"It's not like that at all!"

It's definitely not like you cheated on Andrew with Nathan or anything.

"So, you're telling me you didn't sleep with Nathan after our fight?" Andrew laughed humorlessly while repeatedly stabbing his food with a fork. His eyes were glued on the mass of destroyed lasagne in front of him, never straying anywhere else.

"A pretty shitty thing to do if you ask me," I mumbled underneath my breath.

Sammie's head snapped towards me and I could see her lips quiver from the corner of my eye. While she was a grade below us, she latched onto Andrew everywhere we went like a leech. Sometimes she would even skip class to sit with him during a boring lecture. 

There's a line between cute and clingy and I'm pretty sure she crossed it.

"I did, but it was an accident! I swea-" Andrew abruptly rose and slammed his hands on the table. 

Almost the entire cafeteria turned their heads to stare at the argument unraveling. My eyes flickered around before mentally groaning. We even attracted attention from Nathan and his asshole friends. His eyes glimmered with amusement as he lounged back in his seat with an irritating smirk plastered on his face.

I'ld like to wipe that stupid smirk off.

"Stop making excuses!" Andrew began arguing through his clenched teeth.

You know that moment when you dislike a person so much, everything about them annoys you?

I didn't know whether I should pity Sammie or punch her. Her presence already aggravated me and once tears began streaming down her cheeks, I had to resist the urge to unleash my irritation in not so pretty ways. Lauren seemed uncomfortable with the scene before us and stared at the clock, counting down the seconds.

Same here, Lauren. Same here

*     *     *

After the whole fiasco, Andrew stormed off and ignored Sammie like the plague. It even upset him to the point of ignoring us along with everyone around him. While Lauren and I were extremely worried, we knew he just needed space. He was always like that, even as a kid. When someone used his toys during kindergarten, he yelled at us and ran off when we tried talking to him.

Yep, we go waaaay back. Everyone has that friend, right?

My pencil twirled in my hand in thought before successfully solving the last Chemistry problem on the worksheet. I sighed in relief and stood up to turn it in before my feet tripped over something.

"You're like super clumsy, freak." A high-pitch laugh echoed in my ears. 

I spun around to glare at the idiotic bimbo. I wish she had blonde hair, so I could call her a fake Barbie. She tossed her straight, black hair over her shoulder before examining her nails. Her icy blue eyes stared up at me, daringly. 

Everyone knows Lindsey. You either hate her or want to be her. She was nice once, right? HAHAHAHA. That's awfully funny. I swear she's the literal spawn of Satan or something. I don't know her whole story, but I know she made it her life mission to make everyone suffer ever since she moved here during grade school. 

BUT NOT ME. I refuse to let anything she say get to me.

"You're like super dumb, slut," I mocked her voice. 

What am I even doing? She isn't worth my time.

Agreeing with my thoughts, I whipped my hair around to purposefully smack her in the face and walked to the front of the classroom before she could retaliate with her usual reaction. 

It usually starts with a I can't believe you just did that gasp. Then a Do you know who I am? I'll make your life a living hell  threat. How original.

"Rosalie! I was hoping you would finish soon. I have so much to do and was hoping if you could deliver these papers to the front office?" Mrs. Potter asked with a sheepish grin.

"Yeah, of course! Let me just grab my backpack in case the bell rings." 

A grin lit up my face, hoping to relieve the one out of many stress piling on the teacher. Her eyes had bags underneath them as if she hadn't slept for days. 

I notice Lindsey throw me a nasty glare once I walked back to retrieve my belongings. Instead of tripping over her extended leg this time, I kicked it and laughed quietly as she yelped in pain.

Stupid bitch.

"Thank you so much, Rosalie!" she smiled, handing me a short stack of papers.

"It's no problem, Mrs. Potter. If you need anything else, just let me know!" I grinned kindly.

"Teacher's pet," someone coughed loudly behind me. My head turned to glare at her.

"Town's slut." I mimicked but louder. I ended up releasing a chain of coughs. Clearing my throat, I turn back to Mrs. Potter, innocently.

"Sorry, I was just choking on Lindsey's bullshit again."

Before I could hear her usual reaction, I smiled widely at Mrs. Potter once more before exiting the classroom.

I was so lost in my thoughts, not a surprise, I didn't realize I walked straight pass my destination. 

Good thing, I thought as I took in the unsettling appearance of the office. The office was completely unrecognizable with vases shattered and papers scattered on the floor. 

I found my eyes glued to someone's shoes. I could feel a pit grow in my stomach as my eyes hesitantly trailed up a body before flickering quickly to the face.

Why me?

Standing there with a laid back stance, wearing a lopsided smirk was none other than Nathan Arrows. He tilted his head in interest, intensely staring at me. Ignoring the heat accumulating in my face, I murmured a small excuse me and attempted to sidestep him.

I was blushing because of the awkward situation, not because of him!

As if knowing I wasn't in the mood to deal with him, his smirk widened. Nathan mirrored each of my steps and allowed a small snicker to pass his lips. I huffed in exasperation. My jaw clenched at his actions. 

"Are you done?" I asked unamused.

"Not quite." 

I mentally smacked myself at thinking about his attractive, husky voice. 

NOPE.

"I don't think I had the honor of meeting you yet. I'm Nathan Arrows. Do you go here?" His piercing stare was making me uncomfortable. 

Are you kidding me?

Rolling my eyes, I managed to successfully avoid him. I came here to do a job, not socialize with Narcissus. 

"Mrs. Potter told me to come drop this off," I explained while handing the lady the stack of papers. Her eyes tiredly glanced from Nathan to me before grabbing them and murmuring a thank you.

I made a beeline towards the door. A hand wrapped itself around my wrist, tightly. Unexpectedly, it yanked me harshly, causing me to drop my backpack in the process. I slammed into something or someone. It seemed like struggling made it even worst. Each twist, turn, or kick was gasoline added to the fire

I felt a warm breath above my ear. "Didn't your parents teach you not to ignore people?"

"Didn't your parents teach you not to touch people without their consent?" I spat.

"Trust me. It'll be your consent when you're under me, screaming."

Before I could harass him with not so kind words, the principal stormed out. She began fuming when analyzing the scenery of destroyed supplies and decorations around her.

"Nathan Arrows. My office now!" I sighed in relief. 

Finally!

"Until next time, beautiful," he whispered, throwing me a wink. 

I curled my hand into a fist and imagined slamming his pretty face into a wall. 

I didn't realize how long I had been standing there until the bell rang. My eyes widened at the thought of encountering Nathan again. Before the door of the principal's office could open, I picked my backpack off the floor and hurried out.

That would've been embarrassing...

*     *     *

"I just don't understand what I did wrong," Andrew mumbled softly.

Lauren sat beside him as I faced our pain-stricken friend in one of the booths of the cafe. His two shaking hands held a cup of coffee, refusing to drink it. After a few hours to himself, he decided to skip baseball practice and give us a call.

Poor Andrew.

"There's more stores in the mall."

What?

Andrew and I stared at Lauren in confusion.

"I don't think that's the phrase, Laur," I replied slowly.

"I know! I just never understood the fishes in the sea thing. Why would anyone want a fish when they could go shopping?" Lauren made a face.

I shook my head in amusement. 

Oh Lauren.

"Thanks," Andrew mumbled. "Your dumb comments always make me laugh."

Lauren huffed and crossed her arms. "You try to help someone and they call your comments dumb."

"In all honesty, she was always a little off," I admitted. 

I hope I didn't offend him.

"Yeah, I totally agree! I mean who would blow off their class to go to a more boring one even if it's to be with your boyfriend." Lauren shivered.

"I don't know. I thought it was cute," he shrugged.

"Is your head screwed on right?" I tilted my head in faux confusion.

Andrew glowered at me and before he could open his mouth, the sound of rambunctious talking and laughs permeated the air. The three of us turned our heads towards the direction before instantly ducking.

"Can I ever get a break?" Andrew grunted in rage, slamming his coffee down.

I couldn't help but peak again to see the group of boys sauntering towards our direction. I bit down a grumble as they slid in the booth in front of us. Apparently, Lauren and Andrew heard it as well with the way their eyes widened.

"I bet you can't get that waitress in your bed by tonight," one of the guys snickered. 

"Seriously, Justin? I can get her in bed by the next hour."

How disgusting can they be?

I looked over at the waitress. She was a brunette with brown eyes. Her kind eyes greeted the table she was serving. 

"But, she's not my type. Brunette? Brown eyes? Boring!"

Hey! I'm a brunette with brown eyes!

I glared at the title floor, taking offense to his statement. 

Why do I even care? I don't!

"Dude, you go for every girl but brunettes with brown eyes! Those girls are hot," another exclaimed.

"Shut it Kaeden. At least I have standards," Nathan scoffed.

Having enough of the eavesdropping, I faced Andrew and Lauren. Lauren was already a step ahead of me, motioning me to the door.

"There's no way we can get pass them without them seeing us," Lauren whispered.

"I'll take them on if they say anything." Andrew shrugged, accepting his fate.

He clearly looked drained with everything happening today. Behind the stern facade, I could see the misery in his eyes. 

Lauren nodded her head before standing up and heading towards the door, exiting. Luckily, they paid her no attention. Andrew stood up next and gave me a reassuring smile. I bit down the gasp of surprise when they didn't make any comments. Nathan let out a scoff and shook his head but that was it.

We were worrying for nothing. Phew.

Without much thought, I stood up and followed Andrew's path. I can't believe we actually did it without Nathan or his stupid asshole friends making any comme-

"Look who we have here," Nathan announced in amusement.

Why is it always me!

My feet halted in its step before turning around and throwing Nathan a forced smile. I notice him sitting with his main posse. Aaron was actually the only one I liked. I remember doing a Biology project with him and he was surprisingly good company.

"Nathan." I swallowed the other insults that threatened to follow his name.

"Hey, Rosalie." Aaron smiled. I sent him a wide grin back before resuming my bitch mode face.

Bitch mode on.

"Ouch. If I didn't know better, I'ld say you're flirting with me," he winked.

WHAT!!!

My mouth opened slightly, mimicking my eyes in shock. Did he just? 

"Flirting with you isn't exactly what I would do to you," I sneered with my jaws clenched.

Nathan rose his brows. He leaned forward, resting his forearms on his bent legs. Tilting his head, his eyes stared at me the way a predator would stare at its prey.

"And tell me. What would you do to me, Rosalie?"

Why does my name sound so good coming from his mouth?

Snap out of it! This isn't you.

"Bash your head against a wall," I snarled before darting straight to the door.

I ignored the laughs filling the atmosphere as his friends mocked Nathan. 

It felt immensely good standing up to people like him. I don't know if it's just me, but it gives me a certain satisfaction like I'm doing something good for the world.

Rosalie Castings. Knocking villains down their pedestal one at a time.

~   ~   ~   ~   ~

I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter! I'm super super duper excited to where this story is going to go next. If you liked this chapter, please comment and vote. It would mean the world to me!

Let me know your suspicions on Nathan. He seemed a bit strange, hmm.... 

Until next time!

TC