A paper flied out my locker as soon as I opened it and as the other times my heart skipped a beat as I reach for it before anyone else noticed. A quick glance at it was enough to glanced the dark letters across it saying 'fake whore'. Fisting it into a ball I threw it back in before grabbing the posterboard for Economy's presentation and shut it closed.
The same person's been leaving hate notes like this one the whole week. I know its all the same person because they used the same caligrafhy and insults every time. Talking about originality, uh? The first day was the worst, not only because I wasn't expecting it but because it wasn't only a note. It was a printed picture of me. Kneeling on the school's back yard, head down and arms protectively over my shirtless torso as rain poured over me. This must be the picture Noel had taunted me about. Judging by its looks, it could only had been taken by Jade or Shannon and considering Jade's still expelled despites her parents efforts my bet would be on the brunette. Really, that girl gave me chills.
I was mortified it would come out and people would see me like this, but no. It only appeared in my locker, not in the advertising board nor hanging in the hallways. It was like a way to intimidate me but without making it too hardcore since now it was clear this kind of actions had punishments.
I kept the picture, in case I'd need it to report if this kept going but since then all I get were those childish insults. I mean, they hurt, but not much. I can handle them.
And now that I was running late for Economy I honestly couldn't care less.
I was so late that the hallway was already almost clear of students, just a few like me splashed around gathering things or running towards their class. My steps halted harshly when I reached the next corner and my eyes set on certain someone.
Damn.
Cold sweat covered my spine.
Luckly, Noel was busy talking to some other soccer player so I took that as my chance to walk back my steps. I'm taking the long way then. If my heart wasn't pounding so hard I would sigh at how late I'm surely going to be now.
The phone buzzed in my pocked and I slipped it out as I made my way fast down the hallway, my brows knitting together when Dylan's name popped in the screen.
DYLAN: hi!!
its drew
I had to read it twice to make sure I wasn't imagining things. I wasn't, and the bewilderment only increased. Drew? The gorgeous girl whose helping me with the possible college opportunity? Why was she contacting me?
There was only one way to find out.
ALYSON: Hi! whats up?
The response didn't take much.
DYLAN: Wonderful!
do you like Dy?
I almost tripped over my feet at the sudden text, so I had to force myself to stop and reread it, momentarily forgetting my obnoxious delay to Economy. If I had been drinking, this would be this clitche moment when I would spill it out dramatically, but instead I just chocked on air like a moron.
My heart pounded wild in my chest after some more rereading. Blood pooled in my cheeks. What's up with the sudden out of blue question?
More texts came in.
DYLAN: I mean, hes cool
we should totally hang out sometime.
it could be fun dnt you think?
This was so weird.
More than weird.
It made no sense.
Why was Drew, the beautiful Intagram's star, asking me through Dylan's phone if I like him and if I wanted to hang out sometime? It made absolutely no sense. I saw as Dylan's contact went off line when I failed to answer, leaving me frowning at the screen and feeling stupid and slow.
What's going on?
To increase further the nonesense it didn't even lasted a few seconds before the state under his name shows they were online again, typing-
Someone harshly bumped into my shoulder and I crushed against the lockers with a loud thud. A pained whimper escaped me as I leaned against them, holding my pounding shoulder that had taken the worst hit. From the corner of my eyes I caught how that someone just laughed and kept walking.
"Oops." I looked up and immediately wished I didn't when I met Noel's eyes twisting in wickedness. He smirked at me over his shoulder on his withdraw and my stomach tied in painful knots. "Watch out, freak."
And just like that, he turned the corned and get out eyes-shot. How great. It's been like that the whole week, he appeared out of nowhere, when there were barely anyone around and do something like that. Well, I could handle a bit shoving. I'd take it over the direct harassment like the other day in the canteen anytime.
Evening my breaths now that I knew he wouldn't do anything else I glanced around and picked up my bag that had slipped down my good shoulder as the other keep throbbing.
The posterboard and my phone were a couple feet away, and when I picked it up it has a small scratched on the upper screen. Awesome. It was rather small but it still sucking. I almost sighed out oud in relief when I pressed the button the it unlocked without a bother.
Retaking my treck towards the class -by now I was really late- I glanced down at the device when it buzzed again and realized Dylan's been texting still.
DYLAN: OMG Im so sorry,
Drew stole my phone *emogy ashamed*
Dont listen to her, shes crazy
sorry to bother you
but she's kinda right. we should hang out sometime
I found myself smiling at his cuteness, my heart skipping a beat. Was this his way to asking me out? Or maybe it was just in a friendly way? Drew had said asked me if I like her... and Macy and Norah had been kinda insistent to with the apparently 'thing' we had going on. Was it? Or was I just overthinking the whole thing. Did I wanted it to be true?
I reached the classroom's door and through it I heard the teacher's voice. Shit. It has already started.
Not wanting to leave him waiting I quickly typed back-
ALYSON: hahah It's fine,
and sure! I would love to :)
I hesitated before pressing send and shakily let out a breath. It's done. I locked the phone and finally made my way inside the room.
Ms Goldin stopped talking as soon as I knocked and whan I entered she sent me a narrowed stared.
"How nice of you to join us, miss White." my cheeks burned as a someone sniggered and lowered my face so the hair fall as a blind.
"I-I'm sorry. Won't happen again."
"Better not." she pointed to my seat. "Would you mind?"
Not needed to be asked twiced I strode there, sitting down and trying to disappear form the public eyes, not able to avoid the amused glance from my side, tho.
"Taking your time, uh?" joked Brett and I blushed harder, slouching further in my seat.
"I got distracted."
"Sure." The amused tone in his voice was evident and I bit my lip.
"Okay." Ms Goldin clapped her hands after the explanations she just made. "There's a lot of presentations due for today so we better get started, shouldn't we?" she looked down at her list. "Andy and James?"
Two guys from the back cursed under their breath but get up and towards the front. I could felt the nerves crippled my guts as well, knowing it was a matter of minutes we were called up there. I don't deal well, with attention. I hated being on the spotlight so you can imagine how was I feeling about this.
As they began their presentation, I unlaced the posterboard and straightened it over the table, smoothing the curving corners. From the corner of my eyes I caugh Brett glancing at it and when I sneaked a peak carefully I was baffled at the hint of anxiety in him. I tilted my head towards him and the suspitions only got more confirmed at how he was twisting the paper in his hands.
"What?" he whispered when he noticed my attention on him, careful not to disturb Andy and James's performance. The previous amusement was gone from his tone, overpowered by something else. More clues as to that something was wrong.
"Are you okay?" I found myself murmuring in the same tone and his eyes widened before he looked away.
"What? Of course." but the way he breathed out gave him away. I frowned and he brushed on hand throught his hair. "I'm just nervous, okay? I don't like stepping out there. That's it. No big deal."
Nervous? Of attention? Him?
"But...you play soccer."
Brett looked at me with a confused face.
"So?"
My scowl deepened. This confusing boy.
"You play in front the whole school and don't even blink."
"Yeah, well. My soccer skills are undeniable." my jaw almost drop in disbelieve. Wow. Cocky much, uh? But Brett just shrugged. If it wasn't for the movement of his throat when he gulped I would totally'd been oblivious at his anxious. He hid it well, but there it was. "I can't say the same about this shit."
I cautiously gaped at him, not sure why was he being so open with me out of the blue. Was this some trick? But if it was he was a heck good actor. Despites everything I found myself suffering with his distress and I wanted to face palmed myself.
I'm such a stupid idiot.
"You'll do good. Just picture everybody naked." I suggested with a shrug, but as soon as those words left my mouth his expression change. First into shock at my advise and then into something more complicated. His eyes trevelled down my body shamelessly and I felt myself burn under his gaze. A crooked smirk pulled the edge of his lips.
"Believe it or not, it's not working."
"Not me, you perv." I blushed harder and pushed his arm, embarrased, but he let out a silent laugh. I wanted to kick myself when my chest filled with warm.
"Just kidding." he fiddled with the paper looking down at it, nervous again. His lips parted as if to say something else but then the class erupted in claps and we looked to see the ones presentating before us just ended.
"Very well." smiled Mrs Goldin writting in her notebook. "Good job there but be careful with the graphics and edited them where I've told you. You process was right in almost all the points but its in the conclusion when you fail short. Check that out a little more. Okay, next ones... Alyson and Brett."Â she called glancing at us and Brett swallowed hard by my side.
When his eyes met mine I gave him a reassuring smile.
It didn't go half as bad as I was expecting. Despites his shaken state, Brett did good and the posterboard we'd made was A+ material. In the end miss Goldin only pointed out small things such as details on the process or the lack of conclusion. I get us out that last one argumenting since the project wasn't done already and this was just a check in how we were doing we didn't have a conclusion yet. And, I mean, it wasn't a lie.
By the time we came down and next ones took our place Brett let out a huge breath and you could see in his body lenguage how relief he was. Funny. Who would had thought he was such a big fan of presentations. I knew he didn't used to enjoy them but not to the point to became this anxiety mass.
We listen to our classmates presentation, taking notes on what could be applicated in our based on the teachers comments. When the bell rang over our heads I have a couple ideas to improve our work.
"So," Brett smirked by my side, catching my attention as I slid my backpack in place. "How many of them have you imagined naked, uh?"
My cheeks stung in embarrasment but the fact that he was back to his joking self felt good for some reason. "How many have you?" I teased back before realizing it and he didn't miss a beat.
"Only one." and winked.
He winked!
And, damn, the things it does to my chest. Not only his easy going attitude, but also the fact that... for the first time in forever we were taunting each other. Joking around like friends would do and I didn't know if it felt right or made me incredibly naive.
Either way, I swallowed a smile and proceeded: "Such a perv, aren't you?"
"What gave me away?"
"Mm." I tilted my head, poking my chin as if thinking. "Can't point it out. Maybe just you being you."
His eyes swirled in delight and fell in step with me to the door and out the classroom. His scent and presence tingling me like a lovely cloud. "Let me remind you, Lys, that was your advise."
"That you've followed."
"Details." he shrugged and this time I couldn't prevent it and laughed.
His suddenly stopped dead in his tracks and gave a baffled, mesmerized look; shattering the lightness of the moment and made me suddenly very self conscious under his burning stare. "What?" I questioned awkwardly, shifting on my feet. "What?" Did I just emabarrassed myself without noticing? I wouldn't be surprise if I did. I hid behind my hair.
"Nothing. It's just..." He shook his head and and gave a shy smile. Wait, shy? Brett? "You should smile more often, it looks good on you. I almost forget why you I call you Giggles."
"Oh." heat rose to my cheeks. Again. Did he just complimented me? Weird. I cleared my throat and looked away. "I don't know what you're talking about. I'm always smiling."
"Not to me, tho."
I frowned. Had he forget everything he had done to me? Did we really have to ruin the first time in a while we were getting along with those memories? How dared he?
"Well," I snapped and folded my arms. " It's not like you gave me reasons to, is it?"
He froze, suddenly a hurt look flashed behind his blue iris. "I..." I refused to felt guilty. I meant every word. But at the same time I kinda felt like I just pushed too far when we were on a good mod.
Great job, Alyson.
I shook it off, fighting back the thickness that filled the air suddenly. "Any way." I forced the smile back to my face. "Lighten up, we did good." I rose my hand for a high five, widening my eyes when I realized the supidity in my move but Brett responded to the gesture, chuckling.
"We did." his fingers slipped casually through mine as our palms connect and my heart skipped a beat. He eyed out hands, not making a move to immediately untangle them, then back at me and his lips parted. His eyes got this unreadable glance that got my lungs constricting. "Lys-"
"Can I take my friend?" Norah appeared out of nowhere and laced our arms, simultaniously pulling me after her so my hand slipped out Brett's. The tensions disolved in a heartbeat as if it was never there. She wincked at Brett amusedly. "I'll return her later. Bye! So," she whispered excitedly at me once we were out his earshot. "Even at risk of you getting mad at me again I'll dare to say it."
"Say what?"
"It. It! You been all adorable eyes and flying hearts, openly flirting with Lover Boy."
I chocked. "Was not!"
"Was to. Now spill it. What changed?"
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Hey! Here's another chapter, as always, feel free to let me know your opinions, they make my days. Thank you so much for all the support so far <3
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