team chimaera

“You want me to do what?”

Nora winced at the incredulous tone, keeping her eyes fixed on the road ahead. Maybe attempting to start this conversation an hour into their seven hour drive was a poor choice on her part.

“I, uh… Well, my parents sort of, kind of… They might think we’re dating?”

Joss was quiet for a moment, long enough for Nora to squirm in her seat. She hoped Joss didn’t notice how her hands were shaking on the wheel.

“Why do they think that?”

Oh, I don’t know, she thought. Maybe because I’ve had a crush on you for over a year now and I mention you every week when they call?

“I don’t know,” Nora lied. “I mean, they know I’m gay and maybe they misinterpreted our friendship or - I don’t know. But, I told them you were coming home with me and I guess they thought that meant I thought it was time for them to meet my…”

“Girlfriend.” Joss’s voice was unusually calm. Nora wasn’t sure why; she didn’t dare glance over at the passenger seat.

“Yeah. I guess.”

“And you want me to pretend to date you for the next two weeks?”

She bit her lip and changed lanes so the asshole driver behind them could speed by. “You don’t have to. I wasn’t - I’m not trying to force you into anything, but my parents are stubborn and they sounded so happy when I said I was bringing you and…” Nora sighed. “That sounds really shitty, I know. But I thought it’d be easier to just say we broke up a week or so after we leave? They’ll definitely drop it by then.”

“Alright.”

Nora nearly swerved off the road as her head snapped to the side, gaping at Joss. “I - What?”

“I said ‘alright’.” Joss’s brow furrowed as if she were weighing her options, gaze a little distant when she met Nora’s eyes. “It’s only for a couple of weeks. And, well, how hard can it be?”

Famous last words. Nora wanted to groan (and maybe cheer, but her gut was twisting too uncomfortably for that right now) but she forced a thin smile, turning back to the road.

“Right. How hard can it be?” she muttered to herself.