Oh, Merlin, Riddle

{6: Rules}

Nervously I looked down at the book open in front of me, tapping the quil up and down on the paper.

"A list of rules?" Mattheo frowned, making me look up. "Why?"

"This is fake," I reminded. "We need boundaries. We can't go rogue and expect a good outcome."

Mattheo sighed, leaning mack in his chair. "So we're writing down rules?"

"Yes," I stated, making him laugh.

"Alright. What rules do you already have there?" he asked, gesturing to the five rules already written down.

I took a deep breath, before exhaling slowly.

"1. No dating or even making out with anyone while we're dating. We need to make this look believable."

"Fair," he said.

"2. Arguments. Even if fake."

"What?" he chuckled. "Arguments?"

"Every couple gets into arguments," I stated. "Even if we fake a few, we have to have at least once or twice a month, if it gets that far."

Mattgeo nodded. "Okay, sounds fair."

"3. No lies."

"Deal," Mattheo answered instantly.

I nearly smiled.

"4. No rude comments."

"About each other or other people?"

I frowned. "Each other. Judge others as much as you'd like. I do not care."

He smiled. "Done. And number five?"

"5. Nine months maximum."

His eyebrows lift. "Nine?"

I nodded. "We graduate in nine months. After that we're on our own. That's if Joe and I don't come together again."

He sat emotionless, until he said: "rule 6. We're not shy. We're not hiding, or avoiding one another. Good?"

I nodded, writing it down. "Rule 7. No telling our friends about the deal. No one can know."

He agreed. "8. I'm in for it all. Dates, gifts, kisses. It all."

I looked ar him blankly. Everything, Riddle? "No gifts," I said as I wrote down his rule. "No gifts."

"Are you making that a rule?" He asked.

I shook my head. "No, I'm just saying it. No gifts.I don't like being spent money on. Money makes it feel like you're buying me."

He lift his hands teasingl, making me chuckle, shaking my head.

"Then 9. No sex."

His face dropped its smile. "No sex?"

I looked at him, frowning. "Yes. No sex. No way."

For a moment hr was silent. "Are you a virgin?"

"No!" I nearly yelled. "Merlin, Riddle. No. I'm not."

This time he lift his hands in retreat. "Okay, okay."

I rolled my eyes, writing rule nine down.

"Then, lastly," I grinned, looking up at him. "Rule 10. No falling in love."

For a moment, I couldn't read his face; but then he gave a nod. "No falling in love."