The next morning, Jack sees a few texts from his best friend, Brady.
Brady
Hey, Jack! You awake yet, man?
Brady
Where in the world have you been?
Brady
I stopped by your place last night, but you weren’t there. Couldn’t get you on the phone either.
Brady
Are you even alive?
Jack
But don’t have time to talk. I’ve got to drive soon.
Brady
There’s almost an hour before school starts. Where are you going?
Jack
Long story…I promised to give a ride to this girl.
Brady
Is that why you were gone yesterday?
Jack
Yeah. Like I said, long story there.
Jack
But you should know, she asked me a favor.
Jack
Some guys were picking on her at school, so she asked me to be her fake boyfriend.
Jack
Just until they back off.
Brady
And you told her no, right?
Brady
Because that kind of thing never works out.
Jack
There’s nothing to work out. She asked me for a favor.
Jack
So don’t ruin it by telling anyone.
Brady
What’s in it for you? You like her?
Brady
You totally like her.
Brady
Otherwise, you’d realize this plan was dumb.
Jack
You don’t know what you’re talking about.
Brady
I’ve known you since we were kids. You don’t think I can tell when you like someone?
Brady
You bailed on me yesterday.
Brady
At least you’re not denying your feelings.
Jack
Look, I’ve got to go. I had to tell you because you’d know something was weird.
Jack
I can’t have you saying anything that messes this up.
Brady
I won’t ruin it, but I’m telling you…this never works.
Brady
Anyway, good luck. Hope she’s worth it.
Three hours later, during fifth period class, Hazel texts Jack.
Hazel
Thanks again for the ride this morning.
Hazel
Do you think everyone believed it when we were holding hands walking in?
Jack
I haven’t asked anyone, but I don’t think they would have questioned it.
Hazel
Well I think our plan is working.
Hazel
Because usually, when I walk into class, there’s a boy that tugs my hair. Like in elementary school.
Hazel
Only today I planned to tell him about you.
Hazel
But before I could, someone else told him to not mess with me, because my “boyfriend” would get him.
Hazel
And then he stopped 🙂
Hazel
Yeah, maybe if your next class is near mine, we can hang out and talk until the bell rings.
Jack
Should I stop texting during your class?
Hazel
No, it’s okay. It’s just French class.
Hazel
No tests until next week, and I know the material.
Jack
You know French already?
Hazel
I really wanted to learn last summer.
Hazel
So I watched a thousand YouTube videos.
Jack
Do you want to go to France?
Hazel
Yeah. I like learning languages.
Jack
I’m taking Japanese.
Hazel
🙂 Do you like it? That was the other language I wanted to learn.
Jack
I like it. I can teach some to you if you’d want.
Jack
But I only know a little. So far at least.
Jack
What do you do in French class if you already know the material?
Hazel
I usually just doodle or work on my junk journal.
Hazel
I collect little bits of wallpaper or like movie tickets or just interesting photos. Then I put them in a journal together.
Hazel
It’s kind of like collage art.
Jack
So you collect paper? Interesting.
Jack
No, it’s cool. Where do you find the paper?
Hazel
At antique shops, mostly. Or thrift markets.
Jack
I should take you downtown sometime.
Jack
There are a lot of antique shops down there.
Jack
I’d love to. I like going down there.
Hazel
Do you buy anything?
Jack
Not really, but I like looking.
Hazel
I like looking, too. :)
Hazel
Yeah. We should keep this fake boyfriend thing going.
Hazel
Maybe tomorrow we should do the same thing.
Jack
Maybe we should…you know…
Hazel
Maybe we should kiss in the hallway tomorrow.
Jack
I mean…I wouldn’t say no to that.
Hazel
Or do you think it’s too obvious?
Jack
Honestly, if I were going to kiss you, I’d rather it be for real.
Hazel
That we're taking it too far?
Hazel
I’m sorry. I’m probably making you uncomfortable.
Jack
I’m not uncomfortable.
Hazel
I don’t want to push you into anything you don’t want. Okay?
Jack
I meant what I said.
Jack
But…maybe we should talk about it. After school?
Hazel
Yes. Want to go to the playground we were hanging out in yesterday?
Jack
I’ve got to check in with a teacher after school, but I can give you a ride.
Jack
Let’s meet by the parking lot.
After the final bell, Hazel waits for Jack by the parking lot.
She tries to keep to herself, but it isn’t long before a bunch of guys come up to her.
Panicking, she reaches for her phone and texts her fake boyfriend.
Hazel
Jack! Are you still at school?
Jack
Yeah. Still here. I should be in the parking lot in five minutes.
Hazel
Mike is here. He’s trying to get me to go with him.
Hazel
He won’t leave me alone.
Hazel
I told him I’ve got a boyfriend, but he thinks I’m making it up.
Hazel
He keeps following me.
Hazel
In the parking lot, next to the gym.
Jack
I’ll be there in two minutes. Don’t go anywhere with him.
