Chapter Eighteen

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I said that I'd go to sleep as soon as I get home, but what I've said turned out to be empty words because instead of going to sleep, I chatted with Quila or my twinny, as what she wanted me to call her.

The entire time we talked via messenger, she did nothing but to encourage me to join the cheerleading club but of course, she failed to make me join the cheerleading group. But she said that she's not going to give up until I join their team.

After we chatted, I scrolled on my Facebook feed to see the latest trend. I'm getting outdated because I am no longer active in any of my social media accounts.

My feed is full of photos of their travels, achievements and sometimes, I see a post that seems to be directed to a specific person. I have also seen in the comments section the netizens disagreeing about a certain topic then there's cyberbullying. I focused on those people who post photos of them traveling and their achievements.

Now, it makes me wonder how it feels to get an achievement and go to different places. But it's not my thing so I only scroll past them. I could also see my highschool classmates married and some were already engaged. That's good for them. I guess I am getting left out but hey, I'm still young. There is no need to rush things.

I scrolled some more and saw Quila's video of their cheerleading group. She posted way lot of videos so out of curiosity, I played and watched it.

As I watch the video, I saw how they enjoyed dancing. She even posted the video of her group behind the camera. They were all laughing and joking. It looked really fun.

Good for them. They are happy and enjoying their thing.

It makes me go thinking that maybe, it's time for me to do something new but at the same time, I don't feel like doing it.

I saw a post from our school's facebook page that says:

Are you ready to become our newest cheerleader?

Our club will be having a cheerleading audition.

Go to our facebook page and fill out the form that has already been posted.

See you, future cheerleaders!

I clicked the post's facebook page and saw that the form was pinned on the top of the page. They also posted a video of the cheerleading team and their leader was talking to encourage them to join them. After the small talk, the following were their dance steps and their practice.

I clicked back and then shut my phone up because my mind was telling me that I needed to go to sleep. Tomorrow's Sunday so I've got time to sleep well, right?

And with that, I braced myself for a goodnight's sleep.

I woke up at 10AM the next morning. It's a good thing that there's no sign of NJ. Finally! I'm at peace!

I walked downstairs to see my sister L, watching TV and my mom, baking something. Judging by its smell, it smells like brownies.

I walked up towards the kitchen and asked my mom, 'Are those brownies I am smelling?'

She looked over her shoulder and said, "Yes, that's right. Good thing you're up. I just finished baking the brownies."

"That looks delicious! Let me grab a bite, please" and with that, I took a piece of brownies and eat it, savoring it's flavor. "This is good! I love this." And I ate some more before eating rice for breakfast. Or should I say, late breakfast.

"Don't eat everything, a guest will be coming today," L said from the salad.

"Guest? Who?" I asked. I don't believe that it's NJ because he never give a heads up whenever he's coming by. It's like he's living in our house. He just barged inside my room without my consent. Good thing I got used to him doing that but it still pisses me off. Mainly because he keeps on disturbing me whenever I am sleeping.

"It's Tom," L answered. "Your classmate and the rumored affair in your school." She added and chuckled.

"Not funny, L!" I said. I almost forgot about those false rumors. Haven't they forgotten about that stupid rumor already? I guess rumors wouldn't just go away as fast as I hoped. "And here I was, hoping that the rumors would eventually stop."

"You really got a reputation in school huh?" L said and shook her head. "Unbelievable."

"I know," I said, then sighed out of frustration. "Some people kept on meddling, that's why the rumors worsened as day went by."

While we were talking, the doorbell rang.

"We ordered pizza too," L said. "Maybe it's the pizza man."

"Let me get that door," I said and walked up to the door. As I opened the door, I saw Tom standing in front of the door wearing a uniform while holding a box of pizza. "Tom?"

"Here's your order!" He said with a smile.

"You've been working as a pizza delivery man?" I asked, quite surprised.

"That's right," He said. "And I'm also here to visit you."

"What about work?" I asked.

"I took the half-day and you're my last customer." He said.

"How come it's half-day, when it's still 10:16AM?" I pointed out.

"No more questions!" He said and chuckled. "Can you just let me in?"

"Right. Fine, come inside." I said as I moved away from the door to give him enough space to come in.

"Thanks!" He said as he began walking towards the kitchen.

"Hi Mrs. Smith," He greeted my mom who's now setting off the kitchen table. "Sorry to disturb you. Here's your pizza order. Already paid."

My mom seemed confused. "I haven't paid for it yet."

"I paid for it. No need to worry about it," Tom said. "Consider this as a gift to you."

"Is that a trap?" I asked. "You need something, don't ya?" I added suspiciously. Something I've learned from NJ last night. Doing something nice in return for a favor.

"Thank you," my mom said and accepted his so-called-gift. "We'll eat this later. Come, eat with us."

"Thank you Mrs. Smith," Tom said and shifted to me. "Can we talk?"

"About what?" I asked, crossing my arms under my chest. "What do you want from me?"

"You know how to dance, right?" He confirmed.

"Yes, I know how to dance. So?"

"And you can also write, correct?" He asked.

Where is he going with this?

"That's right," I answered. "Why?"

"You're perfect for me then!" Tom said.

"Good grief, just be direct Tom!" I said. "What is it that you wanted me for?"

"I know this sounds crazy but we have a tradition" He started.

"So?" I asked.

"I need to at least date someone and have her meet my parents and grandparents." He continued.

Oh, please tell me that I am wrong with my assumptions. First of all, I've got no time to deal with other people's business.

"They like someone who knows how to dance and write and the first thing I thought about is you," He continued. "Can you maybe become a temporary girlfriend?"

I heard L made a long whisper. "Ooh. That's new and a bit interesting."

"Oh,NO, NO!" I immediately answered. "You understand that we already have a way of false rumors going inside our school, right? And I don't want to create another one. The last thing I'd like to happen is other people ruining my peace and my life!"

"Well, you can disguise yourself as a different person. When you're with me, you can wear a contact lense and remove your eyeglasses. Maybe wear a normal outfit and let your hair fall?" He suggested. "That way, no one would recognize you as Beauty Smith."

"Thank you for your suggestion but NO!" I answered.

"You only need to date me until our grandparents and parents go back to their homes." He said.

"You don't live with them?" I asked.

"That's right. I live in an apartment with my best friend as my roommate." He explained.

"What will happen if you fail to show up with a "girlfriend"?" I asked.

"They would look for a girl themselves and force us to an arranged marriage." He said and sighed.

I couldn't believe that such a tradition exists. Tom looked really down and needed help so in the end, I agreed.

"Fine, fine! Only temporary, okay?" I said. "But since it's only temporary, we would need to set terms and agreement. I need boundaries, of course."

"Ooh, someone's here getting her first boyfriend" L teased.

"Fake boyfriend" I corrected.

"Just enjoy, okay?" L said. "But will NJ going to agree with this?"

"We don't need his permission," I said. "He's just a buddy of mine."

"So is that a yes?" Tom confirmed.

"Yep. Tell me when they will be coming." I asked.

"They'll visit me next month," He answered. "They said that they would like to stay with me for 5 months. So we would need to pretend for 5 months."

"THAT LONG?!" I reacted.

"It's not that long, if you ask me," L said. "And what's wrong with fake-dating? You're single. No one's making a move on you."

L is right but I am not good at faking something. I can only fake my sleep whenever NJ tries to bug me just for him to go away.

"You're friends with Tom," my mom said. "Why don't you help him? You can consider this as a practice so when you find someone real, you already know how to become a real girlfriend."

"Seriously, mom?" I said.

"Your mom is right. See? It'll benefit you too." He said.

"I barely even know you," I said. "Whatever. Fine, I'll go. Just send me a message when there's a specific date and time already."

"Great! You're the best, Beauty!" He said, delighted.

"Good for you" I answered.

I hope I can pull this fake dating off.

And I hope no one will blow my cover.

The last thing I wanted is to have a new rumor about Tom and I.

Maybe I'll try a new look when I start fake-dating Tom. That way, no one would recognize me as Beauty Smith.

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