Page 22 of Faux Real
I glance at the sad half-eaten blueberry muffin on my lap as I refresh Hilton Hears, the autumn sun shining down on me. The dining hall is a breeding ground for gossip so it’s best to avoid it until I can come up with a plausible explanation for my current predicament. So far no one has come up to me and asked about Oliver. Granted, Corrine and herfriendsaren’t enrolled in any AP classes so I’ve managed to steer clear of them. As soon as the bell rang in each one of my classes, I darted out there before anyone could hassle me for information. I’ve received a few questioning stares but that’s all.
It’s been five days since Hilton Hears blasted that message about me, and two day since I’ve seen Oliver. He’s very good at keeping a low profile. He’s never in the common room and I don’t see him around campus. It’s like he’s hiding. From who, though? Me?
“Hey guys,” I say with a sigh as my friends plop down around me. “How’re your classes going?”
“I’m already failing math,” Felicity says with a shrug, her bright green eyes fixated on her fresh manicure. “We had a pop quiz this morning and I got two of ten questions correct.”
“Oh,” I hum, nodding my head.How in the—“That’s not bad. At least you got two...right?”
“Honestly, how was I supposed to know they’d test us about shit we learnedlastyear?” she asks. “Do they really expect us to remember?”
I close my eyes. Thank goodness her parents own a hotel chain. “Well, you’re not supposed to forget everything, Fel. That’s not the point of an education. Especially math, sweetie. It’s like building blocks. If you don’t know the basics you can’t move forward.”
“Whatever,” Fel huffs, pulling out her phone. “I’m just going to start dating Neil or something. He’ll help me out. He just asked me out a few minutes ago.”
Leon cocks his head to the side. “You’re going to date Neil Matthews just so he’ll help you pass math? Seriously, Fel? That is so gross.”
“So what? He likes me and he’s cute,” Fel says, unbothered as she replies to a text. Oh, she wasn’t joking. “Apparently it’s the season of love. Right, Kenny?”
“What?” I ask, my eyes widening. “What are you talking about?”
“You and Oliver, duh,” she says, a knowing grin on her face. “You’re dating, right?Everyonewas talking about it in English.”
My eyes dart to Maxine who’s inhaling a fajita wrapped in a napkin. Oops. I think she just ate a part of the napkin. “Max? Can you corroborate?”
Max finishes chewing at lightning-fast speed before stating, “Yup. Facts. Everyone knows that you’re dating the new kid.”
“Oh,” I hum, anxiety jolting my stomach. “Great.”
“I’m surprised you’re dating him,” Leon comments. “He’s not your type at all. But I’m kind of proud of you for finally moving on from Sawyer. I mean, we were pretty shocked to hear the news from HH rather than fromyoubut still, we’re proud.”
“I guess that kiss sparked a little something-something, didn’t it, Ken?” Felicity asks, wiggling her eyebrows. “I sensed you weren’t telling us the whole truth about Oliver.”
Leon and Felicity are two of my closest friends and I hate lying to them but the fewer people that know about this the better. I don’t think that they’d spill my secret but Lemar’s house party is coming up this weekend and they get quite chatty when they’re drunk. Better safe than sorry.
“So whereisOliver, anyway?” Leon asks, looking around. “He’s in a couple of my classes but I haven’t had a chance to say hi and introduce myself.”
Good.
“Um,” I stammer, biting my lip.Lie. Lie. Lie. “He’s probably in his dorm or something. He’s kind of...shy.”
That could actually be the truth.
“Yeah!” Max agrees immediately. “He’s an introvert. Doesn’t like people. It’s best to leave him alone. You don’t want to overwhelm him. He’s like a cat. He’ll come to you when he’s ready.”
I toss Maxine a grateful smile despite the fact she’s being so fucking obvious. “I’ll uh—introduce you guys soon.”
I am digging my own grave right now. I know it. But I can’t seem to stop. Maybe since Oliver isclearlya recluse, I can keep this charade going on my own. As long as Oliver keeps his mouth shut and avoids well, everyone, then I should be okay.
Right?
“Great!” Felicity claps her hands. “Is he coming to Lemar’s party? That would be a good time to show him off. Plus, Sawyer will definitely be there so you can shove Oliver in his stupid face.”
“Ooo, that’s a good idea!” Leon agrees. “Bring him!”
“I don’t think I’m going to go,” I mutter, picking at my muffin. “I’m probably just going to stay on campus this weekend.”
Usually, I stay with Maxine and her parents over the weekends, but I know she’ll just drag me out to Lemar’s against my will. I hate house parties. Mostly because I have to babysit my friends as they drink their weight in coolers.
