Luke’s POV

“All right, guys. This next song is dedicated to all of you. You’re all so perfect.”

I heard Calum’s voice say through the speakers before we started playing our hit song “She Looks So Perfect”. It was a great song. The crowd was singing along to every word and dancing to the rhythm. From my viewpoint on stage, it looked amazing.

I glanced at my band mates and smiled to myself as I saw that all of them were enjoying themselves. Ashton was banging away on his drums like it was his form of meditation. Calum was playing the bass smoothly like he was having the best sex of his life. Michael was jumping around and rocking out with his guitar and his hair sticking out in all directions.

Then I glanced to the side of the stage where Clara was sitting. She looked like she was having fun with Danielle. Normally Clara’s face is either frowning or raging mad but she doesn’t look too bad when she’s grinning. In fact, she looked pretty.

It was so unfair.

I’m supposed to hate her.

Why do I feel light when I see her smile?

Damn her.

And what was with that almost kiss back at the hotel?

Unconsciously, I shook my head and concentrated back on performing in front of a huge crowd. This is possibly the worst time to think about my relationship with Clara.

Or should I say fake relationship.

******

We were at the studio the next day. Michael was plucking away on his guitar with Ashton and Calum while I was on my phone with a furrowed brow. Of course, Clara was with us, too, considering that she had to stick with me if we want the plan to work.

Usually, I would be annoyed but right now I see no possible downside to this.

It’s not Clara that’s the problem. It’s the tweets.

Why can’t people be nice about things like this? Sure it was a fake relationship but still.

Then Clara’s phone (Danielle lend her a back-up phone just in case) rang and she quickly answered it.

“Hello?”

“Clara! Are you busy tonight?” Danielle asked her on the other line.

“No, Danielle. What could I possibly do tonight?” she responded. Sarcastically, I might add.

“Alright. You’re going on a date with Luke.” She said.

“What?”

“What?” I glanced her way.

The phone was on speaker so I heard what Danielle said.

“Why?” Clara asked with an unbelievable look on her face.

“You’re a couple. Couples go on dates.”

“Give me that.” I reached for the phone and she let me grab it. Maybe I can talk Danielle out of it.

“Did you hear that, Luke?” she asked me.

“Why should I go to this fake date?” I demanded an answer.

“Because you have to.”

“Why?” I repeated, hoping I’ll get a straight answer.

“The act on the interview was great but we need more couple-y stuff with you and Clara. It’s not enough.” Danielle explained.

We both groaned at the same time.

Much as I would like to say no and throw this phone on the wall, I reluctantly agreed and hung up. I gave the phone back to Clara with a scowl.

A date.

With Clara.

Who, by the way, made me agree to the so-called ‘Peace Pact’.

I mean, what’s up with that? The girl annoys the hell out of me.

And I have to go on a date with her.

Fake or not, I’m sure going to hate it.

******

By lunch, we all went back to the hotel. We had about 2 hours before the phone interview with a radio station.

Which means, I get to hang around in my room.

But Clara is also here and I’m starting to think maybe I could literally hang myself in my room.

“Have you opened your twitter lately?” she asked.

I nodded. I felt terrible.

Clara sighed and she really did look like she felt sorry for me.

“Look, this whole thing will blow over. We can just tell the people the truth. I was in the wrong place at the wrong time. It’ll look like an accident.” She explained, as if comforting me.

I looked at her as if she was crazy.

Which she is, by the way.

“No one will believe that we’re not together and didn’t have sex in the bathroom. No matter what we say, they’re not going to believe it.” I tried explaining to her again.

She glared at me, “Really? Because having people implicate that I fucked you is problematic from where I’m sitting.”

“The problem is you look…” I stopped myself before it’s too late.

“Care to finish that thought?”

“The problem is you don’t look like the Hollywood girlfriend material.” I repeated. This time hoping I chose the right words.

“Ha! ‘Not Hollywood girlfriend material’. That is not insulting at all.” A tone of sarcasm hints at her voice. “And that’s what Danielle is for.”

“I’m just….. trying to be honest here!” I said as Clara crossed her arms defensively.

“No I think you’ve made your point. I suppose if I looked like a model this would be so much easier to explain. Getting caught with your pants down with a girl like me. That must be humiliating for you.” She said bitterly.

Clara stomped to the bathroom and slammed the door behind her.

I gave myself a slap in the head.

Why the fuck did I say that?

Mum would kill me if she knew. She would scold me for something about not raising me right.

Great job, Luke.

So I walked over the bathroom and pressed my forehead on the door. Then I knocked.

No response came.

“Clara?”

Still none.

Might as well.

“I didn’t…uhh…mean to make you feel bad, Clara.”

I heard a low chuckle on the other side.

“You mean when you called me bad girlfriend material? Or blamed me for this whole thing? Or accused me of ruining your career?”

Well, when she put it that way it sounded….. not so good.

“Anyway.” I faltered. Damn. I felt like an idiot. But I had to get her to be agreeable for tonight’s dinner. “You’re not…uhh…You’re not hideous.”

Then she opened the door and burst out laughing.

“’Not hideous’ That might be the nicest thing you’ve said to me.”

Standing directly in front of her too sudden made me reel back a bit and walked towards the couch.

“So any plans for tonight?” she asked as she flopped on the opposite side of the couch from me.

“We’re going on a date, remember?” I said. It felt weird saying it as if it wasn’t a big deal.

“I meant plans for the date itself.” She clarified. “Do I have to do anything special?”

“Just act like we’re totally into each other.”

“So what you’re saying is, we have to do all that cliché couple stuff?”

“Yeah. Pretty much.” I answered.

“How about a game, Hemmings?” Clara suggested with a devious grin.

“A game?”

“I get really competitive so it’s a motivation for me to do better so yes. A game.”

I thought about it. If it helps the situation we’re currently in, then why not?

So I agreed.

“If one of us perfectly executes a certified couple act, like for example, opening the door for me, complimenting the way you look and etcetera, you’ll get a point. The one with the most points gets the bed for tonight.” Clara explained.

“Alright.” I nodded.

Apparently, I have a competitive characteristic, too.

We shook hands and Clara smiled.

“May the Cliché games begin.”

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A/N:

yeah.....Clara and Luke are going on a date :3

whatever should i do about it?

should the date be succesful?

or will it end up in ruins?

anyway, let me know what you think and i will love you forever :3