shoulders and pull me closer, only for it to be the boy himself.

I was startled and was about to push him away when he whispered in my ear with gritted teeth, "Just go along with it." He smiled and continued to walk with me, occasionally turning around.

"Wha—"

"Don't talk," he said. "Just smile and pretend you're happy." There is was again, that word; pretend. First, he had wanted me to pretend I hadn't seen anything, and now he wanted me to pretend to be happy? Why must I pretend I'm happy?

What about him?

We turned a corner and he immediately let go of me. I stared at him as he kept looking behind him, then he sighed. "What was that about?" I asked. "Why'd you do that?"

He turned to me, "I need you to do me a favor," he said. It sounded like an emergency, and I wanted to help him, but something about him was starting to piss me off.

"I'm supposed to pretend I don't know you," I said, starting to walk away. He followed after me, but kept his distance. "Isn't that already a favor? What more do you want from me?"

He grabbed my arm and made me face him, "Look," he said. "I don't want to do this just as much as you do, but I don't know anyone else."

The way he stared into my eyes made me freeze. His grip on my arms was tightening, making he uncomfortable, and I wanted to break away, but his gaze kept me frozen. "O-Oh."

"So are you going to do me a favor?" There was a small twinkle in his eyes, but it disappeared almost instantly, just like his smile in the library. I remembered how bright it was and how happy he must've been.

Something inside of me wanted to see that smile of his again.

"Okay," I said with a small voice. "What is it?"

"I need you to pretend to be my girlfriend," he said, shocking me. I stared at him with wide eyes and was about to deny—loudly, might I add—when he continued. "It'll just be for a month, two months at most. Please, I really don't know anyone else."

There was a moment of silence between us. I was contemplating whether I should deny and he was staring at me with puppy-eyes, hoping that I'd agree.

I was going to say no, my brain had been saying the word over and over again, but my mouth didn't seem to get the message. "Okay," I said, shocking both myself and him. "Okay."

I already knew this wasn't going to end well for me.