I’m in love with my best friend and now he needs me to be his fake girlfriend.

The Rejection and the Emergency Lie

My best friend needed me to be his fake girlfriend, but I caught feelings he’ll never return. When I spotted Zayn at the party, my heart did that annoying flutter thing.

He was alone, looking relaxed in a way that made my palms sweat. I’d liked him since sophomore year when he’d helped me pick up my books after I tripped in the hallway, but I never had the guts to confess.

Tonight was supposed to change that, but walking towards him felt like walking through concrete. He smiled when he saw me approaching.

God, that smile. “Hey, surviving the party?” “Barely,” I laughed, trying to sound casual.

Suddenly, I ran out of things to talk about, so I went with the classic. “Did you finish that essay for Mr. Ibond?”

“Nah, that assignment was depressing as hell.” “He’s definitely going through a divorce,” I said.

And Zayn laughed this laugh that made his whole face light up. We kept talking, joking about Mr. Bond’s midlife crisis, about the terrible music playing, about everything.

I was convinced the feeling was mutual, so my mouth moved before my brain could stop it. “So, I’ve kind of liked you for a while now.” “Would you maybe want to grab dinner sometime?”

His expression changed. It was gentle, apologetic. “Lexi, you’re really sweet.”

“I mean it.” “But I’m not interested.” “I’m sorry.”

I forced myself to smile even though my lips quivered as I said, “I appreciate your honesty.” “We can still be friends, right?”

“Yeah.” “And for what it’s worth, I’m flattered.” We were still talking, trying to navigate how to not be awkward when I heard it.

A high-pitched voice soaked in pure panic. The voice belonged to my best friend, Oliver.

He appeared beside us, face red, eyes wild. If I hadn’t seen a random girl next to him, looking skeptical.

I would have assumed he had done too many white lines. He then forcibly put his arm around my shoulder.

“Natalie, this is Lexi.” “Beautiful name, isn’t it?”

I cringed at that. Why was Oliver behaving like a malfunctioning robot?

Then he said the words that would change my entire life. “She’s my girlfriend.”

My brain shortcircuited. What was I supposed to say? How was I supposed to react?

Oliver looked at me with this desperate, pleading expression. His grip on my shoulder tightened slightly like he was afraid I’d bolt.

This wasn’t happening. This could not be happening right now.

Zayn was literally standing right there watching this train wreck unfold. And Oliver looked like he might actually cry if I didn’t go along with this.

I couldn’t believe I was about to claim I had a boyfriend literally 2 minutes after getting rejected by my crush. “We’re dating,” I confirmed.

Natalie crossed her arms. “Then why did you look so shocked when he said it?” “I wasn’t shocked.”

“He just yanked me out of nowhere.” “I was surprised the lie came out of me so quickly.”

Natalie opened her mouth to ask another question, but I didn’t care about making her believe my obvious lie. Oliver needed to do some serious explaining before I continued playing along with his ruse.

“Now, if you’ll excuse me,” I said, pulling Oliver away. Zayn already forgotten in my mind.

“I’m going to dance with my boyfriend.” I dragged Oliver outside to the backyard and yelled, “What the hell was that?”

Oliver ran his hands through his hair. “I’m so sorry.” “I panicked.”

“Panicked about what?” “Natalie,” he said, the name coming out like a curse.

She’s been asking me out since she got here. I keep saying no, but she won’t take the hint.

I gestured for him to hurry up. I blurted out that I had a girlfriend to get her to stop.

“And she didn’t believe you.” “Exactly.” “So, I had to prove it.”

“Then I saw you and I just-” He trailed off looking miserable. “I’m really sorry.”

“I know this is insane, but can you please just help me out?” I sighed already seeing how this would lead to a mess.

“Just tonight,” Oliver said quickly. She doesn’t live around here. She’s just visiting a friend.

“I swear this is a one-time thing.” I stared at him long enough for him to realize that this was ridiculous, but he was my best friend.

“Fine, just tonight.” I had never been so wrong in my entire life.

We went back inside and joined the crowd on the dance floor. The music was terrible, but Oliver didn’t care.

“What are you doing?” I yelled over the music, laughing so hard my stomach hurt. “Dancing?” “What does it look like?”

“Like you’re having a seizure.” Oliver grinned and spun me around.

We were both terrible dancers, but that made it more fun. He kept making faces at me every time a bad song came on. I’d mirror them back and we’d both crack up.

Then I felt Oliver tense beside me. Natalie was walking straight toward us with that same skeptical face from earlier.

His arm wrapped around my waist and pulled me closer. I physically cringed.

The touch felt disgusting, like hugging a sibling in a way that wasn’t familiar at all. Every instinct screamed to shove him away.

He noticed and leaned down to my ear. “Just go with it.”

Natalie stopped in front of us, arms crossed. “Having fun?”

“Yeah,” Oliver said, his grip tightening on my waist, “just dancing with my girlfriend.” I forced a smile that probably looked more like a grimace.