Chapter 5 - Full Moon

The first rule August and I agreed upon is that, "This is not going to be another teenage love affair where we fall in love for real in the end."

That idea, apart from being ridiculous for her, August also said that she can never risk her entire future for something as fleeting as teenage romance. She knows the position my family holds in society. She heard stories. And she knew if she pissed enough people, her scholarship could get retracted.

"Why do this then?" I asked. If she knew about that possibility, then why continue with the fake-dating scheme?

"First off, none of this is true. Plus, I get the money, you get to keep your pride. Also your parents probably know about your dating history. They'll brush this off as one of your curiosity. And you are curious aren't you?"

I smiled. I wanted to pretend I didn't know what she meant. But she's too cunning for that. I want to know what it's like to date the smartest, most difficult girl I've known. Even if it's fake.

"I figured. You're not missing much though."

Our plan, or rather her plan, is like the moon she said. It'll be divided into phases. The first, being the Full Moon, is vast and visible. This is where everything will depend on. We have to make it believable. We have to avoid suspicions from my friends and let them know that the chase is still on. All the while, we also have to make Gwen think that August only agreed to a date with me to get it over with. My pursuit should be clear and her conceding credible, and thus why she made the Rule of Rejections– three more before the goal.

The scheming will begin the moment I tell Theo and the others that I am still planning on pursuing August. They won't be thinking much of it because they know I don't easily give a chase up. Also, they'll suppose it as 'my' ego. Because I should always, always win.

We were slumped on the U-shaped couch of The Mockingbird, high and a bit tipsy, when I decided to tell them that the bet was still on. Dove laughed, her head drumming on my chest. The pressure made me cough and I tried to push her off gently but she wouldn't budge.

"Ohh, is she much of a challenge for you darling?" She said, her voice high and much too giddy. She only ever does that when she's masking jealousy.

"Yes. Very." I admitted. This pissed her off somehow and she stood up rather quickly and hit the table before heading to the comfort room. The bottles rattled, waking Arlo up.

"Wha– what happened?"

Arlo was still dazed but was already trying to reach for a glass. Raven pushed one to his hand. "You shouldn't be mean to Dove like that" she said. "You know she likes you."

"Why? What did I do? You all are aware I'm pursuing August for a bet. It's not like it's real."

"Still. You know how jealous Dove can get."

"Well, she shouldn't be. We're not even together."

Raven stuck her tongue at me. She's not as witty as Dove with words but she did spray me with alcohol while she was at it. Theo came around at that time with a freshly lighted joint. I didn't even notice he was gone.

"What did I miss?" He handed me the doob. I smoked it.

"Where were you?" I asked while slowly blowing out. "I was just saying I'm still doing the bet."

Theo paused, a look of puzzlement crossed his face. "Did you stop?"

"Well, I didn't. I just thought you might think I did."

He shrugged and raised his hands up, "You go on. As long as you have more pride to throw. Do it buddy."

He still thinks I can't do it. And well, he was right but I'm never going to admit that. He's in for a surprise.

Arlo shoots his head up suddenly. He's too drunk already and The Mockingbird hasn't even opened yet. "What if you actually fall in love with her?" His words were slurred but I understood enough.

Theo laughs at that. Like really laughed. He even hits his knee like Arlo just told the world's funniest joke. "Of course he won't. August's not even his type. And he also can't. His father won't allow it." He nudges my shoulder urging me to agree. So I nodded in agreement.

"He can't turn out like his brother."

As agreed, the first rejection will come after August's P.E. Class where I was supposed to wait for her by the drinking fountain and she will most calmly reject me while my friends are nearby. I couldn't say it didn't sting because it did. Fake as it was, August can really act– a perfect balance of annoyance and condensation. Maybe, she wasn't even acting at all.

The second rejection is by her locker. She was with Gwen this time who shot me daggers with her eyes. August blurted a firm but gentle "No", and I couldn't even argue anymore because Gwen had already pulled her away.

The last and final blow will be at the library. August said we didn't have to go through it. I can just tell my friends she rejected me again. But I wanted to see her against my better judgment. So right after class, I jogged my way to King Arthur's Athenaeum where I knew she would be.

But before I even got there, someone pulled my hand. Hard. And reeled me back towards a quiet corridor. It was Gwen.