Fake It 'Til You Break It

I grab snacks from my mini cooler and lie down to watch Takers for the dozenth time.The light tap of a knuckle against wood has me pressing pause on the TV. Seconds later it sounds again, so I crawl from the bed, and over to the door blocking me from my fake boyfriend and pull it open.

Nico is leaning there, a shoulder against the frame on his side, his head also propped on the white wood.

He pins me with a fixed stare, but there’s no anger or irritation in it as his expression might lead one to believe.

They’re heavy, weighted.

Overwhelmed?

“I didn’t hear a click,” he rasps, exhaustion coating his already deep voice.

“I didn’t lock it,” I admit.

“Why not?”

Yeah, why not?

I cross my arms over my chest, giving a small shrug, and Nico’s gaze lowers, boldly raking over my body and pausing at the apex of my bare legs.

The longer I gauge him, the more obvious it is that while here he stands, in nothing but his sleep shorts, his mind is far from present.

“Everything okay?” I ask.

The corner of his lip tips up, but there’s no joy on his face.

Those eyes come back to mine and hold. “I don’t wanna talk, D.”

I frown, and his focus shifts to the wall.

He doesn’t want to talk...

Of course. I keep forgetting.

“Well, I’m tired,” I say and he starts to turn his body away. “So good thing, huh?”

His gaze cuts to mine, and slowly I move aside, welcoming him into my room.

Nico steps through, waiting until I climb back into the bed to walk to the other side, where he lowers himself on top of the comforter beside me.

His phone rings from his room the moment we’re both seated and his head falls against the headboard with a soft thud. He lifts it, gently knocking it once more.

It’s on the tip of my tongue to ask, but when I meet Nico’s eyes and the closed off expression within them, I face forward and press play.

If sitting in silence, with me, is what he needs, I can give that to him.

We spend the next several hours not talking.I jolt in bed when persistent loud banging reverberates throughout the room.

The first thing I notice is the space beside me is empty, my TV is still on, and the doors connecting mine and Nico’s rooms are still wide open.

“I know you hear us, slut face!” is yelled, laughter following.

I pull myself up, unlocking the door blocking me off from my friends.

Carley, Krista, and Macy pour in, running right for my bed and plopping on top. Macy jumps off just as quickly as she lands though when she realizes Nico’s door is open. She races right for it.

“No, wait,” I hiss when she runs right inside without warning. “Macy!”

A few seconds later she’s walking back in with a small pout. “Boo, he’s already gone. How could you let us miss the walk of fame?”

I have to force myself not to frown.

Gone as in he left?

“Yeah, Demi. Rude.” Krista laughs, digging into my cooler and pulling out a bag of grapes. “So how was it? Did he take his time or was it hot and quick?”

I open my mouth to tell her to shut the hell up when Trent walks in with sleepy eyes and a glare.

“Busted!” Macy laughs and Krista smacks her, climbing to her knees and holding her hands out to her boyfriend.

I quickly grab some shorts and slip them on. “Thanks for knocking.”

“Shit, sorry,” Trent apologizes but doesn’t walk out.

“What time did Nico leave?” Carley asks and all eyes turn to me.

“I—”

The knock on the room door saves me so I run to open it, my eyes widening when I find Alex on the other side.

“Morning.” He grins.

“Uh, hi, I mean good morning.” I smooth my hair down, running my fingers under my eyes.

“I wanted to see if you...” He trails off, frowning at something over my shoulder.

I look to find Trent standing there, and he only moves closer. I frown and step away, turning to face Alex again.

“Did I interrupt something I shouldn’t have?” he asks slowly, his insinuation loud and clear.

“What?! No!” I shout, pushing the door open farther which forces Trent back.

Alex glances past me to spot the girls inside.

“Ah. Now it makes sense.” He chuckles. “I thought we could walk down to breakfast together.”

“Oh...” I subconsciously look to Nico’s door.

He left without a word, does this mean our fun is over?

We made everyone think we were partying together all weekend; Alex is standing at my door at eight in the morning.

Is that not the endzone?

Either way, it’s a harmless walk that my friends will be on, too.

“Um, I just woke up.” I motion to myself. “Obviously, but...” I look to the girls. “How long until you’re ready to go eat?”

“I’m only changing, and ponytailing it,” Krista says, and the other two nod.