#masquerademade

You’re entirely unsure how you stumbled into a frat party with swarms of people dancing a little too close and music blasting a little too loud. Perhaps it was your friends who led you through campus to the Greek house or maybe it was of your own volition. You can’t quite recall who’s bright idea it was, but nonetheless you find yourself packed in amongst the usual likes of a frat party. It doesn’t take you long to wander outside in search of some solace, just wanting a little less thudding in your head and fewer bodies pressing against you. To your surprise the yard is much emptier than usual. You consider that maybe it’s because the night air is chilled and the frat brothers had neglected to set up the usual stock of kegs. Only a few people milled around, most unfamiliar but one catching your attention.

Calum Hood, revered wide receiver for the schools football team, and the guy you occasionally got wrapped up in listening to during your shared philosophy class, sat on the lawn. He was alone, a rarity for the football star. Of the team he was the most reserved but always surrounded by flocks of people. He looks up at you, eyes a little bleary and tired but he gives you a small nod and smile, inviting you to join him.

You settle on the grass, grateful the music is now distant and the crowd is forgotten. You rarely speak outside of class but revel in the moment as he has an easy demeanor. You get caught up in small talk, about football, about class, about the party. None of it means very much but the night keeps growing older and older. You’ve both shifted a bit closer to each other throughout the conversation. It feels only natural.

Calum stiffens out of nowhere and you follow his gaze, his line of sight settled on his ex who’s approaching. You’d always found his ex to be rather nice, always sharing smiles and usual niceties in passing. You’re not sure what happened between them but whatever it was it has Calum’s fingers tapping on the grass nervously. She gives you both a once over, surprise evident in her eyes as she comes to a stop in front of you.

“I didn’t know you two were a thing,” she says, there’s no malice or ill will in her voice; only shock and questions.

Before you can set the record straight Calum’s pulling you closer and you’re easing into his touch. You’re confused but don’t object.

“For a few weeks now, actually,” he lies.

You try not to let your surprise show on your face. Knowing he must have good reason for lying—whether to save himself from explanation or something else entirely.

She simply nods at the news. “Well you do make a cute couple, we’ll have to double sometime!” She says and Calum slowly nods before she excuses herself.

You pull away slightly from Calum’s hold and gaze at him curiously.

“Sorry,” he whispers. “I don’t know why I did that.”

“It’s okay—I mean, you don’t actually think she’s gonna want to go on a double date, right?”

Calum huffs and shrugs. Runs a hand through his dark curls and licks his lips. “I’m not so sure about that.”

“Well, I’ll be on standby, just in case,” you joke, completely unaware of what would lie ahead.

Tagged: @rosesfromcth

AKA: fake dating college!cal

@outerspaceisbetterthannothing said: okay, maybe I've seen ‘to all the boys...’ one too many times (sure I did), but like, doesn’t Cal need to properly ask her to be his fake girlfriend? and like, why would she agree? does she get anything in return? or she just agrees to help him because she’s nice? and do they set rules? is there a ‘no kissing’ rule??? please, write it, Eve!! 

***

You make to leave, headed for the double doors at the end of the building after a class that got a little too heated in your debate with Calum. His ex-girlfriend had approached and stopped both your apologies short. You felt as though the discussion may have kept going; gone somewhere less arbitrary than pretending to be a couple. You know very little of Calum, only the reputation his football career had carved through university halls and on campus gossip. He seems much more than all those whispered words and big pays on the field. The few discussions you’d had leaving you wanting to know more. The fact he is your fake boyfriend as a lie to his ex-girlfriend leaving you curious.

“Hey! Wait!” It’s Calum’s voice behind you, his hand lightly grabbing your shoulder before you could reach for the handle of the door. You stop and turn to face him, he’s a bit flushed with eyes that frantically search yours before coming to a still.

masquerade made: part 2:

It’s been a few days since the frat party, a few days since you saw Calum last. You hadn’t run into him or his ex; not needing to keep up the masquerade of a spur of the moment “relationship” with him. That is, until you realize they’re both in your philosophy class and you have no idea where you stand with Calum in this web of a lie. You’re unsure if he wants to keep up the act or if he even remembers it—if she remembers it either. You go with the wind, breeze into class and are greeted by the person you usually sit next to, seats unofficially assigned by the mere fact that no one swapped since the first day of class. You wave as you approach but stop short, Calum’s up ahead urging you over to the empty seat next to his. You don’t question, just feel the pull of his frantic eyes dragging your feet towards him.

“Hey,” he says quickly, eyes flickering towards the back of the class as you sit down.

You follow his gaze, his ex at the back of the room and you realize you’re wrapped up in the charade once more. You peer back over at Calum, his arm unsurely moving towards you. You look back at his ex, catch eyes with her and lean towards Calum instinctively, the weight of his arm gracing the top of your shoulders. It doesn’t feel right or wrong, maybe the affection is a little nice, but you realize it’s veiled with ulterior motives and keep that thought tucked in the back of your mind.

As class goes on you find yourself in a heated debate with Calum. It’s completely unexpected and it feels as if your sharp words are pulled out of thin air. The professor has to stop you short, the argument taking a little too much life. It’s awkward as you settle back down, his arm doesn’t grace your shoulders again—you don’t care what it looks like to his ex. You cross your arms over your chest and bite your lip, just waiting for class to be over. As soon as it is you’re out of your seat and flying out the door, a little too worked up to even look at him before leaving. He catches you quickly though, stops you in the hall and you feel yourself and your frustration deflating as he simply stares at you.

“Sorry,” he starts humbly, the one word softly spoken. “Didn’t mean to get so worked up in there.”

You sigh and offer your own apology. “Couples fight, right?”

Calum laughs and it settles something exciting in your stomach; something unfamiliar but not unwelcome.

“They do.”

It’s in that moment his ex approaches, she’s light and airy but stops deadpan when she sees you both. There’s something you can’t quite read in her eyes but she blinks rapidly and proceeds to smile.

“You guys were so passionate in there. It was electric.”

Maybe it was electric in an unorthodox way and maybe the fact that his hand now finds yours and his touch sizzles into your skin is overwhelming. But you’re set on not thinking about it. At least for now.

****

And there’s part 2 of fake dating now dubbed masquerade made. You can keep calling it fake dating, that name is a complete self indulgence :,) send me stuff you wanna see! Love you all