...Julia Tentratice Aigle Archer never cries.

I look up and see my reflection in the mirror.

Real?

Fake?

I don't know... but tear marks cascade down my cheeks. I am grateful for having used a waterproof eyeliner.

No black marks. No proof.

I practice a few fake seductive smiles.

Suddenly a face invades my memory. Emily. I can't help but remember how we met the first time when I began my sophomore year.

Beginning of Sophomore year.....

I was sitting on the bleachers in the girls washroom. That day Ashton hurt me very badly. He wouldn't even look at me. He cared for only one person.

Charlotte.

Urgh, I hate that name.

I closed my eyes and gritted my teeth, holding on the bench tightly.

Breathe in. Breathe out. Breathe in. Breathe out. Breathe......

"You know what, you should cry once in a while. It doesn't make you weak, on the contrary, it makes you stronger."

My eyes flew open and I turned my head so fast, I am surprised I didn't get a whiplash. "Hey, who allowed to come in? This is Julia time! Get out! NOW!"

"Jeez, woman! Why are you screaming? And this is school property not your personal property. If you want 'Julia time' then go home! NOW!"

I glared at her, she glared back. I growled. She growled back.

Then....

She broke into a full-blown grin.

"Gregger! GREGGER!"

Immediately a bulky senior year girl walks in, more like scurries in.

"Ye...yes, Ju...ju...Julia?"

"How did she.....What the hell? Who did this to you?"

Her head was bandaged up and her right hand was in a sling. Her eyes dart to the blond hazel-eyed girl, standing in front of me with a smirk.

"You!.."

"Yes, me. Emily Riza Walters, SBC I mean State Boxing Championship, winner, at your service, madam"

My eyes widened.

Walters....

Walters....

"Yes, yes I am Drake Walters' sister. And yes I know we look quite different. But, hey! He got the looks and brain, while I got the brawn and heart!"

She walked up to me and sat beside me. I dismissed Gregger.
We talked a lot. I told her everything, because she exuded warmth and trustworthiness.

A new story of friendship began....

Now....

I remember what Emily said at the end of our conversation that day...

"You are a lioness, let no one make you feel otherwise."

With a new vigor I walk out of the washroom.

Just as I exit, I see Conner Milton, a sophomore valedictorian. Our eyes connect. He tries to run away. I know, I know, many may feel it is hard run in heels, but......this is me, I can do anything. Even sprint in heels. I grab hold of Conner's t-shirt.
"Where do you think you are going? Huh?"
"To my class?"
"Don't try to act smart with me kid. Where is my homework, kid?"
"I...I..I could not do it. They are so hard. I can't do them. Please, Julia Mam, excuse me this time."
"What do you mean? I have to submit it. I will kill you." I try to slap him.

I can't ....

A hand catches hold of my wrist and Conner runs away. I am angry. Really really angry. I try to jerk my wrist out of the vicelike grip. "Who do you think you are? Huh? How dare you.....Drake?" I shut up, completely stunned. I look at him then to my wrist and back to him. He releases my wrist and I rub my wrist where a light impression has started to form. Irritated I start walking.

I hear footsteps.

I turn around and see Drake following me. I turn around and start walking yet again.

I find myself in front of the school library. Sighing I enter it. I have to submit my Math homework or I will flunk this semester.

"Hey, Julia, I need to talk to you."

"No, Drake. I won't sleep with you. I won't touch my best friend's brother."

"What? I am not saying that! I mean..."

"Oh! My bad. Obviously you are too good for such things. Must be a bet, right? Just tell me when and where?" I say pulling out a Math text book.

"No, Julia... I don't mean that. I mean..."

I start walking to an empty bench. Drake follows me. I sit down and so does he.

"I mean I need an help from you. That is if you are okay with it."

I have already finished three sums. I answer, "Then a friend of yours right?"

"No..."

"Oh you have a special costume request? I have a french-maid's costume, a wild cat one too. Any other costume has to be provided."

"JULIA. Will you just listen please?"

I continue with my eleventh sum.

"Hmmmm. I am also ears."

"Thank you. Frenchmaid, wild cat.."
From my peripheral vision I see him shuddering. I also see the bright red blush creeping up his neck and coloring his cheeks. I chuckle. He glares at me.

"As I was saying, before I was rudely interrupted....."

"You are still talking to me? What a marvel!" I chuckle doing my thirtieth sum.

He ignores me and continues".....I need your help regarding Emily."

I stop doing the thirty third sum and stare at him. "What? What happened to her? Is she alright? Is she sad? Urgh, what am I even asking! She is obviously sad. I am really sorry. I did not mean to hurt her. I never can. I said I will need time to trust her because I felt betrayed. I did not mean to depress her. Oh God! Is she okay? Did she hurt herself? Is....."

"She is fine. Emily is not suicidal." Drake cuts off my rant. I breathe a sigh of relief! "Thank God!"
"You care a lot about her right?"
I glare at him resuming my work. "Obviously."
"So as you already said, she is sad and I don't like my sister sad. I want your help to get the manager of her favorite restaurant to let her have a party there. He had a crush on her and she rejected him so now she is banned there. And you are....."

"Hot. I know. I have to seduce him into...."

"....good with words. You have to talk him into allowing us there. No sexual things please. Just because your name Tentratice means temptress does not mean everyone wants you do taht only. Emily will murder me."

I apply a lot of pressure on my pen almost breaking its nip. "Don't. Call me. That." I punctuate each word.

"Why not ? I like it. It has nice ring to it. Hey, can I call you Trice? Yes I have decided to call you that."

"Don't you UNDERSTAND? I said NO."

"SHUT UP. DON'T SHOUT IN THE LIBRARY." The librarian growls.

"Okay, so Trice. You only have to talk to him. Please."

"Oh! Okay."
I continue with my fortieth sum as he informs me of his plans, knowing that arguing to him about my name won't work.

Tring. Tringg. Trinnggg. Triinnngggg. Trriiinnnnggggg.

The bell goes off loudly. I tell him "Okay, text me your address and I will go their."

I get up and start moving out as he calls back,"Julia, wait."
I wait for him.
"Now, what?"
"I don't have your number" he says sheepishly, scratching the back of his neck.
"What? You don't have my number? How is it possible? Every male of our school has it!"
"I am not 'every male' , Julia. Unlike other males I am still a 'virgin'."
He says the last word as if he is ashamed of it.

I don't know why but my hands inch towards him. My left hand rests on his shoulders while my right hand makes him face me. With a smile I say,"Be proud of yourself, that you didn't succumb to peer pressure. Not all are that strong."
He smiles at me.
I realize how un-Julia-like it sounded so I quickly retract my hands and add, "But you missed out on a lot of pleasure, not having slept with the great Julia Archer." I flip my hair backwards.

He bursts out laughing, "You just had to do it? Now give me your number."
He hands me his phone. I type in my number. He gives me a missed call and says, "Now you text me your address."

No. I can't do that. I didn't even Emily my address. So I say my go to dialogue at this time,"Why? Am I not welcome in your house?"
He rolls his eyes and says,"That house belongs to Emily too. You being her friend is always welcome. So the question is am I not welcome in your house?"

I contemplate it and finally sigh and say, "Okay fine."

With that I walk away.

"Bye Trice!"

I smile internally and walk away.

That name sounds good rolling off his tongue like chocolate sauce.

I am looking forward too the new dinner.....

************************************

Hey buttercups, sorry for the short filler but this was necessary. I am hoping to update soon. Until then.

Comment. Vote. Share.

💞💋💞Reina