Tell me pretty lies, Look me in the face

Tell me that you love me, even if it's fake

-Blackbear, Idfc

January 14, 2016: 11:07 a.m.

"What the hell is unicorn meat?" McKenna asked looking into one of the shops.

I stopped while she examined the poster, my hands in my jean pockets. "It's probably meat of unicorns. Or so I'm guessing," I said.

She eyed me as we continued walking, "Gee thanks. I'm sayin' who would buy that; that's not even real!"

"Are you the unicorn expert?" I asked.

"No but-"

"Then don't reject them," I rationalized.

"You're an idiot," McKenna shoved me. I went around a crowd of people, off balanced by the surprisingly amount of force she had. I didn't try to retaliate.

I wasn't up for arguing today. I wasn't really for going out either, but these days have been filled with doing things I didn't want to.

It's been a little over a week, but it felt like forever. I wanted to be able to leave all this and get time forgetting drunk. No scratch that, I needed to. I didn't like being in this sober state for so long. It was exhausting and toxic.

"Even if they're real, why would you kill such a majestic creature." McKenna said absentmindedly a few moments later. She was staring ahead at the huge Adidas shop across the street.

I looked between her and the shop, "Do you want to go?"

McKenna looked at me with a sly smile as she began moving in that direction, "Well if you insist."

I chuckled as I followed her through the traffic. I knew I was less than civil to her today but she took it in stride not allowing it to affect her own mood. In fact if it wasn't for the constant sound of her voice, I would have zoned out the world completely.

The street was crazy busy with tourists and regulars trying to shop. We were on one of the busiest shopping streets in New York and took precautions as to not be noticed.

McKenna was wearing a grey tank top with a black-hooded, leather jacket and black jeans. Her hair was straightened and covered with a grey knit beanie. It was odd how she could make something so ordinary look so-well, good.

"You know what I don't get?" McKenna asked as we entered the shop.

"What?" I asked scanning the walls of shoes. I had hundreds of pairs of shoes, but it never stopped me from wanting more. They were the one thing I could never get enough of. There were so many and I only had two feet.

It was a tragedy.

"Why are we hiding if we want to be found?"

I looked at her, amused, "You really don't know anything do you?"

"I'm so lucky to have you," McKenna said as we admired the shoes. She had picked up a pair of white Superstars and was observing them in detail.

"The paparazzi is everywhere. They're watching even when we can't see them," I explained wondering why they switched the Adidas logo in the first place. The original one was so much cooler.

"That's kind of scary," McKenna admitted putting down the shoe and looking over her shoulder. Neither one of us wanted to go out and shop but Scottie was in such a great mood, he all but shoved us out of the building. He was literally radiating with excitement after reading some of the headlines.

Our kiss had dominated magazines and entertainment networks.

It also dominated my mind for quite some time. She was a really good kisser and I definitely wouldn't mind doing it again.

For the sake of our careers, obviously.

"I guess, but it beats them rushing up to us. We wouldn't be able to go anywhere then," I shrugged.

I had to admit we had taken over the spotlight. I couldn't remember a time where I got actual semi-positive attention. They still were skeptic I changed but they also mentioned my friendly behavior at the premiere. In the wise words of Cooper, 'It was a good step forward.'

I really didn't care.

I was starting to get this familiar aching feeling that I didn't miss at all.

"True."

"You have a lot to learn," I commented trying to ignore the unsettling feeling as we moved to the second floor.

"I haven't been doing this for long, okay?" McKenna defended, "It's kind of crazy."

I knew this was all new to her, but I couldn't help but point out her naive comments. She had been gaining more publicity as well.

"So what type of music are you?" I asked as we climbed the escalator. I didn't really want to make any social interactions but I knew the media well enough by now. If they don't see the two of us talking and acting as a couple, they would call us out. Maybe not fake, but definitely boring and you wouldn't want to be labeled as that.

McKenna shrugged as she looked through the backpacks on display. "Nothing defining really. I would say some of it could be R&B, Pop," she thought aloud, "but some sites have be down as singer/songwriter. I try not to follow; I guess it's whatever my mood is like."

I tried not to laugh out loud since all I had were labels. It was as if every part of my personality was scrutinized and narrowed down to one word. My career was labeled as alternative R&B for one.

I didn't really mind the labels, though, since I've been sorted now. They won't go around asking any more questions and picking at me like a lab rat wanting to know more about my personality or my past.

"I feel like a puppy."

"What?" I asked confused.

McKenna dropped the bag she was looking at and turned toward me, "I'm like a puppy that belongs to Scottie and he's dressing me up to his liking. You're his puppy too."

I stared at her. She was right in an odd sort of way.

"I'm more of a German Shepherd."

"They can be puppies too," she accused.

"You can be a beagle."

"Underdog could fly so whatever," McKenna stuck out her tongue at me. I shook my head, unable to hold back a small laugh.

Figuring we were finished, I lead the way toward the exit. "You know, I would hate seeing a couple like us," I admitted.

Sometimes I felt like I was dating Scottie instead of McKenna which was a scary thought.

"We kind of suck, huh," McKenna smirked.

I shrugged not really knowing how to make any of it better. I'd only been in one real relationship and it was in a completely different world than the one I lived in now.

McKenna threw her hands up, "What are we supposed to do then? Laugh more? Hold hands? Go somewhere cool?"

"If you wanted me to hold your had, you could have just asked," I smirked as we made our way down the street again.

McKenna let out a laugh, "That was definitely not my intentions."

"No need to be shy, I get it all the time," I said.

"You probably hear the word self-indulged all the time too," McKenna said

"We could always try kissing again," I offered, "It worked last time."

"Yeah, I think that one was a one time go-to," McKenna drawled.

Well, shit.

"Just throwing out ideas, whatever," I shrugged it off.

I didn't know how I was going to last more than a month like this.

She scoffed before training her eyes on a shop up ahead. "I've got an idea," she said her voice lifting as she quickened her pace.

I followed her into the shop, not recognizing where we were until I was inside. "Gaming," I raised an eyebrow.

"We could just camp out in here. Scottie wouldn't know," She planned with a grin.

She may be on to something.

The video game shop wasn't really busy. There were games stocked on the walls and masses of them piled in baskets around the place. A few people were browsing the games while a parent was busy with the cashier.

"You play?" I asked as I followed her to the back of the place where there were a few TVs with consoles connected. She went to one and lit the screen.

"I haven't in a while, but I used to." McKenna said as she browsed the games, "I grew up with my older brothers as my best friends. Their friends came over a lot and they needed an extra player sometimes."

"Wow," I picked up the another controller, my gaze fixing on the screen.

"What?" McKenna asked.

"Nothing," I shrugged, "Just didn't think you'd be into something like this." I hadn't played in years either. I used to have games going on with my best frie- my ex best friend Charles back home.

"People can surprise you."

Damn right.

"Let's play this one," I picked FIFA as if by instinct. "You must've been kind of tomboy-ish growing up then, huh," I asked. It wasn't a bad thing, I was just curious. 

"Yea, something like that," McKenna scoffed. I raised an eyebrow wondering what she meant by that. "So what are you writing now," she asked before I could ask another question.

"I haven't written anything since my tour ended," I answered honestly as the ref blew his whistle signally the start of the match.

I knew I should be writing, but I wasn't inspired. I had made three albums centered off my anguish and heartbreak; but now I felt dry. I wouldn't admit it, but I was afraid there was nothing left in me.

I haven't been this worried since before I signed with Cooper. My youtube video had hit 30 million and Cooper had reached out to me beginning of my sophomore year in high school.

I had been so stoked until my mom thought it was better if I finished high school. She had thought I'd get another chance, so I listened to her. After that, I couldn't even write a single line of something worth hearing.

It's clear now that I was just psyching myself out, but my dumbass had thought the world was going to fall. Fuck, I couldn't even remember the number of arguments I started over what I thought was my missed opportunity.

I couldn't remember the number but the last argument was etched into my skull.

"I'm going to kick your ass," McKenna declared.

I blinked focusing back on the screen as she went past my last defender and scored. She looked over at me with a serious expression, but her eyes were shining, "Seriously, it's going to be brutal. You should have picked a different game."

I cleared my throat and gave a small laugh trying to shake it off, "You haven't seen anything yet."

A/N: So this one was mostly a filler chapter. There's a little of Reece's past as well. What do you guys think of Reece and McKenna's relationship so far? Thoughts, comments, etc love hearing back from you guys!

Don't forget to vote :P