"Jenna asked Noah out for a date."
"You mean Sylvan, Noah Sylvan?"
My ears perked up hearing Noah's name. I was at my locker picking out notes and books for the next class. Two girls, standing couple of lockers away, were talking. They were loud enough for me to eavesdrop on.
"Yeah," the blonde one, whose name I guessed to be Olivia, replied. She was in English with me. It was her locker they both were standing at. "Oh God, what was she thinking?! Did she really think Noah Sylvan was going to say yes to her? Talk about being delusional."
"She has no chance with him. The last girl he dated was Gina. She's the student body president and sole heir to Walsh Enterprises," the other one continued. "And before her it was Abigail, head cheerleader and Sheriff's daughter. He also dated Salma and Camila, both beautiful, and again very rich. He always goes for the best."
When I had arrived in Maple Ridge High, I saw Noah and Gina together for sometime, but they didn't last for more than few days. I was well aware of the reputation of 'bad boy player' that preceded Noah, much to my chagrin. My cynical infatuation with him made me pay attention to every little talk or gossip about him. Just like right now.
"Duh. What do you expect? With that kind of hotness and wealth, of course he'll go for the best."
My grip around the binder tightened. After going through many girls, that jerk had acquired a expensive palate, didn't he? Jealousy fueled inside me at the thought of Noah being with other girls. Something inside me couldn't sit well with him whoring around. It made me angry - no, furious - and sad. He didn't belong with any other girl. He's mi-
No, he isn't mine. I immediately put stop to my dangerous way of thinking.
"Even though he hasn't dated for a while, Jenna should know better," Olivia's friend said, "she's not...his type-"
"You don't have to be polite Em. Jenna's not here. Just say she's not drop-dead gorgeous and daughter to some wealthy businessman."
Jealousy and anger subsided, and only sadness within me remained. I wasn't drop-dead gorgeous or daughter of a wealthy businessman either. I, too, wasn't his type. I felt pathetic for even thinking that I had some sort of possession of Noah. I had no entitlement to him, or reason to get mad at his promiscuous ways.
Noah Sylvan wasn't mine. Somehow each time this realization made me wither a little.
"At least she should've asked him in private, not in front of whole class. That would save her some embarrassment," Olivia added.
"She got rejected in front of whole class!" Her friend gasped. "Everything aside, props to her for the courage."
At least Jenna has the courage, I don't even have that.
I slammed my locker shut, pouring out all my frustration, and attracting the girls' eyes on me. They looked at me weird and my face heated at acting out in front of them. I gave an apologetic smile before scurrying off.
It was official. This Sylvan boy was turning me crazy.
*******
I walked into my Physics class and did a double take when I found Silas Rowan occupying the seat right next to mine. Seema sat beside me, but today she was at back of the class in Silas's place among the high-class kids that flocked around him and his friends.
My steps were wary as I approached my desk. I knew this new arrangement wasn't just random whim of Silas, and after my encounter with him and his gang on Saturday I could tell he was up to something.
"Hey Giselle," Silas greeted as I settled down on my seat. His lips quirked up in a smile that threatened he knew all your deepest secrets. Or maybe it was just me that felt like that.
"Hey." I gave a timid smile back.
"How's you day going so far?"
"Good," I replied and he hummed. If he expected me to continue the conversation by asking him about his day then he was wrong. Instead I turned my attention to my textbook, hoping he'd take the hint.
"Sylvan didn't give you a hard time while driving you back that evening, did he?" Silas didn't take the hint. "He was pretty pissed to find you and your brother trekking the forest alone."
"No, he didn't say much," I answered, trying not to let suspicion slip in my tone for his sudden interest in talking to me.
"Much?" Silas's brows raised. "Great. If he said something douchey, don't be offended. Sylvan couldn't differentiate between concern and anger. He might act little snarky if he cares about you." His smile widened and grey eyes twinkled with mischief. "When he saw you alone with your brother in the woods, he was concerned. Damn If I didn't know any better, I'd say he was too much concerned for you... almost like a boyfriend."
My cheeks flamed at his remark. "Or he just didn't want me in the woods," I retorted. The smirk on Silas's face let me know he was teasing me. Maybe, he was aware of my unhealthy obsession with Noah, and was here to get a laugh by poking fun at me.
"Of course he didn't want you there. It's not safe."
"Noah said the same thing. What's not safe out there?" I asked, curious.
"Come on Giselle, don't be so naive. A beautiful girl like you defenseless and alone in the woods is obviously not safe," he said like it was a given. It could be but we lived in a town where crime rates were low, a perk of it being inhabited by wealthy folks. Something told me there were more reasons for the woods being 'not safe' than Noah and Silas were letting me on.
On Sunday Gabriel again wanted to go to the forest and play - that brat hadn't learned his lesson - but this time I didn't give into his demand and took him to a park nearby instead. I couldn't bring myself to disobey Noah, even though he hadn't given me an explanation. But then again he could always throw me out if I trespassed on his land.
"If you don't want me on your lands you can just say so, no need to make up excuses about my safety," I muttered sullenly.
Silas sighed. "They are not excuses. It's dangerous out there, at least until we figure it out."
"Figure what out?"
"Nothing that a pretty head of yours should be worried about." He gave a tight-lipped smile that dared me to probe further.
Was I a scaredy-cat or these rich guys could be really intimidating when they wanted to?
"Why are you even talking to me?" I finally asked.
Silas smirked before shrugging. "You seem like a cool person. I want to be your friend."
Everyone wants to be my friend now, huh?
"Why now? I've been here for almost a month and you guys haven't even glanced at me. Why sudden interest in me now?"
"Oh sweet Giselle, I always wanted to be your friend, but my hands were tied. Someone didn't want us to be together... He still don't want it, but I'm done listening to him now. No one should come between our blossoming friendship."
"Who is it?"
"I think you're smart enough to guess."
"Noah," I whispered and Silas smiled like a proud parent. "Maybe you should listen to him," I mumbled, annoyed. This cryptic behavior from the boys was getting frustrating. Either leave me alone or tell me what the heck is happening.
"That I don't want to do," he said, "and soon Sylvan won't be able to either. It's a losing battle and he's just bidding his time."
"Again, what do you mean?" My patience was close to snapping. It didn't help his words gave me hope that I might had a chance with Noah.
"You'll know soon." Agh!!
Mr. Reed, our Physics teacher, walked in, interrupting the frown I was donning at Silas. The lecture started but Mr. Reed's words bounced off my mind. Throughout the class I felt Silas Rowan's curious eyes on me, studying and analyzing me. He made me nervous and conscious of my each movement, granted not as bad as Noah, but he held that similar unnerving gaze.
These rich, spoiled, cryptic guys were so annoying.
*******
Snickers followed as Jenna entered the lunchroom. Before this morning I wasn't even aware of her, but the finger-pointings and sniggers that marked her presence in the hallways let me know who she was. I would describe Jenna Perkins as a fairly average looking girl with shoulder-length brown hair and fair skin. She had pretty average height too and a petite figure - figure that I would give anything for. Summing up, she wasn't drop-dead gorgeous as those girls correctly described her to be, but with a little effort she easily fell in the category of pretty. If she wanted any guy she could get him. Any guy, but Noah.
Jenna shrunk under all the gazes and sneers that were cast her way. Her rejection by Noah was an entertainment for student body of Maple Ridge High, at least for today. Poor girl. I both sympathized with and disliked Jenna. Latter feeling came from a stupid part of me that was possessive of Noah.
I also couldn't help but compare myself to her, and all the exes that he ever had. And every time I came out as the loser in looks-department.
I was little - okay maybe more than little - chubby for girls my age. I had large belly, flabby arms and stocky legs, and a height of 5'3 didn't help in spreading out all the fat. My breast and hips might be redeeming qualities, but they were a bother too sometimes, especially when shopping. I had been aware of extra-weight that I carried all my teenage-life, so the plummeting confidence against all the beautiful girls that Noah had been - or not had been - with was a given.
I looked away from Jenna and bit down on my apple harshly, injuring my gums. My mouth hurt and I totally deserved it.
I was sitting alone at the far corner, near the trash bin. Sometimes few loners like me joined the table, however they mostly spent their lunch in library or outside. I tried copying their routine to not look like a total loser, but the convenience of lunchroom and the chance to ogle at certain someone won over.
As if on cue he knew I was thinking about him - which I always was - Noah, Silas, Elijah and Gordon stepped through the metal doors, drawing awe-worthy and swooning looks. Sadly, I was one of the admirers. One look at him and my heart inadvertently picked up its pace.
Yeah, Noah is hot. Now get over it Giselle.
Silas looked my way and waved, catching me by surprise. Noah, who never acknowledged my existence in school, immediately had his eyes on me too, before he glared at Silas. Silas didn't look slightly bothered by his friend's menacing glare, whose intensity made me shiver even though it wasn't directed at me.
A small exchange passed between them until Silas said something that angered Noah further. Emerald green eyes stared at me before their owner was walking to my table.
******
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You can read two chapters ahead on inkitt. Link is in bio.