Chapter 1

Jay was awoken from his slumber by the sound of someone knocking on his bedroom door.

“Who is it?” he asked, yawning as he sat up.

“It’s mom,” he heard his mother call out “Just thought I’d let you know you have a visitor”.

Jay frowned, who would want to come and see him on Saturday.

“Who is it?” he asked as he got off the bed.

“It’s Gabriella, from next door” His mother replied “Kara and myself are going out to the mall”.

He opened the bedroom door and followed his mother into the living room. On the couch sat Gabriella Deno, who lived next door with her mother Maria.

“We’ll be back later this evening” his mother said “Have fun and if you make a mess, clean it up”.

He gave his mother a hug and she left the room, when he heard the door close, he turned to Gabriella and asked “So, not that I’m not pleased to see you, but what do you want?”.

Gabriella was 5’7” tall, had a 31 inch chest and had long brown hair which was tied back in a ponytail. She had her mother’s slightly tanned skin.

“I need a favour” She asks, getting right to the point “And it is that favour that I waited until Kara had gone out before I asked”.

Jay frowned and said “You’ve not asked me anything yet”.

He found Gabriella to be a really hot girl, and had tried to win her affections at school but she’d always turned him down.

“And why should I help you?” Jay asked “According to you, I’m just a ‘typical horny high-school guy trying to get his leg over’...”.

She’d said that to him last time he asked her if she’d join him for lunch.

“I knew you’d use that against me” Gabriella said, fixing Jay with an annoyed look on her face.

Jay chuckles and replies “Well, that IS what you said when I asked if you’d join me for lunch isn’t it?”.

He sits down on the armchair across from her, “So, what’s this favour that you need help with?”

Gabriella rolls her eyes playfully. “Fine, I deserve that. But this is serious, Jay. I need help with my mother”.

Jay knew Gabriella’s mother Maria, he’d always been polite and said hello and made small-talk with her. But as he was in full-time education and she had a job, they never really spoke for more than a few minutes at a time.

“What about your mum?” he asked, curious.

Gabriella sighed, “She’s been pestering me for months now to find a boyfriend...,”.

She paused, looking down at her hands, “I mean, don’t get me wrong, I love my mom, but she’s just so ... old-fashioned. She thinks I should be in a serious relationship by now”

Jay raised an eyebrow, “And what does this have to do with me?”

Gabriella looked up at him, her hazel eyes pleading, “I need you to pretend to be my boyfriend, just for a little while. My mom’s been talking about setting me up with some guy from her church, and I can’t stand the thought of it”.

“So, I figured if she thinks I’m already taken, she’ll back off,” Gabriella explained, her voice laced with desperation.

Jay leaned back in his chair, his arms crossed over his chest. “And why on earth would I agree to that? I’m not about to go around pretending to date someone who thinks I’m ‘typical horny high-school guy trying to get his leg over’...”

Gabriella bit her lip, a habit Jay had noticed she did when she was nervous. “I know, I know. And I wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t important. I’m desperate, Jay. I can’t handle another one of her ‘find a nice boy’ lectures. Besides, it’s not like you’re seeing anyone. You’re always so busy with school and your internship.”

Jay chuckled, “You make it sound like I’m some sort of monk. I do have a life, you know.”

Gabriella waved her hand dismissively, “Oh please, I’ve seen you with all those girls at school. You’re like a player, Jay. You can handle this.”

Jay raised an eyebrow, “So, you think I’m a player now? That’s a new one.”

Gabriella shrugged, “Well, you do have a certain ... reputation.”

Jay let out a low laugh, “And what exactly is it that you think you know about me, Gabriella?”

She smirked, “Enough to know that you can pull off this fake boyfriend thing without breaking a sweat.”

Jay considered her words, his gaze never leaving hers. He had to admit, the idea of spending more time with Gabriella was intriguing. But he also knew that playing along could lead to complications, especially with Kara involved.