“Congratulations, Sweetie!”
Mom kisses my cheek, and she hugs me in tears. 
We’ve done it. Finally.
We’ve graduated and in a couple of weeks I’ll be starting my new life in a different city. I can’t wait.
I’m smiling at Mom when I’m lifted off the ground and spun around by Alex. I scream and he sets me down.
I constantly have to remind myself he’s just doing this for show.
I flick his forehead, “I’m wearing a dress, you buffoon.”
He smiles at me, “Congratulations, Alessandra.”
I bow, “Congratulations, Alexander.”
We’ve been putting this act on for a couple of days. When I told Mom the story of how Alex saved me from the party, she was in tears telling me how proud of Alex she was. Alex was also visiting the house often and having dinner there.
It was weird at first, but I got the hang of it. Alex is good at pretending, he makes me forget this is an act sometimes.
He gives me a bear hug, “We did it.”
I hug him back, “We did.”
Mom coos, “Aw. Let’s take pictures!”
I think Mom almost used up all the memory from her phone when she took those pictures. She took pictures of me and Nic, our whole family. Alex’s family and we also took pictures of her and Dad and Jane and Sam.
Nic and I shared a tearful goodbye, but not before she gave me a parting gift which I found out is a pack of condoms. She left a note saying that I might need those when Alex and I decide to take our act into the next stage.
She’s completely lost it. She’s gone mental.
My family’s waiting by the car when Mom says, “Wait. I haven’t taken a picture of you and Alex yet.”
Alex walks behind me and wraps his arms around me, “Say ‘College’.”
I wrap my arms around his and give a genuine smile at the camera, “’College’.”

#
“Holy shit this place is huge!”
We walk into the house that we’re going to be staying in for the week during our vacation.
The house is so open, the walls and furniture are white, and I’m greeted with wall to ceiling views of the ocean. Mom and Jane have decided to rent a big house for us all to stay in.
There’s also an infinity pool outside. This place is amazing.
Mom whispers behind me, “You like it?”
I look at her, “This is spectacular. Thanks, Mom.”
She smiles, “It’s not all for you kids, we’re also celebrating the fact that we’ve raised two beautiful children.”
She bumps her hips to mine, “Go on. Your room should be upstairs on the left.”
I drag my luggage upstairs and look for my room.
There are two hallways, one going to the left and one going to the right. I go to the left and open the first door on the left and I’m greeted with a shirtless Alex. He spins to look at me and I immediately close the door, “I’m sorry.”
I shake the image of him from my head and I open the door in front of his. I almost make it inside, but he opens his door – still shirtless and says, “Hey. Do you want this room?”
I figured the view would be better on that side of the house, but I shake my head, “No it’s fine. I’ll take this one.”
He points behind him, “No. It’s okay, you can have this one. We can switch.”
My eyes dart from his face to his abs and I stammer, “N- no. It’s okay, you don’t have to.”
He grins, “I insist.”
I don’t know what the grin is for. Did he see me checking him out?
God, I hope not.
Nic’s psycho ramblings are fucking up with my head.
He leaves to get his stuff and I wait in the hallway for him to get out of the room. He moves to the room on the right and I walk over to the room he just left from. I don’t say anything else and I don’t dare look at him again as I close the door.
I put my back against the door and touch my forehead, “Oh my God. I think I’m coming down with something.”
I walk over to the bed and lie down.

#
I didn’t realize I’ve fallen asleep until I feel my bed dip.
I open my eyes and see blue eyes staring back at me.
I yelp as I roll off the bed. My butt hits the floor and I look up at him.
He just grins, “Hey sleepyhead.”
I look around and see that we’re alone. 
I rub at my eyes, “What the hell are you doing here? You almost gave me a heart attack.”
He sighs as lies on his back and stares at the ceiling, “Val told me to come get you, we’re having dinner out.”
I stand up and walk to my unpacked bags to look for something to wear, “Well, so much for your plan, genius. I thought they’d be off our backs if we play nice.”
He sits up, “Patience.”
He gets a paper bag from the floor and hands it to me, “Val also asked me to give this to you.”
I squint my eyes at him, but I take the bag, “Where’s Mom anyway? Why is she asking you to play messenger?”
He stands up, “They already left. I told them you’re still sleeping so they said I should just wait for you. If you’re ready, I’ll call a cab.”
I just stare at him.
“You don’t need to be nice, no one’s here,” I say.
He chuckles but sounds a bit annoyed, “Did you expect me to wake you up with a bucket of ice-cold water?”
I scoff, “Did I say that?”
He puts his hands on his hips, “Then what are you saying?”
I shake my head and walk to the door to open it for him, “Just don’t act all nice when it’s just the two of us, you’re getting on my nerves.”
He scoffs shaking his head, “Fine.”
He walks out.
I shake my head as I try to sort out how that made me feel. It’s getting really weird when he’s being nice to me all the time. I mean, this is just for the benefit of our parents, so he doesn’t have to pretend we’re okay when we’re alone.
I opened the paper bag and check out what Mom sent me.
I stare at it and I sigh, “Oh Mom.”