ADAPTED

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©️ Emrys Noah 2021

BETILLA

Those eyes, they were looking back at me. Judging me. I had spent months imagining them. Imagining the colours, the intensity. It felt too good to be true. He was as confused as I was. I couldn't look away from his eyes. The sound of someone's approaching footstep caused me to rip my eyes away from his. A wave of deja vu hit me. I let out a low curse under my breath as I looked at the owner. Apparently, in the U.K, you weren't supposed to be found outside classes in the hall. Even with a hall pass. "What are you two doing out here?" The teacher questioned. I took a step forward to start explaining but he cut me off, "Don't, I don't need two Christs in my life." He had truly become worse.

"I know the drill, Mr Paxton. Detention after school and extra assignments." He said and Mr Paxton nodded. He turned to look at me, "You're new. I'll let you off with a warning." And he left. Archer was planning to do the same but I called his name. "Archer." I started and once again he cut me off with, "Save it." That was great, just great. I did not know where the chemistry lab was and Mae wasn't picking up. I couldn't skip class so I decided to head in the direction Archer left in. The classes had transparent doors so I could see the subjects being taught. After peeking into the third class, I decided to go to the principal's office. It was my only choice. I knocked gently at his wooden door and opened it after hearing his low, "Come in."

He looked surprised to see me. "Ms Betilla, aren't you supposed to be in your chemistry class." He said as if though he crammed my schedule. I nodded in response. "I have absolutely no idea where it is." He only laughed at me and pulled out a flyer. He got up and motioned for me to follow him. As we walked in the quiet hallway, he handed the flyer to me. It was a map of the school. I was relieved to see that. A couple of twists and turns later, we stood before the chemistry laboratory. He pushed the large doors open and suddenly, all the eyes were on us. I blushed.

The class quieted down and he spoke to the teacher. I stood there awkwardly scanning the class for Mae. She was sitting in the corner. I gave her a small smile. The teacher spoke up, "Students, in addition to our exchange students, Betilla here, will be joining us for the week. Do give her a warm welcome." She said and showed me to a seat that wasn't far from Mae. The girl next to me was friendly and she waved. I smiled at her. I started to think, 'Maybe the week won't be that bad after all.' That was until I remembered, I had seen Archer. He saw me and he wasn't happy to. I turned back to hang my jacket on the seat and I met his vicious eyes. Fucking hell.

Things had gone south for me. The boy that had allegedly left my old school because of me and fate still found a way to tie us together. The letter he left me was very brief. I still had it. He said he was leaving because he could not stand me and that he would hurt himself by hurting me. I tried to understand what he meant by hurting himself by hurting me. I stiffened knowing his heavy gaze was placed on me and not the board. For the rest of the class, I tried taking down the notes while my heart was racing like crazy, pumping blood to all parts of my body. 

The sound of the bell was like the starting buzzer for a race for me. I grabbed my things and dashed out of there. I had a twenty-minute recess before my next class so I hurried to my locker to drop off my books and I whipped out my phone to see 4 text messages from Mae. 

Gurllllll

Have you seen Archer, he's in our Chemistry class!!

Btw where the fuck are you?

Betilla!

I only replied, Meet me at my locker

I turned around to see Kayden approaching with Anne. I smacked him on his arm."Kayden, you left me stranded." He yelped and gave me a confused stare while Anne laughed at our encounter. "You left with the freaking map Kayden." I scolded and Anne stepped up for him, "Now, don't get your pants in a twist." She said and we all laughed. Out of nowhere, Mae came and joined in the laughter. Dumbass

After rambling about unimportant matters, we all split up to go to our various classes. Mae, Kayden and I had the next class together so we were headed there. Mae and I talked in hushes as we walked to the class. "You sat in front of him! How do you feel?" She wiggled her eyebrows at me. I blushed and she gasped. "Oh my God! Betilla, you are not falling for him again, are you?" I was about to answer when Kayden cut me off. "Enough with the gossip, we're in class already." Mae and I smacked his arm. I used my eyes to tell Mae that we would continue the conversation later. Lucky for me, I didn't see any familiar faces in the class. So, it went well. I had two more classes before lunch break. 

I used the map that the principal gave me to get to my classes because had them alone. Venus was in one of them and she was very surprised to see me. I wasn't. I was excited to see how lunch was. With that being said, Kayden, Anne, Mae and I walked together to the cafeteria and sat at one table forming a group. We got regular cafeteria food and it wasn't that bad. I scanned the cafeteria and my eyes landed on one group. It was oddly familiar. I recognised Henry and Venus, and Archer. They had a little clique'. My eyes narrowed on Venus and Archer who sat next to each other. Were they dating again? I looked at Mae who was probably wondering the same thing. She looked back at me and gave me a reassuring look. "Betilla, no." She warned me. I couldn't help but look back at their table. Only to meet his eyes.

He didn't hold contact for more than a second. I looked back at my group and ignored him too. After having a very dumb conversation with them, I had to get to my last class which was on the far side of the school. I stood up to leave the cafeteria to notice he had gone. Pushing that aside, I started my journey to get to my last class. I arrived way before time. I entered and greeted the teacher. She directed me to my seat. Apparently, my partner was early. I sat down hesitantly and waited patiently for the class to start. He put his head up when students started to pile in. I could swear I almost choked on my spit when I saw that it was Archer. He only scowled at me. He definitely wasn't happy to see me. 

The class was going smoothly until Archer started leaning to my part of the desk. I was so confused and I lost track of what the teacher was saying. However, he was unaffected. He continued scrawling down notes in his perfect handwriting. So I ended up lagging behind. I had to ask him. "Archer," I muttered. He stopped for a fraction of a second and he continued as if he didn't hear what I said. "I'm lost," I said with more confidence this time. He dropped his pen and leaned to me to only whisper in my ear. "Honestly, I really don't want to find you." My breath hitched in my throat. He leaned back on his chair and smiled at the effect he had on me. He shoved his notes in my direction and stood up just in time for the bell to go off. "I'll collect that tomorrow thank you." He dismissed. 

I sat down as I watched other students scramble to get out of the class. Probably to catch up with their friends before they head home. I looked at his notes which I held as I walked to my locker to meet up with Mae. I collected my books from my locker and shoved them neatly into my bag.  I waited patiently for Mae, Kayden and Anne before heading to the dormitories. Subconsciously, I replayed the events of the day in my head as I waited. I crossed paths with him several times. It couldn't just be fate trying to mess with us. I wasn't ready to get my hopes high only to get them crushed. I could have got into detention that day but instead, Archer took the fall. I could have stood up for him but he shut me down. 

Mae snapped me out of my thoughts by saying, "Girl, are you this dumb?" I smacked her. "Sorry but I'm going to be frank with you. No one wants to watch their best friend hopelessly sulk over a guy who clearly isn't interested." She was right. I only nodded at her and changed the topic. I really needed a sit-down time with myself. We only waited for a while before Anne and Kayden came approaching, acting like a couple as always. We walked to the dorm. And I noticed an ice cream shop on the way. "Oh, guys, let's get ice cream there!" I suggested. They all agreed so we marched over there. 

Little bells dinged as we opened the door. The shop had a loving atmosphere. "What flavour are you going to get?" Mae asked me and I only shrugged. Kayden and Anne ordered a couple bowl. Honestly, it was as if they were secretly dating. Mae ordered a vanilla combo. I didn't really pay much attention to that. It was my turn to order and I stared at the various flavours in adoration. The attendant was really nice. "You're indecisive right? I would be too." She laughed. I only gave her a weak smile. "How about I make the order for you?" I could feel my face lighten up. She went to get a bowl. She started off with a golden waffle base, then some strawberry and then she added a flavour I hadn't seen. It was multicoloured but yet beautiful. "Order up. The perfect one for you." She was really nice and I was sure I would love it. I paid and went to meet the group. 

I finished it quickly, it was really lovely and I had some assistance from Mae too. We chilled at the shop for a while before we decided to head back before curfew and also we had assignments already. As we walked back, I started to think. 

Golden waffle as his golden blonde hair, pink as his lips, multicoloured as his eyes. The perfect one for me.

Oh my God.

Author's note

That was so cute!