Chapter Sixteen Part Two

This is the real chapter. Some are similar to the joke one because up until the time Evan "professes his love" that was how the chapter was supposed to go. I just edited this one a bit so it's not exactly the same but I didn't change the lines because ain't nobody got time for that.

I woke up screaming, trashing around on my bed as I breathed heavily, my minds tracing back to the horrible dream that I had.

Let me do a recap, I basically dreamt that Evan professed his love for me and then proceeded to do some shirtless table dancing before Gray appeared. You want to know what happened?

Trust me, you don't.

Hugging my sheets, I exhaled loudly. My heart was beating so fast, as if it was silently warning me that whatever I saw in my sleep would happen right now. If I can recollect even the slightest details, it all started when my phone started ringing when Hallie called me.

And then, my loud ass annoying ringtone suddenly made me jolt up, my eyes widening in fear. Quickly sitting up, I blindly felt around my bed, cringing when I felt a stray piece of chocolate that probably fell out of during my night of self-pity.

I'm just banging down all these stereotypes, aren't I?

When I managed to take hold of the cold piece of metal that was my phone, I answered it, not even bothering with checking the name, "Hello?"

"How's my favorite cousin?" I could hear Hallie's chirpy voice greet from the other line.

Oh my gosh, it's happening.

Groaning, I fell back onto the mattress, my head sinking into the pillows, "What's next? You're going to tell me that it's already noon."

"Well, yeah," she replied sheepishly, "It's noon."

Slowly turning to the digital clock on my bed side table, my eyes bulged out of their sockets as I sat back up, my eyes focusing on the digital clock on my bedside table. When I noticed that she was correct, I scrambled around to get up, causing me to fall onto the floor in the process.

I have never been so happy that I invested on that fluffy pink rug. Softest thing to catch my fall ever.

As my phone was still pressed up against my ear, I ran to my closet to pick out an outfit for the day, "Why did you call anyways?"

"I should be asking why you're in such a frazzled mess when it's a Saturday," she quipped back, "Just making sure you're going to make it to the rehearsal dinner."

I cringed when I remembered that Hallie's wedding was on this coming weekend. Aside from the fact that she's expecting Gray to be with me, I also have to be that bridesmaid who didn't attend any of the rehearsals.

I love her and all, but picking me as bridesmaid was the worst idea she has ever thought of.

"Yeah I'll be there," I answered, hopping around as I tried to put on my pants, "And I'm hurrying because I have cheer practice."

Which I scheduled to be at nine, if I may add.

That, and because Evan and Gray might just be gay for each other! What? It was all part of the dream that was slowly turning into reality right now.

She said her goodbye and hanged up as I raced to the bathroom. Well, as fast as I can go with this little ankle of mine. It doesn't help that it was less than pleased because I made it go through some work with the cheers last night.

Grabbing a pair of shoes, I snatched my gym bag and headed downstairs. Like expected, both adults has gone to work so the house was already empty aside from this homebody. With my whole set of keys clanging with on my keychain, I shut off all the electricals and lights before I locked the doors.

Heading to my car, I threw my bag on the passenger seat as I dialed Vivian's number, putting on speaker before putting it down as I started the engine.

"The amazing Vivian speaking," she greeted and I rolled my eyes, backing out of my parking, "What's up with the captain?"

"Please tell me that you at least started warming up without me," I said, although I already knew the answer.

Without anyone yapping at them around, they're not going to move an inch.

"About that..." she trailed off and I instantly knew that I wasn't going to like the answer.

"Where are you?" I asked, my grip on the steering wheel getting tighter.

"At the mall," she replied sheepishly.

One, two, three, four, five. Calm, Clara, calm.

"Put me on speaker," I demanded, stopping at the red light as I picked up the phone and removed it from speaker. I heard some fumbling around and when the voices became more prominent, I knew that she did what I told her to do. Without missing a beat, I yelled out at all of their damned souls, "If I don't see all of you at the gym when I get there, be prepared to run fifteen laps around the school field in the blazing heat!"

I'm like a sergeant commanding my cadets. Harsh? Yes, but they need that treatment if they're going to slack off like this.

Did they seriously think that being a cheerleader would be all rainbows and butterflies as you giggle around in the school hallway in your tiny outfits?

Well, kind of is, but that's not all there is to it.

When I heard nothing from the other line, I shouted once again, "Am I clear?!"

"Yes," I heard them answer in chorus.

Hanging up, I resumed to waiting for the stoplight. Leaning against the seat, I squinted my eyes at the phone before releasing a sigh and dropping my head on the edge of the steering wheel.

I'm hungry and when I'm hungry, I'm angry.

So I'm going to do them a favor by delaying myself. If they're still not there, then they better be ready to sweat and get greeted by the sun. Although, it's a little bit cold because we're in the middle of transitioning to autumn.

First of all, I need food in my system.

Stopping right in front of the café that I've come to be familiar with, I stopped the engine, grabbed my phone and wallet before getting out.

One-Eighty Degrees Coffee.

It was a town classic, anybody who lives here has come to this place at least once their life. Sure, it's not really that famous and big as Starbucks, but their coffee really does the talking for them.

I heard the bell when I opened the glass door, letting in some of the cold air enter. I was greeted by an employee and I looked around the place. Taking off my sunglasses, my eyes fell upon the lone figure who sat at one of the tables, a half-eaten pastry and an empty mug laid on the table along with a notebook he was scribbling on.

Alright, in my dream, this is the place where Evan admits his feelings and then flings his shirt away before proceeding to make out with Gray. All I have to do is to make sure I don't trigger the events that will lead me to that ending.

And now I'm talking like this is a freaking dating game.

Walking up to him, I held onto the back of the chair that was opposite to the one he was occupying and spoke, "Hey stranger."

Evan looked up from his notebook and blinked at me, "Hey."

Pointing towards the seat, I silently asked him if it was occupied. When he gestured for me to take it, I placed down my belongings on the table before plopping down on the chair, "I would have never taken you for a guy who goes to a coffee shop all alone," I teased, raising my hand to call a waiter, "Testing if you could have those cliché chance encounters?"

He rolled his eyes before dropping his pen, "Erin and her friends are over and I didn't really feel like listening to god knows what they're yapping about."

I nodded just as a waitress approached me, her smile cheerful and inviting, "May I take your order?"

"One peach danish and a cappuccino, to go please," I said and she hummed in acknowledgement as she jotted it down on her notepad before she trotted off to punch in my order.

"And besides," he muttered when we were left alone, "My chance encounter just happened."

My expression got pulled into a smile as I laughed at his cheesiness. Peering over his notebook, my eyebrows scrunched up when I saw the physics problem that was halfway done from being solved. Lifting a finger, I pointed down on it, "You're doing it wrong."

Taking the pen from him, I encircled the formula and shook my head, "You're solving for the wrong thing, you're supposed to get this but you're instead solving for that one."

He snatched pen back again and looked up at me, "Since when did the blonde bimbo get this smart?"

Honestly, I wasn't the bit offended because I knew he was just joking. If it was someone else who said that to my face, I would have kneed them in their precious jewels.

"Since she wanted to prove that she's not just a stereotype," I answered softly, leaning back. He stared at me, as if he was trying to crack an impossible puzzle. Although knowing this smartass, he already has it all down to the dot.

He knows I was never alright with being called the blonde bimbo. My grades are rather above average, they're not the highest in the grade but it was enough for me to continue on without the fear of failing. Not all blondes are dumb and not all cheerleaders are ditzy. Some are just really tired of society's bullshit.

"So where are you off to?" he asked just to change the topic.

"Practice," I informed, "I'm actually running really late. If it wasn't for that nightmare that woke me up and my cousin calling, I would have still be in bed."

"What kind of nightmare?" he asked curiously.

Oh nothing, just you and Gray sucking each other's faces. No big deal.

Shaking my head, I tapped my fingers on the table, "I don't really want to recall that."

He took the hint and nodded, letting out a slight chuckle, "For all I know, you could have just dreamt that you went to school without doing your hair."

"Hey, that's a valid nightmare," I pouted before I took his pastry and took a bite, "And I've been freaking out since my cousin called me."

He blinked at the pastry that used belong to him before showing me an amused smirk, "Would have thought that you would kill anyone that would wake you up."

Shrugging, I showed no shame as I continued on munching on his pastry. I'm damn hungry and food is practically life, "Well, she was just confirming if I was going to her rehearsal dinner. She's getting married this weekend."

When I was reminded once again of the oncoming event, I dropped the pastry onto the plate and I looked down onto my lap, my hands fidgeting with just the thought of anticipation.

Now that my mind was no longer preoccupied of getting late, my thoughts drifted off to that RSVP. I could always just say it to her that I was no longer seeing him and that he found someone else.

My sweet sweet pride would then get terribly hurt.

"I'm starting to hate men," I groaned, crossing my arms over my chest, "Little scumbags."

"It's as if you're not talking to one," Evan said, "You okay by the way?"

"Why?"

He took a deep breath before replying, "I heard from one of Erin's friends that someone saw you and Gray last night, she said you two were flirting but I refuse to believe so until I heard it from the girl herself."

That 'flirting' people might have thought about was our brief moment when we hugged. I swear, if I could just erase it from my mind, I would.

Scratch that, if I could erase that bad boy from my mind, I would.

Giving him a weak nod, I clarified, "We were only saying goodbye."

The waitress came back with a paper bag and a to-go cup. She handed both to me before smiling and walking away. Grabbing my wallet, I took out the exact amount for my order and handed it to Evan, "For when you pay the bill."

Standing up, I told him, "I'll see you on Monday."

He also said his goodbye and as I walked away, my mind once again went to the recent happenings. Can't Gray just have fallen for the lamb after the wedding? I mean, it doesn't really make it any better for our relationship, but at least my ego wouldn't have taken a beating.

In my family's eyes, I was so confident that I could snatch anyone that I like. To appear without a date would be nothing but shameful.

Looking over my shoulder, I watched as Evan scratched his head, staring back at his notebook.

Hold on, I think I'm having a lightbulb moment.

Turning back around, I slowly approached him once again. When he noticed my figure looming over him, he glanced up and gave me a questioning look.

"What are you doing next weekend?"

Being always quick to get the idea, he sighed, "Don't beat around the bush."

"Please," I pleaded, "All you literally have to do is to stand there next to me in tux, I'll do all the socializing and you get free food."

I don't know about you but free food always gets me going.

"I feel like I'm going to regret saying this," he grumbled, crossing his arms over his chest, "But okay."

"Okay?" I repeated, just to make sure.

He sighed before nodding, "Can't have the queen march in without an escort, can I?"

Although he was obviously wasn't as peppy as I wanted him to be, I'll take his sarcastic ass.

I grinned as I resisted the sudden urged to hug him. Instead, I reached down and squeezed his hand, "Thank you!"

Remind me to buy that guy the best present for Christmas and his birthday because right now, I think he deserves the damn world for having the patience to put up with me.

Hey I admit, I'm high maintenance. But if you're dealing with someone as great as I am, you need to exert a bit of effort.

Walking back out, I sipped my coffee before I went on my way to drive to school. Those girls just got so much time to get back, they better be there or else I'm going to pull each of their stupid hair extensions off one by one.

But I'm in a much brighter mood now that I have a peace of mind that I'm not walking into the wedding without anyone accompanying and also I have successfully avoided the chain reaction that will turn my nightmare into reality.

Getting into the gym, I was pleased when I saw them sitting on the mat, talking amongst themselves. Dropping my gym bag on the floor, I clapped my hands and told them to get to positions, "Ready yourselves."

"What happened after the game, Clara?" Vivian suddenly quipped, jumping to her feet, "I thought you weren't going to get him back."

"I didn't," I stated, tying up my hair, "I simply told him that he's no longer getting this gorgeous thing anymore."

Not really, but got to make a story for these girls. Honestly, it's his loss – I'm fucking amazing.

"That's alright," a teammate said, "We'll just go get a new guy."

"How about the brother," Vivian gasped, getting an idea, "Since she stole your man, why don't you get the other guy important to her life?"

I'm not going to use Evan as a tool for revenge. But then again, if they think that, then I can freely hang out with Evan without them questioning every single move.

"You know what," I said, "Let's do that, but don't tell anyone else."

I'm not really going to do anything bad with the guy, I'm just going to shake these girls loose. I'm not going to use the one guy who is on my side right now as a tool for revenge against his sister, I'm not an idiot.

I may have been stupidly smitten with Gray Martyn before but I'm definitely not dumb. 

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I'm cackling at your reactions for the chapter yesterday. I was to put this chapter up last night but I fell asleep so here we go. That's the real chapter and like I said on the A/N before, the lines before the moment Evan says his love was the original chapter. I just thought of the joke last week so I just edited this a little bit.

Here's the actual chapter so you can now all hakuna your tatas.

Question: Wedding fever! What do you think will happen at the wedding now that she's going with Evan? How will Gray react if he finds out?

This was a breather since I know the last chapter was more or less a very dramatic one.

Don't forget to vote, comment, and follow. I love you all and I shall see you next chapter.