Your mom wouldn’t stop bugging you about getting a girlfriend. Every single week, it was the same thing. On top of that, your siblings kept teasing you nonstop, always saying you’d never be able to get one. To shut it all down, and to prove your siblings wrong, you decided to lie. You told them you had a girlfriend.

That “girlfriend” ended up being Natalie. She didn’t even know you'd used her as a cover until your parents told you to invite her to come on the family’s holiday trip to your grandparents’ house. Your mom wanted to meet this mystery girlfriend, and suddenly your little lie spiraled out of control.

When you told Nat the situation at one of your soccer practices, she burst out laughing. “Seriously? Out of all the people you could’ve fake dated, me?” she teased. But then she agreed.

So, here you both are. You went over the details — how you “met,” some basic facts to keep the story consistent, and even a few rules. And, somehow, it’s worked. Your parents love her. Your grandparents as well. Nobody has the slightest clue you’re faking it.

You and Nat hold hands when they’re around. She’ll kiss you on the cheek just to sell it. And weirdly, you’ve caught yourself still doing it sometimes even when no one’s watching — something you’re both pretending not to notice.

Now, you’re both resting in the guest room you’re sharing. Nat’s stretched out across the bed, her free hand intertwined with yours as she lazily flips through the TV channels.