Chapter 16: Jenny

Day one, and it was already happening. I couldn't believe we were going through with it. I felt so giddy as Brent held my hand and we drove and walked into school together. He high-fived his friends, and they all nodded in my direction.

"Nice!" one of them said. His name was Oliver. I'd never been formally introduced to him. Sure, I’d seen him at school, but this time it would be different.

"Oliver, Jenny. Jenny, Oliver," Brent said proudly as he pushed me to the side of Oliver. Not like his brothers at all, but this was what I liked about him.

"Hey," Oliver said as he towered over me. I felt like Alice in Wonderland. Sure, we all went to school together, but it was all on a need-to-know basis who you would talk to, and until now his tall, blonde-haired, blue-eyed friend didn't need to talk to me. But now, all that was about to change.

"So, are the rumors true, bro?" Oliver said, ignoring me as if he needed confirmation from Brent before he even looked my way as he avoided my eyes.

"True. And dude that's rude. I introduced you to my girl, and you just blanked her."

Oliver traced his hand in his hair and shook his head. "Nah, sorry. I didn’t mean to. Nice, Jenny. I’m happy you've managed to tame this one."

I nodded my head, still trying to take this all in. We were really doing this, right? I was going to be the girl known as not only having one boyfriend… but three. Brent missed out on that part of the introduction. Rome wasn't built in a day. I knew slowly but surely, we would get to the next stages of the fake relationship with all three of them.

I held my head high as he pulled me close and we arrived at my locker.

"Have a good day."

I smiled. "I'll try."

All eyes were on us, including Kurt’s from the opposite side of the hall. He gave me the evil-eye. I could tell it was bugging him and our plan was working.

Tracey appeared by my side. I smiled as her afro bounced on her head.

"Girl, you're such a sneaky dog. I mean, I knew you were living with them, but making it official too?"

I hated lying to her, so I bit my lip as she continued to ramble on.

“Damn, so are all three of them going to take you to the dance?"

I winked at her. "A girl never kisses and tells!"

She giggled as she clutched her books. I never understood why she didn’t just put them all in her backpack. She said it made her look smarter. It was all about appearances. She was funny and nuts at the same time.

She was about to say something, but it was as if a grey cloud had appeared next to her as she turned her smile into a frown.

"I see trailer trash suits you."

I spun around to see not only Kurt, but his new guy friend by his side.

"Trailer?"

I questioned, wondering if he was referring to the boys. They were far from trailer trash.

"Well, you're homeless. They're dad-less and well, it kinda fits. What's it like living in a trailer?"

I shrugged. "I don't know. They don't live in a trailer. They live in a house like everyone else."

He snarled, "But you're not like everyone else. Bet you're fucking him to put a roof over your head. The things a girl would do for money. Just like your father!"

Tracey jumped in as I found myself speechless, and we were saved by the bell.

"Go pick on someone your own size!"

I didn't know what she meant by that, and neither did Kurt as he laughed, put his arm around his sidekick and they walked down the hall as if they owned it.

"Pick on someone your own size?"

She nodded. "I know. I'm not good at thinking of comebacks on the spot. Must practice harder. God, I hate him!"

I agreed, "You're not the only one."

I bit my lip as I motioned for us to go to class, I was happy that we had a lot of classes together on Mondays. Before, she would sit alone in them, and I would sit in the middle with Kurt. Now, we both sat at the back, passing notes and, at times, actually concentrating. I wanted to confide in her, but then I remembered the pact I made with the boys. No telling. I had to stick to it, even if I was dying to tell my new best friend the truth.

* * *

The last couple of days had Trent working and practicing. With college responses coming out, even if they were a little early, it was all everyone talked about. Seeing as some had heard from colleges, and others hadn’t, we knew it was only a matter of time.

I'd opted for Berkley, seeing as I didn't want to leave California, although, now I was thinking I might not even be able to afford it. But I really wanted to go, I loved the sun too much and they had a great writing program that caught my eye.

Trent felt the need to increase his chances to get into Yale, his dream college, by working as hard as possible. I'd been able to spend more time with Brent.

Today was the day; Prent was going to surprise me and show up and ask me to the dance. As Tracey and I left school and headed out to the parking lot, I knew I had to act surprised when Prent would put on the song to fill the carpark.

Yep, he was there on cue, and Brent and Trent were by his side.

Fuck!

This was going to be huge. They were all dressed in black tuxedos, ready to sing the song. They looked hot; as smoking hot as Massimo did in 365 days. But they were hotter to me because not only did I live with them, but I knew what they were like deep-down inside. Gentle, loving guys who would do anything to protect the one they were with. Even if we weren’t together really, but by faking, they'd done more for me than anyone in my family. I tried not to get emotional about it.

"Is this for you?" Tracey asked as she started to put all the pieces of the puzzle together. I didn't reply, but smiled at her as I took her hand and moved closer toward the parking lot.

"Marry You" was playing in the background, but they managed to change the words, to make it, Date You.

I started swinging and clapping, as did all the other kids. They weren't sure who they were singing to, but it became clear as they drew closer in my direction and to the front lawn, that it was to me.

All eyes were on me with envy as the balloons started to appear out of what felt like nowhere at the time, but then I noticed they'd got some of their friends to help them, and they were holding the balloons. Every one of them had a letter. It didn't take a genius to figure out the letters spelled Date and Dance.

Kurt was there, in full view, with his arms crossed. I could tell he wasn't impressed, and our plan was working. The guys were singing and dancing in front of me on the lawn, and not only were they hot, but talented too. If this was really happening and real, I would feel like the luckiest girl in the world. Everyone was pointing at me, then them, and it all felt surreal.

As the song came to an end, and the balloons spelled what I assumed they would, the guys were on their knees in front of me.

"Jenny Hampton, will you go to the Valentine Dance with us!"

I clapped my hands, well aware I wasn't a good actress, but then I heard everyone cheering as I gently moved from them one-by-one and kissed them on the lips and said, "Yes."

There was a roar of laughter as I agreed to date them. Phones appeared, taking photos, and the spot in which Kurt had appeared was now empty. Our plan had worked, and I wished I'd seen his face. But I couldn't take my eyes off the three men I was going to the Valentine Dance with, and they couldn't take their eyes off me. I felt all warm inside at the idea of everyone staring at me, and it had nothing to do with being kicked out of my home, or anything to do with me being poor.