Lovers & Haters

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Fuq you mean??? Buh-Bye haterz 👋👋

Thick chicks be pretty and sexy asf 😍😍😍 y'all know yourselves. 🙌🙌

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"Hey, Grace." A chirpy voice comes from behind me.

So since I don't know who it is and have no intention of knowing, I take my sweet time putting my things away into my locker.

It's been two weeks into the school year, and as quick as it sounds, it's going so slow. I ignore the fact that it's Friday. It doesn't matter because I feel like the day is just dragging me with it. It's not even close to dismissal and I'm just dying to get out. It's been a tiresome, because after the first, everything gets worse, and it did. It was all work. My stupid English teacher just throws work at us without a care in the world. I had the urge, numerous times to slap her, but being violent isn't in my nature.

Along with that, John tries to talk to me every chance he gets despite me shutting him down every time. I already told my parents about what he used to do, so there's not a chance that I'm getting back with him.

Then Tommy, John's supposed friend, tries to be subtle when he tries to ask me out. It's pretty obvious, but I'm not going to be seen dead hanging out with a guy who used to verbally abuse me every single school day for two years and is the best friend of my ex boyfriend. That just screams wrong.

Last but not least, Arthur. He's been getting a little close. He's 'getting to know me' he says. Most of the time he does that by sneaking up on me and wrapping his arms around my waist from behind or putting his arm over my shoulders. He even went as far as walk me to class when he's in the mood.

I learned to ignore the stares and whispers and just listen to what he's saying. He isn't lying about getting to know each other. He'd ask me random questions everyday and we'd build a conversation off it. It's nice.

Back to the now.

I finally turn around and almost had to look down at the petite brunette. I realized her immediately. Jasmine I think. She's one of the girls that's always around Arthur and his friends. I asked him if they were friends and he said no, she just hangs around them because she's close with one of his friends but I'll always see her clinging to him whenever I walk their way. Even before I officially met him.

It doesn't bother me when I see it but I don't particularly like it. I'm not trying to claim him, he's a free spirit, she just comes off as desperate and it makes me feel... sad for her. She can easily get the attention of any guy but hangs on to the one who doesn't give her a second glance or even look at her the way she obviously wants him to.

"Yes?" I stare into her big brown eyes, waiting for her to talk and get this over with. I have lunch and I hate to be kept waiting.

"Are you going to Tevin's party tonight?" Her smile was almost blinding me.

I was lost for a second. "Who's..."

She eyes me, leaning forward a little. "John's best friend?"

My lips parted in realization.

That's his name! I was so far off.

"Uh... no thanks." I try to step around her but she pushes the topic.

"Why not?"

"I don't like parties, but why would I want to go to a party my ex's best friend is throwing?" I retort, trying to make her grasp how absurd that is, and hopeful try to get the invites to cut down.

After being seen with Arthur Kingsley, not only has half the female population of Dartwell High's junior and senior class chosen to hate me even more, but also chose, all of a sudden, to love me.

Now, I'm either receiving dirty looks or approached by upbeat bubbly girls who thinks I'm looking for friendship. I've never had anyone willingly come up to me and want to be my friend since I started high school and now all of them want to act like we've been bff since the second grade. I rather have no friends at all than accept all these fake girls that obviously only want to talk to me because Arthur seems to be. I'm not that desperate for friends. I just want to get through high school.

"Who doesn't like parties?" She retorts as if she couldn't believe that was possible.

I wanted to ask her if she was deaf. "Me." I get to the cafeteria and walk through the doors, walking away from her without a word of departure, hoping she'd catch a hint.

But then she come out of nowhere and was standing in front of me.

Are you serious?

I blinked, turning to glance behind me, then turn back to her and blinked again.

What is this chick...

"Listen to me, Grace," Her voice isn't as peppy as it was seconds ago. "Arthur doesn't do relationships." Here we go...  As if I didn't know that. "He's an 'ejaculate and evacuate' type of guy." I couldn't mask the disgust o my face as I stared at her. "I'd know." I take a step back from her, an even more disgusted look on my face. "So why don't you just stay away from him before you get hurt." She's trying to make her attempt sound friendly.

Like she actually cares, and I know she doesn't. She, like most of the other girls, hates that Arthur is giving me some attention. Something that he never does with anyone for an extended period of time. And I don't wanna burst their bubbles or anything, but none of them are scaring me, because I know who Arthur Kingsley is.

"First of all, ew." I'm never one for being hostile but she's bringing out that side of me by telling me what to do. I'm done taking orders from people who aren't my parents. "Second, I didn't ask. And third, don't tell me what to do." I stare at her shocked face for just a second before walking around her to the line to get my food. I don't know who she thinks she is but I'm not in the mood. I get very cranky when I'm hungry.

I purchase a chicken patty, a slice of pizza, a water, a bottle of OJ, and an apple. I look around for an empty table and spot one next to the large windows so I weave through the crowd of kids to get to it.

No time was wasted when I got there. I immediately sat and started eating my lunch, looking out the windows. Some kids eat outside, appreciating the sun and warmth while it lasted, since it's about a month away from getting a little chilly out.

As I sat there and ate, I regretted not just going out there instead. Almost sighing wistfully at how good the warm breeze would feel against my skin, unlike this air-conditioned place. So I subject myself to visualizing and wishing I was out there, because it made no sense to even go when my pizza had too much cheese on it and my orange juice didn't smell right.

I froze as a wet, cold substance hit the top of my head and started running down my face and neck, soaking my navy blue T-shirt. Mentally, I thanked God that I didn't wear the off-the-shoulder top I was tempted to this morning. Some random chick was standing there, a smug look on her face and an empty water bottle in hand. At least she's generous enough to use water. I guess.

A table over, I could hear snickering and not too far away, loud laughing. For some reason when I look up, I caught Jasmine's gaze from where she was sitting at the table in the middle of the cafeteria. And the look on her face told me she was a part of whatever's taking place here.

My eyes went back to my tray and the way my anger flared up, I was seconds away from breaking her nose with it. And my parents would approve.

Instead, I took a deep breath and I thought happy thoughts. When I was finally calm enough, I thought, I'm basically done anyway. Then I took my apple and stood from my chair. Everyone was staring, but the last thing I'm going to do is make a fool of myself. I don't have time for that.

I met her gaze and held it, taking a large bite of my apple, chewing while I said, "Who even are you?" I could tell that hurt her feelings by the look on her face, and I was proud of that. I didn't even say anything bad. Kids these days, I shook my head and turned away. I left the cafeteria and headed to the girls locker room, since I have extra shirts there.

The first thing I did was make my way to the mirrors when I got there, and groaned when I saw that some of my hair was already curling because of the water. I'd straightened it for today. Bad idea. Am I gonna have to be one of those girls who came to school with a flatiron?

I take out a towel and pull my wet shirt off, before throwing it in the locker. Then I realize I don't have any clean clothes left. I was going to bring them home and wash them today. I took out one and sniffed it, shrugging. It didn't stink, but I've sweated through it and just thinking about it made me grossed out. I still have gym for my second to last class and I'm gonna have to put it on, but I don't want to walk around with a sweat-through shirt. So my tank top was the next best thing and it wasn't even long enough for me to tuck into my jeans, so my pouch was on display.

You'll have to do.

I pulled it off and set it on top of my bag -- leaving me in my bra, joggers, and vans -- then made my way to the showers. I didn't plan on walking around with some of my hair curly and some straight, so I got to the nearest shower and turned on the spray. Making a face, I decided against putting my hair under it, and just placed my hands under the water and ran them through my hair. I did that for a little bit until I felt my whole hair curling up, then I ended up having to wash my face when I went to the mirror because my mascara was dripping. After that I wiped my face with the towel and ran it over my hair briefly. Tilting my head, I took in my curly puffed up hair, pouty lips, and makeup free face, sighing.

"You are too fine for these people." I send myself a kiss through the mirror, giggling at how stupid I am. I went back to my locker and put my tank top back on and tried pulling it down but it would just make my boobs more noticeable so I left it. I need the boob coverage. I closed my locker, slinging my gym bag around my body so it's hanging on my waist and threw my towel over my shoulders.

I left the locker room and decided to walk through the gym, because I didn't see anyone in there when I went to the locker room. When I pushed through the doors and saw a group of guys playing -- some of them shouting some pretty insulting things to each other in Spanish -- I made sure to walk on the side of the court farthest from them as to not mess up their game and get insulted. They were saying some really mean stuff.

Since they didn't notice me, I just kept walking.

"Mama, you wanna give it a shot?" One of them called, randomly.

I look up and they were all looking at me unexpectedly and I saw that the ball was rolling in my direction. It probably got away and they wanted it back but tried to be nice.

"Sure." I play basketball a lot and I'm pretty good at it. All thanks to daddy dearest.

I walked over and got the ball, bounced it three times, stood straight and shot. Making a very clean shot. They all started screaming and jumping on each other, causing me to laugh lowly. They were so into it that they didn't even notice me leave.

As soon as I reached the main hall, the bell rang. Which means: Lunch was over. Now to face the music. Kids started appearing and I tried my best to keep away from catching their gazes as a couple of them stared at me as I'm passing. I didn't really care at first, then I remember that I'm showing skin that's considered inappropriate for school, and I look like I just finished a photo shoot, with my half dry, half wet, unruly locks and body that was handcrafted by God. Y'know, since he made me and all...

There were a couple of whistles which I did not react to. I wasn't trying to entertain them. I've never gotten this much attention in my life, not even on my birthday. It's uncomfortable. Now I know not to ever wear something like this at school intentionally.

When I finally got to my locker -- which felt like days -- I took my bag off, stuff my towel in it and throw it into my locker. I wasn't even sure if I'm gonna change for Gym today, so I might as well keep it somewhere I won't forget.

"What are you wearing?" His low voice was close to my ear making me jump. One of his palms pressed against the locker next to mine and his chin dropped to my shoulder.

"Clothes." I didn't know what else to tell him.

"I mean..." He breaths down my neck. I hate when he does that, it gives me goosebumps. "I wouldn't mind if it was just for me, but..." He said lowly.

I almost rolled my eyes, "Stop being such a stereotypical teenage boy, Arthur," I voiced, taking out my notebook for Spanish. "I didn't have anything else." I got a pen before taking a step back and closing the locker. My back pressed against his chest. "Your groupies are at it again." I turned to him. "It's so cliche and weird. You're not an object for anyone to call dibs on."

"You can call dibs on me," He smirks teasingly. I shook my head with a laugh as he got my book from my hand and placed it on top of the lockers along with my pen. I watch as he shrugs off his jacket, and holds it up behind me, waiting for me to put my arms through.

Sighing, I pushed my hands into the sleeves. "Thank you," I breathed, looking up at him as I fixed my hair.

He smiles. A real one. I've gotten so used to his smirking that it catches me off guard when I see one of those smiles. "No problem." He replies, his voice deeper than usual making me eye him.

He reaches out and zips the jacket all the way up to my mouth. I stare at him blankly and he does the same. I roll my eyes and zip it back down to my chest.

"I'm not walking around like that." I shake my head and go to turn to get my stuff on top of the locker, but he turns me back to face him.

"Oh, yes you are." He zips it back up to my mouth and I blink at him.

"Arthur, I am not walking around like this." I point to my muffled mouth.

"I can carry you if you want."

I let out a breathless laugh, "Dude. I'm like three hundred pounds, you can't carry me."

It was his time to laugh. He leans down swiftly, placing one arm behind my back and the other at the back of my knees, sweeping me up, and causing a squeal to erupt out of me.

I hold onto him tightly, peering over his shoulder at the floor, "Arthur, put me down. Put me down now." I demand quickly, my heart pounding because he's going to drop me.

"You said I can't carry you," he says, then nods to the lockers. "Get your stuff."

"Arthur-" he cuts off my protest.

"I'm not gonna drop you, Grace," he laughs and I caught the kids staring yet again.

Why do they always do that?

I clutch him tighter. "Jesus, you're shaking."

He laughs harder. "Cause I'm laughing."

"Okay, fine, I'll walk around with the thing on my mouth." I give in quickly.

His head draws back and I look up at him as he holds my gaze. "Promise?"

Groaning, I threw my head back. "Arthur listen, if your knees buckle and we fall-" I could see him grinning out of the corner of my eye, "Believe me, you're gonna have more broken bones than me."

Finally he shakes his head and lowers me back to the ground, letting out a huffing breath when I was standing again. He placed his hands on his knees, panting exaggeratedly. My jaw worked as I held back my laugh, until he started laughing.

"You-" I shove him away and he stumbles back, laughing loudly and clutching his stomach. "I honestly can't stand you." I got my book and pen.

When I turned back to him, his arm draped over my shoulder and he walked me to my class, both of us talking and laughing about the topic of discussion he picked for today.