Just Pretending

one

Riley

I can't say I've missed this building, everyone flooding the halls for no other reason then a silly little need for gossip, drama and so much more
I've never been one for all of it, I'm glad I've only ever been sucked into one friendship circle one that I can happily say I've been kicked out of now
I dates this guy, I thought it was going well. I thought it could have been something to last the lifetime but of course the world dealt me a shitty hand and here we are

Watching as the corridor becomes more and more crowded, I use that as my excuse to make my way out of the passing eye
I walked into the library to see a few students dotted around but not many, I give it a week before this place is covered in students again
Over the last couple years, I've grown to know this place like the back of my hand, I've grown to know when places tend to be busy, when is the best time to avoid somewhere
"Riley right?" A voice said as I began reading, I put the book down to glance up at him to see a tall dark haired boy stood there
"Uh yeah? Do I know you?" I asked as he took an uninvited seat in front of me
"The name is James" He said holding out his hand, I looked at him again before hesitantly shaking it
"Nice to meet you?" I said making it sound more like a question
He chuckled as our hands detached themselves allowing us to return to our original place
"Can I help you or?" I asked trying to speed this conversation along
"Yes actually" He said smirking leaning back in his chair
"And what would that be?" I asked and he smirked looking around before leaning forward again

"You and Alfie were a thing right?" He asked and I nodded still confused on where this is going
"Until He cheated on you with Beth??" He then asked and I nodded again closing the book knowing this was going to be a long talk
"How did you know?" I asked
"I was Beth's boyfriend" He said and I sighed 
"That makes the whole situation that more crappy doesn't it" I said making him chuckle
"Tell me about it" He answered leaning back again
"You still haven't told me what you are expecting me to help you with" I said and he nodded after realising 
"I want you to help me make them jealous "He said making me furrow my brows at him
"what?" I asked
"I want you and I to pretend to date to get them jealous and then hopefully, they'll break up and come back to us" He said and I looked at him like he was crazy
Under no circumstances did I want Alfie back, he made his bed and he can sleep in it. I wouldn't want someone who cheated on me to just walk back in. What's to stop them doing it again

"You're crazy" I said putting my books back in my bag as the bell rung signalling that Lesson's were about to begin
"Will you at least think about it Riley? What do you really have to lose?" He asked throwing his bag over his shoulder
"How about the entire school knowing and then it biting us majorly in the ass?" I offered as he opened the library door for me to walk through
"Don't think of it so negatively the only people who will know would be you and I" He said and I rolled my eyes
"I think dating Beth has made you lose a couple brain cells" I teased as we continued to walk down the corridor

We briefly passed Alfie and Beth at his usual spot. Their hands all over each other, it was almost as if they couldn't fight the urge to be close
"Please think about it" James whispered in my ear as I made eye contact with Alfie, I quickly snapped out of his pull before turning to look at James
"I'll think about it but I doubt you'll like the outcome" I replied before tapping his shoulder as I walked into my first lesson

--

It wasn't until this moment where I realised how many lessons I shared with not only Alfie and Beth but James as well, I guess I took hiding in the background to a new level
"Hey hey" Michelle said walking over to my as I walked out of Math, James shortly followed with his gaze lingering
"What does James want with you?" she asked clocking it, I looked over at him and then turned back to Michelle
"It's a long story" I replied and she nodded knowing that was my cue of ' I don't want to talk about i '
"Whatever it is, he has hungry eyes" She teased as I rolled my eyes continuing to walk past James
"Prick" Michelle muttered as we then passed Alfie who once again had Beth clinging to him like a baby
"Michelle" I laughed earning a couple glares from Beth making both Michelle and I roll our eyes
"I've got to go meet people, you coming?" Michelle asked and I shook my head
No matter how hard she has tried, Michelle has not been able to turn me into the social butterfly she's wanted me to be just yet
"I'll catch you later" I replied finally arriving at my locker, she sighed before nodding leaving me to my own thoughts