#becausewelie

PART 4 

Wordcount: 807 

Warnings: cutesy date, drive-in movie, existential fake dating related crisis, Dr. Pepper hate (so sorry), Fanta lemon is supreme, innuendos to hooking up, play-fighting, over all pretty fluffy, a little angsty (not really) part, and idk what more to write so, lemon penguins are cute, no they’re not included sorry

A/N: Hiya! So, here we go. I went on a school trip and forgot to write. Not completely AO3 worthy author yet, but I’m working on it, but enjoy the part!

Previous parts: PART 1 PART 2 PART 3 

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Emilia sat in the seat next to Jonah, watching him drive in her peripheral vision. She regretted this deeply. The dress was too short, the air too cold, the tension too thick. Yes, she had been pining after Leigh for way too long, but that didn’t mean she actually knew how to behave on a date, not a fake one either nonetheless. She also wished her first date would’ve been with someone she actually liked as well, but Jonah would suffice she supposed. She shivered and rapped her hands a little tighter around herself as they drove into the drive-in movie. 

“Here.” He said as he took off his black hoodie and handed it over to her. She put it on before saying a quick thank you, her braids getting a little messed up in the process. 

“Do you want any snacks? My treat.” He offered with his standard charming smile. 

“Popcorn and a soda, thanks. ” 

“What drink?” 

“Surprise me.” 

“Oh, you’ve made a grave mistake Mills.” He grinned before closing the door and walking away. 

She giggled a little to herself as she looked over at the big screen a few cars in front. It was far enough back to be somewhat private, but not so far to be too private and uncomfortable. The last thing she wanted was someone from school thinking she was hooking up with someone at the drive in. Especially considering that, you know, no one even knows about it yet. Though, that was sure to change quite soon. 

Or rather. She didn’t think such a, quote on quote, juicy rumor wouldn’t get tossed around quickly, as Daisy had put it. They knew she was on a date, but not with who. That was to remain a secret for the time being. However, being dolled up by her and Leigh, was possibly the worst time she’d had in a long while. Hearing what Leigh had to say about having a good date, and their comments on her attire made her heart skip one too many beats before she had even left the house. The blush covering her pale complexion she was 90 percent sure she could pass off to be embarrassment or meant towards her secret date. 

Whether or not Jonah thought she looked pretty tonight had crossed her mind a few times, but she’d made it her mission to block the thoughts out. She’d read one too many fake dating tropes to know that going down that road would lead down a dark romanticized failure of a daydream. One that only lead to happily ever after in the movies, and heartbreak and unrequited expectations in real life. Or so the story is portrayed at least. 

Jonah opening the door dragged her out of her spiraling thoughts and revelations. He sat the popcorn down in her lap as he sat down in his own seat. He then leaned over to the backseat to get a cute dark green blanket. Emilia noted that he was very close. Too close. She could smell his cologne. He smelled faintly of newly cut grass and vanilla, a comforting mix. She noted that she had grown accustomed to the smell, just not in that high of a quantity. It hit her like a train. But a comforting, soft train. If such a thing was even possible. He moved back all too quickly, she begrudgingly admitted to herself. This was gonna be a long night. 

“Here ya go.” He grinned before handing over a can of dr. pepper. Emilia’s face fell. All the previously nice things she’d let herself think of him flew out of her mind as she looked at her least favorite drink. Had she not told him she hated that? She was quite sure she had, indeed, let that information slip once during their library hangouts. 

His smile seemed to just grow wider. She grabbed the can and opened it. Faking a strangled ‘thanks’. She took one sip and felt the absolutely horrid liquid run down her throat. He then burst out laughing his head off. She looked quizzically over at him. He continued. 

“You should've seen your face!” He managed to get out between laughs. He then proceeded to grab a bottle of Fanta lemon instead and handed it over to her. A smile then spread across her face as she realized his annoying ways. She then proceeded to hit him in the arm. 

“You little- I KNEW I TOLD YOU I HATED THAT ONE!” She exclaimed laughing before hitting him some more. He hit her gently back as he reached over to the Dr. Pepper in her hand and took a sip. She focused entirely too much on his lips as he did so. So, she grabbed her Fanta lemon and drank a bit to distract herself from his all too soft lips. 

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PART 3 

Wordcount: 1027

Warnings: fluff, mention of sex, fake dating, just overall the adorable loveliness that your heart deserves, I actually wrote over 1k this time yay, enjooyy 

Previous parts: PART 1  PART 2

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Jonah ran as fast as his legs could manage. He needed to get there now. Before she heard about it herself. An explanation he really needed to give before all hell broke loose. He loved his best friend, more than he really should, but she really couldn’t keep a secret for the life of her, however he had insinuated something before his brain had caught up. Just down this hallway and to the left. 

Once he got inside he first went over to the romance section, quickly scanning the shelves for his target. And there on the third highest shelf, almost entirely to the right it stood. Witcha gonna do. 

He grabbed it and hurried over to his questionable but recent favorite spot, which is where he found her. Sitting on one the blue cushions nestled into the corner of the whale section she looked up from her phone. A slightly confused look on her face. 

“What are you doing here? Don’t you finish early on wednesdays?” 

“Yeah, well, I am going home. After this, that is. I don’t live that far away actually. It’s just like a twenty minute walk- and I’m rambling sorry. Here.” She laughed at his antics and he felt his heart beat ever so slightly faster, not that he was paying attention to it of course. He gave her the book and watched her eyes light up. A smile spreading across her face as she grabbed the book. 

“Gosh, I’ve been looking for this for months! Wasn’t it rented out all month?” She asked, a certain warmth in her excitement only she possessed. 

“Beats me.” He shrugged, deciding not to mention that he had placed a hold on it for this very specific purpose. She’d reacted just how he’d hoped. However, he reminded himself, he needed to talk to the redhead. 

“Listen Mills, I need a favor.” 

Her face changed into one of intrigue as she placed her book in her bag. “Who’d you kill?” 

“No one!” 

“Hah, you should’ve seen your face Joe! Priceless.” She laughed as she stood up. “But seriously, what do you need?” Jonah sighed as he thought of the best way to phrase things. 

“Becky’s wondering why I go here all the time, which I suspect yours are too? Well, she might, maybe, perhaps think that i per chance might have a tiny crush on a secret girl in the library now and she won’t leave me alone about it.” He spilled. Emilia’s eyes widened. 

“Gee, alright. Ehm. Is- Is it true?” She asked, her cheeks beginning to flush. “Because, look Joe, you’re a great guy and all but you know-” 

“Oh, nonononono. I don’t like you. Not that there’s anything wrong with you of course, I-” He sighed. “What I’m trying to say is; do you maybe wanna fake date me so that she’ll leave me alone about it?” 

She thought for a second. 

“What’s in it for me?” 

“Your friends won’t wonder why you leave all the time, you get a free date, and no one will wonder if you like Leigh or not.” Jonah explained. 

“Does people think I like them? I mean I do, how could I not, but that’s a secret.” Emilia felt her chest tighten and her breathing rush. 

“No. Or, I don’t know. I thought so… But I’m not everyone else.” He rubbing his hand nervously on his neck. 

“Also, fake dating? We’re not living in a romcom Joe. No one’s gonna believe that, and how do I know this is not just you wanting to somehow end up with us liking each other?”  

“We won’t.” 

“That’s some famous last words you got there Jonah McQuinton.” She deadpanned. 

“Yeah, ok. Fair enough. But hey, what’s the worst thing that could happen if we actually started liking each other?” Jonah asked with hope in his eyes. He didn’t know what he’d do if she didn’t agree. Perhaps, he’d simply, just, tell Becky the truth. 

“Even more heartbreaking one-sided pining? It’s already hard enough for me to be around Leigh all the time. I don’t want the library to be a similar warzone.” 

“Look, let’s make a deal. If we do fall in love with one another, we have a code word. Let’s say… Whales. But if it’s one-sided, we have an agreement that the one with the broken heart has the claim of the whale section. The other can only come over if it’s strictly necessary, which to be frank we both know is close to impossible to happen. What do ya say Mills?” 

Emilia thought about it for a few seconds. He did have a point, and the plan seemed pretty fail-proof, although…

“No miscommunication. I hate that trope.” 

“As you wish.” 

“Alright, I’m down, we need some ground rules though.” 

“Of course, how do you feel about kissing?” 

“I don’t want to kiss on the mouth unless it’s necessary, but the cheek and stuff is fine.” 

“Noted. No sex, of course. I don’t think we should do more than hugging but cuddling can be ok at times?” 

“Agreed on both. The basic, ‘no telling others it’s fake’ is also a must.” 

Jonah nodded his head in agreement. 

“Alright, give me your phone.” He reluctantly got his phone up. “C’mon Joe, I’m not dangerous.” 

“That’s debatable, but sure.” He laughed as he unlocked his phone. 

Emilia then proceeded to put her number in his phone before adding a cringy photo of herself that she air-dropped to him. She then went over to him and took a cute photo of them making faces to set as his background image. 

“There ya go, do the same to mine.” 

“Love muffin?” He asked as he checked his new contact. 

“It’s adorable, boyfriend.” She smiled evilly towards him, clearly enjoying the teasing he’d endure from all of this. He then proceeded to do the same thing but he took a picture of him kissing her cheek for her background picture, effectively making her blush. 

The bell rang just as they finished their shenanigans and she headed off to class. Blowing a quick kiss followed by sticking out her tongue at him as she left. 

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PART 2 

Wordcount: 602

Warnings: Fluff, the sun being annoying, one sided pining, fake crush, play-fighting, best friends being best friends, idk what more to write but I want to so you read more than needed, so enjoyyyyy

Previous parts: PART 1

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Jonah sat down in the grass next to his best friend, cursing the sun for being so damned bright. The irritation grew as he realized Rebecka was talking to one specific person on the phone. So, there were two possible outcomes here. Either she would excuse herself and go somewhere private to talk instead, unless of course she opted to just sit next to him and talk to the ‘love of her life’, which undoubtedly he would enjoy less. Or, she would end the conversation early, making her beam with joy before ranting about the newest little thing he did for about an hour or so. 

Jonah hated to admit it but he began preferring the first option. Hearing her talk about another guy and being all in love and having her peak honeymoon phase made him want to rip his ears off. Yet, he sat there patiently listening to her, instead opting to admire the way her eyes lit up and the excitement radiate off of her, with her bright, toothy grin. He sighed as she finished the conversation. 

“How’s Trent?” He asked, knowing she’d tell him anyway, thinking she’d appreciate him pretending to feign a little interest. 

“He’s fine, just finished practice, but how are you?” She asked somewhat serious and somewhat casual. He wondered how she managed that. 

“I’m fine. Why’d you ask?” 

“Can’t I just be interested in my best friends health?” She asked dramatically before sighing, smiling that usual ‘busted’ smile of hers. “Fine, fine, you’ve just been distant lately so I wondered if something was up.” 

Jonah knew for a fact that he wouldn’t tell her about his distaste for Trent, or his massive underlying crush on her. He didn’t really know what to say, so he didn’t. 

“Something is up.” She said carefully, a change from her usual bubbly demeanor. Shit. He really needed to come up with something now. 

Think Jonah. Think. 

“Eh” 

“Wait, do you have a crush?” SHit

“N-No, why would I like y-” 

“You totally do! Omg who is it? That’s definitely why you keep sneaking off to the library so much! They’re you’re library flirt omg, I’m so happy for you! SO, who’s the lucky person?” 

Jonah felt bombarded from all the questions and statements flowing out of her mouth. He looked into her eyes, light as honey, before he layed down on the grass and placed his cap over his face. 

“I’m not telling you anything Becky.” He couldn’t stop the smile forming on his lips. 

“OH COME ON JOE! I tell you everything about Trent, I wanna know about your person.” 

“She’s not my person, Becky.” 

“Ok, she. We’re getting closer, keep going. What’s her name?” 

“You’re not gonna let this go, are you?” He asked, looking over at her through the small gap in the cap. 

“You bet’cha.” She stated before lying down herself, stealing his cap to use it herself. 

He hadn’t really thought of Emilia like that before. She was just her library-buddy in a similar situation as himself. He wondered if she was being interrogated as well. 

“Fine, what do you wanna know? I won’t tell you her name or friends.” 

“How is she?” 

“She’s… funny, and pretty.” 

“How romantic you are.” The sarcasm seeped through her voice like fresh lemonade. 

“Fine, she has a cute laugh. I like making her laugh. Happy now?” He wasn’t lying. 

“Very. You’re almost convincing as a human being.” She laughed. 

“And yet you have no redeeming human qualities yourself.” He joked earning a punch to the arm and a very offended yet surprised look on her face. 

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PART 1

Wordcount: 901

Warnings: Mentions of porn, mentions of genitalia, fire, cult-mentions, one sided pining, whales, fluff, wow this sounds a lot worse than it is lol, it’s mostly used for comedic effect, yes i am using these as if they’re ao3 tags, you can’t stop me

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Emilia finished stirring the cream and put down the mixer. She looked up at the couple dancing in front of her in her own living room. A heavy, sinking dread filled her stomach. She looked at her best friend, Daisy, staring ever so softly into her lover’s eyes. She seemed so content, a rare tranquil moment in her otherwise chaotic nature. Leigh, the lover in question, seemed just as love stricken as their girlfriend. They leaned in and shared a soft, purely fluff worthy kiss. Emilia had given them this lovely meal and movie combo as a one year anniversary gift. Emilia sighed, a whole year of pining for her own best friend’s partner.

Emilia didn’t notice the smell of smoke before Leigh called out; “Mills, the muffins!”. They then ran to the stove behind her as Emilia was being pulled back to reality, not quite enough for her body to move to action yet. Leigh opened the oven and pulled out the tray as Daisy opened every possible window as far as they’d allow. The tray was put on the stove to cool off. Every single blueberry muffin was black and hard enough to break a window. Emilia thought it too bad she hadn’t needed a weapon instead. 

She slumped down the counter and closed her eyes. Why, why, why did this always happen? 

“You okay Mills?” Leigh asked as they bent down next to her. Their faces so very close. Leigh’s hand on her cheek in a comforting and presumably friendly way. Emilia could smell their shampoo, coconut as usual, as she stared into their icy–blue eyes.  The smoke alarm stopped beeping, signaling that Daisy had turned it off. 

“Yeah, just bummed that it happened again.” She answered defeatedly. Leigh smiled that wonderful smile of theirs, full of sincerity. They helped her up to a standing position, seeing Daisy now sitting on top of the counter with her legs crossed. 

“On the bright side the raspberry cream tastes amazing!” Daisy said ecstatically before doing a little dance to the song currently playing, therefore getting some of the cream in her black hair. Leigh laughed at their girlfriend’s antics and got a paper towel to remove it. They gave Daisy a soft kiss on the cheek before mumbling asking her if she was fine. She nodded before they started hugging and being all cutesy once more. Emilia felt her stomach twist even more at the sight, wanting to just get the day over with. 

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Emilia hurried down the crowded hallway. She needed to get away. She couldn’t even think about being around the happy couple anymore today. She needed a break or she’d break down and cry. The only place she could think of going was, of course, the library. 

Emilia took a sharp left before barging into the silent room. Some students gave her dirty looks for interrupting them so she gave them the most sincere apologetic look she could muster. A left was her next move as she walked along the familiar bookcases, her feet moving her to her usual location. The bookshelves in the very back. The only bookshelves in such a pristine condition it seemed more like an altar, which Emilia found strange considering the subject. 

The anatomy of whales. 

Emilia was sure Mrs. Wetherbye had got to have some of her whale x human porn around somewhere, which although the idea absolutely grossed her out, she was still somewhat interested in how that would even work. 

Nope. Not going down that route. 

Again. 

She noticed the boy standing at the end of the shelf, reading a book about whale genitalia. She held back a laugh as she moved closer and saw the look on his face. The book may be up-side down but the pictures were still very much life like, as per Mrs. Wetherbye’s request. 

“Let me guess, you’re trying to join Mrs. Wetherbye’s whale cult, or no, no, now I know. You went to the aquarium last night and felt an unusually ‘fond’ feeling towards the newest member of the whale habitat, Lola.” Emilia teased as she took the book away from him. 

“Exactly. And you’re looking for her secret whale porn, right?” He teased back. 

“Omg, how did you know? I’m this close to finding it though, I tell ya, Joe.” She answered dramatically while showing how close with her fingers, earning a chuckle from the blonde. 

“So, what brings you here today, Mills? The usual?” The same question she’d heard a million times before. 

“You betcha, you too?” 

“Yeah.” He sighed. “But it’s getting better, you know, she’s getting out of her honeymoon phase, so she doesn't bring him up as much anymore.” He answered but she noticed his nose wrinkling up a little before he couched. The telltale sign of one lying Jonah McQuinton. 

“Yeah right, she’s probably calling him as we speak.” She snorted. He went quiet. 

“Anyway, we’ll talk about something else. I’m sorry. Nice weather?” She smiled as he laughed a little. 

“Why is your go-to always to talk about the weather?” 

“Because I’m obsessed with Mrs. Wetherbye of course.” She teased. She turned around ready to leave when she slipped. She cursed any god she could think of, hoping the ground was now somehow made of rubber. It wasn’t. She groaned as she hit the marble floor. Jonah laughing in the background before helping her up. 

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