Lies I Never Told You

CHAPTER ONE: BLAIR

I was minding my own business, when some douchebag forcefully grabbed the book I'm reading. "Blair, right?" He asked before I could look up to see the asshole's face. It's just the first week of classes and someone's already trying to annoy me.

"And you are?" I raised a brow hoping he can see how annoyed I was.

He held out a hand. "Hunter."

I took back my book and continued reading. I know he's just one of those people who enjoy teasing me. Nobody's really interested in me. Maybe this guy was one of those who have heard of 'Blair, the Liar' and went out to see if I really exist. I expected him to go away but instead, he pulled the chair opposite me and sat.

"What do you want?" I asked, trying to keep my voice calm so I wouldn't get any attention from the people around. The cafeteria is, as usual, packed with students taking their lunch. I wouldn't want anyone taking notice of me right now.

He smirked. "I want you." He said it like it's something he usually says in front of girls he just met for the first time. Like, he's expecting me to scream and jump for joy upon hearing those words.

Well, I'm not like any other girl. I closed my book and took my bag. I didn't want to make a scene in this cafeteria. I already have a list of reputation in this university. I don't want to add 'trouble maker' to the list. And I don't want to do anything that could draw people's attention to me.

"What? You're walking out on me?" Hunter trailed behind me as I leave the cafeteria.

"I don't know what games you're playing, but please just leave me out of it." I just want to spend this school year in peace.

I brisk walked my way past a group of students entering the cafeteria, trying to keep as much distance between us as possible.

He continued chasing after me until he walked past me and blocked my way. "I'm serious," he said, still catching his breath. He brushed his dark wavy hair with his hands.

I just raised a brow at him, waiting for him to elaborate.

"Okay." He composed himself before he continued, "I used the wrong word. I don't want you."

"Is that it? You chased me all the way here just to say that?" I asked impatiently.

"No. What I meant to say is I need you." He looked straight into my eyes. The midday sun emphasized the brownness of his eyes.

I stifled a laugh. "What lie would you want me to tell and to whom?"

He looked at me like I have just spoken in tongues. Really, this guy's pretending skills are good. "Huh?"

"Well, I figured you needed me to tell someone a lie. What other reasons would someone like you be chasing me about?" I asked.

"I don't understand where you're getting at," he said. "Someone just told me you can help me with my problem."

"There." I took a step and he gave way. He walked beside me. "So, I guess you've heard about me and my many monikers. Blair, the Liar, the Pretender, the Storyteller. People usually only talk to me when they need me to lie for them. So, tell me. What is it that you need me for?"

"Before anything else, can you walk slower? I couldn't keep up." I slowed my pace and there I could see he's struggling to catch his breath again. So unusual for a varsity basketball player. "Sorry, I haven't been training over the summer break," he said as if I cared. We entered the nearby park and found a bench near a Koi pond. I sat and he remained standing, watching the Kois swim around the pond.

"So, what changed?" I asked. He looked at me, confused. "One minute, you act like an entitled douche, then next minute, you were chasing me like your life depended on me."

He laughed. "I'm sorry for being an a-hole and for disturbing your peace. I thought that's the best approach. But I really need you. I'm so desperate right now." He paused for a minute. I just stared at him, waiting for him to continue. "I need you to pretend like we're dating."

That was so straight to the point, I hadn't seen it coming.

"You do realize that I am a certified liar, and a reputed pretender in this university, right? That's why you're here and we're having this conversation." He wouldn't be here asking me to pretend if he hadn't heard about my reputation.

"Yeah, I know." He paced around the pond, still watching the fish.

"So, why are you asking me? Nobody would ever believe that act."

"My ex-girlfriend doesn't go here, so she wouldn't know about your reputation. I just want her to see that she made a mistake when she broke up with me."

I laughed louder than I intended. "You want to make her jealous? How cliche could that be?"

"I know it's funny, but do you really have to laugh?"

"I'm sorry," I said. "But I'm a liar, so I'm really not." I couldn't stop laughing.

He stopped watching the fish and turned to me. His eyes cold and hard. "Is it really that funny or you just enjoy hearing other people's problems?"

I stopped and tried to be serious, but I failed. "It's just unbelievable. Imagine, Hunter Pereira - campus heartthrob, varsity star player - talking to me, Blair Gonzales - a certified liar, great pretender - just to make his ex-girlfriend jealous? How low can you go? I mean, there are a lot of girls out there, most of them craving your attention, you can have a real relationship with them and move on with your life. Why go to me to have a pretend relationship with the hopes of getting back with your ex?"

"I don't want to move on. I don't want a new relationship. I don't want another girl. I only want Kiera."

"Wow, you're one loyal and faithful boyfriend. Lucky me. It's not everyday that I meet someone so loyal." He sat a few inches apart from me. "So, what's your story? Why did you break up?"

He looked at me, forehead creased. "Why would I tell you? So the whole campus can know I've been dumped and have all those people shower me with their sympathetic stare?"

I felt attacked. "First of all, let me remind you that it is you who came to me and asked for my help. If I were to do that, don't I deserve to know the whole story? And secondly, I may be a liar, but I am no gossiper."

"So, I can trust you?" he asked.

"Trust is a big word, don't use it so carelessly. But you have my assurance that whatever you say here, only the Kois will hear it."