Chapter 15 Master Plan

I scrambled into the cafe, dropping down the numerous books I carried onto the table.

"Woah," Michelle mused, looking up at me. "Someone's got a lot of work."

"I hate chemistry," I gritted out tiredly, plopping down into the booth beside Wes, with Michelle and Chris sitting across from us. "Sorry. I am late? Class ran a little longer than it was supposed to."

Chris shook his head, "You're all good. We've just been chilling."

"Here," Wes pushed the coffee in front of him towards me. "Looks like you need it more than me."

I looked at him in awe. "My prince charming. You sure?"

Wes nodded, giving me an odd look but his eyes remained lit up and carefree. "Is that even a question? Of course, take it."

I smiled gratefully as I helped myself to his coffee because I was exhausted and already had such a long day of classes. My brain was tired.

I moved my books out of the way and then folded my hands on the table, looking between my friends. "So, what'd I miss?"

"Not much," Chris shrugged, sipping on his smoothie. "We were just hanging."

I nodded. "Exams are soon. You guys ready?"

"Ready to get out of here," Michelle scoffed. "The closer we're getting to exams, the more homesick I'm getting so I, for one, am excited to go back home."

I sighed, propping my elbow up on the table and resting my face in the palm of my hand. "I, for one, much rather be stuck here. God, this trip is going to brutal."

Chris's mouth formed the shape of an 'O' as if he had realized something. "Wait... you're going solo? To your sister's wedding?"

I blew air out in my cheeks as I slowly nodded my head. "Yes, sir. I don't know if the breakup's timing could be better or worse. Part of me is dreading the criticizing I'm going to receive, while part of me is glad I don't have to watch Nate and my parents kiss each other's asses the whole time."

Michelle's eyebrows pulled together, a frown taking place on her face. "I'd drive back home with you but I have to drive further down to meet up with my sister."

I shrugged nonchalantly, already knowing nothing would make this trip easier for me. "It's all good. I've dealt with them for 19 years, what's a few weeks?"

Michelle gave me a sympathetic look, "If only I believed you."

"Is it really going to be that bad?" Wes asked, peering at me with a soft look in his eyes.

I shrugged, trying to play it much cooler than how I was really feeling. My whole body was wracked with anxiety and dread, not looking forward to the hours of berating that was going to come my way due to the fact that Nate broke up with me.

"I'll be chided about how I am incapable of love, how I am focusing on all the wrong things, how I let a fantastic guy slip out of my hands, how I need to settle down because I'm going to be alone for the rest of my life. I already know what they'll say so I guess I'm prepared."

Wes grimaced, "That's really unfair, Fia. After everything that happened with Nate, the last thing you need to hear is about how it's your fault because it's really his loss."

I offered Wes a grateful smile, knowing he was trying to make me feel better because he was feeling bad that I had to deal with all this. "My family has always been like this, Wes. Don't worry about me, I can handle it."

I wasn't actually sure I could.

My family knew how to make me feel like I was at my lowest. With the recent breakup that I was still getting used to, I didn't know how much of their patronizing I would be able to tolerate.

"Wait," Michelle narrowed her eyes in a mischievous manner as she looked between Wes and I. "I have a really good idea that you will definitely hate."

I narrowed my eyes at her, my eyebrows pulling together. "If I'm going to hate it, how could it be a good idea?"

Michelle shrugged cheekily, a thoughtful and excited look on her face. "Wanna hear it?"

"No-"

"I do," Wes cut me off, shooting me a grin.

"Let's hear it," Chris piped in, giving me a sheepish smile.

I sighed, leaning back in the booth as I crossed my arms over my chest. Michelle was probably right when she said I would hate the idea but it was too late for me to find a way out of hearing it.

She leaned forward on the table, a sly smile on her lips. "Just hear me out before you say anything, Fia. You're stuck going solo to your sister's wedding and you're never going to hear the end of it from your family. Wes here is planning on staying on campus with nothing to do all break. Why don't you guys go as dates!"

I blinked, my mouth going agape. I was too scared to look at Wes and see his reaction to her bizarre idea.

That made no sense at all.

How was this a good idea?

Chris smirked, his interested peaked. "Honestly, I'm for it. I think it's a great idea."

I looked between Chris and Michelle with horrified eyes. "You're not serious. That's... that's a terrible idea!"

Wes sucked in a breath, trying his hide his offence with a playful look on his face. but I could see past it and notice the hint of disappointment that flashed across his eyes. "Ouch, Fia."

I rolled my eyes, swatting his arm. "That's not what I meant."

"Then why is such a bad idea?" Michelle sighed, leaning back in her seat.

I grumbled under my breath, shaking my head. "First of all, my sister is going to dub me as a whore. Second of all, why would I want to put Wes through the torture of facing my family? I'm not that cruel."

Michelle rolled her eyes, in disagreement with me. "Wes is a big boy, he can handle himself."

"First of all," Chris broke into the conversation. He turned to look at Wes, "The question is, would you be up for it?"

I groaned, staying silent because I knew Chris and Michelle were going to take control of this conversation and I wouldn't have much of say in it.

It wasn't that I didn't want Wes's company. I just genuinely felt bad thinking that he was going to have to face my incredibly judgmental and nosy family. At the end of the day, they were my family and I was used to the way they were so I could find a way to deal with them for as long as was necessary. Wes, on the other hand, shouldn't have to go through the pain and mental exhaustion my family brought onto anyone.

Wes looked at me, puckering out his lips as he thought. He had an unreadable look on his face, not quite sure how to answer Chris.

"I mean..." he spoke softly, his voice uncertain. "I wouldn't be against it. It's whatever Fia wants, I'm cool with. I have no plans anyways so I'm not arguing against anything but again, it's what Fia wants."

I sighed, tilting my head as I looked at him. There was an uneasy look on my face, "Of course I'd want your company Wes. Hell, it would make it a lot more tolerable for me anyways."

"So then what's the issue?" Michelle muttered blandly. "It all works out. Wes won't have to stay coped up in his dorm room with nothing to do. You'll have a fake-boyfriend so your parents will be at least somewhat content.

Chris quickly spoke up and added in, "Plus, you'll have the company so you don't have to suffer alone."

Michelle raised her eyebrows at me, knowing that they had some good points I couldn't argue against.

I turned to look at Wes after a moment, giving him an unsure look. "I don't know. You'd really be up for that? I'm warning you now, my family is very difficult."

A small smile tugged on Wes's lips. "You think I'd pass up the opportunity to have you around, Fia? And trust me, I do know a thing or two about difficult families."

I exhaled deeply, nodding my head. "Looks like Wes and I are going on a road trip."