When We First Met

Plan B: Operation Fake Boyfriend (Spoiler Alert: It Fails)

That afternoon, Tine stayed behind in the music club, practicing on her guitar.

"The test is on Friday, guys. Keep practicing," Ace announced to the group.

As the others left, Ace noticed Tine lingering. "Not going home yet?" he asked.

"In a little while," Tine replied, still focused on her chords.

Ace chuckled. "But you're still playing that chord wrong," he pointed out before heading out.

Left alone, Tine glanced around the room, noticing a table full of snacks—gifts from Eustace’s fans, the #EUSTACEWIVES group. She reached for one, but her hand froze when Eustace suddenly entered the room.

"I wasn't... I wasn't stealing! Just checking," she stammered, pulling her hand back.

Eustace gave her a brief, amused glance but said nothing as he watched her struggle with the chords. After a few moments, he sighed, stepping forward. "Wrong again. Can you press any harder?"

"Hey, I'm trying!" she replied, exasperated.

He handed her his guitar. "Use mine. The strings are softer."

She hesitated, but his determined look pushed her to try. As she strummed, the sound improved.

"There, now play the E-chord," Eustace instructed, moving closer. He guided her fingers, his hands warm and steady on hers. "Middle finger here, ring finger there…"

Tine couldn’t help but smile. "Thanks."

Eustace nodded, seemingly indifferent. They practiced together until Tine, desperate, blurted out, "Please... Just pretend to be my boyfriend."

Eustace looked taken aback. "Wait, so you joined the club just to ask me that?"

"Not entirely..." Tine admitted, looking down. "But... yes, a bit."

Rolling his eyes, Eustace picked up his guitar and left the room without another word.

The next morning, Eustace entered the music club, looking around. "Have you seen the girl who was practicing here yesterday?"

A member pointed him toward the storage room. As he stepped inside, the door slammed shut behind him, and he found himself locked in the dark.

"Hey! Is that you, Nuisance?" he shouted, realizing Tine was outside.

"Guess you can deal with your own problems now!" she laughed.

"Let me out!"

But Gavin’s voice echoed down the hallway, and Tine panicked. She squeezed herself into the locker with Eustace, who looked utterly confused.

After a tense moment, Gavin approached the locker, curious. Eustace feigned sleep as Tine pressed her finger to her lips, pleading for him to stay quiet.

When Gavin finally walked away, Eustace shook his head in exasperation. "You’re really a piece of work."

Tine grinned sheepishly. "Thanks... Anyway, how about this—if I pass the test, you have to agree to help me."

Eustace smirked. "Fine, but if you fail, you leave me alone for good."

"Deal!"

At the dorm, Tine’s friends were quick to tease her. "So, you’re really banking on passing this test?" Phil asked, grinning.

"Yeah, but without a guitar, how are you going to practice?" Fleur chimed in.

"I have a plan!" Olivia declared proudly, pulling out her phone. "We downloaded a guitar app. It’s not perfect, but it’ll do."

Tine practiced all night, determined to make the cut.

Finally, Friday arrived, and Tine’s nerves kicked in as she watched each performance, waiting for her turn. When she finally got up to play, she fumbled, nearly losing her chance. But Ace vouched for her, giving her a second shot. She poured her heart into the chords, surprising even herself.

After the test, Tine waited anxiously with the others as Ace posted the results. When she found her name at the bottom of the list, she felt a surge of triumph.

She ran to find Eustace, holding a box of snacks from his fans.

"I passed!" she declared.

"They probably just took pity on you," Eustace teased, though a hint of a smile played at his lips.

Tine held up a drink with another guy’s name on it. "Look, I even got a gift from Kyle! I bet he’s cute."

In an instant, Eustace took the drink, scribbling on it with a marker.

"Hey! What are you doing?" she asked, peering over his shoulder.

When he handed it back, she read, "She's taken—Eustace."

Her eyes widened as he said, "Fine. I’ll be your fake boyfriend."

Tine could barely contain her excitement, grinning as he walked away.

Back at the music club, Dan asked Tine again, "Do you know any other chords?"

She shook her head.

"Any preference for guitar type?" he continued, exasperated.

"Honestly… I don’t know the difference," Tine admitted sheepishly.

Dan let out a sigh. "Then what do you know?"

Tine glanced over at Eustace, then back at Dan. "I know Eustace."

The room went quiet, and everyone turned to look at Eustace, who stared back, stunned.

She smiled. "He's the reason I want to play the guitar."