Chapter 2 - Quintuple Date

Liiza's POV

The words that Zach said repeat in my head over and over again.

Will you be my fake girlfriend?

Zach sighs and I snap out of my thoughts. He stands up, and starts talking again.

"Look, Liz, I know I'm being really stupid and selfish. It's just that all my friends have girlfriends except me and I didn't want to be the fourth wheel and the only single friend. So, I lied and said I had a girlfriend and then they all began making plans for all of us and all our girlfriends to go out together sometime and they were asking who and your name just slipped out" He stopped, his head in his hands. "Look, I get it if you don't want to. I'll just go out there and say we broke up. Hell, you can even break up with me! Or I could tell them the truth-"

"Zach." I cut him off, for once. "It's okay."

"Liiza pleas-" Zach's eyes widen "Wait, what?" Clearly surprised by my answer.

"Yes, Zach. You have always been by my side" I exhale, slowly. "Remember that time when the path was slick with mud and you wanted to go out and play but I didn't want to get my new bright pink sketchers dirty?"

He nodded tentatively, a wide smile forming on his face.

"You layed out your jacket so I could walk to the courts and play. Your mom was so mad atyou." I say giggling, before Zach joined me and started laughing too.

"Of course. How could I forget that? I remember every memory of ours." He said, softly, looking into my eyes.

My stomach lurched with butterflies as he beams at me. Could I date, for real, a guy like Zach?

No.

Yes.

No.

No. 

Impossible.

He's my best friend. I couldn't ruin that.

Zach pulls me into a tight hug, whispering a quick thank you into my ear between hugs, before asking me if I wanted to go back and join the others.

I nod, and he gives me a quick kiss on my forehead as we walk out of the classroom. By the time we joined up with the group, I noticed the boys and Rilee really getting along.

"And here comes the cute couple," Jack said, winking at the both of us.

Suddenly, my face starts heating up and I realize that I'm blushing "Aw, she's blushing," Dylan says, laughing, as everyone joins in with him.

After the laughter stops, I see Rilee shooting me a glare. I try asking her what's wrong with our finger signs and she replies, telling me that I owe her a huge explanation, which is true.

"So, are you free Liiza?" Caleb surprises me.

"What?" I gasp.

"We are all gonna go out together like a group date with our girlfriends so we wanted to know if you're free this Friday night, so we can decide the date," Jack explained.

"Uh yeah, sure, I'll check and keep you updated." I reply, my heart beating in my chest.

"And what about you Rilee? Do you have anyone to come with?" Jack asks.

"Uh… " She starts but I interrupted.

I can't go alone. I'll mess up without my best friend, I will know no one and I need her there, with a date or not.

"Yeah, she will. She will come with her boyfriend." I glance over at Rilee's bewildered expression.

"Look at the time! We probably should get to class. We don't wanna be late so we're just gonna go. Talk to you later!" I say hastily, reaching to pull Rilee with me.

"Wait! Before you go, what do you call a 5 couple date?" Dylan asks quickly.

"I'm not sure." I laugh, covering my mouth. "Just 5 dates?"

"5th Date," Rilee adds.

"A 5ple Date?" Jack says slowly.

"You all are wrong. It's Quintuple date. For God's sake." Caleb says, finally, making all of us look like fools.

"Oh." The group of us nod in agreement. I chuckled, then dragged Rilee behind me to class.

• • • •

"Spill it." Rilee says, waiting for me to explain everything to her. I was just lost in my thoughts about Zach.

Would he let me tell Rilee? 

Of course, he would. But what if he doesn't? 

No, he doesn't have a choice.

Should I tell her the truth?  I never hide anything from her. 

I have a feeling that this isn't gonna end well.

"Earth to Liiza," Rilee says, snapping her fingers in front of my face. I really don't want to lie to her.

"Oh sorry. Look Riles I really can explain.." I'm interrupted by a text from Zach.

Zach: You can Tell Rilee

I exhale a breath of relief.

"Liiza, you owe me a huge explanation. If not, I'll find out myself. Then you are so not gonna like it." Rilee threatens.

"I'm not really dating Zach." I blurted out "He just asked me this morning if I could be his fake girlfriend or something so that he wouldn't be the only single friend. He already told them that I was his girlfriend before he even told me about it"

Rilee blinks at me expectantly. "Is this a joke?"

I shake my head. "I sort of wish it was."

She ponders over her thoughts for a moment before bursting into a smile. "This is so exciting. Oh. My. God. Who's my date going to be to this quintuple couple date? I'm in on your plan! I knew something felt wrong!"

Another text from Zach.

Zach: If Rilee Needs a date I know a guy 

I tap out a response quickly.

Me: We need someone who we know can keep secrets. If this gets out, it will be so freaking embarrassing. For both of us

Then, an equally dramatic response.

Zach: We need Jonah

Smiling, I turn to Rilee. "We have the perfect guy for you."

"Are you sure he's right? For the job?" Rilee questions and I nod quickly. "How do you know?" She adds.

"You will too, when you meet him." I say, softly.