PRETEND YOU HATE ME

The first time i kissed Daniel Jackson or Jackson like i call him,

it was supposed to be a joke, it all happened at a party i never ever wanted to attend, why?

it was all too loud,too crowded,too many fake people pretending to have perfect lives,

And right in the middle of it all was him…

Daniel Jackson,

the one boy I’ve always hated, and i don’t even hate people, i mean i cant say i like them either but i mean… i dont have a reason to like anyone, but when it comes to Jackson?

yes i could say for a fact that i hated this dude and his very existence….

Standing right there like he didn’t belong, and like the noise couldn’t touch him,i rolled my eyes like i was about to send them on a journey to the back of my head, if anyone was looking in my direction at this very moment they’ll probably think i was nuts….

Let me introduce myself, my name is Daniel, not the Daniel you think….,

my last name is Cole, yeah thats part of the reasons i hate that person, he doesn’t only make my name look bad but he ruins it completely, because he does one thing, people automatically assume its me, and when i say “i hate Daniel” they always say “but you’re Daniel” yeahhh dimwit i know….,

My eyes wandered lazily around the room, people dancing, laughing, shouting over the music until they landed on him.

And just like that, my mood got worse.

Daniel Jackson,

Of course he was here.

He stood near the edge of the room, far from the chaos, like the noise itself refused to touch him. Dressed too clean, too put together, like he didn’t belong in a place like this, or maybe like the place didn’t deserve him.

Same cold expression, same unreadable eyes.

Same annoying, perfect face.

I rolled my eyes and looked away quickly, like staring too long might actually irritate me more.

“Of course he’s here,” I muttered.

Malik followed my gaze and let out a low whistle. “Damn. Even i can admit he looks good tonight.”

“Good?” I scoffed. “Please. He looks like he irons his socks.”

Malik laughed. “You’re such a hater.”

“Hate is such a strong word,” I said, swirling my drink, then i paused.

“Actually, no. Hate is perfect.”

It wasn’t like Jackson and i had some deep history.

We just… didn’t mix, more like oil and water.

He was the type of person who planned everything, controlled everything, excelled at everything.

And me?

I was just trying to survive each day without getting into too much trouble.

We existed in the same space, but on completely different levels.

And for some reason, that alone was enough to make him look at me like i was always a problem and judge me.

Which, okay was fair, i mean i was always involved in one problem or the other, but i mean… all these situations could easily be explained.

But still….

“Yo,”

Malik said suddenly, his voice dropping into that tone i knew meant trouble, i mean, malik has been my friend for as long as i can remember, so i know his every tone because he gets me into 60% of the troubles i be finding myself in.

“I dare you.”

I didn’t even look at him.

“No!”

“You don’t even know what I’m going to say.”

“I don’t need to, i know you dudeee and the answer is still no!”

Malik grinned, leaning closer. “I dare you to kiss Daniel.”

I choked on my drink.

“Have you lost your darn mind malik?.”

“Come on,” he said, clearly enjoying this.

“You’re always talking about how much you can’t stand him. Go prove it.”

“How does kissing him prove anything?!”

“It’ll be funny,” Malik shrugged. “And I’ll give you money.”

Now that unfortunately got my attention.

“How much?”

Malik smirked.

“I knew you were cheap.”

“Answer the question.”

“Enough to cover your lunch for a week.”

I hesitated.

Because here’s the thing i obviously wasn’t scared of Jackson, i just hated the dude and he practically just… annoyed me.

Everything about him did but especially the fact that he has same name as me.

The way people treated him like he was untouchable. The way he walked around like he knew he was better than everyone.

Kissing him?

It would be stupid.

Pointless.

A bad idea.

So obviously… i was going to do it.

“Fine,”

I said, handing my drink to Malik.

“But if i get punched, I’m blaming you.”

Malik’s grin widened.

“Deal.”

I took a deep breath and turned towards Jackson again.

He hadn’t moved.

Still standing there, calm, composed, like the world around him was just background noise.

For a second just a second i hesitated so bad.

This was dumb.

I knew it was dumb.

But it was just a joke, right?

Just a quick kiss, a laugh, and I’d walk away.

No big deal.

Yeah.

No big deal.

I walked straight up to him before i could change my mind.

He noticed me immediately.

Of course he did.

His eyes met mine, sharp and unreadable, like he was already trying to figure out what i wanted and why i was standing in front of him.

Up close, he was even more intimidating a bit charming i mumbled…. hmmm…. annoying so.

“What do you want?”

he asked, his voice low and calm.

Straight to the point.

Typical.

I tilted my head, forcing a smirk.

“Can’t i just come say hi?”

Jackson’s gaze didn’t soften.

“No.”

Okay…..Rude,

I clicked my tongue.

“You’re no fun, you know that?”

“And you’re wasting my time.”

That did it.

Before i could think, before i could hesitate and loose my money, i grabbed the front of his shirt and pulled him down.

And kissed him.

For a moment, everything went quiet.

Or maybe that was just in my head.

Because Jackson didn’t move.

Didn’t react.

Didn’t do anything.

And then,when i thought this was over finally.

He kissed me back.

Not shocked.

Not hesitant.

Deliberate.

My brain short circuited.

This wasn’t how this was supposed to go.

This wasn’t part of the plan.

His hand came up resting lightly against my wrist, not pushing me away, not pulling me closer, just there.

Like he was deciding something.

Like he was thinking.

And for some reason, that made my chest tighten.

I pulled away first.

Breathing a little harder than i should’ve been.

The room rushed back in music, voices, everything loud again.

Jackson looked at me and i mean not the look that we all get from other humans, i mean he really looked at me.

His expression had changed.

Not much.

But enough.

“You’re drunk Dan,”

he said quietly.

I let out a short laugh, trying to shake off whatever that was.

“Relax. It was just a joke.”

Something flickered in his eyes.

Gone almost instantly.

“Don’t do it again,”

he said.

His voice wasn’t angry.

That would’ve been easier.

It was… something else.

Something i didn’t have time to analyze or figure out.

I raised my hands in mock surrender.

“Don’t worry dude i don’t make a habit of kissing people i don’t like.”

Jackson didn’t respond.

Just watched me for a second longer… then turned and walked away.

Like nothing had happened.

Like it didn’t matter.

Like it didn’t affect him at all.

I stood there, staring at him, my heart doing something weird i didn’t want to think about.

“Yo!” Malik appeared beside me, grabbing my arm.

“You actually did it! Bro, that was insane!”

I forced a grin.

“Told you i would.”

Malik was still laughing, still talking, but i barely heard him.

Because my mind was stuck on one thing.

That kiss.

The way Jackson didn’t push me away.

The way he kissed me back in such a way you’ll think a person has been yearning for you the whole time.

And the way he looked at me after…

Like i wasn’t a joke, like he really felt something else for me.

And just like that,i knew this was a very bad idea