23 - Queen Bee (PART I)

TAYLOR'S POV

I stared at the foggy mirror in the girl's toilet, observing my reflection. Hazel eyes started coldly back at me, on a heart shaped face with soft features. My thin, shapely eyebrows were slightly furrowed. My glossy pink lips were turned downwards. My button nose wrinkled. I relaxed my facial muscles to hide the agitation I felt, observing the rest of me. Dark caramel hair in glossy curls flowed down my back. I pushed a stray hair behind my ear, my studded earlobe catching the light.

My volleyball uniform, consisting of a pale blue and white stripped tank top and the school's logo boldly printed and short skort hugged my body perfectly, my skort drawing attention to my toned legs, with plain white sneakers finishing off the outfit.

All this beauty, yet Brock never gave me a second glance.

A toilet flushing interrupted my thoughts, and I turned to see one of my teammates and closest friends coming out off a stall dressed in the same uniform as me. Alyssa Reed. She was one of the only people I could tolerate.

Alyssa was stunning, with her golden brown skin and delicate features, her kinky hair always slicked into a perfect top knot bun. She gave me a weird look as she went to wash her hands, briefly glancing into the mirror.

"What's going on in that pretty head of yours?" Alyssa asked, applying a layer of lip-gloss. I shook my head.

"Don't worry." I replied shortly, copying her and applying pink lip-gloss, even though my lips were shiny enough. She shot me a look.

"Thinking about Brock again?" She asked knowingly. I didn't reply. We both knew the answer.

Instead, I asked about Tobi's whereabouts as we left the toilet and started walking down the empty hallway. At first I was suspicious when Tobi suddenly decided to befriend me at the beginning of the year, as we hadn't been exactly best friends previously. However, she was nice enough company and helped tutor me in Maths, so I didn't mind. I guessed she had enough hanging around the likes of Maisie and Chloe Woods.

Ugh, Chloe Woods. That girl bothered me the way no one else could, and she didn't even do anything! With her classic blonde hair and blue eyes paired with pretty features and a funny personality that attracted guys like flies, she was my main competition when it came to Brock. I was aware of how close they were, with them going back as far as middle school, and it bothered me a great deal. I couldn't decipher her feelings towards him, but I was well aware of her dislike towards me.

It wasn't unwarranted, I could admit I wasn't the nicest to her in the past or present, but her not being fond of me could affect Brock and I's progressing relationship. Well, to me it was a progression relationship, to him... I had no clue.

Sometimes he acted like he couldn't get enough of my presence, but other times it was like he was allergic to being around me. This hot and cold act was exhausting to keep up with, and I didn't know how to make things move forward.

"Tobi said she'll meet us at the library," Alyssa's soft voice brought me back to the present. "Said she didn't want to be late to class."

I frowned. "Late? We have a free period."

Alyssa chuckled. "I know. She can be such a nerd sometimes." I nodded in agreement with a small smirk, but Brock invaded my thought again and I couldn't help but frown.

"Hey," Alyssa demanded my attention. "Stop frowning over that guy. Firstly, you'll get wrinkles. Secondly, he definitely likes you back so I'm not sure why you're stressing."

I shot her an unimpressed look. "And how would you know how he feels towards me?"

She shot me a wide smile, showcasing two dimples. "I see the way he looks at you, girl."

"And how is that?"

"Hm, a mix between wanting to strangle you and kiss you silly." I couldn't help but blush at her words, shoving her when she snorted at my expression.

"You really do like him, huh." Alyssa observed as we turned a corner. "I've never seen you blush over a guy. I distinctly remember you saying in middle school blushing is something you would never allow yourself to do as it's a form of weakness which others can prey on."

I laughed slightly. "Yes, and I'm still correct. I wasn't blushing though, it's just my allergies. Don't be silly." Alyssa nodded sarcastically.

"Anyway, I'm a professional when it comes to love, so take my word for it and stop sulking." I laughed scathingly at that.

"How are you qualified?" I humoured her. She shot me a deadpan look.

"I've been in a relationship with the best guy ever for over half a year, Taylor. I know what I'm talking about."

I hummed. "Oh yeah, Wyatt Daniels right?" She nodded, a genuine smile overtaking her face.

"Yeah, he's great, and so hot." Alyssa gushed. I rolled my eyes.

"He has nothing on Brock." I joked, partly serious.

"Anyway, you know he's best friends with someone who goes Garret Academy, right?" I reminded her. She made a face.

"And why does that matter?" She asked her voice dropping to a whisper as we entered the school library. I didn't answer immediately, looking around for Tobi. I spotted her in the far corner at a desk with books spread all over it.

I lead the way with Alyssa following me. "Because they're our rival school Alyssa, our biggest competition, duh."

"Well, it's not like he actually goes there, or else I wouldn't date him." Alyssa defended, gracefully sitting at the desk and dropping her back next to her. "Have some respect for me."

I shrugged, sitting opposite her and next to Tobi. "Just making sure you're aware. What's his best friends name again?"

Tobi looked up, as if just realising we were there. "Who?" She asked, pushing braids out of her face.

"Wyatt Daniels, his best friend." I answered impatiently. I hated when I forgot stuff.

"Oh," Tobi sat up straighter. "Aiden Carter."

"That's it!" I exclaimed, snapping my fingers and gaining a dirty look from the librarian. Unfazed, I turned to Alyssa.

"You know apparently Elijah's good friends with him." I informed her, disgust evident in my tone. She made a face.

"What? I don't know how he can stand to hang around them; most of them are a bunch of snobby rich kids to be honest." Alyssa tutted. Tobi rolled her eyes.

"If you guys are just going to gossip this whole period, then move tables." Tobi told us sternly. I raised my hands in surrender, bringing out a random book and opening it. Alyssa did the same. It was quiet for at least five minutes, before Alyssa broke the silence like I predicted she would. That girl could never shut up.

"How are you feeling about today's match?" She asked me, her brown eyes watching me closely. Tobi shot her a deathly glare, which didn't seem to have much effect on Alyssa.

"Just wear your earphones if me asking a valid question to our volleyball co-captain bothers you that much." Alyssa dismissed. I bit back a smirk as Tobi rolled her eyes but brought out her earphones. She really needed more of a backbone.

"I feel ready to annihilate them." I answered Alyssa's question with a smug smile. Her expression mirrored mine.

"Right! Now Abisade and Sianto have stopped playing we can beat them easier." She responded and I nodded in agreement. They were seriously good players.

"Apparently Sianto and Aiden Carter have a thing." Alyssa told me conspiratorially. My eyebrows raised in surprise.

"How do you know?"

"Wyatt mentioned it when we were hanging out the other day," She shrugged, glancing at her nails. They needed to get done. "They seem cute together."

I pictured the blonde haired jock and pretty green-eyed mixed race girl together in my mind and shrugged in agreement. They would make a nice pair.

Alyssa making an irritated noise caught my attention. She nodded towards the entrance when she saw me looking at her. "Guess who just came in."

I looked behind me, rolling my eyes when I saw Chloe with Elijah and others. I was happy to see Brock wasn't with them; I wasn't ready to face him yet without a game plan.

"Tobi, do you think Chloe likes Brock romantically?" I asked Tobi quietly. She glanced up at me, taking an ear bud out and shrugged.

"No clue."

"Surely you should have an idea though; you were close friends for years." Alyssa pressed. Tobi's blank expression didn't change.

"I honestly don't know, guys. But if she did, what would you do?" Tobi asked. I smirked slightly.

"Eliminate the competition of course." I responded with a hair flip, high-fiving an agreeing Alyssa. Tobi just went back to reading, seemingly unimpressed.

"Anyway, I have English next period with Brock. Since we'll be working on our English projects I'll be with him for the whole double period." I sighed happily at the thought, but composed myself quickly when Alyssa gave me a funny look.

"Anyway, I need a plan to get him to start liking me romantically. This hot and cold game has been going on for too long and is starting to wear me out." I informed Alyssa. She thought for a moment.

"Just manipulate him into liking you, of course." She responded. I nodded, thinking about it when Tobi shot both of us an incredulous look.

"Um, no. That's sociopathic, Alyssa." She exclaimed and Alyssa waved her off.

"Is that what you did with Wyatt?" I asked, intrigued. She shot me a cheeky grin.

"Along the lines," She started. "But manipulation would be a strong word for it." She corrected when Tobi stared at her, appalled. Tobi turned to me.

"Look, he's already attracted to you," She started and I shook my head, cutting her off.

"I disagree; he would have made some type of advancement on me then. Like touch me up or something." I informed her and Tobi shook her head.

"You're only saying that because the perverts you've dated in the past did that. That isn't normal behaviour, Taylor. It's all in the eyes and body language. Whenever you talk, Brock gives you his full attention. He can barely take his eyes off you when you enter a room he's in. Even though he acts like he hates you, whenever you come close to him he doesn't back away immediately, because he likes being in close proximity with you. Trust me, the attraction is there." Tobi finished.

I was shocked at her observations and when I looked at Alyssa, she seemed to feel the same.

"I knew there was a reason I kept you around," I told Tobi fondly. "So, if the attraction is there how do I build on it?"

She raised an eyebrow, as if surprised I didn't know. "Simple. Develop an actual friendship with him first. Lust can make a relationship, but not a substantial one. You need to be friends first and then take it from there."

I nodded slowly, processing the information. She was right. The only advantage Chloe had over me with Brock was their close friendship. If we gained that closeness he would definitely like me back.

Satisfied, I shot Tobi a small smile. "Cool, gracias Tobi." She nodded, returning back to her work. I then turned to Alyssa, who was scrolling through her phone.

"Lyssa, I need to you find out information about him, anything you can. His likes, dislikes, any ex girlfriends, how he likes his eggs, everything." I told her seriously. She matched my seriousness.

"On it, I'll have info by tomorrow, Tay." As she said that, the bell rang, signalling the end of the period. I hurriedly packed the one book I'd brought out, eager to get to English and see Brock.

I brought out the large circular mirror I always had with me, checking for anything on my face. When I was satisfied I applied my lip gloss again, the shine making me smile. I quickly ran a brush through my curls, smoothing down the top of my head and lastly spritzed myself with my Victoria Secret perfume. Once I was done I packed my things and turned to Alyssa who was waiting patiently.

"How do I look?" I asked, doing a little twirl.

"Like you're about to get yourself a man." She teased, causing me to crack a smile. I shouldered my handbag and we exited the library together.

"Text me when you leave fourth period." I told her as we parted ways. She nodded, waving goodbye before going to her own class. Due to the match we could leave school early, so English was the last subject I had for the day.

I was aware that I was a couple of minutes late to class but I couldn't bring myself to care as I walked down the empty corridor at a leisurely pace. When I reached the classroom I took a deep breath to prepare myself before entering. Immediately I felt twenty one pairs of eyes on me, which I ignored as I turned to Mrs Valencia.

"Sorry I'm late Miss." I apologised sweetly, not bothering to offer an explanation.

She shot me a smile. "No worries, Taylor, just please be on time for the next lesson." I nodded and walked towards my seat, ignoring Marissa's groan of displeasure.

"Hey cuz." I greeted as I sat down next to her. She rolled her eyes but didn't give me a response. I couldn't help but smirk slightly.

"Damn and they call me the rude one." I mumbled to myself, and the dirty glare she sent my way indicated she heard me, causing me to giggle softly.

"Do you enjoy causing me immense irritation?" Melissa hissed quietly to me as Mrs Valencia started teaching.

"Yes." I replied seriously. Melissa simply glared at me and turned away. I wasn't lying though, I loved pushing her buttons. It was so amusing that any little thing I did could tip her over the edge.

"Alright guys, please get into your pairs so you can start working on your project." Mrs Valencia announced after a couple minutes. Melissa, being the drama queen she was, nosily packed her things and practically sprinted away from me to the other side of the classroom. I couldn't help but laugh loudly, blowing her a kiss when she glared at me from her new seat and turned to her partner, most likely to insult me. Not that I cared.

I could feel Brock's gaze on me from the other side of the classroom as I inspected my nails, but I made no move to look at him. I wanted him to come to me, which I knew ticked him off.

Suddenly, Tobi's voice sounded in my head. Develop an actual friendship with him first. I sighed; annoying him wouldn't be the best way to do so, would it?

After coming to a decision, I leisurely packed my things and started walking towards him, maintaining eye-contact the whole time. I dropped into the seat next to him, and gave him the sweetest smile I could muster.

"This seat taken?" I asked lightly, digging through my bag for my English notebook.

"Well, by you." He replied dryly. I smiled slightly at that but quickly schooled my expression.

"So, how are you today?" I asked pleasantly, shifting in my seat to give him my full attention. He looked a bit taken aback; I couldn't tell if it was by my question or proximity.

"Um, alright, thanks." Brock responded unsurely. I couldn't hide my smile this time.

"Why do you look as if I asked for your PIN number?" I asked and titled my head slightly, amused. A small smile broke out on his gorgeous face as he shook his head slightly.

"I'm just a bit surprised; I didn't think you were the one for pleasantries." He replied amicably. I shrugged, turning in my seat so I faced forward.

"You learn something new every day, then." I stated, opening my pencil case and grabbing my favourite pen. It was bright pink with a couple feathers attached at the end. I opened my notebook and was about to write the date when Brock grabbed my pen.

"What's this meant to be?" He asked mockingly waving it around. I blinked at him slowly.

"So, it's called a pen. It was invented in the early 1800s, and it produces ink which we can use to write words. Do you know what words are?" I told him slowly and patiently. He shoved my shoulder slightly, with an irritated look on his face but I could see the amusement in his eyes.

"I know what a pen and words are, thanks smartass." He retorted and I smiled slightly. "I meant why is it so... fluffy?" Brock wrinkled his nose adorably.

I gently snatched the pen back. "Because it is, and that's a pretty offensive question, just so you know." I informed him, totally chatting through my ass.

Brock leaned forward slightly, with an amused and intrigued expression. "Is that so? Offensive to whom?" He humoured me. I shot him a bewildered look.

"The pens of course. And the pen owner." I said matter-of-factly, surprised when he let out a loud laugh that produced butterflies in my stomach.

"So pens have feelings?"

I glanced at him. "Of course not, don't be silly Brock."

Brock gaped at me. "But you just said-"

I bit back my laugh. "I know what I said," I interrupted. "It is offensive so ask about the fluffiness of a pen; it's like asking why circles are round or why paper is thin. Absolutely degrading and not okay in any situation."

Brock just stared at me for a good moment or two and I stared back evenly. My weird side was coming out which meant I really was interested in him.

"You're strange." Brock concluded, turning back to his notebook. My eyebrows furrowed.

"So having different opinions compared to the norm automatically classes you as strange?" I challenged and he turned to me, sighing in exasperation.

"Is there a reason you're being so... talkative today?" Brock asked. I shot him an innocent smile.

"Just means I'm getting more comfortable around you. You should be glad." I told him, which he smiled slightly at before returning to his notebook.

All the pairs had been assigned a text they had to read and then write an essay on, answering a specific question. We'd been assigned Jane Eyre, which I'd read before and thoroughly enjoyed. Over the weekend Brock and I had agreed to at least get halfway through the hefty novel.

"So, did you manage to finish the novel?" I asked Brock, resting my chin on my hands and turning toward him. I decided my position was starting to get uncomfortable, so moved my chair so it was on the opposite side of the desk and opposite him. Brock watched me do so with an inquisitive look, so I answered his unvoiced question.

"I moved so I could get a better view of your face." I told him, grinning when he rolled his eyes and ducked his head to hide his shy expression. I knew if he was a few shades lighter his face would be red.

"Stop playing, Taylor." Brock told me when he composed himself, running a hand over his waves. I shot him an innocent smile, leaning back in my seat.

"You didn't answer my question." I said. He frowned for a moment before nodding.

"Yeah, I actually finished it. I had nothing better to do." Brock responded, licking his lips. My attention was drawn to them immediately, but I snapped my gaze back to his eyes before he noticed.

"I finished it as well, so I guess that's our work for this lesson done." I shrugged, grinning slightly when he shook his head.

"No, we could identify the prominent themes-"

"Religion, family, gothic elements, social class and gender inequality." I interrupted, taking joy in his stunned expression. Brock quickly schooled himself.

"Okay, how about the type of novel it is?" He asked.

"Easy, you could say Bildungsroman as it follows Jane throughout the journey of her life, although a typical Bildungsroman has a male main character. You could argue Gothic or Feminist as well." I replied. He leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms and his delicious muscles immediately demanded my attention. But I forced myself to continue looking at his face.

Finally, he sighed. "Alright, let's just write all of that down then we can relax, yeah?" I nodded eagerly, doing as he said. After a couple of minutes we were finished and silent. I decided to move my seat to its original position and turned my body sideways so I completely faced him. This brought his attention to my uniform.

"You have a match?" Brock asked. I nodded, flipping my hair over my shoulder.

"Yeah, after this period so I'm leaving school early." I replied, crossing my exposed legs. I watched his gaze flicker to them and stay there for a moment or two, causing an excited fluttering in my chest. So he was attracted to me?

Guess I'd have to up my flirting then.

"Like what you see?" I teased with a small smirk on my face. Brock's eyes immediately snapped up to meet mine and he gave me a cool look.

"Nah, just noticing how your sneakers are dirty." He replied. I directed my gaze to said sneakers, noting how they were pristine white, dirt free.

"Sure." I drawled and before Brock had a chance to spew more lies Mrs Valencia called both our names.

"Brock and Taylor, would you mind going to the supply room to get a box of lined paper please?" She asked us with a small smile on her face. I nodded coolly, standing up and making my way to the front of the classroom to collect the key with Brock hot on my heels.

Mrs Valencia handed it to me with a knowing look that I returned with a smile, and I led us out of the classroom. We walked side by side, close enough that our shoulders and hands brushed multiple times. In a bold move I decided to grab his hand and linked it with mine.

Brock glanced at me, surprised and I shot him a mischievous smile. He rolled his eyes but didn't object nor remove my hand from his. I performed cartwheels in my mind in celebration.

We walked in a comfortable silence, which after a moment he broke. "You coming to the game next Friday?" Brock asked, glancing down at me. I shrugged, making myself seem indifferent.

"Maybe, maybe not." I replied. He frowned at that slightly.

"Why maybe and not definitely?"

I sighed a little. "I mean, I usually come to cheer on the school but always end up cold, even if I wear my thickest jacket, which isn't that thick mind you." I explained.

It was total crap; I just wanted a reason to wear his letterman jacket.

Brock thought for a moment. "Well, I could always lend you my letterman jacket." He suggested casually as if his words didn't make my heart stop temporarily.

"Seriously?" I asked, trying and most likely failing at not seeming that bothered. Brock nodded, offering a small and slightly shy smile.

"We're playing against Garret Academy on Friday. It would be nice to see you cheering the team on from the bleachers." He told me. I made a face.

"Cheering the entire team on? Nah." I said, watching as Brock's face dropped.

"But cheering you on? My absolute pleasure." I finished with a cheeky grin. His expression immediately lifted and he shot me an unimpressed look.

"You're not funny, Taylor."

I shrugged, completely disagreeing internally. "I might not be, but at least I have my looks to make up for it." I retorted just as we stopped outside the supply room.

"Right?" I prompted. Yes, I was fishing for a compliment but it would be nice to hear it directly from him that he found me pretty.

Brock simply rolled his eyes. "Taylor, you know you're beautiful, so stop fishing for compliments." He said, taking the key from me and unlocking the door. My toes curled at the compliment and the butterflies in my stomach seemed to triple in number.

"You think I'm beautiful?" I asked in an awed voice, following him into the room. Brock turned to look at me, his intense brown eyes doing something to my heart.

He didn't need to answer verbally; it was all in his gaze.

"Now stop cheesing like that, you look weird." Brock teased, chuckling when the smile dropped from my face.

I crossed my arms, displeased. "First I'm gorgeous, now I look weird? Choose one, hermoso."

At the foreign word Brock gave me a confused look. "What did you call me?"

I smiled at him, sauntering closer so we were only inches apart. "Handsome. You're the most gorgeous guy I know." I told him, seriously. Pure shock showed on his face for a couple of seconds, before his gaze turned downwards and that shy expression I loved made an appearance.

"Stop playing with me, Taylor." Was all he said in a deep voice, moving away from me and looking on the shelves for lined paper. The tension was still thick and apparent in the room.

"I'm being completely serious, you're seriously attractive." I continued boldly. He tensed slightly at my words, his back facing me. I took the opportunity to move closer so I was directly behind him and put my hand on his shoulder, turning him around.

"Would you like me to show you how attractive I think you are?" I proposed flirtatiously, my eyes dropping to his lips. I could have sworn the distance between our faces was beginning to decrease, when-

"Young man and woman, what are you doing here?" A teacher nosily asked after slamming the door to the supply room opened. Brock jumped while I simply glared at the teacher for ruining our almost-kiss.

"U-um, we need- uh..." Brock stuttered out. I rolled my eyes and reached behind him, grabbing a thick package of lined paper and showing it to the teacher sarcastically. Then I took Brock's hand and pulled him outside, retrieving the key from the lock.

We walked down the hallway back to class in a slightly awkward silence. I wracked my brains, thinking of what to say but came to a blank. I dropped his hand after a moment, gasping slightly when he picked it up instantly. I turned to stare at him yet he didn't pay me any mind, just looking straight forward with a blank face. I couldn't help but blush and smile.

The sweet moment was interrupted by a group of girls, younger students bounding down the hall and making a racket. The dirty looks some of them gave me, especially who seemed to be their leader, didn't escape me. But I chose not to acknowledge it, as I was well used to people envying me.

I really was going to ignore them but they stopped right in front of us and to the left, giggling and whispering to one another. The leader boldly pointed at Brock and I's joined hands and made a kissy noise, sending her and her friends into fits of laughter.

I sighed, dropping his hand and going to stand in front of the group of five. I stared at them, particularly their leader for a solid ten seconds. Her back up dancers squirmed, seemingly uncomfortable but she just stared back at me. Being in closer range to them made me notice the foul smell of sweat coming from her.

"Maybe if you focused more on your personal hygiene you could prevent stinking up the hallways, babe." I told her. She gaped back at me and her friends gasped.

"Excuse me?" She hissed, stepping forward and I immediately covered my nose.

"Back up, my outfits too cute to throw up on because of your horrible stench!" I burst out into hysterical laughter at my little joke. Comedy gold, honestly. She began to turn an unflattering shade of red and her friends snickered along.

"Who do you think you are?" She hissed, taking another 'threatening' step forward. I lowered my hand from my nose to show my unbothered smirk.

"Taylor Marisetta, puta. I'm not the one to mess with." I told her seriously, stepping forward so we were chest to chest. She tried to put on a brave face but I could see the fear in her eyes.

"Now, let me give you a tip if you want to survive your remaining few years of high school. Take a shower, or alternatively there's a sink in the girls toilet if you can't afford the water. And keep your fat nose out of other people's business, sí?" I told her calmly and sweetly. Tears welled up in her eyes and her gaze focused on the ground.

I smiled wickedly. "Or you could use you tears to wash yourself, if that's what you're into." With that I sauntered back to an unimpressed Brock who'd watched the exchange silently. Then I heard Stinky mumble an insult under her breath.

Technically, I was under obligation to turn around and verbally assault her. As in I had no choice.

So I did.

"Stinky, are you upset I didn't invite you to go deodorant shopping?" I called after her. Her friends started laughing again so Stinky tearfully told them to shut up.

I sauntered towards her. "Alright, chill out; let me make it up to you now. Let's see..." I looked around the hallway, smiling when I saw a bottle of cheap deodorant in one of the corners.

"Here you are, babe. Now off you go to the girl's toilet, this period is nearly over and you have a lot of cleaning to do." I told her gleefully, tossing the bottle towards her and it hit her in the chest.

I ran my eyes over her 'friends'. "Too bad there's no shampoo for the rest of you, the grease in your hair combined could be used to oil all the doors in this school. Pity." I laughed loudly at their distraught and outraged expressions, walking off with Brock and giggling to myself.

"Taylor..." He sighed and I glanced up at him, smiling widely.

"Look, if you're going to lecture me for being rude to Stinky and co, don't bother. They need to be humbled," I paused. "And washed." Then I started giggling again. Brock shook his head, struggling to keep a straight face.

"You're right; they do need to be humbled. But you could be less... mean." He finished and I made a face.

"You think that was me being mean?" I asked incredulously. "No, that was me being kind, Brock! I could have commented on the state of Stinky's skin, her awful split ends, that buck tooth she was rocking and plenty other insecurities but I chose one. Only one." I exclaimed dramatically.

"How sweet of you." Brock replied sarcastically, but I didn't notice.

"Honestly, I only held back because you were there. If not she would have left the scene in tears at least." I told him and he cracked a smile.

"She did." Brock reminded me and I grinned.

"Good, then I haven't lost my touch." I nodded happily and he chuckled, then a troubled look came upon his face.

"But did you have to call her stinky in front of all her friends?" Brock prompted and I sighed tiredly, stopping him so he could look at me.

"Firstly, I did her a favour. Those aren't her friends if they're going to laugh at her misery and not defend her. Secondly, I don't believe in filtering my words, that's basically lying." I explained, smiling when he rolled his eyes.

"You always have an answer for everything, don't you?" Brock asked rhetorically, as we started walking to class again.

"One of my redeeming qualities." I shrugged. "Along with being drop-dead stunning, of course." Brock sighed loudly, and then impulsively wrapped his arm around my neck, drawing me to his side.

I froze at the proximity, but quickly sprung into action when he started messing up my hair.

"Maybe you need to be humbled!" Brock teased, laughing at my attempts to get him off me.

"Brock! Stop!" I squealed, giggling. "You're acting like I'm not stating obvious facts?" Brock finally stopped, and I slapped his arm, fixing my hair and glancing upwards. I immediately grimaced when I saw a familiar blonde walking towards us with an unreadable expression her face.

Brock immediately smiled, walking to meet her. "Hey, Clo. Why are out of class?" He asked pleasantly. She shot him a teasing smile.

"Miss sent me after you two to find out what's taking so long to get paper." She replied, causing a sheepish look to appear on Brock's face.

"Well, we have it, so..." I interrupted, holding it up. She glanced at me and nodded.

"Guess we should head back to class then." Chloe replied, and Brock instantly fell into step next to her. I watched them, the familiar ugly feeling of envy blooming in my chest.

After a few quick steps I caught up, squeezing myself through so I was in the middle. "Do you have to walk back with us?" I asked dryly to Chloe.

"Taylor." Brock's deep voice said my name disapprovingly. I shrugged.

"What? It's a valid question-"

The glare he shot me silenced me immediately. "Apologise." Brock commanded in a serious tone, annoyance evident on his face. I glanced at Chloe who seemed to be paying no mind to us, but the small smirk on her face said otherwise.

I sighed; I really didn't want Brock to be mad at me after all the progress we'd made today. But the thought of apologising made me physically sick.

"Lo siento, Woods." I said shortly, clenching my fists in an attempt to not barf. She glanced at me, her blue eyes meeting mine and shot me a polite smile.

"No worries." Was all she said. After a few moments she turned to Brock with a mischievous smile.

"Last one to the classroom is a rotten egg!" Chloe suddenly exclaimed, then took off running with Brock right behind her. I watched them, Brock's laughter booming through the hallway, but my anger mixed with jealousy screamed louder.

*****

Hoping someone likes Taylor a little bit? No? Okay...

Even if she isn't perfect this chapter was designed to show she isn't all bad, personally I like her a lot but I guess that's author bias lol.

By the way I've split this chapter into two so it won't be so long.

If you didn't know Garret Academy is the school for characters in my other story, My Birthday Buddy! I'd really appreciate it if you checked it out!