Faked an identity

Tyler stumbles into his room, shutting the door behind him as though that alone can keep the chaos outside.

His chest rises and falls quickly, his mind racing. He leans against the door, his thoughts spiraling.

"This isn't real," he whispers to himself. "Why is he here? CEO?! Why him of all people?"

He begins pacing, running both hands through his hair, muttering under his breath. "What did I do! How did it turn into this? How do I fix this?"

He stops mid-stride. "I need a plan. Something, anything, before morning." He shakes his head. "Maybe I can tell Mom I want to visit Uncle Charlie. Yeah, I'll leave before they wake up. But no... what if he stays? What if he talks to her? Oh, God, this is bad."

The thought jolts him into action. He rushes out of his room to the next door, knocking frantically on Taylor's door.

"Taylor, Open up." he says, his voice tinged with urgency.

No response.

He knocks harder. "Come on, Tay! It's important!"

After a long pause, the door flies open. Taylor stands there, glaring at him with tired, irritated eyes. "What?"

Tyler hesitates, taking in her annoyance. "I, uh... I need to talk to you."

"Clearly," she snaps, blocking the doorway.

"I'm coming in," he says, brushing past her before she can stop him.

Taylor sighs heavily and shuts the door. "What now, Tyler? Am really not in the mood of your usual games right now, what did you do , am sure you are here because you want me to clean your mess again!"

"It's bad. Really bad." he says, pacing again.

She crosses her arms, leaning against the wall. "Okay. Spill."

"Mom and Dad... they brought someone over tonight."

"Yeah? So?"

"You're not gonna believe who it is," he says, stopping to look at her.

"Tyler, I'm not in the mood for guessing games. Just say it."

"It's someone I've been talking to," he blurts out.

Taylor frowns, confused. "Talking to? What do you mean?"

Tyler stares at her, dread creeping into his expression. "Do you remember when I joked about making an Instagram account for you?"

Her brows knit together. "Yeah? You said it but didn't actually do it, did you?"

He winces. "Yeah... about that. I did. And I, uh, used it just like for a week."

Her eyes widen. "You what?!"

"I deleted it months ago!" he says quickly. "I swear, I wasn't using it anymore. But before that, I kind of... met someone."

"Wait. Back up," Taylor says, holding up a hand. "You catfished someone? With my name?!"

"I didn't think it was a big deal!" Tyler says, his voice rising. "It was just a joke at first, but then he started talking to me, and I... I couldn't stop."

Taylor takes a step closer, her anger rising. "Tyler, who is this person? And why the hell are you telling me this now?"

"He's here!" Tyler practically shouts.

Taylor freezes. "What do you mean, 'here'?"

"He's the guy Mom and Dad brought home. The CEO from Paris, dad and mom talk about."

Her jaw drops. "Are you kidding me?!"

"I wish I was," he mutters, running a hand through his hair again.

Taylor stares at him blankly. "And I'm supposed to know who that is?"

"No," Tyler says quickly. "You're not. But he knows you-or, well, he thinks he does."

Her confusion deepens. "You pretended to be me? And now he's in our house?!"

"Tay, I didn't plan for this to happen!" Tyler says, his voice cracking. "I didn't even know Mom and Dad work for him until tonight! The branch company, is his!"

Taylor groans, pressing her palms to her temples. "This is insane. You've officially lost it, Tyler."

"I know," he says, his voice dropping. "I messed up. I'm really sorry Tay but I need your help, please."

"No," she says flatly. "You've gone too far this time Tyler, you'll have to clean that on your own."

"Taylor, please!" he begs. "Just pretend to be his girlfriend. Just for a few days. Then you can break up with him, and he'll leave. It'll all be over!"

She looks at him like he's grown a second head. "You really think I'm going to help you lie to that guy who thinks he's been dating me? Tyler , he is not just some guy , our parent's CEO, they could loose their jobs because of this! If you want me to help you then here's the help , go talk to him , tell him the fucking truth."

"No, that'll be worse!" he says, his voice breaking.

"Well, you should've thought about that before you started playing with someone's life," she snaps. "Now get out of my room."

"Taylor-"

"Out Tyler please! Every time you enter my room you leave me with a terrible headache"

Tyler hesitates, but her glare hardens, and he knows better than to push her further. Shoulders slumped, he walks out, shutting the door behind him.

Back in his room, he collapses onto his bed, cursing himself for ever creating that account.

He picks up his phone, trying to find another way. His hands shake as he opens the chat app.

He knows he should stop, but he also knows he can't let Tanner think something is wrong-not yet. His fingers hover over the keyboard before he finally starts typing.

Tyler (pretending to be Taylor):

My brother just told me he saw you in the house. Is that true? Or is he messing with me?

The message sends, and Tyler's heart pounds as he waits for the reply. He has been ignoring him ever since he told him that he was coming to new york.

The reply comes.

Tanner:

You finally decide to talk to me after ignoring me for days! Anyway, it's true. I can't believe it either. What a coincidence.

Tyler groans, running his hand through his hair again. "Coincidence, my ass," he mutters. He quickly types back.

Tyler:

A coincidence? I don't think so. You've been spying on my family, haven't you?

There's a pause before Tanner replies.

Tanner:

Spying? Seriously? I had no idea your parents were my hosts tonight. I didn't even know they worked in my company. Why are you acting like this? I thought you'd be happy to see me.

Tyler's heart sinks. Tanner's words are unexpectedly sincere, and for a moment, guilt tugs at him. But he knows he has to stick to the plan.

Tyler:

I'm not happy, Tanner. This is too much. You can't stay here. Please, just leave.

A long pause follows, making Tyler's anxiety spike. Finally, Tanner's reply comes through.

Tanner:

Wow. That's not what I expected to hear from you. I thought we were on the same page about how we feel. I didn't plan this, but now that I'm here... and for some reason am happy that I am , but you... Forget it, I'm tired I want to rest, I'll be gone first thing in the morning. Goodnight.

Tyler exhales shakily. The thought of upsetting Tanner bothers him, he can't bare knowing that Tanner thinks that he totally doesn't want to see him.

Tyler:

Wait, don't go to bed upset. I didn't mean it like that. I was just shocked to hear you're here, that's all.

No reply.

Tyler:

Tanner? Are you mad at me?

Still nothing.

Tyler:

Babe?

This time, Tanner replies almost immediately.

Tanner:

What? You said you didn't want me here.

Tyler:

I said I was shocked. I didn't mean it like that. I'm sorry.

Tanner:

It's fine.

Tyler:

No, it's not. I feel terrible for saying that to you.

Tanner:

I said it's fine. Let's just drop it.

Tyler frowns at the screen, unsure how to salvage the situation. Then he remembers his original plan: get Tanner to leave.

Tyler:

But seriously, you can't stay. If my parents find out, they'll kill me.

Tanner's reply is instant this time, his tone firm.

Tanner:

I'll handle your parents. I'm not leaving, and I'm not hiding how I feel about you. I'll tell them the truth if I have to.

Panic spikes in Tyler's chest. He quickly types back.

Tyler:

No! Don't tell them anything. Promise me you won't say a word unless I tell you to.

Tanner:

Why? What's the big deal?

Tyler:

Just promise me.

Tanner:

Fine. I promise. But I'm still not leaving. I want to be this close to you.

Tyler groans, feeling the walls closing in.

Tyler:

You're impossible. Fine, stay. But don't blame me when things go south.

Tanner:

I can handle anything as long as I'm near you.

Tyler rolls his eyes. "Romantic much?" he mutters. But the thought of Tanner staying under the same roof as his sister makes his stomach churn.

Tyler tosses his phone onto the bed and buries his face in his hands. This is worse than he imagined, and he's running out of time to fix it.

Meanwhile, in the guest room, Tanner stares at his phone, a small smile playing at his lips despite the earlier tension. He still can't believe his "girlfriend" is just some feet away.