"what can i say? i’m shallow ––– there’s no meaning to me, i’m two dimensional, i hate everything i do and get this… i’m only marrying you for ya’ looks.” she enjoys their dynamic, and ever since they’ve started this little deal, it’s like a little boundary has been lifted. it was easier to be more natural around him, letting the conversation flow. she’s adding to the dramatics, flicking her hair in a swift movement away from him, looking out the window with her arms crossed over her chest. “nope ––– it’s too late. i love you but i have to let you go. it’s gone to far. this is the final straw.” and then her laughter is lacing in with his, matilda’s cheeks were even starting to hurt with how much she was smiling and laughing –– oh the joys ! “okay –– good, perfect. and later, we can sort through some of my paintings for ones you want to be up, okay ? if that’s fine with you –– of course.” she’s smiling now, again, and to be honest it’s pretty hard to contain in front of him. “listen, apartment shopping is fun –– it’s so much better than dorms and you seem to forget i’m an excellent chef. wife material ? i think so.” even after their joking, she was caught off guard by his next comment, calling her the prettiest girl on campus –– and even if it was pathetic to blush over that, there she was, blushing over it anyways. luckily it was just light, ( or so she thought ) hopefully he wouldn’t notice. “that was really nice –– like the nicest thing someone has said to me,” she paused, looking down at her legs on the seat for a second, she had to make a joke of some sorts.. it’d stop it from being a silence. “say that in front of your parents when they’re here, you’ll have them fooled in a second. also, with the real estate agent showing us around, are we meant to act like we’re engaged ? like, now ? it could be a lil’ bit of practice, if you wanted ?”
“you're a giant dork, you know that? and, oh, get this -- when this is all done and blown over, i'll basically have it on record that you just called me hot. so who's laughing now, babe?" niko snickered, and smile cheeky and mocking. "shut up, matilda," was all he could say, letting her win this one. that's what boyfriends and fiance's did, right? they let their girlfriend win. and he was a generous guy. "of course that's fine! i really want your paintings in there. besides, my parents know i'm a crazy guy -- it'd be more suspicious if i had a boring major and was marrying a boring girl, too. it's just not me." niko was already turning into the parking lot as he said this. they were a little early, but it was close to campus, for convenience. "silly me, so forgetful. it's tough to remember real cooking when i eat boxed macaroni and cheese every day. the one that's shaped like spongebob characters. but that's good -- my mom's gonna love you," he enthused, the thought of his mother loving matilda making him simultaneously revealed and weirdly annoyed. "ha, yeah -- i'll have them fooled," he chuckled a little awkwardly, his genuine compliment becoming part of their elaborate lie. but it was fine, it's not like they were real feelings he was encouraging. "um, obviously! the realtor isn't in on it. we have to give them prime newly-engaged-couple realness. you ready?" niko shut of the car, turning to matilda anxiously. "-- sweetheart?" he finished, smiling.
