The Art of Faking It

Chapter 1

The hall was abuzz with chatter and laughter today as people reunited with their friends and talked about their holidays. It's the first day back from our winter vacation, but some of these people act as if they haven't seen each other in years. Did people really do all that much in just 2 weeks? And haven't they had all day to catch up?

I tried to push through the crowds, focused on getting to the shared locker rooms before the sports teams started practicing.

I hadn't seen my sort-of boyfriend Nick today, and I wanted to leave a little surprise for him in his locker before his practice. I didn't do much this break, but I did learn to crochet a small black marlin just for him, to give him some encouragement for his upcoming swim meet. Was it a pretty thing? Not really, but I tried my best, and labeled it too just in case it looks worse than I thought.

Nick and I weren't exclusive yet, but I had a strong feeling he might ask me to be soon. We'd been talking consistently since the start of the school year last fall, and he'd been strongly hinting at wanting to ask me out since winter break began.

The locker rooms finally came into sight and I breathed a sigh of relief. That was like pushing through the crowds in a mall on Christmas Eve.

I opened the door to the locker room and listened for a few seconds. After not hearing anything, I took a step inside and closed the door. The entryway of the boy's locker room is hidden by a wall on the right side, so you have to walk a little bit more and turn right past the wall before entering the actual locker area.

I was about to turn right when I heard guys hollering.

Whoops. Maybe I'll walk back out and give Nick his gift after practice.

"So how's it been going with Aurora?" I heard all of a sudden. I think Austin, Nick's best friend, is the person behind the question.

Maybe I'll just stay for a bit instead. Just to gather some data, of course.

"Same old," someone I assume is Nick, responded.

I scrunched my brows up in confusion, 'same old'? What is that supposed to mean? Is that a good or bad thing?

"Damn, I can't believe you've gone that long without getting any," Austin said.

Nick let out a small chuckle. "I haven't. Aurora may not put out but other girls do."

Austin whistled, "That's my boy!"

What in the actual fuck? My ears must be deceiving me. Or I must be having a nightmare.

I pinched myself and almost squeaked from the pain I inflicted. Nope, very much reality.

"I think she's finally ready to lose her virginity though. I'm going to ask her out today and hopefully, at the party this weekend, she'll be tipsy enough to let loose and give it up." Nick stated crudely.

My heart dropped at hearing that. I suddenly felt sick to my stomach.

"Yeah, I mean that hot body does her no good if she's just a prude," a third voice interjected, "I'm surprised you've strung her along for so long with nothing to go on. What if she wants to be a nun and save herself till marriage?"

The way they were all talking about me seemed like it wasn't the first time I'd been the topic of conversation before.

Nick retorted, "She doesn't, trust me. I know she wants more. She's all over me. She sent me pics over the break and practically guaranteed I'd get blown this weekend."

The boys in the locker room erupted into hollers once again, congratulating Nick.

That's a complete and utter lie. The only pictures I had sent him were selfies with my dog and I never said anything about blowing him in any way. I didn't even mention hanging out this weekend.