"Mabel! Wait up!" I called after her, after slamming her locker shut.

If anyone knew about this, just imagine the humiliation she would face.

She ran out and away, into the football fields, and ran inside a corner. She sat on the floor, leaning her back against the faded blue wall.

"Who could have possibly done it?" I asked in confusion. Mabel was well-liked by everyone, and had a small decent group of friends who in no way can I envision them bullying her. In fact, what has Mabel done to provoke anyone?

She looked at me although I just said that pigs fell from the sky.

"Who do you think it is? Are you sure you don't know?"

I knew she wasn't only shocked. She was livid. There were no tears from her eyes, but I could feel the anger radiating off her.

I felt like I was threading over thin eggshells.

"I really don't know..."

She looked at me with a look of shock.

"How could you not know? It was Brigette!"

"Bridgette?" now I was even more confused.

"So now you think she's that innocent? She isn't as simple as you think, especially when she's so cunning! She's targeting me, she wants me to have an emotional breakdown of sorts, so I can concede defeat."

She ended her words coldly, her tone as sharp as a knife, as though slicing the air.

"But I still don't get why... I mean since when were you all friends?" I asked slowly, afraid that she would lash it out again.

She looked at me, sighing.

"Okay Bill, this world is not as simple as you think. I didn't want to tell you this, but-", she took a deep breath before she continued, "last week, she came up to me and criticised me, hurling hurtful comments straight at me. She was insulting me, although I have done absolutely nothing to her. Then, she told me that she would get what she wanted. And then, I understood."

"Wait. When did she say that, why don't I know of this?" I couldn't even envision Bridgette scolding anyone, let alone Mabel, who did literally nothing to harm her. I placed my hands on her shoulders, as though demanding her for an answer.

"I didn't want to let you know, for your own good. But that's not important. Do you know what I have 'stolen' from her?" she said sarcastically, emphasising on 'stolen'.

I shook my head.

"You."

"Me?"

"Yes, you, Bill. You are too innocent for your own good, don't trust everyone you meet. You never know if they are talking to you just because they have an ulterior motive."

This whole new perspective seemed so foreign to me. However, Bridgette was a very nice girl, and even helped me tremendously. I even regarded her as a close friend to depend on.

But if she knew clearly that Mabel was my girlfriend, and yet said those things to her, what is this supposed to mean?

No matter how untrue her words can sound, I knew  that she wouldn't cook up some story for no reason. I trust Mabel.

"Whoa okay, I need time to process this."

"Me too." She sighed tiredly, "I wonder what else would she do."

"Should I ask her?" I asked, and Mabel just raised an eyebrow.

"Of course you can't! Just pretend you don't know anything." She advised.

"Why? I don't get it."

"Bill," she paused, "I wish I could explain it to you clearly, but I'm still quite overwhelmed with emotions."

I nodded, before giving her space and time to think.

I sat opposite her, looking at her from the corners of my eye.

The first bell rang.

"We should go. You will be late, no you are already late for lessons!"

"No. I am staying here to keep you accompany. And it's not like you are in the mood to learn anyway, it's okay, Mabel,"

She nodded hesitantly. But after a while she got up.

"Let's go."

She pulled my hand back to her locker, despite my reluctance.

When she saw the words, she grimaced again. My heart ached in pain.

"I can't possibly bring this to class..." she pondered.

I couldn't stand her feeling helpless. Here she was, in need of help and I am just sanding here, just standing here doing absolutely nothing.

I took the books from her grip and went to the toilet.

"Bill, hey, wait up!" it took a while for her to catch up, but when she did she tiptoed with her hands outstretched. But I was too quick for her, and she failed to snatch back her books.

"You need to go for lessons. Let me clean it for you."

"You sure I will do that?" I challenged. "I'm going to the toilet, the boys toilet. See you!"

I smirked before she could protest and dashed inside, and started all the manual work of cleaning. Thank goodness I took all the books, otherwise she would need to clean it all up.

When I was almost done, I heard the toilet door creak. A cute face peeked in.

"Bill? I feel bad you are doing this." She said, and I didn't reply.

"You know what Bill? I'm coming in."

I looked at her a second later to find she was already next to me.

"Shooting Star!" I half whispered-shouted.

I finished wiping the last book and handed it to her.

"See? It's easy, I could do it. Now take these and get out quick!!" I urged, pushing her from the back.

She gave me one of the brightest smiles that she ever did, with her eyes sparkling in excitement. And before I knew it, she tiptoed, giving me a soft kiss on my cheek. My right cheek.

"Thanks a lot Bill, I don't know what I can do without you," she stopped for a moment.

"I swear."