Bria

We were back in school— and it was once again fourth period, biology. We'd been assigned a lab to do, dissecting a fish...but Mrs.Taylor had called Christopher and I outside the classroom.

"So..someone in the class told me that you two have a little thing going on?" She asked.

"Mind your business-" Christopher began to say.

"No ma'am, we don't." I said interrupting him.

Lord knows he didn't need yet another detention.

"Well Brianna just to be safe, I will be switching your partner to avoid any distractions that you two may cause each other." Mrs. Taylor said putting emphasis on 'distractions.'

"Ms. T-"

"Uh? She just said nothing's going on. I don't want a different partner-"

"Christopher don't take that tone with me. Your new partner is Devyn. Bria, your new partner is Samaad."

"Please not Samaad, you don't understand-"

"Go take a seat and begin on your lab." She said re entering the classroom. I followed behind her, and Chris behind me.

I'm guessing she'd already told Devyn and Samaad about the switch, because each of them had empty seats next to each other..Devyn with a smirk on her face. I instantly realized..the "person in our class" who told Mrs. Taylor about me and Chris's relationship, was her.

I took my seat next to Samaad, fuming with anger.

"Look, I know things between us didn't exactly end well..but I'm glad partners got switched. I had to listen to Devyn complain everyday about how jealous she is of you."

"Why would she be jealous of me?"

"Duh, you and Chris. Pshh who knew it would be you two that ended up together, I thought you didn't even like each other."

"Well. We do."

"How did that even happen? You know...you two." He said, disregarding our assignment. Looks like I'll be doing all the work.

"He was at my house..and we just..I don't know. We're together now, that's what matters."

"Mhmm. And I suppose you'll be going to prom together?" He asked, expecting me to say no.

"Uh.."

Chris

Devyn was talking my head off about how she "misses me" and is "sooo sorry for what she did" but I wasn't hearing it. By now, me and Bria's fake relationship felt like more than just something to get rid of a rumor...it was revenge.

"I heard she's running for prom queen. You're on the ballot too Chris."

"What?!"

"I'll be sure to vote for you, that way when I win Queen you can be King." Devyn said trying to touch my face.

"And what if Bria wins?"

She laughed and ignored my question.

"So she's going to be your prom date huh, or will you guys even last until then?"

I wanted to say yes. But then again, this is all fake. I keep forgetting this isn't real. She doesn't want to waste her prom night with me.

I was beginning to think Devyn may have caught onto that.

"I don't know, I haven't asked her."

"Well, ask her." Devyn says with a smirk.

Instead of backing down, I decided to just end this back and forth.

I got of my seat and slowly walked over to the table where Bria and Samaad were. Bria was extremely focused on her lab, so when I tapped her shoulder it startled her.

"Hey Bri-"

"Why are you over here?" Samaad asked.

"Well I came here to talk to my girl, not you."

"Make it quick. We're busy working."

I ignored his words and turned to face Bria.

"Hey...you already have a prom date, right?" I kind of whispered to her.

"No..did you- should we-"

"No- I mean, if you want to. I figured maybe..you wouldn't. But if you do..."

"Sure..if you want to." She said smiling nervously. I couldn't help but smile too.

//

I rode the bus to my dad's house. It was a little weird not to walk home to my mom's house, but this was an adjustment I was willing to make.

He'd given me the key so I let myself in. There was...quiet. None of the yelling or cursing I was used to, just silence.

I went upstairs to the room my dad told me was mine...and there it was. In fact, a brand knew PlayStation connected to the television. I knew this was the work of Alexander, but I was most comfortable thanking my dad. I put my stuff down and went to search for him.

The house was quiet, but I heard something that sounded like his voice and made my way to his room.

I quickly stopped myself when I saw him and Alexander in the room together.

Oh no.

Bria

I laid in my bed thinking about prom. Never in a million years could I have seen myself taking interest to Chris, but now it was happening. He was my prom date.

Just as I was thinking of him, my phone vibrated and Chris 💚 popped up on the screen. Yes, "dumbass" was retired.

"Hello?"

"Bria I- I don't know what to- help me."

"With what? Are you ok?"

"My dad! And Alexander! They...they were-"

"They were what?!"

"Having- they-"

"Sex, Christopher?"

"How did you know?!" He yelled in distress.

"They're married! And grown. What's wrong with that?"

"It..it was out in the open! The door was open Bria! There were noises!"

"Chris take a deep breath. Forget that you even saw it."

"I caaaan't." He whined.

"Well I don't know what to tell you Chris." I said in defeat. He went silent for a moment.

"I need something else to occupy my time. I can't stay in this house right now."

"Like what?"

"Like....I don't know. Do you wanna hang out?" He asked.

"You mean like today?"

"Well I know you have to watch your brother but I- hold on...yes dad? No......no..... yes, she is....do I have to?"

I realized he was talking to his dad, so I decided not to eavesdrop.

"Oh uh my dad says do you want to come over for dinner this weekend?" He asked, sounding annoyed.

"Sure. Does he think we're...?"

"Yeah...he asked and I didn't say no. He kind of intimidates me."

"Well still, I'd love to come."

Chris

After my dad forced me to invite Bria for dinner, our conversation was interrupted by a call from my mom. I told Bria I'd call her back and answered.

"Hello..?"

"Chris...Christopher please come home. I miss you, I'm so so lonely Christopher. I need you here." She said sounding as if she'd been crying.

"I..I don't want to."

"Chris I can't be here alone! If you don't come home...we'll I'll just kill myself."

Feeling sick, I quickly hung up without thinking.

This wouldn't be the first time she said that, or the first time she tried. As much as it would pain me to leave my dad and our new budding relationship...I can't lose my mom.

"Chris..you ok?" My dad asked, approaching me.

"I have to go home." I said quietly.

"You are home." He said chuckling.

"Back with Mom, she needs me. She said she'd kill herself."

"You know Chris, she said the same thing to me  when I left. With her you have to get out when you can or she'll trap you. I'm not letting you go back-"

"You- you have to!"

"Christopher just think about this, think about you. I lost you once but I can't send you back to misery."

"What about her?!"

"Chris I'm sorry...but...no." He sighed.