5

Hurried, I barge into Professor Garcia's classroom. The loud thud didn't even make her flinch, she just slowly removed her eyes from her laptop and turned her head to me. Her one eyebrow lifts up. She leans forward, seated on her chair, and places her elbow on her desk to lean her chin on her fist. A visible gulp went down my throat, still feeling weird to see her again after yesterday. Clearly, to her, she finds it very amusing too, seeing me stand here speechless.

Speaking of what happened. There's no way in hell I can tell Iris, especially about the kiss.

Even though Carol meant nothing about the kiss, it's still better to keep it a secret.

"Yes?" She smirked. She clearly remembers seeing lipstick all over my mouth, "You're early."

It's a few minutes before the class begins, but I really just need to clear it up. The professor probably thinks I'm a slut, or even a lesbian.

It's not like I need to explain myself to her, but what if she finds it gross?

I mean, only girls go into the women's bathroom, of course. That's where I came out from with Carol's lipstick on me...

I walked over to her desk. "About yesterday..."

She shifts in her seat then leans back, looking me up and down.

"Don't even begin."

I paused.

"Right, I- I just don't want you to think-"

"Victoria, don't worry. Your secret is safe with me. Plus, you have nothing to explain to me. I'm not your mom, I--"

Secret? What secret? I'm not a lesbian!

...and Mom? Seriously...?

I froze again and slowly, she realized what she said. She closes her eyes, sighing.

"I didn't mean to say it like that, but you know what I mean."

I nod slowly, clenching my jaw. "Right."

My eyes wonder down to the floor as I feel myself tearing up, mentally asking why I feel so emotional.

Whenever someone brings up my mom, I get so happy, because people remember her.

For some reason, that just hit a spot in me, maybe it's because of yesterday that my emotions came crashing.

I ignored professor, not wanting to look up at her again.

Fortunately, the students start flowing inside, talking with one another and taking their seats.

Iris walked inside, and stopped in her tracks as she saw me standing at professor's desk. Without showing my face, I turn around and walk to an open desk. Iris quickly followed me from behind.

I sit down, head down still, as I get out my stuff.

Iris cleared her throat, sitting down next to me. "Did something happen?"

"Nope." I pop out, "Not at all."

I notice Iris inspecting me closely. She squints her eye, humming quietly before her eyes widen. She gasps and leans closer to me, touching my wrist to get my attention.

She whispered, her tone sounding like someone found out their partner cheated on them, "It's Carol, isn't!"

My throat ran dry, flashbacks from yesterday filling my head. Grabbing my composure, I tilt my head to Iris. There isn't time to be so dramatic, so I forced a serious face.

"No, but speaking of Carol..."

She stormed off down the hallway, bumping into people.

I rushed after her.

She's pissed at me for taking Carol's side, and not listening to her. She hates the idea of allowing Carol to hang out with us. (Like that would ever happen...) I knew I shouldn't have told her, but she was bugging me through the entire lesson to tell her why I'm mad.

She thinks Carol did something to me to ruin my mood today, but it's actually Professor Garcia. I'm not mad, but I'm offended in a way.

There is no use in telling Iris the real reason I'm a bit down, because it's abnormal for a teacher and a student to have such a relationship for them to make each other feel guilty and sad.

Well, teachers always makes kids feel bad once or twice-- in preschool maybe.

I rather told Iris about what happened yesterday with Carol. Definitely not the kiss, but what she told me; that she wants to escape Cheryl and that I want to help her.

"Iris, wait up!" I call out.

She storms off behind the building, grabbing onto my wrist and pulling me with her, out of the way.

Iris' eyebrows furrowed down. "Why the hell would you invite that bitch to hang out with us?"

"Relax." I reply, "She's probably not going to. She doesn't even know how, dammit. Cheryl has her wrapped around her finger."

"Good, and leave it that way!"

"You don't understand, Iris! Carol doesn't want to be like them. She doesn't want to hang out with Cheryl anymore. She realized how wrong it is what Cheryl's been making them do! I heard it for myself, when Cheryl found out Carol was crying, she was mean to her, calling her 'dork' and type of shit!"

Iris shook her head at me, scoffing as she takes a step back. Her eyebrows furrowed slightly. "She can be your friend, not mine... not after what they've done to me."

"Iris." I whisper as she walked away. "I-It's not what they did though! It's what Cheryl did! She... she..." I sigh as Iris turned the corner. "Iris..."

How the blondies work, is when they find their target, in this case, me, they target their friends, so in this case, Iris.

It's my fault for what they've done to Iris, all because I kissed Zach, who told me he's single!

The blondes wouldn't go days before planning attack, it happens in the moment. They usually come to the law building to find Zach, because he takes it with us. So whenever Cheryl spots me in the hallways (that goes to Iris too) she'll bring out her bitchy side.

One thing Iris can't forgive them for doing is that one time, before Cheryl met Zach, she purposely kissed Iris's first crush, before Iris met Xavier, right in front of her at a party.

Cheryl completely manipulated him to turn his back on Iris, saying 'You see that girl? She has a crush on you, but beware, I hear she dated a hundred guys and it didn't last long. Oh, and she has this one big-ass pimple on her butt and she picks her nose.'

Ryan completely ignored Iris till this day, he was so grossed out and under Cheryl's spell.

That rumors spread across the party, luckily when it came to university, everyone forgot about it.

Though, Ryan will never forget what Cheryl told him or that kiss she gave him, because they actually started dating for a while before Cheryl left him for Zach.

Not only did she spread rumors and embarrass Iris, but she stole her crush and made him turn against her. She was heartbroken for months and cried every night at my house.

She really liked him, but she's happy with Xavier now.

That happened 2 years ago and Iris still can't get over the embarrassment.

I entered the building again, going to law class.

It went by fast. We did practical activities where we're the lawyers and have to defend our client. The topic was an ex-husband accidentally killing his ex-wife's new husband because of blind rage. We were acting as the wife's lawyer.

The entire lesson Iris ignored me. She purposely sat at the back of the class, the seats next to her taken.

I needed to talk to her, we can't keep on going another minute without talking to each other.

At least, I can't. She's my best friend.

Since I take the longest to pack up my stuff, I was the last one out of the class. Iris was down the hallway.

Before I could yell her name, I spot Professor Garcia leaning against the wall next to me. Her eyes were already burning through my soul, causing a gulp down my throat.

She takes a deep breath in, pushing herself off the wall and turns to me. I step forward so that I'm not blocking the door and that Mrs. Abramson doesn't eavesdrop on whatever Professor Garcia has to say.

I flash a smile. "Are you stalking me now, professor?"

She folds her arms over her chest and furrows her eyebrows. She said lowly, "I have my ways to find what I want."

My eyebrows raise, curious and a bit confused.

Yet, I chuckled.

Yeah, I really like her.

She's so cool.

Professor frowned even more, almost like she was expecting me to say something back. Truth is, I have no idea what she meant by that, so I just kept quiet.

"Earlier, I was just teasing you and I got carried away..."

I forgot about that.

I turn my head as she spoke and stop listening mid sentence. My eyes land on Iris. She was staring at us from afar, lips parted, eyebrows furrowed. Her eyes lock with mine before she shakes her head and turns, continuing to walk.

"Are you listening to me?" Professor asked.

"No, yeah, yeah, of course-- you're sorry, and it's no big deal. We're cool." I speak fast, in a hurry, "Thanks, and I have to go now, professor."

The second I move my body to step forward, she grabbed my upper arm with a strong grip. Not expecting it, I turn back to her. A shiver went down my spine. She stopped speaking, just staring at each other for a few moments.

She said sternly, "You didn't listen to me. When I tell you to listen, you listen. Got it?"

Nevermind, not cool.

"I-... yes, yes, sorry. I got it."

"Good." She let's go of me.

I give her one odd look then I turn around and jog down the hallway. I stop in my tracks, looking both ways for Iris at the end.

She was already gone.