Tee hee this one's fun :)

Top Floor
Zoe's Dorm
7:45 PM
Friday
September 9th

Ben's POV:
It was a good day.

A good, good day.

But a confusing, emotional roller coaster day too.

I was currently being stared down by Erica Hale, in a heated game of truth or dare, who we'd somehow convinced to come hang out with us, and Zoe took advantage of it. We even played spin the bottle later. Guess who didn't enjoy that. Erica? Yep.

But back to Zoe. Now that she was with Mike, and over me, it was back to the way it used to be. Where she was the world's greatest wing girl. And Erica had no clue Zoe didn't like me anymore. Or that she was with Mike. Which were all really nice.

She'd help me like she used to, and, with Mike's approval, and suggestion because I'd never let my best friend's girlfriend flirt with me, even if it was fake, if by best friend was uncomfortable with it. She'd do things like fake flirt or ask if a girl at our school was cute to make Erica jelly. But sometimes it'd go too far. Like the time Zoe and I kissed.

That was exactly how we got Erica to come to Zoe's room that night.

*Flashback*

We'd all sat at our usual table, two away from Erica. Zoe came in and sat in between me and Mike. I was on the end of the table, and Chip and Jawa were across from Mike and Zoe. No one would sit within one table of Erica, so that left Erica with a clear view of Zoe and me.

Erica hadn't come into the lunchroom yet, so I looked at Mike once again.

"You sure you're okay with this? Zoe is your girlfriend. I won't let her kiss me if you're not okay with it. I mean this whole plan seems over the top. Maybe we should just stop it before it goes too far."

"Ben, it's okay. Really. I trust you and I trust Zoe. And again, it was my idea."

"I know but this all seems crazy. And maybe you're okay with it, but it still feels wrong kissing her. Your permission or not."

"Ben, hear my words, it's okay man. I promise you, I will not be affected by any of it. I know what she and I have is special, and that we're both just trying to help you."

"What if she still won't hang out with us tonight?"

"Then at least we can say we tried. And plus, our main goal is just to get her to hang out with us as friends, minimum. I know you like her, but that won't become a relationship relationship until she's ready. Which I know you know as well."

"I do."

"All you have to do is flirt playfully. And then when Zoe leans in, you kiss her. She pulls away, you both blush, and Erica will make it clear she's unhappy about it, so you go talk to her. You ask if she wants to come over to Zoe's with all of us tonight, and make sure she agrees. Then we play truth or dare, and dare her to be friendly and hang out with us for 2 months. She'll get used to it, and hopefully, be nicer and happier."

"But when she finds out, she'll kill me."

"We'll all tell her later. Come on Ben, you know she needs to start making friends again as much as I do. Being able to work well with people and make friends are kinda crucial things in the spy world, especially for undercover ops. She can't do either of those very well and she's graduating this year. Sure she can act, but she'll get found out on long missions and will end up in danger. She's good, but even she gets caught off guard occasionally. And almost every time she does, the reason involves some kind of relationships."

"Alright alright. I'll do it. But for the record, I'm very against all of it and would never kiss Zoe without your permission for anything but stupid plans like this that you guilt me into."

"I know." He laughed.

"I'm glad you think it's funny." I said sarcastically.

"Glad you boys had your guy talk, but she's coming, so change the topic." Zoe noted.

She was right. Erica walked in.

"Alright. Let's do this." She leaned in and whispered in my ear, but still loud enough for the others to hear. "Don't talk out loud unless you're like actively intentionally flirting. Just whisper so she wonders what we're talking about."

"Alright." I sighed.

We all started talking about some random stuff. She grabbed her salad and walked to her usual spot.

I looked to Mike who looked at me like, 'For the last time, yes it's okay. Now stop worrying and make Erica jealous so she'll actually agree to spend time with other human beings.'

I nodded my head once and l sighed.

Fine. I thought.

I looked back at Zoe and smiled.

We locked eyes and she nodded slightly.

All three guys were talking about the NFL season starting the next week, but we were kinda ignoring them. We had to make it seem like we were in love, so that was just part of the deal.

"Okay, laugh a little like I whispered something funny." Zoe whispered into my ear. "And then nod like I asked you a question, but make it flirty-ish."

I smirked and laughed a little a few seconds after she stopped talking. I nodded slightly, keeping my smirk.

"Like that?" I whispered back.

She nodded. I started to glance at Erica when Zoe grabbed my hand and whispered into my ear again. "Whatever you do, don't look at her. She'll know something's up and will probably think that you're trying to make her jealous, whether she figures out the whole plan or not."

"Good save." I responded.

How did I not think about that?

"Okay act like you're teasing me so I can playfully punch you."

I put the smirk back on and whispered.

"This convincing enough?"

She giggled and punched my arm gently.

"That works." She said, grinning. "Now push my shoulder with your palm like I teased you back."

I did as instructed and she giggled again.

"I'm gonna fake shiver, take your jacket off slowly and drape it on my shoulders."

I smiled and took a sip of my water. After a few seconds, she shivered, so I took my jacket off and set it around her shoulders.

"Okay, put your left arm around me, but, not too fast, because then she'll know you're faking it. After that, I'm gonna sit up a little and kiss your cheek. Ask what it was for, but out loud a little bit. When I lean in, kiss me. She'll glare, and then that's when you look at her."

I nodded and smiled, before slowly putting my arm around her as I was told to.

She kissed my cheek and I smirked again.

"What was that for?" I asked teasingly.

"Shut up." She teased back, getting in my face.

Our faces were inches apart, and I knew that was her way of saying it was time.

So I kissed her. I leaned in the rest of the way, put my right hand on her cheek, and kissed her.

It was then that I realized I loved Zoe, and not Erica. Which royally screwed things up.

What? Don't believe me?

Why not?

Because you shouldn't. I lied. Tee hee you got me. I was kidding lol, sorry not sorry.

Sooo... It was then that Erica glared at me so much, I knew it was time to finally look at her. I glanced over as I was still kissing Zoe. I pulled away slowly and looked at Erica curiously.

She balled her hands up, threw the rest of her lunch away, and stormed out.

Once we were sure she was a relatively safe distance away, we all laughed about her reaction. I took my jacket and arm off of Zoe's shoulders. It wasn't nice to laugh at her reaction, but we were teenagers. And the fact that she denied liking me at all, but then had that reaction to me kissing someone else? It was pretty funny to us.

"Alright, thanks you guys. Now." I laughed one last time. "I have an Erica to calm down."

Mike fist bumped me and then put his arm around Zoe.

"Told ya it wouldn't be that hard." He laughed.

"It was because it still felt wrong. Anyways, you all have fun. If I don't come back or text you after an hour max, I'm probably dead." I said, standing up to leave.

"Good luck." Mike smiled.

"You're gonna need it." Zoe teased.

"I hope not, but thanks."

Okay, next part out around Tuesday :)