Chapter Text
I run my hands through my hair in desperation. I couldn't believe what I had just said to my mother. When I call her to ask her the details for Christmas, like always she started talking of my brother's partner and the amazing they are and asked me if a had any boyfriend I could present to her, and actually I was getting sick of her asking it all the time, so I thought the best way to stopped her was lying that I had one.
“Actually, I do have a boyfriend,” I said, trying to convince her.
“Really?!” She asked, surprised by what I said. “You should invite him for Christmas. It would be a pleasure to meet your partner.”
“Of course, he would be happy to go,” I lied again, feeling kinda sad of my mom being too excited, but on the other hand, I couldn't deny so easily.
“Can't wait!” She claimed and started explaining all the plans she made for that day and how excited she was.
And when the call ended, I couldn't believe what I had just done. I started thinking of options, but quickly discarded all of them, telling the truth was a big no, but disappointing my mother wasn't an option either. So I decided to call Pierre, he always knows what to do in this situation. I take out my phone and call his number, hoping he answers. I walked for a couple of minutes around my flat waiting for him to respond until he did.
“Hi, what's up?” He answers the call.
“Hey, I need your help,” I said, nervous about Pierre's reaction.
I can hear Pierre sight, maybe I call him most of the time when I require advice, but this was something bigger. “With what? You sound anxious”
I explained everything that happened with my mom over the phone, with all the details, and how I needed his help to find a solution because I didn't know what to do myself. Once I finished telling him everything there was silence over the line and I couldn't stop feeling awkward, Pierre knows I do this staff kinda often, but this was a different situation and finding a solution was somewhat unreal, actually the situation was unreal it was like a perfect plot for a Christmas romance film that I would definitely enjoy, but when it happened in real life and to me is not fun any more.
“You really fucked up” He jokes, “but seriously I don't know how to help you”
“Please, I need your help, I can't figure it out by myself” At this point I was desperate for help because there wasn't a lot of time until the calendar hit the 24th, and I wasn't going to find any boyfriend till then.
We talked for a long time on the phone, trying to figure out a way to solve my problem, but we didn't find any solution, suddenly Pierre seemed concerned about a loud noise in my end of the call, when he asked about it, I tell him it was next door screaming something I couldn't understand at all
Pierre wasn’t satisfied with my answer, so he asked more about it, “And why is he shouting like that?”
“Don't know, but he is a streamer so he shouts quite often while playing games” I explained while walking by my flat.
“So that is normal?” He was shocked, but we all were used to it.
“Yes, it was strange the first time, but now I ignored it” I explained while in the background my neighbour was still screaming things.
After that the call went silent, both of us couldn’t figure out what to do, there was no time and thinking of giving up and telling the truth was really tempting and actually was the only option left. Why lie more to his family?
“You know, I will tell-” I managed to say before Pierre interrupted me
“Is he your age?” He asked out of nowhere.
“Yes, he's just weeks older actually” and Pierre laughs, “What's so funny?” he kept laughing while I couldn't understand, was there something wrong with my neighbour?
“That's it! He’s the solution” He stated, and I was more confused. Sometimes I feel dumb for not understanding Pierre, but now he was being weird, so I asked him why.
“You should ask him to be your fake boyfriend for the Christmas dinner” Pierre explained excitedly, but it was a crazy idea I didn’t like one bit.
I shake my head in disapproval, “No way, it is going to be odd” Pierre was going crazy, I didn't even know why he came out with that.
“What's his twitch name?” Pierre asks.
“Do you think I know that?” I rolled my eyes. My friend was going crazy if he thinks I’m going to ask anyone to be my fake boyfriend, I can’t even ask someone on a date.
“Yes”
I hesitated a little bit, feeling quite embarrassed of responding “MaxVerstappen33” I said quickly.
“So, you do know” He makes fun of me while he looks for the account. “He is fine, you really should ask him, I think it would be a cute couple”
“Shut up” I was getting annoyed, I didn't want to make a fool in front of Max, actually we can technically say that we have a good relationship and I didn’t want to ruin that, we don’t talk much, but it was enough for me to feel like I connection with him somehow.
“You have nothing to lose, otherwise you will have to tell the truth” Pierre brought me back to reality, because it was true I don't have anyone to ask. It was Max or telling the truth.
I think about my response, it was a risky situation because if I choose to tell the truth I will have to disappoint my family and explain myself, but if I invite Max I can tell him the truth, fake a little bit and then “break up” Actually the decision wasn't too difficult.
“I guess I will have to talk to Max” I said and Pierre was relieved, I know he would have given a whole explanation of why asking max was the best option.
“I know you would, Charlie” he jokes a little bit, “you need to update me when you ask him” and we ended the call.
Perhaps it wasn't going to be that bad, see the possible results I had a big chance of success, but my anxiety grow because I will have to talk to him and explain every thing so I sat down and browse in my phone if he was still streaming, and he was, so I had to wait until he was offline. I made myself comfortable on the sofa and watched his stream. I have to admit, he was pretty entertaining.