The Truth About Faking Read Online Free PDF Page B

Gipson calls class to order. But I can’t concentrate on algebra. I can’t concentrate on anything but how Jason just wrecked everything again, and now I have to figure out how to fix this, to salvage my plan.
    I plot out several different scenarios as I watch the second-hand tick. Somehow I have to go to the luau with Jason and appear to be having a super-fun time without also seeming like I like him too much. I watch Mrs. Gipson scribble out a formula she says we should memorize for the SATs, and it hits me. Stephanie dumped Trent because she’s going away to college in California. She doesn’t want a long-distance boyfriend, so she callously broke his heart. What if my heart is callously broken in the same way? It’ll give Trent and me something in common, and since he’s so wonderful, he’ll naturally want to comfort me!
    I take a deep breath as a smile spreads across my face. It’s the perfect plan. I can’t wait for the bell to ring.
     
    Lunch follows third period, and of course, Jason and I have the same lunch shift. Sadly, Trent and I do not. But today it doesn’t matter because we need to strategize.
    “How great is it that we have lunch together?” Jason asks as we walk toward the cafeteria.
    “It’s a fluke,” I say. My plan is awesome, but I’m still annoyed with him for making it necessary.
    He ignores my tone. “So what have you decided about Friday?”
    “Well, I’ve been thinking,” I say as he holds the cafeteria door for me. “I’ve got an idea for how you can help me.”
    “Let’s hear it.”
    He hands me a tray as I stop and swipe my lunch card, then I walk over to the salad bar while Jason grabs a bowl of chicken nuggets.
    “OK,” I say, once he’s beside me again. I glance around to make sure no one’s listening. “Here’s the plan. We’ll go to the luau together, then pretend-date for a few days, and then you’ll dump me.”
    Jason snorts. “What?”
    “You want to pay me back for nearly killing me—which is idiotic, by the way—you can help me get Trent.”
    “I saved your life,” Jason corrects. “And how is dumping you going to help you get Trent?”
    “Because,” I motion with the salad tongs. “It’ll put us in the same boat. I’m all broken hearted, he’s all broken hearted, we turn to each other for comfort. It’s perfect!”
    “But why would I dump you?” Jason smiles as he watches me, and I mentally concede that he is cute. But that just makes it easier for me to pretend we’re dating.
    “It doesn’t matter. You’re going back to New Mexico once we graduate or something. You don’t want any long-distance relationships.”
    “But I’m just a junior. And I kind of like it here.” He follows me to the drink station.
    “It doesn’t have to be true!” I lower my voice again and get close to him. “You can change your mind later. It’s just so Trent’ll ask me out.”
    He looks down at me, and that silly smile returns. “I don’t like it.”
    “What’s the problem?”
    “Well, what if dating you’s fun? I mean, you might not be so bad to go out with.”
    “You’re joking, right? I’m great to go out with, but more importantly, we are not dating. It’s all fake.”
    “But what if you change your mind? I mean, I’ve heard I’m pretty great to go out with, too.”
    I see Robin waving at me from the cheerleaders’ table in the center of the room. I always sit with them at lunch, but I can’t today. I gesture towards Jason. Thank goodness he sees what I’m doing and steers me in the opposite direction. Robin’s eyebrows pull together, but I shrug and follow him.
    “OK. So fill in the blanks,” he says. “How long are we dating?”
    “Fake dating, and I don’t know.” I look around and spot an empty table in a far corner where no one’ll overhear us. “Look, we can sit there.”
    We go to the table and put our trays down. Jason pulls up a chair, and I scoot close to him. He smiles again, and I notice he’s wearing