HOLDEN #2
“Then what’s the goddamn point? Why do you want to date me so bad just so you can run off and find someone else?”
I catch something in their voice—pain maybe?—but I don’t understand it.
“Besides, it’s… weird. It wouldn’t even work anyway.” They gesture vaguely between us. “We’re us. This is us. Why do you want to change that?”
The question lands harder than I expect it to, and I look away. I mean, they’re right—why would we change that? I even thought that too.
“It could be fun,” I say, lifting my shoulders.
Korie gives me a look that says I’m borderline insane. “Dating is not fun, even when it’s fake.”
I give them a cheesy grin. “It could be. It would be low stakes. No pressure. And you get to tell me everything I’m doing wrong—no holding back. When else are you going to get that opportunity?”
They snort despite themselves. “I can already tell you everything you’re doing wrong. It’s not a long list.”
“Not like this, you can’t.”
“Yes, I can.”
“It’s not the same,” I argue. “You’re not physically on the dates with me. So you’re missing context or timing or delivery. Whatever. All the stuff that actually matters.”
Korie hesitates, like they hadn’t thought about it that way.
“Come on,” I say, softer now. “There’s no pressure because it’s not real. It’s just me trying things out. Seeing what works.”
They pick at the sleeve of their hoodie, gaze flicking over my face. They suck in their red lower lip before saying in a very quiet voice, “I don’t date, Holden.”
I nod. “I know.”
“I haven’t wanted to in a long time.”
“You mentioned it,” I say softly. I don’t understand it, but Korie must have their reasons to avoid the dating scene entirely.
I know it’s a big ask to drag them into it, even to pretend.
“This isn’t really dating, though. Not really.
It’s just a slightly modified version of how we already hang out. ”
They stare at me, then laugh. “That’s your pitch?”
“It’s a great pitch. I already know you love hanging out with me.”
“It’s a terrible pitch.”
I grin slightly. “Maybe so, but it’s still the truth. How much different can it be? We do everything together already.”
They roll their eyes again, but there’s less resistance in it now.
I press on.
“You wouldn’t have to be anything other than yourself,” I add, more quietly. “Actually—no. You’d have to be more honest than you already are, telling me when I screw up instead of just letting it happen.”
Something shifts in their expression, because we both know Korie lets me get away with way too much shit.
“And then what?” Their voice is a little more measured now. “Coach you in how to behave better or something? Do you actually think you’d listen to me?”
I crack a smile. They have me there too.
I shrug. “I can promise to try.”
Korie still shakes their head. “Seriously, Hold. This is a terrible idea.”
“It might be. But it could also be a really good one. We’ll have fun. Or at the very least, we’ll get a few good laughs out of it.”
They still aren’t convinced.
I lean back in my chair. “Okay, think about it this way. You get to boss me around. Tell me what to wear, what to say. Call me out when I’m being an idiot.”
“Like right now, you mean?”
I smirk. “You’d have full control.”
Their lips twitch. “That’s dangerous.”
“I know.”
I can see it happening in real time—the slow shift from absolutely not to this could be entertaining.
So I push one more time.
“Just try it,” I say, quieter now. “Go on one date with me, Kor. That’s it. If you hate it, we’ll stop. No questions asked.”
They look at me through their long, dark lashes. Really look at me. Like they’re trying to see another outcome where our friendship doesn’t take a hit. I can only hope we find one. I don’t want this to mess things up either.
“Why do you want this so bad?” they ask.
The question isn’t what I was expecting, and none of the answers feel quite like the truth.
Because I want to see what it’s like? I know what dating is like already.
Because I can’t stop thinking about it? That’s not a good enough reason either.
I settle on the only thing that feels right.
“Because I think it’ll help,” I say. Korie’s advice really does feel like the best thing to help me become a better boyfriend to someone. No one sees me like they do.
Korie finally sighs and holds up one finger. “One date,” they say finally. “That’s it.”
I fist my hand in the air, relieved. “Thank you!”
“One, Holden. And I get full veto power at any point.”
“Deal.”
“And I’m not dressing up unless I feel like it.”
“Fair.”
“And when this gets weird—”
“It won’t.”
“When it gets weird,” they try again.
“—then we’ll stop, I promise. I don’t want anything to change between us either, Kor. I just… need your help. That’s all.”
They shake their head, muttering under their breath. “I cannot believe I’m agreeing to this.”
I grin. Me either. “You’re going to love it.”
“I already hate it. I’ve managed to stay out of the dating scene for like, three years, and here you are, dragging me back into it.”
For some reason, that feels like a huge win.
“So? When do we want to do this?”
Korie chuckles. “Tomorrow. I want to get it over with.”
“I can’t tomorrow. I have a late class at work.”
“Fine. Saturday then.”
I nod. “Saturday. Pick you up at 6:30?”