17. The Threat
Libra had been distracted by Dillon's text the entire class and not to mention right now in the library. It was embarrassing enough to admit that she had to borrow one of her classmate's notes, but it was even more embarrassing to admit it was because of Dillon Holden. She scrambled together all the notes she'd borrowed and the incomplete ones she'd written to try and make the best out of the situation.
Once again distraction overtook her and she fished her phone out of her pocket and stared at the text message Dillon had sent her, offering his help in teaching her about dating. He confused her more now than when they were in high school and funny enough she wasn't sure which Dillon she preferred. At least 'high-school-Dillon' only treated her one way: badly. This Dillon went between ignoring her and then offering dating advice, leaving her in total confusion after every conversation they had.
If he could only...
"Hey there; are you Libra Jones?" A voice behind her interrupted her daydreaming. Libra quickly turned her head to see who had spoken and when the person became visible Libra's blood turned to ice.
The girl that Dillon had showed up with was standing in front of her, wearing a tight pencil skirt paired with heels and a crop top. Libra swallowed hard as she studied the supermodel-look-a-like that stood before her. Her hair was in a perfect bun on her head and her makeup was impeccably done â somehow that didn't surprise Libra one bit. Her eyes were narrowed in on Libra and it became obvious that she wasn't here to simply introduce herself.
"Yes I am," Libra answered her question after a long awkward pause, "can I help you with something?" She tried to say in her calmest voice.
"I'm Laura," she stepped forward which caused Libra to hold her breath; "I believe you saw me the other night at the café where you work. I was there with Dillon."
This was exactly what she wanted to avoid; confrontations. North Haven High had littered with people like Laura; people who loved confronting others and relished in their weakness. Libra had yet to release her breath and when she was reminded she let out a small sigh through her nose.
"Yes I remember you, what do you want?" Libra heard herself say as she clutched her phone tight in her hand for any support.
Laura pulled up a seat next to her and glanced at her notes before chuckling mockingly at them. Libra wanted to tell her off, if she were any stronger she would've, but instead she collected her notes and turned them upside down. She didn't want to give Laura another chance to make fun of her, not more than she was about to.
Laura leant forward and patted her hair to make sure nothing was out of place but Libra could assure her nothing was. Everything about Laura was absolute perfection; she oozed confidence without any shred of doubt about herself in sight â everything Libra hoped she'd achieve for herself one day. It was almost comical how she admired her and feared her at the same time, even though one feeling definitely trumped the other.
"You can help me by staying away from Dillon Holden," Laura said and flashed her perfect white teeth as she smiled widely, "I don't know what your history is but I'll find out soon enough, so if you know what's best you'll stay away from him."
Libra held her breath once again and felt her palm starting to sweat furiously. Laura thought that she and Dillon had something going on? She looked down at her clothes and realized that she didn't look like the weak Libra anymore. Her whole outer persona had changed and had caused someone as confident as Laura to assume she was a threat. It all made her want to laugh and explain how wrong Laura was, but the look in her eyes made her hesitate.
"I didn't know you two were seeing each other," Libra heard herself stutter, "and Dillon and I don't have anything going on now or before. We're not even friends."
"I'm glad to hear that Libra," Laura said and quickly rose to her feet and adjusted her clothes before turning around to walk away, "just remember what we talked about and do as I said." With a casual wave from behind she exited and Libra released a breath she apparently had been holding.
What in the hell did just happen?