fake it - avatrice

fake it

Ava slammed her locker shut and turned left, only to be met by yet another poster promoting the Stupid Cupid Valentines Dance. It was covered in glittery hearts and pink flowers, and she wanted no part of it, mostly due to the fact that she’d broken up with JC four months ago and he was still trying to get back together with her.

Camila appeared beside her, history books in hand. “I know we’re on Student Council, and therefore, required to attend this dance, but god, do we have to?”

Ava let out a breathy whimper. “Unfortunately. I have been avoiding JC like the plague.” Her eyes flicked over to the water fountain where he was standing talking to Chanel. “Randall says he’s going to ask me to the dance.”

Grimacing, Camila grabbed her arm and dragged her down the next hallway as they took a long detour to their advanced placement class.

“The dance is next week, Cam. What am I supposed to do? I can’t avoid him forever, we have three classes together!”

Camila knitted her brows in concentration. “I’m sure we’ll think of something… c’mon, superion will kill us if we’re late for class again.”

They slid through the door just as the bell rang and found their seats. JC was already perched in his front row seat on the far side of the classroom and Ava felt his gaze on her. Camila leaned forward to whisper in Ava’s ear, “Hey can you give me a ride home after the Student Council meeting this afternoon?”

Ava tilted her head just enough so Camila could see her nod and Camila plopped back into her seat as class started, and Superion began her lecture on World War II.

When the dismissal bell rang, Ava slammed her book shut and beelined for the door, but she was too slow.

“Ava, wait up!”

She froze in her tracks and squeezed her eyes shut, knowing he’d be at her side shortly. JC touched her arm gently as she turned and put on the best smile she could muster. “JC, hi.”

JC withdrew his hand, wiping it on his jeans nervously. “I was just wondering, if maybe-- I mean I know we broke up, but like--”

“I’m seeing somebody,” Ava blurted out.

“What?”

What?

“I, uh, I’m seeing someone. So, no-- if you’re asking me to the dance… no.” Ava thought she might be sick, she wasn't seeing anybody… she hadn't even been on a date since they had broken up.

JC’s face dropped. “Oh, I didn’t know.”

“Uh,” she stuttered. “Yeah, we haven’t really gone public or anything. We’re trying not to make a big deal of it.”

He nodded slowly. “Okay, well, I guess I’ll see you around, then.”

Ava clenched her jaw with an uneasy smile. “Yep.” With a curt nod, she spun on her heels and practically sprinted down the hallway until she felt something grab her arm and spin her around the corner.

“Oh my god, Camila,” Ava breathed, clutching at her chest.

“Oh my god, Camila? OH MY GOD AVA!” Camila’s eyes were wide and she gaped at her. “You aren't seeing anyone, Ava. I know that for sure.”

Ava groaned and buried her face in her hands. “I know. What am I going to do?”

Camila sighed heavily. “We’ll figure something out, but right now, we have to go you know how Lilith gets if she's the first one there.”

The two girls hurried off towards the auditorium where the meeting was being held with five minutes to spare. The meeting was mostly housekeeping items: budget approvals for prom and Project Graduation, elections for office for the next school year would be in April, fundraiser brainstorming, and finally the Stupid Cupid Dance.