Playing at Death's Doorsteps

Charlie chokes on the piece of fruit in her mouth and manages to swallow it down with the help of her saliva. "What?" Her mind belatedly registers her father's words and she can't even begin to explain the rage that is stirring inside of her. For Hayden's sake, she is hoping she has heard wrong.

"She told me you two were dating. When were you going to tell me? Were you afraid I wouldn't approve? Because I do. Hayden is a good kid," the man says as he places a hand on her shoulder to show her his support.

Charlie groans and slides a palm over her face. "Dad, we are not dating," she points out, shrugging him off.

He doesn't believe her though. "You don't have to keep denying it, Charlie. I knew this day was bound to come sooner or later. I can't protect you forever, even if you're my little girl." He's beginning to sound sentimental and she can't stand it. It's already shitty enough that Charlie has to deal with this crap at school and now at her own house too? Somebody's got to pay.

"Jesus Christ, dad! I'm really not dating him! I can't believe this!" The ticking time-bomb planted inside of her is ready to explode. Fuming, she abandons the house and slams the door behind her shut. With long and fast strides, the incensed girl storms down the street towards the pale gray structure located at the end of the road.

Relentlessly, her fist beats against the only thing keeping Hayden alive and away from becoming death's companion. A moment later the door swings open. Hayden's eyes widen and he quickly steps outside. The piqued expression on her face tells him he's about to be hit by a hurricane. He swallows. "Charlie, I can explain."

The girl refuses to listen to another word as she erupts like Mount Vesuvius did in 79 AD. "Are you fucking serious, Knight? I told you I wanted no part in this and what do you go and do? You go and tell your fucking mom we're in a relationship? What kind of horse-shit is that? Did you not hear anything I said to you at school?" she screams indignantly, spit flying everywhere. She's burning hot due to the anger that has consumed her entire body and she doesn't give a damn.

"I know you said no, but I had to do this. I don't have a choice, Charlie," Hayden begins, his tone oozing with desperation. "You think I wanted to do this? Of course not. I want to tell everyone Cecilia is my girlfriend, but I can't. You should have seen how pale she was when she saw those photos of us. If her parents even think that she's sneaking around, they'll keep her on lockdown 24/7. She's already on a short-leash as is. I'm sorry, Charlie. I had to make a choice. It was either you or Cecilia. And I... I can't afford to lose her."

So in order to salvage his relationship, Hayden has decided to use her as the sacrificial lamb? He has chosen to throw her under the bus, even after she specifically told him she didn't want to be part of this soap opera? Can this get any more twisted?

"What does that make me?" she snarls, her breathing labored. "I thought you were trying to be my friend again? Is this what friends do to each other? Because if it is, I'm glad I never considered you my friend."

A wave of guilt washes over Hayden and he drops his head low, not daring to meet her fiery gaze. "You better listen closely,"—she takes a step towards him—"you either tell everyone you were joking around or I'll blow the whistle on your relationship with Cecilia. How can you be so selfish?" The ending of her statement is quiet as she whirls around, prepared to return home.

Before she descends the steps, he latches onto her wrist, forcing her to look at him. "Charlie, don't be like this. I am your friend," he protests solemnly. "It was really tough for me to get you involved in all of this, but you're the only person I can trust right now. You're the only person who can help me. I know I'm being selfish here, but this is the first time I've done something this this. I would never disregard you without a reason. I would never do something like this unless I was desperate, which I am."

"I don't care." Charlie rips her arm out of his grasp and glares at him. "You got yourself into all of this. You can get yourself out of it."

"If I had another choice, do you think I would have done this?" Hayden retorts, finally finding his backbone. "Can't you do this for me? When we were little, you told me you'd do anything for your friends."

His reply causes her to snort out loud. "But you and I aren't friends, Knight. At least, not anymore."

"Charlie, please. Haven't you ever tasted something so sweet in your life that you could never go another day without having it? Haven't you ever had something that made you so happy that if you lost it, your world would be in shambles? That's what it'll be like if I lose Cecilia. I... I love her," he admits and Charlie's eyes round.

Love is a strong word. Nowadays, people often abuse the word, stripping it of the immense power and meaning it once held. And as she searches the boy's perplexed face, she sees nothing but sincerity. Hayden's confession is genuine and she can tell he really means it.

Deep down, she is also aware that she is the only person who can help him. Why? Because she's the only one who knows about their relationship. So of course it would make sense for her to pose as his fake girlfriend. If he goes to another girl, it would definitely be a disaster.

The hesitance in her eyes is caught by Hayden and he realizes that she is beginning to yield to his request. He has to take advantage of this chance. "Please Charlie. I need you."

"This is crazy," she mutters as she stares at him with weary eyes. "Only a moron would believe that I would actually date you." This is the greenlight he's been vying for. Hayden's spirits are instantly lifted and he fixes his posture. He has to get her on board this very second if he wants this to work out.

"We just have to convince them," he says knowingly.

Charlie doesn't make a sound as she has a debate with herself. She can tell Cecilia is an important person to the boy. She isn't obliged to be their savior; she has every right to decline. As she told him earlier, this isn't her problem. However, like most decent people in the world, she has a conscience. Charlie doesn't want to be the reason Hayden loses out on his happiness. Normally, she is unhindered by guilt, but when it does affect her, which it rarely does, she hates it.

The incessant gnawing that keeps her awake and restless is not something she fancies. If she doesn't agree on being Hayden's fake girlfriend, things won't end well for him and Cecilia. He's made that crystal-clear plenty of times. She may not be his biggest fan but Charlie isn't sure if she can live the rest of her life comfortably, knowing she could have lent a hand to someone in dire need but chose not to instead. What would her mom do?

Charlie doesn't have to contemplate on the matter anymore. "I have two conditions," she sighs at last.

Hayden nearly jumps up in joy as he nods his head furiously, willing to comply with anything. "Name them."

"I get to tell Jill about all of this," Charlie declares, which leaves him flabbergasted. He opens his mouth to protest, but she cuts him off. "No arguments. She's my best friend and I'm not going to lie to her about something this big. I'm not jeopardizing our friendship for you."

Yeah, she cherishes her friendship with Jillian more than whatever it is that she has with Hayden. Can you blame her though? They've been together through thick and thin together. She's not going to risk losing someone as precious as Jillian over something like this.

"Okay, I understand, but only Jillian can know," Hayden answers. "Nobody else, not Jack or any of your brothers. What's your second condition?"

"I get to decide when we end this game of charades."

"You're not going to suggest we break up after a week, are you? Because that's not going to be believable."

"You should consider yourself lucky that I'm even agreeing to anything," Charlie hisses. "We'll do this thing for a month, depending on how the situation unfolds. If it doesn't get better by then, we can continue this ruse for a few more weeks."

"Okay, deal!" Hayden shouts as he takes her hand and shakes it without her permission. The girl doesn't bother yanking away and just exhales deeply. What did she just sign herself up for?

* * *

The next morning Mr Whitmen accidentally sleeps in. This leaves the task of rousing everyone to Alexander, the only person in the entire household with the capability of waking up on his own. Despite stumbling out of bed a little before seven, everyone manages to get ready by 7:30 AM. Their stomachs, on the other hand, would have to remain barren until lunchtime.

Ethan, astonishingly enough, is already waiting for them outside but he isn't alone.

Once Charlie is in view, Hayden pushes himself off of his Toyota Highlander and stands tall. He flashes a handsome smile in her direction, and Ethan raises an eyebrow.

"Sorry about that. We slept in." Charlie heaves.

"It's fine. I think you have a guest." He nudges her arm and jerks his head to the sidewalk. The girl doesn't seem to notice Hayden's presence until she reaches the driveway. "What are you doing here?" She frowns, clearly displeased with his unannounced visit. They're already late as is.

"I wanted to see if you would like to catch a ride to school with me," Hayden explains sheepishly. He sends Ethan, who is standing behind the girl, a small smile. The boy nods his head and goes to the truck. He figures they probably want some privacy.

"Why would I want to go with you if I have my own car?"

Hayden should have thought this through. "I just thought—" He is unable to continue because he is interrupted by the youngest Whitmen.

"Charlie, I'm going to be late!" Cameron whines, sticking his head out of the small back-window.

"Okay, okay! We have to go. See you at school." Charlie rushes by him and Hayden's shoulders deflate in defeat. So much for trying to make their relationship look realistic. Maybe he should have discussed the matter with her before he showed up at her house at seven in the morning.

"What was Hayden doing here?" Ian inquires as they journey towards the middle school.

"I'd rather not talk about it," the driver states.

Ethan's curiosity is peaked as well. Discreetly, he listens in on their conversation. His eyes might be focused on the blurring of trees they are whizzing by, but his ears are trained on the two of them. It's a skill he has learned to perfect ages ago.

Suddenly an exaggerated gasp escapes Ian. He gawks at his sister with his eyes falling out of their sockets. "Wait, are the rumors true? Are the two of you dating?" The only sound resonating is from the truck's ancient engine. Ethan furrows his brows as he recalls what Charlie had said to him the other day in the hallway. He can't help but wonder why she isn't callously rejecting the assumption like she had done before.

"Oh shit. When did this even happen? I didn't think you actually liked him!" Her brother panics as he rakes his fingers through his brown locks. "I promised all of those girls in my grade who have a crush on the kid that he was still single! They're going to kill me now! Does Jill know? Who am I kidding? She would have said something to me if she did! She's going to be so disappointed with you."

Charlie's grip on the steering wheel becomes so tight that her knuckles begin to turn white. "Shut up, Ian. I'll tell her when I see her. She has no right to be mad at me either, considering the two of you kept me in the dark about your relationship for three whole months," Charlie retorts as she makes a harsh left turn.

Ethan's jaw slacks open. "Hold up, you're dating her best friend?" he blurts, his gaze on Ian. He didn't mean to join in on their exchange, but it's already too late. He pieces the jigsaw puzzle together and now it all makes sense. Next, he leans back in his seat and shakes his head. "So that's what you meant by telling me she was already accounted for," he mumbles, dumbfounded by his own mistake.

"Yeah, what did you think I meant?" she deadpans, peering into the rearview mirror where she sees him clear his throat and then shrug.

"Nothing," he fibs. What he still can't fathom is the fact that Charlie is now supposedly dating the guy she claimed she had no interest in whatsoever. Something doesn't feel right. He just doesn't know what yet.

---

Author's Thoughts: Uh-oh. I don't know what I'm doing! Save me! Please comment and leave your thoughts? Dedicated to naughtymaknaes, who is a hardcore Elie shipper, and anitaklr24 who also enjoys the duo. Yay for double-updates.