Chapter 4 Chapter Four.
Kimberly's POV:
My back hit the wall as the guy pinned me there, making my heart jump right out of my chest.
When my eyes slowly adjusted to the darkness in the room, I finally saw his face. Messy dark hair, sharp features, and lastly, those arrogant eyes.
I recognized him immediately. London Ashford. He leaned closer, studying my face like I was a puzzle. “So,” he said slowly. “You are Julian’s girlfriend.”
I swallowed slightly. “What do you want? Why did you bring me here?”
His eyes narrowed. “To know if you’re lying.”
My brow furrowed. I wasn't getting his point. “About what?”
“Your relationship with him.” he said and then lowered his voice. “Is it real?”
“Of course it is,” I replied quickly. London stared at me for a long moment then he laughed quietly.
“I don’t believe you.”
“And why not?”
His gaze darkened. “Because I know Julian.” His fingers pressed lightly against the wall beside my head. “He barely looks at people. Especially girls.” His eyes searched mine carefully. “So tell me, Kimberly. How did someone lame like you manage to become Julian's girlfriend?” he questioned, his eyes prying for every little emotion on my face that would give me away.
My heart pounded in my chest but I forced a confident smile. “Maybe because he just likes me?”.
London’s expression hardened. He didn't believe it. Holy cow, what did I do? My acting was a disaster.
Then a slow, dangerous grin appeared. “Well…This just got interesting.”
London's grin was the kind that made people nervous. Unfortunately, I wasn’t people.
I shoved his arm away from the wall. “I am
glad my love life entertains you but do me a favor. Back off, London.” but he didn’t move, didn’t even blink. Instead, he studied me more carefully, like he was trying to peel apart a lie layer by layer.
“You’re not scared,” he said.
“Should I be?” I tilted my head to the side, eyeing him from up to down.
His smile widened. “Most girls are.”
“Well, I am not most girls.” I shot back.
London’s eyes flickered with interest in them, then he leaned closer again, lowering his height to meet mine, his voice very low and husky as he whispered into my ear. “You’re lying.”
My patience snapped instantly. I didn't have the time for his games. “Oh my God, I have a class to attend in a couple of minutes,” I groaned. “Why are you so obsessed with this? Why can't you just get away from me?” I was pissed.
“Because Julian doesn’t date.” he said firmly, his tone carrying absolute certainty. “He doesn’t smile at people. He doesn’t talk to people. And he definitely doesn’t kiss random girls in the cafeteria.”
My heart skipped slightly at the memory of that kiss but I kept my face neutral. “Maybe I’m special.” I said, trying to be nonchalant about it.
London laughed under his breath, it was a mocking laugh. “Or maybe you’re plain stupid.”
That did it. This guy is definitely getting on my nerves. “Excuse me?”
He tilted his head slightly. “You walked into a war without realizing it.”
“War?”
“Between me and Julian."
My brow furrowed. “You two are seriously fighting? Over what exactly?” why do you ask? It's not like it is your problem anyway. A voice scolded me at the back of my mind.
His expression darkened. “You really don’t know anything.” the way he spoke didn't give anything away, it was full of mystery that I began to feel like I had brought myself into a lion's den. Or probably, my parents did.
“Know what?” I asked. For a moment he looked like he might answer but then he stepped back suddenly when the door opened behind him and the hallway light flooded into the closet.
“Stay away from him,” London said before leaving.
I scoffed with an eye roll. “Noted.” so I should stay away from Julian and be with him instead, was that what he meant? Yeah, right. Stupid rich boys. But something London said stuck in my mind.
Julian doesn’t date. And that wasn’t exactly comforting because if he doesn't date then why did he agree to be my fake boyfriend? Why did he kiss me back when he wasn't interested in anyone? Why did he announce me as his girlfriend back then? I don't get it.
The rest of the school day passed in a blur and by blur, I mean chaos. Whispers followed me everywhere.
“That’s her…”
“The girl who kissed Julian…”
“His girlfriend…”
I felt like some weird celebrity, except I didn’t even know who Julian really was. By the time the final bell rang, I was mentally exhausted.
I grabbed my helmet from my locker and headed outside. My motorcycle was parked near the school gates where I left it earlier.
The moment I stepped into the parking lot, a familiar voice spoke. “You ride.”
I turned around immediately. It was Julian. He sat a few feet away, his wheelchair facing the sunset.
What is he doing here? I thought to myself. I was surprised for a moment before I snapped out then walked over quietly.
“Yeah,” I said casually by the time I got to him, itching the back of my neck nervously. “It’s kind of my thing.”
His eyes moved toward the motorcycle. “Yamaha. You have a good eye.” he said and I was left speechless. I didn't know what to say because he was the first person asides my parents who has ever complimented my motorcycle.
The wind brushed lightly through the trees around us, his hair danced beautifully in the wind and then Julian looked at me again. “London talked to you.” he didn't ask, he was sure of it.
“How do you know?”
“He does that.”
I folded my arms. Oh, so I am not the first one he's done that to.
“He thinks I’m lying about us.” I told him and Julian’s lips curved slightly.
“Are you?”
“Well obviously—” The words stopped when I saw the look in his eyes. Something strange flickered there and my heartbeat quickened for no reason.
“Relax,” I said quickly. “I’m not planning to drag you into drama.”
Julian watched me carefully then he spoke quietly. “You already did.”
Honestly, that's a fair point.
I scratched the back of my neck. “Look… if pretending to be my boyfriend causes problems for you, we can end it. We don't have to be a thing if you're not cool with it—”
“And let them bully you again?” he cut in.
I looked at him closely for a moment, trying to read something from him but he didn't let anything out as usual. “I can handle bullies.” I finally said after some seconds.
“I know.” His tone sounded almost amused. “But I don’t mind being your fake boyfriend.”
I blinked for the tenth time today. “You don’t?”
“No.”
“Why?” I really needed to know at this point. I didn't get it. Why would he want someone like me to be his girlfriend? He said he didn't mind, but why?
For a moment he didn’t answer before he said something unexpected. “Because there's something I find different about you.”
I didn’t know how to respond. “So… we’re actually doing the fake dating thing?”
“Yes. We are.”