On Monday morning, I heard a loud knock on my door. I was running behind, because I didn't sleep well last night.

"Charlie! Are you ready yet?" Mason yelled from the other side. I was ready, I was just making sure the concealer on my wrist was okay. I was wearing a light, gray long-sleeved shirt with my skinny jeans, but just in case.

"I'm ready!" I called back, not bothering with my curly hair. I grabbed my backpack off of the floor and opened the door. "Okay let's go!"

Mason gave me a smile and we walked down the stairs together. Once in the foyer, I quickly dragged on my converse and leather jacket. As I did that, Mason disappeared into the kitchen and came back with a travel mug and a granola bar. He handed them to me and I smiled as he pulled his jacket on.

"I'm not sure how you take your coffee, but I added a little milk and sugar," Mason said as he pulled on his shoes.

"When it comes to coffee, I am not picky," I joked before adding seriously, "Thank you."

Mason gave me a warm smile then grabbed his backpack. We started walking towards the door when I paused.

"Wait, what about you?" I asked.

"I already ate," he replied, then a sneaky grin slipped onto his face. "That's how long you took." I stuck my tongue out at him in response, making him laugh. "Now come on before we're actually late."

***

When we arrived at school, Mason pulled into a spot and turned off the engine. I got out of the car and saw Tiffany and her friends standing around her shiny BMW. I watched as she noticed Mason and I and watched her eyes harden. If looks could kill, I'd have been six feet under right then and there.

I gave her a cheeky grin and turned away from her as her glare got more intense. Mason and I walked into the school and stopped in the main hallway.

"I'll see you in math," I said.

"Yeah. Or if you forget to turn around, then at lunch," Mason replied.

"What about your friends?" I asked.

"They can join us," he smiled. I nodded and smiled back. "See you."

I waved and turned in the direction of my locker. Though I hated to admit it, I felt a little more excited for lunch than usual.

***

"He and his friends are sitting with us?" Emery asked as we headed to the cafeteria. I nodded. "Oh my gosh! Talia, Brenna and Phoebe are just going to pass out!" she grinned. "Tristan Bailey and Patrick Johnson are so cute!" I snickered at her response. "Mason is too but I guess you've got dibs."

I glared at her and she fell silent, though there was still a smug look on her face. We walked into the cafeteria and sat down next to our three friends who greeted us with smiles.

"Why does Emery look like she's about to explode?" Talia asked, making me grin. Emery piped up quickly.

"Tristan Bailey, Patrick Johnson and Mason Grey are going to sit with us today," Emery squealed. Phoebe looked like she was about to start break-dancing on the table and Brenna's lips spread into a wide grin but didn't look any more excited than Phoebe. Talia, on the other hand, did not look like she really cared.

"They're just normal high school boys," I said with a shrug.

"Yeah, normal high school boys with the most beautiful faces I've ever seen!" Phoebe rebutted. I raised my arms slightly in surrender. Before the conversation could continue, I heard a voice behind me which made me instantly feel violent inside.

"Wow, Charlie!" It's Tiffany. "Your hair is looking a little big today! Let me fix that."

Suddenly, I felt a warm, thick substance on top of my head. I froze in horror, hearing the gasps of everyone around me. I slowly reached up to my hair and found tomato sauce and spaghetti noodles in it.

Did she actually just do that? I thought in disbelief.

I slowly stood up and faced a very smug looking Tiffany. It took all my willpower not to smack it off her face. Instead, I took a deep breath and narrowed my eyes before loudly saying, "Wow, even with food in my hair, I look less like a clown than you do! Maybe lay off the eyeshadow next time."

Her smirk faltered for a moment before she swallowed hard and smiled again. "Coming from someone who doesn't wear makeup? Maybe you should try it sometime."

"How long did you practice that comeback in the mirror?" I asked sarcastically.

"You know what Charlie?" Tiffany snapped. "I have half a mind to hit you!"

"Did you hear that Emery? She admits she only has half a mind!" I glanced over at my best friend who was trying so hard not to laugh.

"Don't tempt me," Tiffany hissed, her manicured hands clenched in fist. Her eyes flickered over my shoulder and widened slightly before she took a step back. "I think your makeover will do for today." She quickly spun on her heels and walked away with her friends trailing behind her.

I turned around swiftly, avoiding the curious and mocking stares of my fellow schoolmates, and realized Mason and his friends had walked over. The logical reason for Tiffany quickly fleeing from the scene. Mason and his friends looked shocked, as they sat down, but unsure what to say. The same went for my friends.

"I'm fine," I said, breaking the silence. "Does anyone have an extra shirt or something that they can lend me though? Spaghetti doesn't match my jeans"

Everyone gave a half-hearted pity laugh before Emery thankfully spoke up.

"Check my locker. I might have a tank top in there," she said.

"Thanks," I said standing up. "I'll see you all later." I gathered my stuff and sighed. Lunch had barely even started, and it already sucked. I guessed I should have seen that coming though. The death glare Tiffany was giving me in the parking lot was the face of someone plotting something mean.

"I'll walk you," Mason offered, standing up. I gave him a half smile and waited for him to walk around the table before we headed out of the cafeteria. I could feel the stares of everyone in the room on my body, but forced myself to ignore them as we left.

Author's Note: Finally have a chapter up! Sorry for the delay! I've been experiencing such writer's block and also focusing so much on my social media, so it's been a struggle to write! I hope you enjoyed this chapter and I hope I'll have another one up really soon! xoxo

Follow me on instagram @brittany.p.w for in between chapters though! <3