Page 141 of Something Rad
“Oh,” I say, not really sure how else to respond.
Cooper threads her fingers together, glancing away. “That being said…I’m free for Thanksgiving dinner. You know, if you’d like some emotional support. Or back-up. Or whatever…” She slowly raises her eyes to meet mine again.
“Oh,” I say again, with much more certainty this time. “I–Uh–Cooper…You don’t have to do that… Not for me…”
“I don’t mind,” she responds softly. “Really, I mean it. It might actually be nice to not spend the day alone for a change.”
I swallow hard. It’s on the tip of my tongue to tell her no. To insist that it’s not necessary. To tell her I don’t need her to be there and that I take it all back.But the truth is…
“That would be really great, Cooper.”
She smiles tightly up at me. “Okay then. I’ll be there.”
“Okay,” I breathe, nodding slowly.
I watch as Cooper’s smile falters, her brows pinching. “The only thing is…well…”
“What?” I ask.
“They think I’m your girlfriend.”
“Oh… right,” I mutter.
But she’s not anymore.
Cooper chews on her bottom lip, her eyes squinting. “I guess…we could…”
“What?” I question her.
“I mean…should we maybe just…continue? To pretend?”
My back straightens, a fluttery feeling pounding against my ribcage. “I suppose we could.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah,” I nod. Cooper looks apprehensive, and I fully understand the feeling. “You know, it probably makes the most sense anyways.”
“You think?” she asks.
“Yeah,” I insist. “Everyone thinks we’re the power couple of the school right now. We just won Homecoming King and Queen.”
Cooper nods, processing what I’m saying. “Yeah, you’re right. And I did just win student body president. It would probably look a little weird for us to so abruptly break up.”
“Exactly,” I agree. “It only makes sense to stretch it out a little longer.”
“Right. We don’t want anyone asking any questions,” Cooper says.
“Nowthatwould be a catastrophe.”
Cooper pulls my jacket closed tighter around herself, blowing out a steady breath. “Okay. So we continue for a little longer. Until…winter break?”
“Winter break,” I confirm. “Yes, that works.”
She clears her throat, shifting on her feet. “What about Denise?”
“I’ve got Denise handled. Don’t worry about it, Cooper.”
“What does that mean?”
