A Cupid's Guide To Fake Dating

Chapter 9

AUSTIN'S POV

I KNEW THEY had being waiting for me. The moment I reached the community centre, I knew it. They waited for me at their regular meeting spot. I didn’t even get to say a greeting before the first blow landed on my gut. I collapsed on my knee, gasping for air. Before I could get up, another came again, sending me falling straight to the ground. I struggled to get up but the soreness in my stomach kept me in place.

‘What is your problem?!’ I yelled, knowing what exactly their problem was.

‘You told us one week,’ One of them asked. ‘It's been two weeks now.’

I groaned. ‘I don't pluck money from trees you know.’

Almost immediately, a sharp air burst out of my lungs as a leg landed on my chest in full force. These guys were going to kill me! I whipped my body around and forced myself to stand up. Whirling around, I whipped my leg against my attacker’s face and landed a punch on the second one that approached me. That was two down and five to go.

I sighed. I held no chance against them.

As one came forward, I made to land another punch but someone held my hands behind me. Just as swiftly, the impact of hard knuckles came down on my left cheek, making my neck turn so bad, I heard a c***k. I spat out the blood that had pooled in my mouth. ‘Fine,’ I gasped out. ‘I’m sorry.’ It felt good to go against them though.

'Where is it?' One of them asked me. He was tall and buffy with hardened muscles that looked like they were on steroids. I was sure if he landed me a punch, it would be my one way ticket to my grave. His name was Bulky. Heard them call him that the first day I met them.

The first day all these happened.

The guy holding me let go and I dug my hand into my pocket, handing him a brown parcel. He scanned the contents and then his face scrunched up.

'This isn't enough!'

I sighed in aggravation and ran a hand through my hair. 'This is all I have-'

‘When are you going to pay us full, huh? You think we own some charity club or what?’ Bulky asked.

'Two hundred by next week.' One of them said.

'I can't. I have school.'

'Since when did you care about school?' They snickered, and I growled in frustration. Just then, something caught my attention. Past their shoulders, I saw someone approaching our direction- a girl. From they way she walked silently and knelt down beside the dumpster, I could tell she wasn't a normal passerby and when I saw who it was, I stiffened.

What was she doing here?

'Hey, what are you looking at?'

I tore my gaze from her and back to them. A look of irritation on their faces. They weren't happy they got half of the payment. But really, it wasn't my fault. I had no part time job and only got my allowance from what mom gave me.

Noticing one of them was about to turn and possibly see her, my body moved mechanically and I was suddenly in front of him. 'I gotta go.'

Looking sharply at me, Bulky reminded me. 'Next week, have it ready or else we won't be letting you off with just a few beatings.'

I glanced back at the dumpster, she wasn't there anymore. My eyes lingered on that spot way more than I wanted them to, as though thinking she was just hiding perfectly and would step out at any second.

She didn't.

'Fine.' I said and then walked away.

ELENA'S POV

Ding!

Dear Cupid. I have a massive crush on my brother’s best friend but I also have a boyfriend. My brother’s friend also likes me too and he asked me out even though he knows I’m dating someone. What do I do? I don’t want to be caught as a cheating girlfriend.

I quickly texted back a reply.

Hi there! My advice for you would be to follow your heart and be truthful about your feelings. Let your boyfriend know how you feel and also explain things to your brother’s friend. Ask for time if it’s needed and remember not to do anything you might regret_Cupid.

I hit the send button on my phone. Almost immediately, from the corner of my eyes, I saw a girl not too far from where I stood breath out in relief as she stared down at her phone. Her body relaxed and a smile spread on her lips. I guessed she was the one who had sent me the message.

Unconsciously, I reached for the box in my locker- same box where I kept my journal- only to remember it wasn’t there. Damn it, it still was with that jerk. I really had to get it back.

‘So, it’s true.’

I whipped around, startled. How long had he been standing there?

‘What is?’ I shut my locker close.

‘You really are some kind of relationship shrink.’

‘I just give advice.’ I said.

‘Right,’ Austin drawled.

Speaking of relationships. I glared up at him. ‘When am I getting my journal?’

‘When I feel like giving you.’

‘You can’t just keep it! I need my journal back.'

'Still not giving it.' He deadpanned, leaving no room for further negotiations.

I sighed. This argument wouldn’t get me anywhere. Plus I didn’t want any attention towards us. ‘I have to go. I have class.’

I made to move but he blocked my path in an instant. ‘The guys wanted me to tell you we would be having practice at my house today.’

I crossed my arms. ‘Thought you didn’t want me there.’

‘Change of plans, Pierce.’ His eyes stared down at me. Despite the intense heat outside, he was dressed in a black shirt, dark jeans and sneakers. Austin’s eyes were a shade of jet black but there were times it verged into a mixture of red and purple or sometimes they clashed together, like they were doing now. It was beautiful to look at.

How could such beautiful eyes belong to someone like him? I was instantly reminded of that Saturday morning. Who were those guys? And what did they want with Austin? I would have asked but those sort of questions were the kind you asked someone you were close to, and Austin and I weren’t even friends.

And because I didn’t want him to know I had followed him that day.

His brows knitted into a frown.

'What?’ I asked him.

‘I don’t like you staring at me like that. Almost like you’re judging me.’

‘I wasn’t.’ It was my turn to frown.

‘Whatever,’ he turned. ‘My house today by four.’ And then he was gone; walking away without a care.

Taking the other side of the hallway, I made my way to my class.