"Riley!"Mike screamed,Macey was pulling her out of her fantasy by pulling her literally.
"Yes..."
"When did you and Raley start dating?"
"We aren't dating"Riley said,then lowered her voice,"we're not in a relationship"Riley said more calmly.
"Then why did he say all that to you?"Mike asked,"and he called you a cutie,and said that you didn't want anybody to know"Macey added.
"Not to talk about the betrayal,am your best friend,not just some anybody"Mike said.
"Am saying the truth,um...Macey could you excuse us?"Riley asked.
"Sure"she said,and turned to leave.
"Just when the story was getting juicy"Macey said in regret under her breath.
Mike pulled her to a corner near the library.
"Now,why are you and Raley pretending to date?"Raley asked.
"You knew?"Riley asked,"duh! How could you ever have the guts to talk to him let alone go out with the guy secretly. To me,he's honestly not that hot,am hotter anyways"
"Dream on and ouch!"
"I've gotta go,so tell me why you and Raley are trying to fool the school?"
Riley took in deep breaths,till she spoke up.
"He asked me to date him"
"What! Why? Is he crazy?"
"What are you implying?"Riley asked,grabbing him by the collar.
"Nothing,just that after the whole notebook incident,I thought he'd start avoiding you,even see you as a creep,which you are though"
"Yes,am creepy,but he's nice cute and smells like the ocean breeze"Riley said getting lost in thought again.
"Earth to Riley"
"Anyways,I told him about my parent's no dating till your eighteen rule"
"And..."
"Well,we ended up at the conclusion of being a fake couple"
"So,the smartest, according to you hottest,and most athletic guys wants you to be his girlfriend and doesn't have a reason? Doesn't it sound shady...."
"I have a reason"Raley said and appeared from behind Riley.
"Ah!"she said,and jumped frightened,she landed on her textbooks,which where in her arms.
"Let me help you up"Raley said,and helped her off the floor.
She would have bagged her hand,and never wash it again,but she didn't want to frighten the poor boy.
"That's Riley,always clumsy and easily scared"Mike said.
"Not true!"
" Is not"
"Is too!"
"Is not!"
Raley chuckled,"I see your other reasons not wanting to date me,seems like you and Mike aren't only the school's most popular best friends,but also sweethearts"
"Eeew!"both of them said in unison
"You two look cute together"Raley said.
"You said you had a reason?"Riley asked finding a little courage.
"Yes,well it's really embarrassing,I've been thinking of how to ask you to do this"
"What?"
"My aunt wants to take me to Italy with her,but I like it here,and I need to convince her I have a reason to stay. So,I'd like you to come over to my house for my birthday as my girlfriend and convince her. I was considering asking Charlene, but then the whole article stuff happened,and I thought you liked....me. But seeing you and Mike I feel guilty about asking you,you can step down if you want,am fine with it"
Mike and Riley glanced at each other,Mike pulled her aside,away from Raley.
"I almost nearly forgot his birthday is this Saturday"Riley said.
"Is that the real issue here? The guy is nuts,crazy, loco,and oh my gravy you're considering it aren't you?"
He noticed the smile on her face.
"Why not?"
"Why? Why? Why not?"Mike asked,"Yeah,why not?"
"Am not going to begin on the thousand and one reasons this is wrong. All I'll ask is this? How are you going to escape the couple coming over to your house and make it to his birthday,not to point out the fact you can't sustain a meaningful conversation with the guy. How are you going to convince his entire family?"
Raley watched them both as they bickered,"He's watching us"Riley said.
"Are you not listening to me?"
"No,am not,I've made up my mind,he just wants to stay with his friends,is that such a bad thing to want?"
"Or you just want him to stay here with you?"
Her cheeks flushed crimson red.
"Nooo,this is not about me,and even if it was,there's nothing wrong with it"Riley said.
"So there is nothing wrong with lying or sneaking out of your house to lie some more?"
"Don't say it like that! I just mean...."
"Am sorry to cut your convo, but I've got to get home now,so I need your answer"
"Um....I'll...."
Mike was signalling her not to agree.
"I'll...."she took a deep breath and relaxed.
"I can't lie to your aunt,am sorry but it's wrong to lie,and I can't sneak out of my house to help you out"Riley said.
"Oh...I figured you'd refuse,but am glad for your reasons,and you're right,I shouldn't lie to my aunt,thanks Riley"he said,and punched her shoulder.
"Ouch!"she said,but tried covering it up with laughter.
"Sorry,I have a bad habit, forgot you're a girl,I'll see you around then,cutie"he said and walked away.
"Mike...he...he..."
"In three....two....one!"She tripped and he caught his best friend.
Raley looked behind him and saw her in Mike's arms,he smiled but felt a bit downcast.
"What am I gonna do with you!"
"He called me a cutie"
"Yes,Yes,I heard, he's not a ghost"
"Do you think I did the right thing?"
"You're really so heavy!"he exclaimed and dropped her,she chased him around to exact her revenge.
"Your brother has a girlfriend?"A teammate asked Marc,"I don't know,but she's cute"Marc said.
Raley kept quiet and kept on walking.
"Raley what do you think about Riley?"
"Yh,she's okay I guess"he said,not wanting to talk about her

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