Anger is quick to bubble up in the pit of her stomach, and later, that’s what she’ll attribute to the extremely impulsive decision she comes to. Emily glances down at herself, chewing on her lower lip. She’s wearing a pair of black pajama pants that have paw prints all over them and a pink tank top with a cat on the front, and the words, “Gay Purride” beneath it. Not at all intimidating. But it’s 2 am, sue her.
Written for Stemily week, Day One: Fake Dating.
Sadly, I don't think I'll be able to contribute more (other than the last day's because it's done). The last week has been... emotional and stressful and I didn't get to finish writing (or write at all, really). I may finish day two's at some point because it is started and I'd hate to just... not finish it. Who knows, maybe I'll surprise myself and still do all of them, but they might be late.
Anyway, I hope you enjoy this? I'm not sure how I feel about it.
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Stacie groans when she pulls into the coffee shop and notices how long the line is. Of course it is, it’s finals week, and this is the best coffee place on campus. Stacie tried to convince Emily that she should go to one of the others, one that wouldn’t make her have to wait for 30 minutes. But no. Emily insisted she needed her iced mocha from this one.
And Stacie can’t say no to Emily.
So she waits.
For 30 fucking minutes.
And, of course. Of-fucking-course. What could make this day even better? Stacie’s shitty ex is behind the counter. And he’s made eye contact with her. Great.
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works
STEMILY WEEK DAY 1 IS FINALLY HERE, PEOPLE!!!
Feedback will be highly appreciated since I’m going through hell and back lately aaaaand I’m just trash.
Theme: Fake date
Type: I’ll go with fluff
Summary: When Stacie convinced her to fake it in order to get feed by half the price on their favorite restaurant, this wasn't how she expected it to end.
Or, the Stemily Fake Date™ no one asked for.
Wordcount: 1140
Emily didn’t know exactly when it had started but when she found herself in her favorite restaurant wearing her favorite dress with Stacie sitting in front of her, she knew there wasn’t turning back. Not anymore.
When Stacie had called earlier that day telling her about their favorite restaurant having a special promotion for Valentine’s Day, Emily gladly accepted. Who wouldn’t accept a night out with their best friend eating anything they wanted for half a price? She’d be a loser if she didn’t, right? Well… thing is, she was a loser for realizing right then that she had a crush on the older woman. And the fact that they had to act like an actual couple didn’t help either.
The night was just starting and she could already feel her stomach being filled with those fucking butterflies that she hated so much whenever Stacie smiled at her or laughed at her dumbest joke.
Why did she have to fall for her amazing best friend? Couldn’t it be Chloe? Hell, even Aubrey would be an easier love interest. But Stacie? God helped her to end the night without embarrassing herself.
It was different whenever Stacie laughed at her for being a messy dork in front of others. No matter how dumb was her fall, the girl always found a way to make her feel better and she always ended laughing at herself too.
But now that it was Stacie? Yeah no, she couldn’t let that happen. Even if it was just to pretend in order to get feed.
So when Stacie’s touch had simply become too much to handle, she excused herself to the bathroom. The need to think properly for a few seconds before she did a complete fool of herself was consuming her.
“Everything alright?” Stacie frowned. Oh lord, that goddamn frown that crumpled her face in that beautiful way that only-
“Ems?” Stacie squeezed her hand.
“Oh, yeah. I… I won’t be long.” She forced a smile before walking away leaving a confused Stacie behind.
What was happening with her tonight? This was supposed to be just two best friends pretending to be a couple to get a fifty-percent discount for dinner, for fuck's sake! It wasn’t like she never hung out with Stacie before. Why was this night so different from the ones before? She just had to relax and act cool. Damn, they’ve known each other their whole lives.
“Okay,” Stacie entered the bathroom a few minutes later. “What the hell is going on?” the older woman crossed her arms. Her demeanor serious.
“I just… I just had to use the bathroom?” Emily cursed herself for the final intonation. It was supposed to be a fact, dammit.
“You know you can’t lie to me, don’t you?” and there was that freaking smirk that turned her world upside down.
“I just don’t feel good,” and she wasn’t lying. This entire confusing situation was taking the best of her.
“Was it the food?” Stacie then shorted the distance. Slender fingers resting on her shoulder.
“Yeah. I think so,” she just needed to get out of here and she’d use any help she could get.
“Okay. Let’s go to my place, then.” Emily felt as if she was burnt at Stacie’s words.
“What?” oh God, the last thing she needed was to spend more time with the reason of her problems.
“Yeah. What better than movies and cuddles with your best friend to feel better?” Stacie explained with those shiny chocolate orbs. And Emily hadn’t it in herself to turn her down.
“Why?” Why couldn’t she turn her down and just go home mourn about her unrequited love alone in the safe comfort of her bed?
“Why what? We planned to spend the night together. Delicious dinner or not, the night is still young,” Stacie smiled in that way that turned Emily into the softest puddle.
“Yeah, okay. Lead the way,” Emily all but faked a smile. How could she turn Stacie down when the girl’s been having a hell of a week? She just wanted to see her happy and she’d do whatever to make it happen. Even if her heart ached for not having her.
Stacie, on her side, has been trying to read the young brunette all night. It was like something happened all of a sudden for Emily to switch from bubbly happy Em to sad Em. She knew this wasn’t a normal mood on her friend unless there was something bothering her. But she also knew better than to pressure the matter.
All Stacie wanted was for a night with her favorite person in the world and forget about her job for a while. And when she found out that Tortino’s had a tempting promotion for Valentine’s Day, she knew she could count on her better half to have a good time. Oh, sweet lord, how she wished Emily could see her as something else than her friend.
And now that they were in the safety of her apartment cuddled on the couch watching Emily’s favorite movie, she decided to try her luck and ask for answers. The need for understanding the change of plans getting the best of her.
“Tell me the truth,” Stacie surprised herself by speaking the words. “Emily, please. Talk to me” she begged when the silence had become too heavy between them.
“Hey, hey, hey.” She calmed the girl when she saw tears in her eyes. “What wrong, baby?” and whilst Stacie didn’t call her pet names, sometimes they were needed to soothe her.
“I can’t do this,” Emily brushed her unshed tears breaking them apart. “I can’t keep doing this to us” Stacie’s confusion should be clear because Emily just kept talking.
“I can’t pretend that I’m okay being just your friend. Not anymore,”
“Wait. What?” Was her listening working properly? “What do you mean?”
“I think… I think I’m falling for you, Stacie.” Emily laughed bitterly. “I’m falling for you and I don’t want-
Stacie didn’t know what possessed her to finally kiss her. But she did know that she could never regret it as Emily’s soft lips joined hers in a slow dance. Sweet baby Jesus, how long did she craved to try these lips.
“What is this?” Emily asked confused when they parted for air.
“Go on a real date with me.” Stacie waited as Emily tried to form words. “Let me take you out and try an us.” She added feeling the hope taking over her.
“I would love to go out with you” Emily spoke after what seemed like an eternity. The sparkle her eyes had missed hours ago, coming back.
“Yeah?” she leaned in. Saccharine smile on her lips.
“Yes, Stacie.” Emily closed the distance as their lips met again. Both girls trying to wrap their heads around this new reality.
(aka Sasha projecting wasted GCSE revision into metaphors)
--
"You're joking, right?" Emily almost spat out her drink as she stared at the green eyed girl across her. "Please tell me it's a late April fools the Bellas made you pull."
"Emily, it's June." Stacie stated, pursing her lips.
"Stacie, hush." Emily groaned. "Please tell me this is a joke?"
"Nope." Stacie stated, leaning back in her chair. "Yet judging from your reaction I don't think you're liking the idea so far? Something against me or...?" Emily's eyes went wide and her cheeks flushed. "I'm kidding Em, no one could ever hate all of this." Stacie winked.
"It... it's not a terrible idea." Emily mused after her cheeks had returned to normal. "I mean... the fans are crazy about our characters 'finally getting together'," Stacie hummed in agreement, "so I think it would be really good publicity." Emily thought. "Did... did you just randomly think of this or?"
"Well the producers were talking with me about us promoting the show through maybe a livestream answering fan questions-"
"-Like Sydney Sweeney and Peyton Kennedy did for kemaline."
"- right, like that - so I thought of this. And you have got to let them go Em, it's been months." Stacie smirked as Emily twisted her mouth in frustration; she's still extremely bitter over the cancellation of 'kemaline season 2' as she dubbed it. "Also with my new movie coming up and your album I thought this would be good promo for us individually."
"You're right." Emily nodded.
"Thought you'd be adjusted to that by now Em." Stacie smirked, lifting her mug to her lips once again. "I'm not just a hot piece of ass."
"Stacie I know that; I mean I've known you for how many years-"
"So you do think I'm a hot piece of ass?" Stacie raised an eyebrow as Emily shut her mouth.
"I mean I'm not blind..." Emily trailed off. "This is besides the point. I think this is a great idea, we just need to tell the producers." Emily ignored the fact that whenever Stacie smirked at her or winked or just smiled at her her heart would beat just a little faster.
"Great, thanks sweets!" Stacie grins, standing up and kissing Emily's cheek. "I'll text the producers and we'll do the whole arranging shit or whatever happens." Stacie turned to leave.
"Oh, Stace!" Emily called as the other brunette turned. "Only one condition: no matter what happens you have to promise not to fall in love with me." Emily said, her voice serious but with her lis were tilting up into a smile.
"It's too late for that my dear." Stacie teased dramatically before throwing her a playful smile and slipping out of the cafe.
"You have no idea." Emily mumbled.
Ever since Barden Emily's had a not-so-little crush on Stacie, she hoped that after it was over she'd find someone new but working on a TV show with her over the past 2 years (and now playing her love interest) definitely did not help in the attempt to extinguish her feelings. It was like trying to put out a fire with a bucket... not a bucket filled with water but a bucket filled with oil or ethanol.
It's like the poem "La Belle Dame Sans Merci", the knight falls into the talons of the fairy despite him knowing deep inside she's tricking him and even with the warnings he's received that she doesn't love him. Yet he still ends up broken hearted and betrayed at the end of the poem, as time goes on the love withers out and he's abandoned by her. The poem is a message of unrequited love; you know you won't be together yet you still fall all the same.
Emily knew she shouldn't be fake dating Stacie because her feelings would just grow... but she couldn't help it. Those green eyes had her weak.
--------
Stacie Conrad knew it was not wise to pursue a relationship - albeit fake - with the girl she's been pining over for ages. Stacie Conrad does not pine. Ever. The amount of guys she slept with before throwing away like used tissues to get rid of these thoughts of Emily and her adorable smile and laugh, the way her eyes light up and her crazy amount of talent was an immeasurable amount at this point. She knew this would prove to be a disaster.
Let's view it as a reaction.
Her feelings for Emily are like a chunk of Potassium, a rather large amount at that, and this fake dating scheme is a basin of water. If you add just a small amount of potassium to the water it will react with the water; it'll melt into a ball that moves around the surface of the water, fizz and ignite into a purple flame. It's quite pretty but the reaction will stop quickly; nothing much will happen.
However, if you add the aforementioned giant amount of potassium... to put it plainly you (and a lot of people nearby) would die; total catastrophe would be the result. And that's exactly what is going to happen.
And Stacie is smart; she knows not to add too much potassium because that's idiotic. Yet she'd just done exactly that; she's just set herself up to fall even more.
And Stacie knows that an object in motion stays in motion (according to physics at least) so if she's falling and the forces stay balanced (her feelings remain throughout - which they will) she's going to be falling forever.
And that's not ideal.
--------
The producers had talked it through with them and they were set for the idea. They'd start small; they'd be seen together every now and then and start to become more frequent, throw in a few indirect tweets, some flirty comments on their instagrams before they'd announce their new relationship in a way they were to decide.
"So you're okay with this?" Stacie asked Emily as their producers and agents talked. Emily nodded and smiled, bright and beautiful.
"Of course." Emily hummed. "Wonder how the Bellas will feel when they have to get in on this."
"Let the games begin." Stacie announced quietly, raising a playful eyebrow at the other girl before gently squeezing Emily's hand that rested on the table.
The potassium has officially been sliced off in its humongous chunk and is ready for the catastrophic reaction. And the poor knight has just discovered the fairy that will break her heart.
--------
"Stacie, we've been trending all this week." Emily laughed as she showed Stacie her twitter feed; #stemily had been trending on twitter ever since their first sighting together in public. Plus, the abundance of heart eye emojis Stacie had left on Emily's recent pictures really factored into their slow build up.
Their characters had also just had their first on screen kiss airing in the episode that week; the sighting of them holding hands on the streets of LA only emphasising the show's hype on almost every social media platform after the 'iconic kiss'.
"Have you seen the edits, Em?" Stacie asked, rolling over on Emily's hotel bed to show her the feed for #deansonedit (the ship name for their characters 'Lily Dean' and 'Karolina Jackson') and the insane amount of talent their fans had blew them away.
The studio had decided to drop more obvious hints to their relationship after a couple months; they'd arranged a 'Bellas reunion' (after their panel for the show today) where the Bellas would try to drop hints that Stacie and Emily were together - hints that are about as subtle as a gun that is. The overall thing to do was to get pictures of them together to really get the message out there that they were dating.
"Are you ready for tonight?" Emily asked as she rested her head on Stacie's stomach casually.
"Born ready." Stacie grinned, resisting the urge to run her hand through Emily's hair. Stacie glanced down at Emily, the younger girl's bottom lip snagged underneath her teeth and her nose wrinkled slightly as she scrolled through her feed. Stacie felt this sudden urge to grab her by the collar of her jumper and pull her in and-
"Look at this gifset." Emily said, sitting up and snapping Stacie out of her thought process. "I love how cinematic it looks here oh my stars!" Emily giggled as she scrolled through their ship's tumblr tag.
"It didn't feel that way considering you kept laughing between takes." Stacie scoffed as Emily feigned offense, placing a hand over her heart.
"That hurt." She did that adorable thing again where she twists her lips to the side. "Fine, maybe I'll leave and find someone better."
"Please honey, you can't do better than this." Stacie winked. Emily then noticed how close the two were, their noses inches apart and Emily fought the urge to let her eyes drift to Stacie's lips. Yet it didn't prove that hard as Stacie's eyes were just... there. So magnetic and just beautiful.
Emily found her breath hitching as Stacie's hand slid to her lower back. Her heart was in her throat as she felt the urge to just lean in; to just close the distance.
A sudden notification from her phone made the two girls almost leap apart. Emily flushed red as she checked her phone,seeing it was from the Bellas group chat.
"It's, uh, it's just Chloe talking about how excited she is..." Emily mumbled as she fiddled with her fingers, not entirely sure as to what had just happened.
"God I've missed that crackhead." Stacie laughed, slightly bitterly though; Emily didn't seem to catch on to that though. Stacie then glanced at the time on her phone. "Oh shit, we have to be up early, I forgot. Well, I'll see you tomorrow my love." Stacie grinned as she placed a brief kiss on Emily's forehead before sliding off the bed and strolling out of the room, projecting as much confidence as she could.
This disastrous explosion was not going to kill Stacie Conrad because Stacie Conrad does not fall in love... at least not like this. She paused before she walked to the door, turning and facing Emily. "Sleep well, yeah Em?" Emily flashed her a huge smile and Stacie returned it before walking out and back to her own room.
As the door clicked shut Emily flopped back against her pillows and let out a groan.
"Stupid." She mumbled. The knight had fallen into the fairy's trap, waiting for her to up and betray him. In her case she was waiting for the producers to give them the okay for the fake break up, in which she would truly come to terms with the fact that Stacie will never feel the same.
You see, no matter how you read the poem "La Belle Dame Sans Merci" the Knight will always fall for the fairy, no matter how hard he resists. And the fairy? The fairy will never love him back no matter how hard he tries to make her.
Yet, in Emily's case, her story with Stacie is not at all parallel to La Belle Dame. The only issue, however, is this: she doesn't know her story lies within a different poem.
--------
Three sharp knocks on Stacie's hotel door 26 hours later made the tall brunette jump. She'd retired into pyjamas after the full on day of the panel and then the Bella's reunion - that day simultaneously being the most exhausting and best days of her life - and was ready for bed. She slid off her bed, not knowing who would be tapping on her hotel door at almost 3am.
When she opened the door she met those damn brown doe eyes and an apologetic looking Emily Junk.
"I'm really sorry." Emily spilled before Stacie could say anything else. Stacie frowned, letting Emily in and shutting the door. Stacie turned to face the younger girl and opened her mouth again before Emily cut her off with a hand on her arm. "I'm really sorry for kissing you so unexpectedly at the party. I mean I was tipsy and we were dancing and Chloe was filming and my brain somehow just thought 'hey let's just be stupid' and-"
"Em!" Stacie then placed her hands on Emily's arms, almost as if she were holding her down like Emily was about to fly off into the sky due to the rapidness of her 'Aubrey-Posen-esque word vomit', as Cynthia Rose had named it.
"First of all, it's fine. In fact that really helped with the stunt and such." It pained Stacie to call it a stunt but no other words seemed to come to mind. "Secondly, I thoroughly enjoyed kissing you. Your mouth can clearly do a lot more than just sing." Stacie winked, Emily flushing red - Stacie guessed it was a side effect of the alcohol. "And also this: breathe Em." Stacie grinned as Emily broke out into a smile.
"Okay, thanks." Emily sighed, hesitating before drawing Stacie in for a hug.
"Hey, what are hot fake girlfriends for." Stacie laughed, kissing Emily's hair.
"I'm really so-"
"Em, and I say this with love, please shut up."
"Right, right."
Maybe the potassium wasn't as big as she'd expected? Or maybe it was even bigger because when Emily had kissed her that night she'd responded so immediately and so eagerly. In short, her feelings for Emily were only getting worse and worse.
Yeah the potassium was definitely bigger and the reaction was only becoming more and more fatal. And Stacie knows she shouldn't be falling; the reaction (her agreeing to do this whole fake dating nonsense) also becoming more and more of an idiotic thing to do in the first place.
--------
"Oh my God, Stace! Look at this!" Emily called as Stacie slid over from the other side of the shop. The two had a couple days in London after the panel to themselves before heading back to the states. The two were currently just wandering into different shops, signing occasional autographs, taking selfies and trying to be more and more obvious.
What they saw on Emily's phone was a sign it was definitely working.
EmilyJunkFan: OH MY STARS STEMILY IS REAL!
StacieConradDaily: Emily Junk and Stacie Conrad announced their relationship publicly!
DeansonShipper: Yo, where are the gifsets for this kiss already??? I mean Stacie and Emily are together guys!! My deanson heart can't handle this.
ElementalCastUpdates: Stacie Conrad (Karolina Jackson) and Emily Junk (Lily Dean) caught in a steamy kiss last night. Via Chloe Beale's snapchat story.
Stacie grinned widely at the fact that the video Chloe had filmed at the club - that featured the two of them kissing in the back - was absolutely everywhere on all of their social media platforms.
"Oh my stars can you believe this?" Emily asked, looking at Stacie with a wide grin and an ecstatic expression. Stacie grinned widely at her, taking her hand gently.
"I find it hard to believe they didn't pick up on it when they got pictures of me kissing you in public about two weeks ago." Stacie scoffed, opening the article. "'Here's why we think Stacie and Emily are absolute #BFF goals' with the picture of us kissing as the cover." Stacie read and Emily rolled her eyes.
"Let's see how they try to claim that friends make out with each other when they see the video." Emily giggled as Stacie snorted, rolling her eyes in agreement.
"I think I have the best fake girlfriend." Stacie hummed, kissing the back of Emily's hand as she pulled her down Oxford street.
--------
"Action!"
"Karo, please tell me what's wrong?" Emily - in character as Lily - begged, pulling on Stacie's wrist. "You've been off all day and you've been ignoring me."
"It's nothing, Lil. Trust me, alright?" She offered her a smile. "You do trust me, don't you?"
"Karo, last time you said that you almost died not two minutes later." Emily sighed, giving Stacie an exasperated look. "You... you haven't even looked at me all day." Emily whispered. "Is it me? Did... did I do something?"
"Lily, no."
"Is it because of last night? I wasn't going to leave you Karolina, you know I could never do that. I know you can handle yourself but I just-"
"Lily, shut up!" Stacie interrupted explosively, Emily's face falling. "I can't tell you...he's... he's in my head, Lil." Stacie choked out as Emily placed a hand over her mouth.
"But... but Alex said it would take at least 5 years-"
"He's evolved, we don't know what he's capable of." Stacie huffed. "I can't tell you what I'm thinking because then he'll know... and I... I can't let him hurt you, Lil."
Emily gently approached the green eyed girl, turning her head towards her.
"I can handle myself." She smiles gently and Stacie chuckles.
"I know." Stacie then places her hand at the back of Emily's neck. "I wish I could say though." She whispered. Stacie knew what was coming next as Emily smile grew, huge and bright.
"I know." She hummed, leaning in closer to Stacie.
"Don't laugh this time." Stacie mumbled slyly as she kissed Emily gently. They'd done this take about 10 times now and Emily always giggled every time they tried to film the kiss or Stacie would laugh because Emily would trip or she would just laugh from Emily awkwardly leaning in as if they hadn't kissed before - be it for a scene or just another publicity act.
Their lips met and it was so fluid and natural at this point, tilting their heads as if they were programmed to do so. They kissed and Emily feels it down to her toes, her heart beating faster every second her lips stayed pressed against Stacie's. Emily then pulls away and looks up at Stacie, not even registering the fact that about 5 cameras are focused on them and loads of people are watching.
"I know you can't... so I will." She whispers, her voice delicate and her forehead against Stacie's.
This is the first "I love you" between their characters, Emily knew how important it is and she is determined to make it as Cinematic as possible. Plus they'd practised this scene a dozen times and - as aforementioned - they'd already filmed this scene more than 10 times. Then why was her heart still racing and her mouth growing dry?
'Focus, Emily, say your line!' Her brain yelled as Emily's eyes flicked back up to meet Stacie's, her eyes filled with this hope and joy. 'Damn this girl is a good actor.'
"I love you, Stacie." Emily whispered.
Upon realising what she said she jerked her head away. Stacie had this unreadable expression and the entire cast and crew were silent. Emily felt the tears welling up and the shock fade because oh my stars she had just proclaimed her no-longer-so-secret unrequited love for Stacie in front of everyone.
Before she knew it Emily had bolted from the set.
The knight had just been jolted awake and found that the Fairy had deserted him.
The potassium had collided with the water and the explosion has occurred.
But this isn't the case as Stacie suddenly feels her senses kick in as she runs after Emily.
As aforementioned, this isn't a John Keats poem; it's simply not that cliche to follow a poem.
"Em!" Stacie called, sprinting after the other girl. She then picked up the pace as Emily came to a fork in her path, not knowing which was to run. Stacie then skidded to a halt in front of Emily, holding her arms securely.
"Stacie I-"
"Shut up." Stacie muttered before smashing her lips against Emily's.
Newton's 3rd Law states that every action has an equal and opposite reaction; Stacie is in love with Emily but thought Emily did not love her; turns out she was wrong, proving the law correct.
The action is Stacie's love for Emily and Emily's returned love follows the criteria of the reaction in Newton's 3rd Law. It's equal in that she loves her as much as she does and in the same way and it's opposite in that she loves her back. It's much better than Stacie assuming oppsouet meaning she doesn't love her.
"W-what?" Emily asked as Stacie smirked at her. "You-"
"I love you too." Stacie smiled. "And here i thought you were just a great actress."
"No," Emily shook her head, "I meant it. I love you, Stace. I have for a while."
"I love you too Em." Stacie smiled, kissing her softly again.
"So this is real now?" Emily asks.
"Well my feelings were always real-"
"Stace..."
"Yes. This is real." Stacie nods. "And I could not be happier for this stupid publicity stunt."
“That you suggested.” Emily giggles before pulling Stacie close again.
Sure, anyone who really knows her might claim it’s because Stacie is protective, and loyal, and has a tendency to want to exert her clear superiority over men, and this man in particular, was just so easy to crush.
But at the heart of it, Stacie knows the truth.
She’s a petty bitch.
//
(Fine, and she also, like, loves her best friend or whatever. But that’s just semantics.)
//
They’re at the Met in one of those painting galleries with like, twelve portraits of the Madonna holding baby Jesus in various poses that really all look the same. Jesus looks like a baby on steroids and Mary’s all golden and angelic.
It’s fine or whatever. Stacie likes art, but she really just wants to get to the Greek sculptures. That’s her shit.
Emily, though, she’s all enraptured by the details of Jesus on steroids, so Stacie’s dealing because Emily’s like, adorable, or whatever. All wide-eyed and fresh-faced. Stacie’d rather look at her best friend looking at art than look at the actual art itself.
At least until something interesting happens.
And happens it does.
Because in strolls one of Stacie’s least favorite people in the world. And you’d think in New York, the chances of running into one of your least favorite people in the world would be slim to none, but Stacie knows the laws of the universe deem that you shall never run into hot people you met once at a bar and had a connection with but forgot to get their number. No, you only ever run into your least favorite people. It’s just how things work.
So anyway, Emily’s admiring the paintings and Stacie’s admiring Emily’s legs in those shorts, when in walks one Benjamin Applebaum.
And yeah, okay, Stacie knows he’s like, a nice guy or whatever. She’s met some real tools and Benji isn’t one of them. But that doesn’t mean he’s not on her shit list.
He has some nerve. Coming into the same fucking gallery in a huge ass museum in a huge ass city holding the hand of some blonde chick in a miniskirt. A gorgeous blonde chick. Stacie’ll give him that, but he’s always had good taste, even if he dumped the best he’ll ever get.
He’s smiling at the girl, like the overeager chipmunk he is, and the petty bitch that possesses Stacie sometimes comes out to play.
She grabs Emily’s hand tightly.
Emily turns to her, head tilting to the side. “Sorry, have we been in here too long? We can go look at someth - ”
And it’s then that Emily sees Benji and Benji sees them. And ah, the awkward tension that fills the room, Benji holding blonde chick’s hand and staring at them, Stacie holding Emily’s hand and glaring at Benji, fat baby Jesus between them, looking like he just doped up for the Home Run Derby.
Stacie loves it.
“Oh, Emily,” Benji murmurs, his cheeks turning bright red. “Hey.”
“Uh… H-hey, Benji.” And Stacie can feel it, the wave of sadness and disappointment crashing over her best friend. The petty bitch in her rises up.
“Hello, Benji,” she gushes, pulling Emily closer to her.
Emily, bless her, just leans into Stacie like this is something they totally do all the time.
Benji’s eyes skitter toward their clasped hands. “Stacie. Hey. Uh. Funny seeing you guys here.”
“You’re not the only one who moved to the city, Benjamin,” Stacie says. “We’ve been here six months now, isn’t that right, babe?”
Emily nods, staring at Stacie strangely. Stacie gets the feeling she just wants to avoid looking at Benji. And honestly, Stacie doesn’t blame her. His bowtie is atrocious. Also, he like, broke her heart and caused her to fall into a depressive funk for three months, but you know. It’s an ugly bowtie… So.
“Oh,” Benji says, a grin plastered on his face. “That’s… swell.” He cringes and Stacie’s lowkey living for it. “Umm. Right, this is my girlfriend Madison. Madison, this is my… um... this is Emily and Stacie.”
The blonde girl eyes Emily somewhat suspiciously so Stacie sticks her free hand out. “Lovely to meet you Maddie. Can I call you Maddie? Honestly, didn’t think Benji here had it in him to bag another hottie after Em, but I guess some guys are just lucky, you know?” She gives an over exaggerated laugh that morphs into a real laugh at the discomfort on everyone’s faces.
If there’s one thing Stacie has always loved about Benji, it’s how easy he is to fluster.
Honestly, this isn’t even fun. Where is the challenge?
“I... um. Well.” Benji coughs.
“Don’t worry, Benj, I’ve been taking super great care of her, if you know what I mean.” She winks in his new girlfriend’s direction, taking pride in the clear wtf expression on her face.
“You… Her?” Benji sputters and Stacie almost feels sorry for him. Except that she hates him.
Next to her, Emily is just looking at her with wide eyes, speechless and blushing. She’s cute, like in an unfair way, and it just spurs Stacie on because how could anyone break this girl’s heart?
“Oh, yeah,” Stacie beams, her eyes connecting with Emily’s. “You’d have to be a fool to let this one go. But then again,” she smirks in Benji’s direction. “Not everyone is as smart as I am. Don’t worry, Mads, they say men get wiser with time, but if not, at least he’s cute, right?”
And because she’s a petty bitch, she pats Benji condescendingly on the cheek.
Benji frowns, but Stacie has to hand it to blonde chick. She’s got some grit. She just rolls her eyes and tugs Benji away. “Nice to meet you,” she says sweetly over her shoulder, and Stacie waggles her fingers in a wave.
“What was that?” Emily says as soon as they’re out of earshot, but Stacie shakes her head.
“Wait.”
She knows it’s coming, because what boy could resist? Stacie stares at the retreating Benji out of the corner of her eye.
Three… two…
As soon as she sees him look back at them over his shoulder, she leans in and gives Emily the sweetest, hottest, most desirable kiss she can muster.
Which, not to be brag, is pretty sweet, hot, and desirable.
Emily exhales sharply into her mouth, then her shoulders melt as she leans into it, returning the kiss gently.
And okay, Stacie just did all that to be a petty bitch, but she meant everything she said, and this kiss?
Holy shit.
Her lips tingle and warmth spreads throughout her body and she forgets about everything for the quick second their lips are touching.
Then Emily pulls away, and Stacie remembers to breathe.
“Uh,” Emily says, her neck looking like she spent about three too many hours out in the sun without sunscreen. Stacie’s ears are ringing. “Wow.”
“Wow,” Stacie repeats, her eyes fixated on Emily’s lips.
Holy shit.
“He’s, uh, gone.” Emily chuckles softly. “Um, thanks for that.”
“Yeah,” Stacie says, getting lost in the pretty flecks of brown in Emily’s eyes.
Holy. Shit.
Holy shit.
Holy fucking shit.
“Come on.” Emily squeezes her hand and starts pulling her out of the gallery. “Let’s go look at the sculpture garden.”
Stacie can feel about all 12 baby Jesuses on steroids following her with their eyes as she clings to Emily’s hand.
And they’re probably totally judging her for being a petty bitch, but Stacie? All she can think of his how she totally would rather look at Emily than all this boring art, how it feels to have Emily’s hand in hers…
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Summary: Emily Junk is challenged to date Stacie Conrad, a famous cheerleader at her school. Afraid of staining her pride and reputation, she asks Stacie to fake date her for a week, not knowing that this bet would put in her deep trouble.
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Emily Junk was one of the popular girls in school. She can sing, dance, act and is the team captain for their school's soccer team. Guys and girls alike would go head over heels to have a chance to date her. Not everyone thinks that though.
Walking to her usual lunch table, Emily carried her lunch tray just to see her friends laughing and whispering.
"What's up?" She asked as she sat down beside Ashley. Her friends looked at each other knowingly and smirked.
"So, we came up with a bet. And each of us bet 20 bucks that..." Simon started.
"That what?" Emily asserted. If there's one thing about Emily Junk, it's that she's very competitive and never backs down from a challenge.
"That you can't get Stacie Conrad, the famous, hot, nerdy cheerleader, to date you," Nick smirked. Emily looked around her the table at her friends. Jessica was unsure, but the rest of them smirked and raised their eyebrows, waiting for Em to accept the challenge.
"I think one week will be enough, right Em?"
Sighing heavily, Emily nodded.
"Just one week," Emily pleaded. She was sitting right across Stacie Conrad in the school library. Most of the students had gone home, so it was basically deserted for anyone to hear their conversation. Stacie looked at her blankly, raising her left eyebrow. That was Emily's problem. Having a bet for anyone to date her was easy, but Stacie was the only exception. The taller brunette honestly didn't get why everyone was so crazy over Emily.
"You can just pay your friends, you know. I'm pretty sure you're rich enough to do that," Stacie said, crossing her arms and leaning back on her chair.
"And what? Show my friends that I can't do the challenge? That I'm a loser?"
"Are you seriously thinking that? Is that what's important to you?" Stacie asked, raising her voice slightly in annoyance. Emily sighed and looked down. She wasn't used to being criticized by someone at school. As far as she knew, everyone liked her. Well, except for Stacie.
"I'll do anything you want. I'll pick you up from your house, bring you breakfast, lunch, whatever," Emily spoke softly, quite desperate to get Stacie's approval. As soon as the taller brunette saw the sad look on Emily's face, she felt her heart squeeze.
Sighing, Stacie gave in, "Fine. BUT, there's rules."
Emily's face lit up at the taller brunette's decision. She leaned back and smiled smugly, "Like what?"
"You can't fall in love with me."
"Uh, y-yeah. Sure. Yeah, that's easy," Emily stammered. She's not sure why that happened, but she won't be able to fall in love with Stacie in just a week, right?
"Everything we do, no strings attached. Got it, Junk?" Stacie smirked.
"You got yourself a deal, Conrad."
Emily drove by Starbucks to get herself a frappe and Stacie iced coffee before she picked her 'girlfriend' up. It was Monday, the third day of their deal. They spent the whole weekend together, having movie dates and a sleepover to get used to it and avoid awkwardness. Maybe. Emily hasn't updated her friends about the successful bet as she wanted to surprise them when she walks with Stacie in the hallways.
"Good morning," Emily smiled as Stacie climbed in the front seat. Stacie returned the smile and buckled her seatbelt. "Do you like coffee? I didn't know what to get, so I presumed you drink iced coffee?"
Stacie's smile widened, "You got just what I wanted, thank you."
They drove to school with faint music playing in the background. Emily didn't know what to say, how to act towards this...hot human being. She never felt intimidated by anyone. If anything, people were intimidated by her. But now, Stacie Conrad was the only exception.
"If we're gonna have to act like a realistic couple, there has to be some intimate things, you know?" The taller brunette started, sipping her iced coffee. She smirked at Emily and looked back on the road.
"Like?" Emily asked as she stopped on a red light.
"I'll just show you later."
Once they stepped on the school grounds, Stacie took Emily's hand in hers, lacing their fingers together which took Emily by huge surprise. It was a normal thing couples do, but holding Stacie's hand sent chills all over her body. She quickly covered up her surprised look, fake coughing and smiling shyly at Stacie. People started making way for the two popular girls who were now walking hand in hand through the halls. Some were glaring at Stacie, others at Emily. Who wouldn't get jealous when two hot and intelligent girls were dating each other?
Stacie walked the younger brunette towards her locker, "I'll see you later, okay?" The green eyed brunette said, kissing Emily's cheek and strutting away.
"Well, well, well.. Didn't think you'd be able to do that," Abby stated, catching the brunette's attention. Despite the thought not being fully processed in her brain, Emily smirked.
Stacie waited for Emily at her locker. She crossed her arms as students started filing out of their classrooms and making their way through the now busy hallway. She kept her head down to avoid curious and knowing glances, taking her phone out and swiping through the pages.
"Hey," Emily said as soon as she spotted Stacie. The latter looked up and smiled, keeping her phone and standing up properly.
"Do you wanna go grab some ice cream?"
"Yeah, sure." Emily opened her locker, placing her books inside. Stacie stood beside her locker, hands fidgeting awkwardly at her sides. Emily closed her locker, finding Stacie's hand outstretched at her direction. "What?"
Stacie jerked her head at her hand's direction then winked.
Emily rolled her eyes at the cheesiness but laced her fingers with Stacie's. Stacie grinned, squeezing their fingers once, and pulled her to the crowd. She could feel her heart skip a beat but she ignored the feeling. 'Always remember the first rule, Em. Always.'
"Hey, Em!" Ashley called. Emily tugged Stacie's hand, forcing the taller brunette to stop with a groan. Ashley jogged closer to them, followed by their group of friends. They said their greetings to Stacie before turning back to Emily.
"I thought it's movie night tonight?" Jessica said. "I already set up the movie room."
"I even bought snacks!" Bram added.
'Oh crap, I forgot.' "Sorry, guys, but--"
"Emily's mine for the week," Stacie butted in. She raised their intertwined hands, grinning. "See?"
"What can I say," Stacie's eyes flitted at Emily's direction, lifting their intertwined hands again and placing a soft kiss on Emily's hand, "I love to keep what's mine to myself."
Emily couldn't even hear her friends hollering or notice the way Stacie suddenly turned sheepish. Knots formed in her stomach, and the patch of skin where Stacie kissed her felt like it was on fire.
She was just uncomfortable. She wasn't used to... all of these touching and cheesiness. That's why she felt those things. Yeah, that's all.
"Hey, you okay?" Emily snapped out of her reverie, looking at Stacie's worried frown. Her friends were already leaving, some of her girl friends sending winks and smirks, making her cheeks blush.
Emily cleared her throat, putting up her brightest smile. "Yeah. Let's go."
Stacie smiled and squeezed their hands.
"Lead the way."
The ice cream date was uneventful. Under normal circumstances, it would've been boring for Emily. But there was nothing about Stacie that was boring.
Upon arriving at Cold Stone Creamery, Emily saw how Stacie's eyes lit up with glee. Emily ordered a chocolate ice cream with rainbow sprinkles while Stacie ordered a large bowl of oreo cookies and cream ice cream with extra whip and extra chocolate syrup and extra sprinkles.
Emily looked at the bowl of ice cream Stacie was holding, one eyebrow raised. "Can you even finish that?"
"Babe, are you challenging me?" Stacie grinned, throwing a challenging look at Emily.
"Nope, just asking." Emily sat across Stacie. "How do you manage to stay so thin with all these sugar?"
"Exercise."
Emily rolled her eyes, and decided to eat her ice cream.
The two started to talk between bites. One topic leads to another, and Emily realized there were a lot of things she didn't know about the other girl. The more they talk, the more she wanted to know more.
This was a dangerous area, Emily knew. But if there's one thing that Emily never does, it was to back out.
Hours passed and the two didn't even realize the sun was down. Stacie ordered a takeout ("Seriously?" "It's for my brothers!" "Stace, you don't have to lie." "Fine, it's for me. Happy now?"). Emily connected her phone on the speakers, playing her happy time playlist. Throughout the whole ride, Stacie was dancing in her seat, singing along to the songs. Emily sang along sometimes but she decided to focus on Stacie's voice instead.
Damn, the girl could sing.
Emily stopped the car by Stacie's house. After a moment, she killed the engine. "So..."
"So..." Stacie echoed. "Thanks. For the date and the car ride." She paused for a moment, then nodded her head. "I should go."
"Yeah." Emily watched as Stacie unbuckled her seatbelt and went out of the car. She waited for Stacie to get inside her house, and started her car. But Stacie paused halfway, almost as if remembering something. She turned around, ran back to Emily, and kissed her cheek by the open window.
Her kiss lasted for a moment before she backed away. "See you tomorrow." Then she ran.
Emily touched her cheek. The burn she felt in her hand was there. She could her heartbeat in her ears and her cheeks heating up.
It's just the third day. Emily is in deep trouble.
Summary: Stacie is about to graduate from Barden, but her parents don’t think that Stacie is taking anything seriously especially not her future. She just wants to convince them for once that she’s more than just the girl who’s constantly living carefree. So she asks Emily for her help.
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“Em please, I can’t deal with another conversation where they go on and on about how I don’t take anything seriously,” Stacie said with a pout that was so out of character for her.
“Stace you are graduating with honors! How could they even think that,” Emily asked her eyebrows furrowed in confusion as she sat on Stacie’s bed.
Stacie’s mind went to her earlier conversation with her mother. She had thought that getting honors would be enough to keep her parents at bay for her graduation, but the conversation quickly switched to if Stacie was in a relationship. “Stacie I really thought by now you would have found a nice young man to settle down with. Not even one relationship ever, you are getting to old to continue to play games and not think about your future,” her mother had said her voice dripping with judgement. Stacie had gotten so frustrated, hating how all her work had been quickly overlooked by her mother for something she thought was so insignificant. “Mom I have been really busy with the Bellas,” Stacie had started but her mother had cut her off. “It’s great that you have friends Stacie, but you are all going your separate ways,” her mother had started and Stacie quickly cut her off hating talking about things really ending. “I was going to say I am dating someone. One of the Bellas actually,” Stacie had blurted out unsure of why she had said it other than wanting her mother to stop. A few moments of silence had passed as her mom seemed to collect herself and Stacie considered taking it all back. “Oh, well why didn’t you tell us? What’s her name,” her mother had asked and Stacie’s eyes had fallen on the picture on her night stand of Emily and her. “Emily. She’s new and it’s still kind of a new relationship so I wasn’t going to say anything,” Stacie quickly said hoping her mother would drop it. “Well, invite her to lunch with us after graduation. Your father and I would love to meet her,” her mother had said with a finality in her voice and Stacie knew there would be no arguing. “Yeah I’ll ask her,” Stacie said before quickly rushing off the phone feeling her stomach tighten at the thought of trying to pull this off in front of her parents. And if Emily would even go along with it.
Emily took in the sadness in Stacie’s eyes as her mind seemed to drift off somewhere else. Emily hated seeing Stacie like this, as if she was beginning to believe that she wasn’t good enough. “Hey,” Em said softly reaching for Stacie’s hand and giving it a soft squeeze as she gave her a small smile. “If you really wanna do this I’ll do it for you, but seriously Stace you don’t need a relationship to prove your worth. You’re already amazing and I’m proud of you,” Emily said giving Stacie a small kiss on the cheek. “So what do we have to do to pull this off?”
xx
The two had gone back and forth on whether to tell the Bellas. Emily wanted to because well she hated lying, especially to her friends. But Stacie brought up a good point, if they could fool the Bellas then they could easily fool Stacie’s parents. So they decided to go all out with falling into the girlfriend roles with each other.
They didn’t announce it, just changed little things. And that’s probably what hit Stacie first, not much changed between the girls. Like on movie night, Emily had always been a cuddler, which is how she had been given the affectionate nickname of cuddle bug from Stacie. And Emily's favorite cuddle partner was easily Stacie who never said no to the younger girl. It was hard for the others to ignore that Emily and Stacie were cuddling a bit more, well intimately then normal. Emily sitting between Stacie’s legs and laying back against her their fingers intertwined. Stacie leaving small kisses against the other’s cheek, the way Emily smiled up at Stacie like she was the only one in the room. It wasn’t that the Bellas hadn’t seen this soft spot Stacie had for Emily, but this seemed different.
Or the way whenever they were out the two girls’ fingers were always laced together and they were nuzzled up close. Emily even more giggly than normal as these soft touches of intimacy were shared. Or the way Emily would pout and Stacie’s solution was to give her a soft kiss on her lips that made Emily beam the moment they pulled away. That’s what had changed, not seeing Stacie being publicly affectionate with someone, but Stacie being so intimately soft and affectionate with someone.
It was Chloe who finally said something to Stacie, pulling her aside at the house one day. “So when did you and Emily start...well start whatever you’re calling what you two are doing,” Chloe asked seeming not to know what words to use. Stacie raised an eyebrow, licking her lips before she finally spoke. “You mean when did we start dating,” Stacie asked trying to keep the frustration out of her voice and failing. She couldn't help, but hear her mother's voice saying she never took anything seriously especially relationships. Maybe her friends truly believed that too, only saw her as someone who was going to sleep around for the rest of her life. And while it shouldn't bother her, it did when it came to Emily. “Oh,” Chloe started, but she quickly let her lips curve into a smile. “I mean, that’s what I would call it, but you know you’ve never labeled anything before and I didn’t want to assume. I think you two are good for each other Stace. And to be honest, besides the kissing not much changed between you two,” Chloe said with a gleam in her eyes before she headed to the kitchen leaving Stacie alone in the living room. She couldn’t blame Chloe for not getting it right away, because she had never exposed the Bellas to anything like this. Hell she had never exposed herself to anything like this.
And yet that wasn’t really what was sticking with her, it was the “not much changed” comment that had Stacie’s mind whirling. Once the words were in the air, there was no way Stacie could deny them. The confusion of it all was overwhelming for her too, because she was beginning to forget this wasn’t real. The two had slipped so easily into the girlfriend role almost as if it was exactly how things should be. Stacie found herself gazing over at the other and noticing little things about her that just made Emily that more well…Emily. Like the way she scrunched her nose when she was trying to stop herself from giggling, but the action just made her even more cute. Or the way she would play with Stacie’s hair as they cuddled smiling as Stacie would hum softly and Stacie would then slowly drift off to sleep. Or the way she would get so excited over the simplest thing, like finding her favorite cereal in the cabinet when she wasn’t expecting it.
Stacie was falling for her or maybe she had fallen long ago and just had never realized it. But now there was absolutely no denying it, the realization hitting her so hard it knocked the wind out of her. Now that this was hitting her, she didn’t know if she could just easily continue to fake this knowing what she was feeling.
“Hey Lovebug,” Emily said coming up behind Stacie wrapping her arms around her waist. Stacie had tensed up at first, but soon relaxed into the embrace the moment she realized it was Emily. Emily rested her chin against Stacie’s shoulder just standing there for a few beats in comfortable silence.
“Em,” Stacie finally spoke her thumb grazing against the back of Emily’s hand. “Hm,” Emily had responded tightening her grip a bit in a way that Stacie always loved. Stacie chewed on her bottom lip, all of a sudden feeling very exposed as she tried to explain her feelings. “Do you sometimes forget,” she asked softly hoping Emily wasn’t going to make her go into further detail. Emily seemed to think for a moment and then finally spoke her breath against Stacie’s neck causing a shiver to run through her. “Yeah, I guess I do. It just seems...I don’t know real,” Emily said softly and Stacie could sense the sadness hidden in her voice.
Stacie turned around in Emily’s arms so that she could take in the other, rubbing her cheek with her thumb lightly. “Bug,” Stacie said softly the shortened nickname falling so easily from her lips. She swallowed hard, feeling the tightness in her stomach as she tried to gather up the courage to finally ask Emily the question that hung in the air. “Do you...do you want it to be real,” Stacie asked her heart racing unsure of what Emily was gonna say. A small smile graced the other’s lips as she gazed down for a moment before slowly nodding. Emily let her gaze move up and the gleam in her eyes made them shine in a way that made Stacie melt. “Since the day I met you,” Emily said her cheeks beginning to turn red. Stacie felt her own smile widening as she tilted her head, her eyebrow raising. “Oh, is that so,” Stacie said feeling her heart skip a beat as she tried to keep it together. “Well, how about we make this official before we meet my parents next week,” Stacie asked tucking a strand of hair behind Emily’s ear. Emily gave Stacie another small nod, scrunching her nose playfully. “It’s about time. I never thought you would ask,” she said with a giggle before leaning in and kissing Stacie softly.
