Christian's POV

I sat there staring at the screen for awhile. Well, mostly at her. I've been sitting there, supposed to be editing for the past two hours. I couldn't figure this shit out – and I couldn't focus on it with Anastasia on the screen.

I'm so enamored by her and her grace and I didn't know how to handle what I was feeling. Usually when I met a girl, it was a fuck and duck. I didn't want any strings attached because I simply didn't care for all of the emotions that came along with it. It was fucked up, but it was what I did best.

However, when I'm with her. I want everything and more. I'm convinced by now that she thought I was a creep. I barely met her and we haven't really gotten to know each other but she wasn't any girl I've ever met before. She was sweet and kind and didn't throw herself at me like every other girl here.

Two hours later, I finally figured out the video editing software Elle sent and sent the draft to both Anastasia and Elle to upload. After, I paced around the room for a bit. Watching Ana over and over for the past 5 hours made me antsy. I potentially wanted to pursue a relationship with her but if it were to go wrong, I wouldn't want this arrangement to end.

I needed to remain professional around her. Or try to at least.


5 Days later

Ana's POV

A few days have passed by since Elle uploaded the video and needless to say. It was doing a lot better than I expected. It reached a thousand views within two days. Christian said it was probably because it was college application season.

Sigh. Christian.

He's been so good to me. He's been so kind and patient with me. My heart flutters just thinking about all of the small interactions we've had together.

I went over to his place yesterday to film another video, How We Met. We talked about how the professor recommended me to help Christian with the class, as he had trouble writing his final essay paper. Then how we realized we have a lot in common and came from Seattle. Thus, beginning our "relationship."

*Flashback*

"I think that went really well," he said with his million dollar smile.

"I think so too. Elle said that our last video has been pretty good considering it's just the first one."

"I'm pretty excited. She said we have a total of 15 subscribers so far," he said enthusiastically. His chuckle is contagious.

"We have a long way to go. But starting is better than not doing it at all," I giggle.

"That is true." He begins to put the camera equipment away and starts to clean up the pillows we used for sitting on the floor. I fold up the blanket that I had wrapped around myself. Despite the heater going in his apartment, the fall weather at Cambridge was freezing.

"Are you hungry? I make a mean peanut butter and jelly sandwich," he said wiggling his eyebrows, walking over to his kitchen cabinets.

"Yes please. I'm starving." I walk over to the island in the kitchen and sit on the stool accompanying it. I wrapped my arms around myself, shivering.

As he brings out all of the ingredients, he looks over to me and frowns. He then pulls off the Harvard hooded sweater he was wearing and walks around the island to me.

"You're cold." He stated, giving me the sweater.

I blush, but accept the sweater from him and put it on. His warmth envelopes me, and scent comforts me – all woody and manly.

"Is it that obvious?" I ask, mildly embarrassed.

He pulls out the blanket that I had just put away and wraps it around my shoulders. He kisses my cheek,"No worries. It's cold. I think the sweater looks better on you than it does on me anyways."

Walking back to the other side of the island, he returns to making the sandwich like nothing ever happened.

*End of Flashback*

Sure our relationship had great potential. Deep down, I had feelings for him. Unfortunately, I had bigger things to worry about than just myself.

He was picking me up today to go out for lunch and we were gonna take some photos together to post on our social media.

That reminds me, I still need to tell my dad about Christian and I. After talking a bit more about our situation, we agreed to pretend to date and keep the pretend part between us and Elle. It would be difficult to keep up the pretenses and switch on and off our fake relationship with different people around.

I put on some leggings, an oversized sweater, and some boots, while also wearing light makeup. I was dressed up more than usual, because I wanted to look good about our mini photoshoot.

I walk out to the kitchen to get some water and see Jack standing at the fridge with the door open. I move around him to get to the water dispenser, but he suddenly backs up into me, almost making me lose my balance.

"Jack!" I yell.

"Ana," he takes a step back, looking at me up and down. His look gives me the chills, the hair stands up at the back of my neck.

"Why don't you look mighty fine," he says while giving me a disturbing smirk.

"I-" I start to respond but then there was a knock on the door, "That must be Christian. Bye Jack."

I hurry towards the door, forgoing the water. I open the door and relief spreads through my body, "Christian."

"Hey baby," he leans in for a hug I assume to keep up the pretenses, "You look beautiful."

"Thank you. We should go." We leave not before I look behind me to see Jack standing there with his hands crossed and a stern look on his face in the kitchen.

He nods, "after you." He holds the door open, leading me out with his arm around my waist.

We walk out to his car, and he pulls the passenger door open.

"Anastasia, are you okay?" I turn around so that I'm leaning against the car door and he's in front of me. "You seem upset."

"It's- It's no big deal." I shake my head. I didn't want to make a big deal out of nothing. Maybe I was just reading the situation wrong and Jack was just being nice. That has to be it. Right?

"Obviously something has happened to make you this upset," he pushes a fallen strand of hair behind my ear.

"I just don't want to talk about it right now."

He nods understandingly,"Just know that if you ever need anything. I'm here for you. We're friends now. You can talk to me."

Ouch. Did I just get friendzoned?

"Thank you." He wraps his strong arms around me, and lean against him for comfort.

I guess he was just keeping up the image.

Well I guess there's no hope for me.


After we ate lunch, Christian said he was taking me to a secret location. He wouldn't budge after nagging him since he told me when we started eating.

We sit in a comfortable silence in the car as he drives, with Coldplay playing in the background.

Nobody said it was easy

It's such a shame for us to part

Nobody said it was easy

No one ever said it would be this hard

Oh take me back to the start

He continues to drive up a windy road towards the mountains.

"You're not taking me here to murder me right?" I joke.

"Oh no! You've uncovered my plan," he feigns and starts laughing. "No, I have much better plans for us than committing a crime, Ms. Steele."

10 minutes later he pulls up near a cliff that was off the trail. It had frabicated an archway from the crowded, leafy trees so close together. However, the most gorgeous part of the scenery was that the archway focused on the sunset, overlooking the steep cliff. There was no one around. Just us two and a view.

He brings out a blanket from his trunk, laying it on the ground. He sits down and pats the spot next to him, signifying that I should take a seat beside him.

"The view is breathtaking. It's so peaceful here." I say.

"I'd like to say this is my getaway. I come here when I just need to escape my life for a little bit." I turn my head to look up at him. He stares at the sunset in front of us, his gorgeous grey eyes shining.

"It's a pretty far drive from Harvard," I comment.

"I think it's worth the drive. I sometimes just want to forget school," He turns his focus towards me now. "I must argue that the sunrise is much better than the sunset, but it's not as beautiful as you."

I blush, deciding to ignore his comment, "That's pretty early to drive all the way up here," I furrow my eyebrows.

"It's a force of habit. I wake up often in the middle of the night so it's not much of a difference." He turns away, indicating he was done discussing the topic at hand.

He then takes his phone out, "I thought this would be a good place to take some pictures of us. It's a good opportunity for uh- what do people call it? Golden hour?" He asks confusingly.

I giggle. "I think so. How should we pose? We can start with us sitting together like we are now."

I scoot closer to him, bringing my arm behind him to wrap around the crook between his neck and broad shoulders. He takes a few in a selfie mode with us in various poses of sitting together. We both smile at the camera.

I look at the screen of his phone and he turns to take a picture of him kissing my cheek. However, a notification pops up on his phone and it comes as quickly as it goes. He didn't get to read it because he was looking away but it didn't leave quickly enough for me to misread it.

Elena: I miss you baby. What day does your flight come in for Thanksgiving?

My mood takes a one eighty and anger soars through me. Not only did he lie to me by omission, this girl knew that we weren't actually together. We agreed to complete discretion. This girl had to know we were pretending right? Why else would she text him that?

Of course. He only sees you as a friend.

We're friends now. You can talk to me.

I had to be fine. We agreed to pretend. That's all this was. Pretend. I had to focus on why I was doing this in the first place. I couldn't get mad at him over nothing. It wasn't my business.

"I'd like to leave now." I stood up abruptly and walk towards his car.

He looks at me confused. I was just hurt because I let my emotions get the best of me and I lost focus of my priorities. I had to let it go.


A/N I am so sorry for the extremely long wait. My life has changed a lot the past year. I graduated high school, got into and now attending my dream college, and found out I had an autoimmune disease. It's winter break now so hopefully I'll be able to update more. Nevertheless I hope you guys enjoy and please review (: It'll be much appreciated.