“Are you being safe?” My mother asks me over the phone as I fold my laundry. I’m at Alex and Jack’s place since the washing machine at my apartment broke down a week ago.

I roll my eyes at my mother’s question and sigh. “Mom, he hasn’t even kissed me yet. What do you mean are we being safe?”

At this, Alex’s eyes widen and his eyebrows shoot up into his hair. I turn away, trying to hide my laughter. He gets up from his seat and guitar and comes over to me pressing his ear to the phone to hear what my mom is saying.

“Oh Alex, always the gentleman.” Alex smiles at this and nods. “But honestly Fallon, he’s moving kind of slow, maybe you should guide him. I know how your father was so afraid to make a move.”

This time Alex’s face and mine scrunch up in disgust at the mention of my mom guiding my dad to make a move. My mother always loved Alex from the moment she met him. Even after we broke up and she tried to be on my side, but sometimes I would catch her sneaking plates of cookies and cakes to Alex when he would come by asking to see me.

“Mom I have to go. I’m being bothered by this annoying freak who won’t stop touching my hair.” I'm referring to Alex who is gently tugging at my hair, something I used to love when we were together.

“Am I the freak?” Alex asks shocked.

“No, Jack is.” I reply sarcastically moving my folded laundry.

“I thought you liked it when I played with you hair.” He states playfully.

“I used to. But then we broke up and I started to hate anything and everything that you do.”

I know that was rude and I know that I shouldn’t have said it, but our fake relationship has brought back so many memories of Alex and I together. Ever since I agreed to date him, he’s been doing all the things that I used to love when we were together. And again I feel all the things I used to feel back then, when it was me and Alex against the world, but then I’ll be pulled right back to reality and realize that not everything is so simple and that this is Alex. The same old Alex from high school. The same old Alex who only cares about getting what he wants.

Alex ignores my comment, “You know what? We’re going out.”

“What?” I ask completely confused. “Where are we going?”

“For a walk. We need to talk.”

…

“What do we need to talk about?” I ask Alex, rubbing my gloved hands together. I have never been so cold in my life and we’ve only been outside for about two minutes.

“I’m going on tour tomorrow.”

“Okay and?” I question him, hoping for his sake that he did not just drag me out into 27 degree weather to tell me that he’s going on tour.

“And,” He lets out a breath that I didn’t even know he was holding. “And I want you to come with me.”

I look at him, instantly forgetting about the cold biting away at my cheeks. “You want me to do what?”

“Come on tour with me.” He shrugs as if it’s no big deal. “I always bring my girlfriend on tour for the first two weeks.”

I nod, of course. He always brings his flavor of the weeks on tour with him. I laugh, if anything Alex hasn’t changed a bit. “No, I’m not going on tour with you. I have a life to live here. I’m not gonna leave for a few weeks just so I can uphold your tradition with all the other girls you do this with.”

Alex blows out a sigh. “Fallon, you’re a fucking artist. Your job's not that hard. I think you can spare some of your precious time.”

“Fuck you.” I spit at him. “Just because I don’t want to kiss your ass like all your other whores did, you’re gonna get pissed at me? Fine, be pissed. I don’t care, but nothing you say or do will make me come on tour with you.”

He’s quiet for a moment and then he turns around in front of me. “Just come Fallon. You’ll have fun. I promise. Please?”

I’m actually tempted to say yes because Alex actually looks like he wants me to be there with him. But then I remember all his other ‘girlfriends’ who went on tour with him and I feel a scowl cross my face. “No. I’m not going.”

He shakes his head and throws up his hands in surrender as he turns to leave. “Fine, don’t come.” He snaps at me. “I don’t care. Have fun drawing.” He says this last part sarcastically.

“I will!” I yell after him, hoping to feel some victory in standing my ground, but instead I feel like I might be missing out on something great.

…

“Bye Jack.” I mumble, pushing my face into Jack’s sweatshirt. Today’s the day they leave for tour and I already miss him so much.

“I’m going to miss you Fallon.” He wraps his arms around me and presses his lips to my forehead.

“I’m gonna miss you more.” I reply, untangling myself from him before I start to cry. I can already feel the lump rising in my throat and I unsuccessfully try to swallow it. I’d already felt close to tears when I said bye to Cassadee and now they’re threatening to spill over again. But then Alex is in front of me holding out his arms for a hug.

We haven’t spoken since our argument two weeks ago and I know that the only reason he’s even offering to say goodbye is because we were approached by a few fans and he and I both know that people are watching us.

I reluctantly sink into his familiar embrace and wrap my arms around him tightly. “I won’t miss you, just so you know.” I tell him quietly enough that no one else will hear.

His body rumbles with laughter underneath me. “I didn’t think you would.”

I sigh and pull away from him while planting a sad smile on my lips, getting ready to put on a great show for his fans. “I’m going to miss you so much Alex. You have to call me everyday.”

Catching on, Alex smiles back and brushes a few strands of hair from my face. “I’ll miss you too babe. But it’s only for a few months, I’ll be back before you know it.”

And then without any warning, Alex leans forward and kisses me gently pressing his warm lips to mine. I’m instantly horrified because Alex is kissing me. But just as I’m about to rip my lips away from his, a flash goes off from nearby reminding me that this is all for show. I have nothing to lose. So I kiss him back eagerly and I almost get lost in the way his lips feel against mine before I pull away, faking a dreamy smile.

“Call me.” I say sighing sadly.

He nods, a dazed look on his face and I smile again thinking that Alex is a better actor than I thought. I walk back to Kelsey, who wears a pinched expression on her face and watch them board the plane.

“What was that all about?” Kelsey asks me as we drive back to the apartment.

“What was what?” I reply tiredly. I can tell by her tone that she’s about to get worked up and after that episode with Alex I’m not really looking forward to it.

“You and Alex, making out. What the hell are you doing Fallon?”

I look at her, completely confused. Why is she so worked up about this? “I playing my part in this relationship. Everyone does think we’re dating. It has to look real.”

“But it’s not.” She says flatly. “It’s not real.”

“I know that. I’m not stupid.”

She sighs loudly and looks at me. “I’m not saying that you’re stupid. I’m just saying that you should be careful. Unless, you actually want to go back to highschool with Alex and how it was then. I mean, we all know how that ended.”

I close my eyes and rest my head on the window of the car. There were times like this when Kelsey could be a huge bitch and I really regretted even being her friend. She would say things that she knew would hurt you, but then she’s twist them to make herself seem sympathetic.

“I’m not going to get hurt. I don’t want Alex at all.”

She smiles and pats my hand and then turns her attention back to the road. “Good. That’s really good.”

Notes

i hope you like it!!!