Souvenir

-Selena Gomez

Always be kinder than you feel

Chapter Seventeen - A Hoe Never Gets Cold

It was now Friday.

One day from the weekend.

We contestants were supposed to go to a restaurant and eat as a form of congratulations last night but even without asking, I knew mom wouldn't let me come. Even if I give her my best puppy dog eyes, her walls will still remain impenetrable.

I would use the 'I'll leave this household' card but thought twice when realization kicked into me that my mother would happily lock me out of our house for such discipline lacking behavior.

Ever since I was chosen to be the female lead, it felt like a big weight was tossed on my shoulders. Heavier, and a hell ton fatter than Xavier. Which counts a lot.

I just woke up about fifteen minutes ago due to my mother's knocking but here I am still on my bed, aimlessly staring at the ceiling. My shirt was twisted at a weird angle, one leg of my pajamas somehow folded up and reached above my knees and my hair was the biggest mess in the history of messes, some even got mixed with drool when I woke up. My other pillow along with my comforter by the position I'm in might be somewhere in my room, probably the floor.

And my pillow has a wet patch.

Which is drool unless a cat ninja'd it's way into my room in the middle of the night and peed in it.

Ha, early morning thoughts.

Too sluggish to do the small act such as turn my head, I reached out both arms in various directions hoping to find my ever loving penguin stuffy, Park.

When I finally felt a bib like material. You know, the thing that baby's use when they eat. The cloth that's tied or wrapped around the neck to protect clothes.

I just got a mental image of a baby making a meme face.

I really do hate my mind sometimes. Like, why the fuck is this on my mind? I don't even have a baby, much less a young cousin or relative.

I grabbed Park and hugged him, petting his chubby head. I got him when me and the gang went to an ocean park with our parents at the age of six.

When I put it that way, our story seemed to be plain. So let me enlighten you what really went down a long time ago.

I actually got a pink seahorse stuffed animal with cute eyes and a pretty tail. I named her-yes it's a her- Ocean. She was what you would call a basic six year old girl's dream animal toy. Maybe not all, but you get the point.

Sam had a jellyfish one she named jel-jel. Ashton had a crab he named Ashju that stands for Ashton junior. We were even six and you could clearly tell who Ashton is by the name he gave that poor crab.

Aiden was the first owner of Park. We split the names because at that time we sounded like geniuses. Me and Aiden really bonded since that incident. We would often have play dates for Ocean and Park. Weird I know.

I remember how we used to make stories and dress then up with various stuff, often blankets and pillowcases. I would sometimes pretend that I'm a princess by draping my then peppa pig comforter across my shoulders, using Ocean as a sword and Aiden doing the same to Park. Long story short we had a fight, battled using our stuffies as weapons making Ocean lose an eye.

I cried.

Then Aiden slammed a pillow in my face and told me to be quiet then gave Park to me saying how I could keep him as a trophy for winning our battle. He had tears in his eyes when he handed it to me. Now thinking about it, sucks to be him.

I lifted my body up a bit and fiddled at the back of my shirt when I felt an uncomfortable bump. Stupid bump. When I couldn't find a way to fix the bump, I simply rolled to the side and kissed Park's head.

Out of the corner of my eye I saw Violet walking, shoulders hunched and slapping herself on both cheeks. When she saw me through my opened door she went over and crawled on my bed, dropping her weight on top of me.

She fell down due to the position I'm in so she resorted in hugging my thighs. "I hate it when Xavier drags me out of my bed but only pats Lavender."

"That's because you're like me. We can't get up even if we wanted to unless someone threatens us," I felt my eyes droop.

Lavender can easily get up from bed without a blink of an eye. A particular trait that only she and Xavier got from our mother. Me, Violet and Jordan are like dad. Gotta love how family works sometimes.

I heard a yawn. "Yeah, we're nothing but people in hibernation."

"We're Wilson's in hibernation. Bears hibernate so that means we are cute,"

"Bears are scary." I felt her bite my buttcheek. Slapping her face lightly, I may or may not have farted which made her immediately recoil.

"That's gross dude. Any luck on your new 'Not liking Blake Owens' even though I watch him like a creep seven days a week?" She exaggerated, a mocking expression on her face as she swung both her legs on top of mine.

She and her twin knew of how I wanted to change something in my life. Even if it's only going to be a minor glitch at the end.

"You and I both know I don't stalk him that much."

"Yeah, you stalk him about eight to twelve times," She was messing with me. Both of us know that I don't do it that much. Especially now that I'm trying to actually put effort in restraining myself against going to the tree and write in my diary. Silence echoed throughout the room and my eyes were seconds away from shutting on their own accord.

And I guess my sister knew it too because she lifted her legs and began moving it in a stomping motion, making my side hurt and me slapping her. She ignored it and continued effectively making me end up on the floor. I turned to my left and saw a pillow, so I grabbed it and placed it under my head.

I'm still sleepy so why the heck would they not let me sleep.

"Hey Nev, will you make coffee for me." I let out a pretend snore.

"You snore like a pig." One thing that will never go away is how my siblings always compare me to a pig. I love them.

"I don't want to make coffee for you, make your own."

"I'll hide Park." She poked my butt. I turned around to face her, my eyes narrowed. "I'll hide your caps."

"Come down girls, you too Dad." Xavier shouted making both of us groan, still in our former positions but unfortunately we went downstairs when he dragged us out of bed.

We had rice, bacon and eggs for breakfast. Mom handed us our own mugs, some are coffee, some milk and some are tea. I only ate bacon and rice since I was never a fan of eggs. They do this thing with my taste buds that always makes me puke.

"So, mom. What do you think of Sydney, she's really nice." I tried to start a decent conversation since the twins were arguing over something about why Harry and Hermione didn't end up together.

"She's okay." My mother answered taking a sip of her tea.

"Does that mean you approve, or okay as in he should not bring another girl home before he graduates." Xavier asked mom whose lips are thinned and pursed.

Ever since we were little we were always told to not engage in relationships that cross the friendship boundary. I honestly don't know why we were told that since my parents were high-school sweethearts. But overtime I learned to accept it, treating it as a protective act of my parents. It was hard at first especially when middle school came, almost all of my class mates had their own partners. Even Sam and the twins had theirs. But that's a story for another time.

Mom didn't speak for moments causing the whole table to stay silent and eyes focus on her.

Dad brought his mug to his lips and started sipping.

Loudly, may I add.

"Dom," Mom scolded Dad who only continued sipping loudly raising a finger to signal 'just one moment' eventually gulping the whole drink down. "Kate," He imitated my mom and winked at me, a playful grin present on his face.

"Yeah mom, what do you think of Sydney. Honestly this time please." Lavender ate a spoonful of rice and half cooked egg mixed together, her signature egg style.

Mom sighed. "It's......"

"Since your mother is still sleepy, why don't I share my perspective first. I am the father." Dad butted in making mom shake her head at him and smile showing her teeth.

Dad cleared his throat. "I like Sydney. Not in the pedophile way, I have your mother and you kids. I trust Jordan enough to know the limits of their relationship and I approve of Sydney. She's a responsible young woman who, in a small amount of time made it clear that she knows how to put my son in place. Plus, they focus in school and haven't done anything stupid yet. And that's good enough for me." I admit it's kind of weird to hear and see dad become serious.

"I agree with your father. Your brother is old enough to know things like this. He has his own life to live now, I understood that part. But despite that, you can't blame me for looking out for my son. He's an adult now, yes I know but whatever happens, even if he's a hundred years old he's still my little Mat-mat." She was referring to the nickname he gave Jordan courtesy od his middle name, Matvey.

"Plus, he better not get anyone pregnant before he graduates. He has to come face me before he would step into this house."

All of us kids share a look saying agreeing on the fact that yes, that's our mother.

"Relax, Sydney kicks balls. She can handle herself, not sure for Mat-mat though," Dad paused then stood up. "Alright enough chit chat, go get ready for school. I'll drop you all of,"

With that said, I ate my breakfast and went back to bed.

Then ended up getting pinched by my father.

I always seem to surprise myself these days.

Whether it be because I'm finally making a decent conversation, or that I always get myself involved in the stupidest things. Right now, it's the latter.

Amidst looking at my new schedule, I found out that I had a class that's only on Fridays.

So here I am, walking towards the principal's office rehearsing what I'm going to say in my mind.

The hallways were cleared by now, only a couple students running for their lives with some food stuck in their mouth looking sleepy as ever were sometimes seen.

The gang were at their own respective classes now since I told them I could handle myself.

Lies.

I raised my hand, knocking. Opening the door, I was shocked and delighted, mostly delighted when I saw another woman sitting at the secretary's desk and the killer clown nowhere in sight.

"Good morning," I smiled at her, carefully closing the door. I glanced at the clock and saw that it was ten minutes past first period. Well shit.

"Good morning too my dear. Need any help?" She asked me, dropping the folder she was arranging, wiping her hands on her black trousers.

Dark ringlets proportioned her sharp face with light red lipstick that enlightened her brown eyes. A simple white graphic shirt with Vincent Van Gogh's Starry night at the middle was what caught my eye.

The office was still the same with a few minor changes here and there, with the wondrous and bizarre painting hung up on the wall and a couple chairs lined up at the side. There was now a water dispenser beside the door and a cacti green bag thrown unto the side.

"Actually yes, I really would like your help ri-," I was caught off when the sound of another door squeaking, the one beside her desk opened.

"Thanks again Xenia. I'll be sure not to lose it again." The only voice that could make my inner fangirl go nuts spoke and though I can't hide the fact that I want to see him, I didn't want it to be the only time I wore a hoodie with a flying pig on it.

He stepped out holding an inhaler, shaking it as if he was inspecting it. With hair shiveled and glasses hung on the front of his black shirt, he bent down and tied the shoelaces of his red vans.

My eyes are probably wide as I slid my schedule towards the new secretary- who I assumed to be Xenia-, pointing towards the room that I was supposed to be at. "Oh Descartes." At this Blake's head snapped towards us. His eyes widened slightly, lips parting ever so subtly. Standing up, he dropped the inhaler in his hand.

"When you said not to lose it, I didn't mean drop it," I smiled a little and looked at Xenia who was now raising a perfectly trimmed eyebrow,"And for goodness sakes hurry up and get to class, you're already late as it is."

Blake brushed off the thought, "I'll be fine. Besides, I have free period." He picked up the inhaler and put his glasses on.

"You just told me how Ms. Jones' going to kill you,"

"Then you must've heard wrong."

He looked at me and waved, his piercing eyes staring directly at mine. "Hey,"

"Yo," I waved back at him. I turned back towards Xenia only to see her looking at me with this look. She smiled and handed me back my schedule. "Well then Blake since you're not busy, do me a favor and accompany her. Can you do that?"

I widened my eyes at her and discreetly shook my head telling her no. I am not ready to face him this early in the morning. But it seemed like she didn't hear me.

"Sure, I don't mind." Blake shrugged and nodded towards me. I nodded back and said thank you to Xenia who had a smile on her face whilst scanning different folders.

"Here, let me help you with that," I froze when I felt him take my bag from me,

"Thanks," I told him while I craned my head looking to my right where the lockers were, hiding my face from him since I'm sure I had a tint on my cheeks.

It's official, that's now my favorite bag.

We kept walking, with him holding my bag.

I cleared my throat, gathering all my courage."Umm, so"

"So," He copied me back.

I reached out a hand for him,"I'm Blake. Wait no, that's not right. Okay, shit." I cursed and resorted on looking at the floor. This is really really really embarrassing.

I heard a light chuckle. "Hi Blake, I'm Nevaeh. Nice too meet you." He glanced at me from the corner of his eye. A small smile present along with a cute little dimple.

He knew my name.

And somehow, that was enough to make me feel mushy inside.

"I heard you got the solo on regionals. Congratulations." My heart was filled with warmth when he mentioned that.

"Thank you. Congratulations too. You'll do great. I know it." I grinned at him.

The uneasiness in the atmosphere seemed to have gone away, only leaving a warm and comfortable one.

That was the thing with Blake. We somehow have this moment where everything's jittery and weird then after a minute, it's like it was never there in the first place.

And I'm glad that it was like that.

"I actually doubt that but I think I'm going to take your word for it," We ascended the stairs, passing by the grey hallway.

"I haven't actually seen your works but personally with your vibe, you'll do great."

"Oh. And what exactly is my vibe?" He asked me, pointing to the right. If I would have honestly answered, I'd say 'The kind of vibe that makes my heart go boom boom within a second and dive under my covers to scream my heart out in my pillow'

"You know, the artsy vibe." I told him pointing to where a black stain was in his left arm.

"Oh, that vibe." I couldn't help but notice the slight edge of his voice.

"Yeah,"

I tried to grab my camera strap but was met with nothing but air. I suddenly remembered that I placed it inside my bag.

I caught a glimpse of the inhaler still in Blake's hand. "Y-You have asthma?" I asked whilst blowing on a strand of hair that fell on my face. Why did I stutter. Damn it.

Oh yeah, my crush is with me.

He smiled at me. "No, it's for my sister."

"Oh...." Nodding my head, I acted as if I knew who his sister was.

We rounded up a corner and he nodded towards a door which I assume is Descartes, the room I was supposed to be in about fifteen minutes ago. He handed me my bag back.

"It was nice meeting you again Nevaeh. Hopefully we won't meet anytime soon." As soon as those words left his mouth, I couldn't help but cock my head to the and flash him an awkward smile.

No people, I did not flash him with my skirt and all. I don't demand his attention that much.

I think he meant to say it in a joking manner.

His suddenly froze, his smile slipping away. He clicked his tongue, wide forest green eyes gazing away for a moment before settling back to me. "That...sounded, very much crummy didn't it."

"Who says that?" I scrunched up my face, not being able to control myself. Sure it was a word, but only a selected few use it.

"What?" A panicked look on his face, his hand doing this weird gesture then later on tucking it into his pocket.

"Crummy, who says crummy."

"O-Oh."

"Right. Okay. I should go now. See ya." I turned around and knocked on the wooden door. "Wait. You forgot y-"

"And what do you have to say for yourself young lady?" A lady, who I assume is the teacher of this current subject scolded me, a smoldering look in her eye. She had a pointed face that would have seemed less sharp if she didn't have slim rectangle pastel pink glasses perched at the bridge of her nose.

"Sorry ma'am it won't happen again. Promise." I nodded my head, my gaze transfixed anywhere but her. Maybe I'll be having detention earlier than I expected this year.

She sighed. "I expect the highest of that promise. Just lend me your pass and come inside, we have a test after this lesson so you must prepared."

Ma'am its a test after the lesson how was I suppose to be prepared.

"Pass?" My eyebrows furrowed. I hiked up my bag on one shoulder, the other hand laying limply at the side.

"Yes, pass. Now give it." She held out a hand outstretched towards me. Her pointy red fingernails at the front of my face, making me wonder how girls survive with long fingernails. I once tried to have long ones, but then I ended up breaking it. Not to mention having dirt stuck on it everytime everywhere.

I felt a piece of paper, along with warm, velvet like skin press against my palm. A warm sensation shot up my arm making me want to retract it but stopped myself when I noticed the way Blake's eyes prodded. Switching from looking at me then at my hand, later zooming on the teachers face.

"Oh. The pass. Right. Here it is." I reached out my hand, my fist still closed. I stared at it for a moment then opened it, dropping whatever it was Blake handed to me in her palm. And it was indeed a blue slip of paper, with a signature on the side in red ink.

"Very well," Her gaze swept from me towards Blake who was still standing not to far beside me looking calm and collected. "How about you Mr. Owens, Is there anything I could do for you,"

I couldn't help but look at him. He was smiling, a smile that I'm not quite familiar with. To the way it lifted up at one side and how you could see him subtly lick his lips. I shamelessly stared at him and right as our eyes collided, he whispered. "No, nothing at all." He nodded at us and walked away. Leaving me wondering about how I could possibly stop liking someone like him.

Especially since it seemed that the world is contradicting my goal.

"How come you have that many bandanas," Sunny exclaims, startling a Samantha who was in the middle of drinking water.

"Because she has many bandanas, now shhhh. It's food hour," Ashton silenced her, nudging Logan who was busy with his phone.

He didn't seem to notice how every five seconds the amount of nuggets in his tray keep decreasing in number courtesy to Sunny.

"Sunny I'm setting aside the fact that you're stealing my food now please be quiet for a minute before I slap you're hands away." Logan mumbled. Luckily Sunny stopped questioning random things and stole Logan's whole tray, making it as her own. We all shook our head at their interaction.

I looked at my side when I heard a tired sigh. Making eye contact with Sam, we both directed our eyes at River who was slouched. Arms crossed and eyes closed. Looking at him now makes me guarantee how he looks like the bad boys in several books I read. The way his curls just toppled above his eyes to the way how refined and shaped his nose was. Not too slim or thin and not to gigantic and wide. He wears a leather jacket every other day and has a motorcycle. Not to mention the fact that he had green eyes with a wicked glint and brown hair.

As if feeling our stares, he popped one eye open, raising his eyebrow at Sam. "What,"

"Nothing, it's just you look....worn out. Everything alright?" She asked him, concern laced in both her face and voice.

I couldn't help but notice how Aiden who was listening to music from his phone using blue Sony headphones, gently nudge the speaker closer to Sam behind his ear. He's listening in on their conversation.

"No." His blunt answer took Sam off guard so my best friend being the kind one she is suggested, "Want to talk about it?"

"No." River opened and closed his eyes like if he doesn't, he'd fall asleep right this instant.

See? People need sleep I tell you. Sleep not the 'drink coffee, hot chocolate or milk or whatever you drink in the morning because your mother insists so,'

Well, when we die we do sleep and there's a point there.......

"Okay then. We are going to talk about it." Sam decided with finality on her voice.

"We are certainly going to talk about it now," Sunny's loud voice made us give her a blank look. Logan opened his mouth to speak, probably to scold our curly haired, diva of a friend when Sunny beat him to it. "It's been a minute so technically I can speak now. Also because I finished your food. You might not wanna touch your ketchup packet, It has drool." She showed us a triumphant grin, causing River to sigh and massage his temples.

We were currently at the cafeteria. Students eating, gossiping and some procrastinating due to the endless stacks of paper and a boy scribbling furiously on the sheets.

I suddenly remembered the thick sheets of paper Marianne handed me a short period of time ago. It turned out that, those particular sheets of paper are the scripts to our performance at the regionals. If only reading it would be acceptable and crowd-wooing but no, it doesn't seem to be that way.

I'd have to memorize my lines. One after the other.

And you know what else is eerily disturbing,

The information that River was my so called love interest.

"Penny for your thoughts?" Sam asked River.

"No." River answered sharply making Sam recoil a little. She continued to stare at him with worry and smiled a little when Aiden held out a cupcake for her to take.

They really do make a cute couple. (Sanaol)

"Ten bucks for your thoughts?" It was Sunny who said that. "No,"

"A hundred bucks," Ashton grinned cheekily at River erupting a glare in return.

"Oh I see how it is. A thousand bucks for your thoughts." Sunny didn't give up pestering River who now had his head on the table mumbling incoherent things.

I was eating, enjoying the show ignoring how River nudges me from time to time. Must eat food.

"A million," Ashton raised his eyebrows suggestively while doing the money hand sign where he's just rubbing his fingers against his thumb.

He looked like a creepy wicked sugar daddy, honestly speaking.

"A bill-"

"Fine. Just, just shut up." River raised his head and surprisingly laid his head on my shoulder. He pinched the bridge of his nose, sighing.

"Do you guys have siblings?" The question seemed to pop out of nowhere slightly taking all of us aback.

"Duh," "Yep." It was the twins who said this.

River pursed his lips. "Only you two, or are there more." The twins grinned and fist bumped. "Just us. Beauty," Ashton directed towards himself. "and the Beast." He directed at Aiden who only rolled his eyes in return. We chuckled at them.

I wanted to point out that they're identical twins and they look like the exact same of each other-minus the hair- but just kept quiet anyway.

Plus, I think Aiden's cuter. Hehe.

"I don't, only child squad where you at?" Sam said jokingly. All attention was directed towards Logan when he raised his arm, with fist closed.

"What does that mean?" I asked him.

Logan looked at all of us then placed his phone on the table. Ruffling his hair he shrugged his shoulders, unzipping his track team jacket, "It's the my step-mom's pregnant and I'm half an only child and a half non an only child." His voice was calm and composed, similar to how you would read a sentence written at the board. But underneath it, you could detect a hint of disgust like he was appalled to the very idea.

"Oh," Sam blinked at him, the concerned look he gave River a few minutes ago was back.

"It's fine. I just, don't want to stray too near that subject." Logan brushed off the thought, showing us a small smile.

Sunny scooted closer and raised her best friend's arm, slinging it over her shoulder. She leaned in on his shoulder and gave him a bright grin. Logan simply shook his head and let her, resting his head on her's.

I feel so single right now.

"Well for River's, wait I don't want to call you River. I'm going to call you Lakey. Is it okay?" River opened his mouth to protest.

"Oh wait. Your opinion doesn't matter. Yep, you're Lakey."

My shoulder was beginning to feel numb so I slapped River's forehead motioning for him to get off. He lifted his head then glared at me after glaring at Sunny who only responded with a cheshire grin.

"Siblings, Let's continue." Sam clapped her hands to get our attention. Aiden smiled at her offering one earbud. Me and Ashton gagged.

"I have an older sister and a younger one." Sunny told us.

"Is she hot?" River and Ashton simultaneously asked, glaring at each other after.

Sunny rolled her dark eyes at them. "She like girls," She said silencing both the boys.

"How about the you- Okay shutting up now," We all gave Ashton a blank stare.

Seeing that I was the only one left excluding River, I decided to share my siblings.

Not literally.

"I have two older brothers and two younger sisters that are twins." Sunny's eyes shot open, an interested glint in her eye when I mentioned my brothers.

The gang drilled holes in my head as their heated stares pierced through my skull. I craned my neck to see River staring at me with a mysterious look. His green eyes seemed darker and clouded, making me feel like I'm staring into a familiar but unknown abyss almost making me drown with kef.

Suddenly Sunny stood up and practically sprinted behind me. I turned around in my seat along with everybody else to why she would do such thing.

And the sight I saw wasn't on my bucketlist.

Lila.

She had curled her platinum blonde hair and tucked it into a bun which despite my slight disliking towards her I have to admit suits her face.

A black cropped- although it only came until the top of her boobs- hoodie featured her red sports bra with flames all over it gaining the attention of all the testosterone-filled living things in the room. And paired with a black leather mini skirt along with those high heel sneakers, Hellia really suited her.

But I only wanted to ask one question. Why isn't she cold or freezing to death by now.

"Sunny,"

"Lila,"

Both girls spoke in hard, vengeful voices as they gazed frigidly at each other. "Can I help you?" Sunny asked, shoulders tense with a blazing fierceness in her eyes. She glanced at me for a moment knowing that I'm the reason Lila's here.

"I need to speak to Nevaeh."

"Okay."

"Like, right now."

"Okay."

"Seriously move aside."

"Okay." I smiled a little. Standing up I touched Sunny's shoulder because I know she's just going to fuel Lila's rage with how she's speaking.

I appreciate her for what she did but I know I need to act mature and deal with my own problems. Especially since I was basically the one who stole her role.

"It's okay. Let's talk then." I faced Lila, desperately wishing my social awkwardness would go disperse somewhere away from me even if it's only for today.

"What I meant to say is privately. If you're able to do it, that is." The tone of her voice alone made it clear that she was challenging me. What does she think of me. A child?

I nodded as she pointed towards the cafeteria door making my anxiety sky rocket. I glanced back at our table to see the gang looking at me with mixed expressions. The twins raised their eyebrows, Sam passed me a worried glance, Logan saluted me with a flat expression and River along with Sunny glared at Lila.

Sunny pulled my hoodie down making bend down to her height. "Be careful." She whispered.

"Quick question." I started, "Why isn't she freezing right now."

I was met with glinting nightfall eyes. "Haven't you heard," Her lips curled into a devious grin. "A hoe never gets cold."

The sound of shoes click-clacking caught my attention as I sped up behind Lila. Automatically my hand grasped my camera strap as we descended into the open hallway which lacked of students, much to my demise.

Right as the doors closed she faced me, her hair swishing at the side of her face. "Listen here Nevaeh. I don't know what you did or who you persuaded but you, don't, have, what, it, takes to be the representative of the theater department. You shouldn't be the lead. You are not fit for the role. I mean, look at you now. Looking so helpless and weak after I just uttered a few honest words. Watch out. You're going to need it." She said the words with so much certainty with a swiss of venom that I wanted to go home and eat ice cream for the rest of the day.

Something spiralled inside me making me match her own hard gaze with my own. "Was I the one who chose me to be the lead?" I asked her, my voice garnering heights as it loudened.

Her face morphed into one of confusion. "No."

"Exactly, so why are you pestering me with your presence when I wasn't even the one at fault here." No one was at fault here, I wanted to add. You're just creating an issue that wasn't even supposed to be there in the first place. I struggled not to point out.

"I- Okay enough. Why would you even have the role? What, makes you think you have what it takes to go upfront and make the crowd uproar. You'll never be better than me." She leaned in towards me. So close, that I could smell her strawberry scented lip gloss. Or lipbalm.

I felt her finger curl at the end of my ponytail, toying with it.

Nobody touches my hair.

On instinct I slapped her hand away, stepping back. "What you said may be true, believe me when I say I didn't sign up for this. But at the end of the day, I was the one chosen not you. So can we please forget about this and move on. There are a lot more things to focus on." I paused as I gauged her reaction. "And for the betterment of humanity, can we...perhaps be friends,"

She narrowed her eyes at me then after a moment she spoke up, distaste clear as the day. "Perhaps," I couldn't help but smile a little. "Never." Swirling around, she walked away swiftly turning around the next corner.

I stared at her back and reminded myself that like me, she's just a girl . A girl born unto this world, fed with spoonfuls of expectations, forced to read aloud the guidelines of society limiting what must and what mustn't. Just another girl treading the mountain-high paths of life.

As I walked back into the cafeteria, I couldn't help but take a deep breath and freeze.

A small smile shone in my face as I finished my mental rant.

After all, I'm just another girl like her.

With all the mean things Lila said I might have to encourage myself in front of my mirror for a whole day.

Maybe even a biased compliment from my father could do me a thing or two.

"Are you really okay sweetcheeks?" River who was once drowsy looking sat upright as I sat beside him. Although I still hate how he calls me sweetcheeks I admit that my inner face smiled.

Yes, inner face smiled.

Don't question my mentality.

"Wow, look who's asking." I narrowed my eyes at him earning an eye roll. I could see his dark eyebags from up here.

We didn't even entertain the idea why River looked like a zombie

The whole school staff had a meeting suspending all the classes
My eyes wandered across our table and as I suspected, Sam stared at me silently asking 'Are you really super duper okay.'

In response I told her I was okay. Eye contact really is a method to determine whether someone really knows you or not.

"Whatever she said-- which I already know isn't rainbows and sunshine, don't believe it." Ashton wiped his glasses, looking me from the corner of his eye.

Aiden passed me a colored blue cupcake, which surprised me since he hasn't eaten it yet. He knew I had a thing for color blue.

Even Logan spared me a look. "Stay positive. Don't join the dark side. She isn't your father." I gave him a cautious look. He ignored it and went back to his phone.

"I know," Sunny exclaimed and went to sit beside me, shooing River away. River didn't budge so she resulted in digging her way in between us. "Let's talk about something you like. Owens."

"Okay fine." I laughed under my breath at the gangs bewildered expressions. I was never the one to admit something like that so blunt. My friends all knew of this because of the clues I give. I was never direct when speaking about Blake. But given my current situation, maybe it's best to actually talk about something that makes my teenage life exciting and worth living.

"Wow okay then. I wasn't expecting that." Sunny wiggled at her seat. "Why don't you make a move on him if you like him so much. I mean, judging by your expression you've had a crush on him longer than a month," If only she knew. "If the feeling isn't that much how about friends. Even pondered about that,"

Seeing her avid face I couldn't help but answer. "Well, I think if things are meant to be, they will be. So if we're meant to be friends, then we'll be friends. All in time's way." I pronounced each syllable slowly, stopping when I didn't know if me and Blake were established friends.

"Come again." River asked me. His face formed an expression of a wince of some sorts.

"Fate. Fate's in control. And how about you sleep, one more minute and you're going to be the boogey-man's twin." I smiled tightly at him with my teeth on display and eyebrows raised, mocking him. 

I let out a startled noise when Sunny who sat in between us started waving her hands in the air.

I was extremely startled when she started shouting, drawing the attention away from me at our table, and causing all the heads in the cafeteria to turn our way. "Hey! Blake, Here."

I almost had a whiplash when I faced her with my mouth agape and eyes wide. I started hitting her. "Nonono. What are you doing? Have you gone mad woman." I whisper-yelled.

She gave me a crooked smile, "I've always been mad. You said something about fate, am I right?"

"What does this have to do with anything," I desperately pleaded at her, knowing how Blake's presence boosts my awkward scale.

The corners of her mouth turned up. "My middle name is Faith so I think I'm meant to be the bridge between both of you." She hurriedly whispered at me, winking at the process.

"There is no bridge between us, there isn't even an us so shhhhhh." I yanked her by her shirt, bringing her down to sit beside me hurriedly grabbing the blue cupcake Aiden gave me and chucking it in her mouth.

"Hem um gir," Her face scrunched up on the impact.

Then suddenly she managed to swallow the whole thing, surprising not only me but even River. "Lakey, distract her, I love you." She went over River's lap, making the boy's face fill with horror.

I would have laughed at his red tinged ears if it hadn't been for Sunny running towards a completely oblivious Blake. I could tell by the way he's slightly bopping his head that he had earphones on. I shook my head at my ever-so persistent friend.

Without warning, Logan appeared beside Sunny, a red cylindrical coca cola can on his hand. He scooped Sunny up, walking at a fast pace he went to our table. Sunny struggled against his hold but eventually managed to let loose of Logan's hard as steel grip which ended up with the can falling from Logan's hand spilling it's contents on her clothes.

She glowered at Logan,"Look at what you did," She took off her black shirt slapping Logan's hands in the process, exposing her stomach with the cropped flower patterned camisole she wore underneath.

Aiden eyed her, a pink tint on his cheeks. "Aren't you cold?"

She only grinned at him. "Haven't you heard," Logan's sweater slapped her face.

"A hoe never gets cold." She kicked Logan and slapped her wet shirt at him in reply.

Be honest, which part did the cringe scale broke?

If you say the whole chapter I don't blame you.

This chapter is dedicated to SheWhoLovesPineapple. You may not know it, but every vote you made boosted my mood and helped me write more. Take care and Godbless xoxo

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