Page 51 of Faking Forever 1
“Give you a chance. That line sounds so familiar—” I start to boil up an insult out of habit, but Sierra grabs my shoulder mid-sentence.
“Pea, can I talk to you for a second?” She turns me around 117
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against my will. “What are you doing? If you say no, you’ll never be able to rub your fake antics in his face. I know I don’t agree, but c’mon. Think about it,” she says, suggesting her idea.
She wasn’t wrong, either. By going out on a double date, he’ll have to accept that Josh and I are happy together, maybe getting it through his thick skull. I don’t think he’s taken any of this relationship seriously. Though it’snotserious, that’s not thepoint. The point is for him to think we’re together, happy, and nothing less.
Sierra pushes me back into Nick’s presence. “Sorry, y’know girls. Sharing secrets,” she says to Nick, patting my back.
“Yeah—secrets.” I clutch my drink tighter, almost popping the lid off. “So tomorrow. We’ll meet you at seven?” I offer, cringing at the same time.
Nick smiles a sweet, cheeky one that reminds me of when we were still in high school.
“Seven. See you there.” He licks his lips, waving to us as he walks off.
Sierra starts to pull me toward her parents’ car that we were borrowing, rushing me to the door.
“Did you see that look he gave you?” She smacks my arm repeatedly. “I’ll give you a fifty-spot. He wants you back and he’s plotting against Josh as we speak.”
“Sierra, even if it were one thousand dollars, it wouldn’t mean I’d take him back.” I begin to giggle, stopping her once we step in front of the car.
“Maybe not take him back, but you have to admit it, Monroe.
Revenge feels better when served on a hot plate.” She flips her curls to one side of her head, basking in the sunset.
“Sure. Revenge is always great, but I’m pretty far removed 118
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from that idea compared to when I first got back from school,”
I say, leaning on the car.
“I’d say karma is going to get him, anyway. I saw Darcy and Chaz Michaels together at my job.” She examines her nail beds before looking at me.
“You think Nick knows?”
“Please, there’s no way he doesn’t. He’s gotta be in denial if he thinks she isn’t messing around,” she says, her attitude matter of fact.
The fact that he possibly has no idea he’s currently getting his karma is beautiful, yet sad at the same time. As much as I hate him, or so I say, there’s still a minuscule part of me that cares how he’s doing and even wonders if he’s happy. If I wanted to crush his dreams, I could expose Darcy myself.
Never have I been that conniving about anything in my life unless my friends convinced me to be. Maybe it’s a sign. First, Josh sees her and Chaz and then Sierra does, too. Josh’s one-up idea is starting to sound a little better, come to think of it.
“It’s too bad everyone keeps finding them together but Nick himself. That’s the only proof he needs,” I grumble. Sierra scoffs and agrees.
“He could. If we make it happen.” She smirks.
“No meddling, Si. I meddled my way into an entire fake relationship. I think I’ve done enough,” I say, hearing her unlock the car.
We both walk around the sides and get in, resuming our conversation.
“I’ll bet she has Chaz meet you guys there in secret. Mark my words. If you find him, it’ll be like finding Waldo. You better be camera-ready,” Sierra says, starting the car. “And 119
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if I see him, then it’s officially out of anyone’s hands. The truth is the truth,” she adds, glancing at me in moments as she drives off.
