Why was it ever recommended to have fake dating in the article?

Now that I think about it, that's a terrible idea.

It might sound petty or immature, but I want to rip Lili right out of that position just for my own sake.

But the more that I think about it I realize, there's more than just that. Maybe she's naive about Drew, but I know him. I know all the girlfriends he's cheated on or tossed away when he finds someone new.

I have to save her from him.

I immediately know what has to happen. I stand from my couch in the living room and walk over to the office where my mom sits, typing away. I stop in the doorway and knock on the edge of the opened door.

"Come in," she says, not looking up.

I do, standing by the edge of her desk. How can I possibly start this conversation?

"What do you need?" She asks.

"I need you to remove Lili from the article," I say quickly.

She stops, looks up at me, and raises her eyebrows. "You expect me to take a member out of a halfway completed article and have to start over from scratch?"

"Yes," I say.

"Well, now I'm curious," she says, leaning forward so her elbows rest on the desk. "What's this sudden notion about?"

"I... She isn't doing as well as I planned. I want a new girl in there for Drew's girlfriend. She's not a good actress under pressure. We need someone better," I say.

"Okay," she seems suspicious of me still. "I think she still suits the spot as photographer, of course."

"No," I say quickly. "No, that's part of the plot of it all. The photographer, the unlikely one, starts dating Drew. That's how it's got to be."

"I thought you were fond of this girl," my mom says, tilting her head questioning.

Yes, I think. And that's exactly why this has to be done.

"Whatever you think," she says. Then she sighs. "Lucky for you, I think I have just the girl. She's a new intern at the magazine company, actually. Cute little blonde."

"Fine, yeah, thanks," I say. Then she just gives me this curious look again, as if she's trying to figure me out. "I'll call a meeting for later. Let's do this as soon as possible."

I leave the room without another word. I don't want to be questioned further.

I quickly type in the message before I have to drive myself to school.

'Mandatory meeting today at 4.'

I send it to Drew, Danny, Missy, and Karen instantly. My finger hovers above Lili's name. She's going to be devastated. She's probably going to hate me.

She'll have to see it from my point of view at some point, won't she?

I send it to her as well, putting my phone away in my pocket.

*•*•*

"Brendan, this is Mandy," my mom says when she gets back from work.

I nod to her with a half-smile. She's a pretty girl, anyone would say, I'm sure. It wouldn't be honest to say she isn't. She's got such blonde hair that it's almost white, and it falls to her waist in ringlets. She wears a white sundress and golden sandals.

She smiles at me in response.

"I've explained the expectations to her," my mom continues, "and she's agreed to be a part of this."

"Thank you," I tell her.

"Oh, no need to thank me," she says. "I'm happy to help."

"When will the others be here?" My mom asks.

"Any minute now," I look down at my phone. It's 3:45.

"Alright, I'll take Mandy on in and show her some of the recorded conversations. Just let us know when you need her," my mom says, and the two of them leave the living room.

I've hardly sat down when there's a knock at the door. I stand up, a little irritated, and walk over to the door, opening it. Danny, Drew, and Lili all stand before me.

Drew's arm is hanging over Lili's shoulder and I want to puke. Really, I just want to pull his arm out of its socket. I force myself to look away from them.

I move to the side so they can enter, then we settle ourselves into the living room. I sit on the same chair I usually do, then Drew and Lili sit next to each other. Danny is a ways away from them.

"We've just got to wait for Missy and Karen to get here," I say, trying not to pay attention to how close Lili and Drew are sitting.

"What's the meeting about?" Lili asks, and I meet her eyes. Those innocent eyes. I mentally cringe, knowing how hurt by this she's going to be.

"There are some changes that my mom and I think are necessary," I explain as vaguely as possible.

"What kind of a change?" Drew asks, raising his eyebrows.

"I'll tell you when the others get here," I say, annoyed that he's speaking to me.

There's a silence now. Danny stares at the floor. Drew is watching Lili as she takes out her phone. Every time he shifts closer to her, the more I realize that what I'm doing is for the best.

"Hey Lili, I forgot to ask, have you told your mom about us?" Drew asks, looking at Lili. She meets his eyes, mouth open, but not replying.

Is Drew trying to shove this all in my face? Does he find this entertaining? I watch Lili carefully, waiting for her answer, but none's forthcoming. She looks constricted.

"Lili? Are you okay?" Drew asks, placing a hand on her shoulder.

Lili quickly nods her head, replying now. "Yeah. Yeah, she knows about us."

I see Drew's smirk and ball up my fists. Annoyance and jealousy are boiling in every part of me. I don't think I can sit here much longer. Not knowing what kind of person he is. He's a player, and I think Lili has the right to know that before she lets herself get dragged into that. She's too innocent.

"Drew, you remember Darla right? Your first girlfriend?" I blurt out without really thinking it through first.

"Yeah," Drew answers, looking confused. I know better than to think he doesn't know what I'm implying. "What about it?"

"And then LeAnn a week later, while you were still dating Darla?" I ask, and his furious gaze burns into mine. I don't look away. I want him to know that I'm not letting this happen.

"I wasn't dating them at the same time. LeAnn and I were friends," Drew falsely defends, narrowing his eyes at me.

"And a month later, you moved on to Breanna? Or was is Alexis? Maybe Cheyenne? I seem to get all your past girlfriends mixed up," I ask, sparing a glance at Lili, whose eyes are wide. I have to keep telling myself, it's better she knows now than later.

"What are you doing?" Drew asks. "Are you jealous?"

Yes. "No, I was just confused. I mean, what's your record for keeping a girl before they find out you've switched to another?"

Drew stands up, walking towards me. If he thinks he's intimidating me, he's dead wrong. "Is this really relevant right now? I have felt something for every girl I've dated."

"Yeah, a desire to not be lonely. And a week later, you find a more desirable girl to not be lonely with," I reply, voice rising.

"I don't date a girl because I feel lonely! I date them because I actually like the girl! You have no idea, Brendan."

I do know, actually. He's always been the guy who wants a little of every girl. He leads them on, charming them easily. Then he spots another girl, gets bored with the first, and abandons her. Or he simply cheats.

"I know how you are, Drew. I've known you for a long time," I say slowly.

"I think you've forgotten that I've known you for a long time too. It's not only me. You act like you're into every girl you speak to. You turn on your charm every time you're around a female," Drew says, looking furious.

"I've only ever dated a girl that I've truly ever felt something for. My shortest relationship was two months. It ended when she moved. I have never been the downfall of a relationship. I've never cheated."

I can't believe he would say something like that. He knows that I've hardly dated any girls. He knows that I continually act nice around girls because they all deserve that. I can't be a jerk to anyone. But I don't lead them on.

"I don't buy it for a second. I see the way you act around girls. You lead them on, making them believe you feel something for them," Drew says, and I feel a growing irritation.

"Drew, I want you to remember that you have never lasted in a relationship for longer than a month. How do you think this one's going to end? Any better? No," I say, not wanting to peer at Lili because her eyes finding mine would literally tear me apart. "Remember the first day you noticed Lili? I asked why you wouldn't hit on a different girl that wanted to out with you. You said this one would be fun."

"Shut up!" Lili yells. It brings me back to reality. Back to this room. I stand in place, trying to breath in and out slowly and gain control of myself. "I can't stand you two fighting like this. I don't want to hear it anymore!"

"I'm sorry," Drew says, returning back to his seat on the couch. I can't believe he's continuing this even now. "I'm sorry, Lili. I shouldn't have... I'm sorry..."

Lili looks conflicted still, not looking at Drew. Maybe I've actually read through to her. But when he leans in to whisper something in her ear, and she smiles, I feel my entire being deflate.

I can't understand what he said to her, but when his lips touch her cheek, I suck in a sharp breath, looking away. I can't take it.

"I do," she says, replying to whatever he had told her.

"What did we miss?" Karen asks, standing in the doorway.

"Intense girlfriend talk," Danny says. I forgot he was here. I bet this was awkward for him.

"Why don't we get started?" Drew asks, looking ready to change the subject.

"Great idea," Danny nods.

"Alright, well as you all know we're implementing some new changes," I say, and I can't help my focus from turning to Lili.

"What kind of a change?" Missy asks, sitting down beside Lili.

"Well, it involves a new member," I say, eyes locked on Lili's light blue ones.

"Wait, what?" Danny asks, looking confused.

"Is it someone we know?" Missy asks, looking around. I do as well now, wondering if Mandy's waiting to be invited in.

"No. She's someone my mom picked out," I say, turning back to them.

"She," Danny smirks.

"Mandy, come in here," I call, and she obeys, coming around the corner.

Everyone looks over to her. Danny's smiling to himself. Missy and Karen are looking her up an down skeptically. Drew's eyebrows are raised in surprise. I can sense his playboy instincts coming to life as he leans forward a little, resting his elbows on his knees. When my eyes fall on Lili, I instantly feel her wariness. Her mouth hangs open a little, then he closes it, looking down.

"Everyone meet Mandy Darrman," I say, gesturing to her. She smiles sweetly and waves to them.

"Hi," she says.

"Hi," the answer comes back in sync.

"What's she gonna be doing? Being our friend or something for the article?" Danny asks.

Without even thinking about it, my eyes flicker over to Lili. She's watching me curiously, anticipating the answer as much as everyone else. "No, she's actually doing something else..."

"What? There's not really anything else to be done," Drew says.

I take a deep breath, trying to figure out if this is the right thing to do. She's going to hate me. She'll think I hate her, or have something against her, when it's really the exact opposite. And seeing Drew beside her, eyes still on Mandy, I know it has to be done.

"Exactly. She's Lili's replacement. She'll be our new photographer and Drew's new fake girlfriend."

Their reactions are immediate. Shocked silence fills the room, mouths hang open, eyebrows raised. It's as if nobody knows what to say. I can't even bring myself to look at Lili.

"Was it something I did?" Her voice hits me hard, and I still can't bring my focus to her. Her eyes on mine would be too hard. To see her disappointment. To hear it is bad enough.

"What's the matter with you Brendan? What's this crap all about?" Drew stands up, walking over to me, looking beyond furious.

"I have reasons," I defend, shaking my head, keeping my position.

"Really? I can't imagine it has nothing to do with us dating and your jealousy," Drew says angrily. He's right. But he knows my better reasons than that. He knows what I'm doing.

"The photos aren't in on time. I only have one conversation recorded for your entire fake dating thing. We need someone you aren't distracted by and can get stuff done. That's why Mandy's here," I say, and even as the words come out, I almost choke on them.

All attention turns back to Mandy, who looks at the floor, twirling her hair around her finger. She looks uncomfortable, just as I would in her position.

"The stupid photos aren't here on time? Good excuse, Brendan," Drew runs his hand through his hair. "The girl's working harder than you or any of us!"

Even if I was trying to not look to Lili, I do now. My eyes wander to her without a thought. Her lips form a slight frown, eyebrows dipped in either sadness or confusion, or both. Her eyes are on mine, but I can't take that. I look somewhere south of them.

Drew's right. She has been working harder than perhaps everyone here. Her photos are wonderful, and she continually keeps everything up. She does her job better than just well.

"It's okay," she says quietly, standing up. She brushes off her jeans casually, looking away from me. And I can't take the tone of her voice.

"No, Lili, stay here, we're going to figure this out right now," Drew tells me, grabbing her hand to keep her from leaving.

"No, really, it's okay," she says, but her voice cracks as she does. I press my lips into a straight line, trying to keep my emotions under control. This is for the better.

"It's not okay, you did nothing wrong," Drew shakes his head. "Brendan, you idiot! Tell her she can stay."

Seeing the look on her face makes me want to. I want to stop disappointing her, but I can't. I have to remind myself about Drew. I have to tell myself that this has to happen. Lili starts walking again, seeing that I'm not stopping her. Drew tries to keep her here, but she goes anyways, assuring him it's okay.

"Really, Drew. I'm fine. You go do the article. I'm fine," she says, opening the front door. She walks out and he runs after her. I don't want to know what he's telling her out there.

"Drew, get in here, we have some things to discuss," I yell to him. We've got to keep moving past this.

When he doesn't reply, I spare one glance out the window. His lips are pressed to hers and it hits me in the gut like a brick. I clench my fists, closing my eyes.

"Drew, get in here," I call.

He does, reluctantly, and he sits down on the couch. I resume my spot on my chair and wave Mandy over as well. She sits down on the couch where Lili was before, and Drew moves to accommodate her.

"Alright," I say, "you've got a camera, right?"

Mandy nods, smiling at me. "I do."

"Great," I say with a sigh. "You'll be spending quite a bit of time with us from now until December, so if you're feeling the need to quit, go ahead."

"No, I'm perfectly happy to stay," she says.

"And I'm perfectly happy she's staying too," Danny says.

"Oh, shut up Danny," Missy says. "She's got far more interesting boys to hang around than you."

"I actually don't," she says with a girly laugh.

"That's a shocker," Drew says, eyebrows raised. She just smiles at him. "You're too gorgeous to not get the attention of everyone."

There it is. His player instincts have taken over. I let out a sigh. How did I know?

"Whoa, Drew, you've got a girlfriend," Danny says, smirking at him.

"I do," he smiles. "That doesn't mean I can't acknowledge others."

*•*•*

After about an hour of talking and getting to know Mandy, I've decided that I wouldn't mind being friends with her on a regular basis. She's nice and has a good sense of humor.

Drew seems completely impressed by her, as I expected. It most likely won't be long until he decides she's a better choice than Lili, which is really a shame.

Drew stands up suddenly, looking disturbed.

"What?" Danny asks, looking at him curiously.

"I drove Lili here," he says. "She had no ride home."

A long breath escapes me. "She must have walked," I say quietly. "I can go by and see-"

"I'll go see if she's okay," Drew calls out. "I've got to make sure she's safe."

Annoyed, I sit back as he leaves. I think about her walking outside alone, probably beyond upset. It makes me feel pretty crappy. I wonder why she didn't come back in and ask for a ride. Was it because of me? Did she think I would make her leave? Or is she realizing that she should stop depending on Drew?

I try not to think about it.

About ten minutes later, Danny's phone starts ringing. He picks it up and answers.

"Hello?... What? Wait, hang on, slow down dude... Okay, okay, we'll leave right now," Danny says, then he hangs up.

"Well, what is it?" I demand, impatience taking over.

"Drew's at her house, but her front door's locked and Lili isn't there. He doesn't know where she is, and she's not answering her phone," Danny says.

I'm immediately drenched in worry. I stand up and walk out of the house before anyone else. Danny comes with me, and we get into the car. I start driving towards her house.

I try not to imagine what could've happened to her. But kidnappers come to my mind, or her getting hit by a car, or her sitting alone in a park not wanting anyone to talk to her because she's upset. All of the above sound horrible. I drive faster.

Drew is on her street, his car window rolled down. I can here him calling her name from here. We pull over by him.

"Nothing then?" I ask him.

"No," he says. "Dude, I'm freaking out."

It isn't only him that's nervous for her.

*•*•*

It's been almost an hour now. I've been driving up and down every road in the neighborhood. Every once in a while, I've gotten out and run through backyards. Calling her name does nothing. There's no respond. The worry I feel is beyond expression. She must have been kidnapped. It's the only explanation.

My hands are shaking, and the only reason I notice is that Danny points it out to me.

After roaming around the neighborhood one last time, I decide it's time to come back to the house and formulate a new plan. We might need to go to the police. We might need to call other help.

I guess I'm not the only one with that plan. All the others are already there, talking anxiously.

I park my car on the curb and Danny and I get out. Drew greets us, but mostly speaks to Danny because he's still angry at me. I don't care. He can act as he wishes.

"Look, do you think we should call the-" Danny starts. But a noise stops him. We all look off to the back gate of Lili's house that just closed shut.

Lili and her mom walk out. She has her arms wrapped around herself and she looks tired, her hair tasseled around her head.

As soon as she takes any step closer, Drew's hurrying toward her. He envelopes her in his arms, whispering into her ears. I don't look away even though I know I should. If only she knew that for the past two hours he's been flirting with another girl.

When he finally lets her go, she looks better than she did before. She seems more awake, more pleasant.

"Look who's alive," Danny smiles and waves.

"I feel like I'm coming home from a four year trip to Africa. I just fell asleep in the backyard," she laughs, examining all of us.

"We're glad," Danny says.

My eyes remain on her. She finally finds me as well. Her expression changes from pleasant to confusion to what I would call resentment. Then she looks away. There it is. She hates me. She'll never look at me the same again.

"Okay," Drew says. "I think Lili's pretty tired. I'm going to take her upstairs now." As if he owns her. She can speak for herself.

"Thank you guys," Lili says softly. "Thank you all for coming to find me. Sorry I sent you on a chase." She says it with a smile, but I know better. She's bothered. I know it has all to do with me.

Then they walk inside hand in hand. The same way he's walked with at least twenty other girls. Telling her the same things he's told them. It makes me sick.

As glad as I am that she's okay, it doesn't make me okay. It doesn't make her relationship okay, or even real. I have to fix it, and I think today was a good first step.