(Friday)copyright protection23ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4UnDE9syqU
"WHY GRANDMA, WHAT big ears you have? All the better to hear you, my dear. Why grandma, what big eyes you have? All the better to see you, my dear. Why grandma, what big mouth you have? All that better to--"copyright protection23ＰＥＮＡＮＡtr8EvY5H3W
"Shut the fuck up, Hugo!" I snap.copyright protection23ＰＥＮＡＮＡaxn1xhZRkx
I receive no reply from him, and take it as a kind blessing from god. Our substitute teacher told me to collect some dictionaries from the library for our practise test—one I didn't know we about—and Hugo opted to tag along instead of arranging the classroom into test conditions with the others.copyright protection23ＰＥＮＡＮＡrosO16YuFp
Currently, I'm waiting for Miss Carter to bring back the dictionaries. As for Hugo, he's brought it upon himself to read some fairytales from the stacked trolley near us. copyright protection23ＰＥＮＡＮＡo8QwMluR3y
"Are you going to Chad's party this Saturday?"copyright protection23ＰＥＮＡＮＡOd6cfDtevN
I glance at Hugo, who's ditched the books and has his phone out instead. "He's throwing a party?"copyright protection23ＰＥＮＡＮＡMWceLekJIZ
He pauses, looking up at me. "Yes?"copyright protection23ＰＥＮＡＮＡ868ZDVl7No
I nod with pursed lips. I'm not annoyed that he didn't invite me; we both despise each other's guts. It's the idea that Lilly didn't bother telling me, and if my instincts are correct, Lucian is clueless about it too. But then again, we’re not talking, so...copyright protection23ＰＥＮＡＮＡFBBLNRph5V
"So, are you going?"copyright protection23ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5RRh5Dwqnf
I shrug. "I don't know. Most likely not."copyright protection23ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwlyvZuQ6h
Hugo frowns. "Why not? Isn't he like, dating your bestie or something?"copyright protection23ＰＥＮＡＮＡeMTQxGHXYN
I snort, amused. "No one says 'bestie' anymore Hugo."copyright protection23ＰＥＮＡＮＡS3EKlKoRaL
He rolls his eyes, but I catch the faint blush colouring his checks. "Whatever. So are you going?"copyright protection23ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Bhs9MrEDy
I sigh, crossing my arms and leaning back against the wall. "Why are you so persistent about it?"copyright protection23ＰＥＮＡＮＡVSkOISvqPt
He shrugs, and for a split second, he reminds me of a six-year-old: cute and annoying. "Curious is all." copyright protection23ＰＥＮＡＮＡdIxStSCRJN
I hum in reply, not believing a word about his so called 'curiousity'. copyright protection23ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQoUiyHKck
"I'm serious!" He proclaims, wide eyes looking at me innocently. But I catch the mischief, and the tilt of his lips, so I shake my head at him. copyright protection23ＰＥＮＡＮＡi7dCWWvsmk
"You can't fool me, Axel." I bite the inside of my cheek to stop myself from smiling. Hugo can be—is—a pest, but there are moments like these, where he somehow manages to make me smile, even if he doesn't mean it. copyright protection23ＰＥＮＡＮＡWA3tsxl5p5
But he's still a pest.copyright protection23ＰＥＮＡＮＡS2VhXePFZ1
"I know, Carr," he drawls back, almost cheekily. And this time, I can't stop the smile from appearing.copyright protection23ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0i9dU69qyw
"SO, HOW'D YOU go?" Hugo asks me the second we leave the classroom. I shrug, nervously tugging at the hem of my shirt. Personally, when it comes to essay writing, I always manage to stuff up, whether it be with understanding the prompt, to finding related examples, to managing my time effectively, or all the above.copyright protection23ＰＥＮＡＮＡKu6OYzmjEL
"It's only a practise test, Vallyhills, you have plenty of time to improve."copyright protection23ＰＥＮＡＮＡpwOlOMADrz
Sigh. "I know, Hugo." copyright protection23ＰＥＮＡＮＡFrROEMUNct
I push past a couple of students lingering near my locker and pull out my keys to unlock it. copyright protection23ＰＥＮＡＮＡjXYqMWZ8gD
"Then what's wrong?" he asks, leaning on the locker next to mine.copyright protection23ＰＥＮＡＮＡUFaI0YuACW
I shake my head, and pick up my psychology textbook for next class. "Nothing's wrong. I'm just tired."copyright protection23ＰＥＮＡＮＡahn252O0Q1
I close and lock my locker door, ignoring his searching gaze. copyright protection23ＰＥＮＡＮＡuaZsALoAUE
"Are you sure?"copyright protection23ＰＥＮＡＮＡdPjoykn3VZ
“Yup.”copyright protection23ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ5hm7npWnf
Shoving my book in my bag, I glance at Hugo, only to see him staring back at me with narrowed eyes. "What?"copyright protection23ＰＥＮＡＮＡYSpXkZJIzE
He shrugs. "Wanna get something to eat?"copyright protection23ＰＥＮＡＮＡnNtHc11z4X
I start making my way to the cafeteria. "No."copyright protection23ＰＥＮＡＮＡz32QqadP7B
"Why not?" copyright protection23ＰＥＮＡＮＡ55tu3OuMw4
"I'm not hungry." copyright protection23ＰＥＮＡＮＡrURUB4WDD1
Hugo continues to pester me until we reach the cafeteria doors. copyright protection23ＰＥＮＡＮＡAd5D4wOimV
"For the last time, no, Hugo," I say, annoyed at his persistency.copyright protection23ＰＥＮＡＮＡTr0nV3bpQI
"Awe Vallyhills, maybe next time. You can stop begging now," he cooes at me, holding the door open. copyright protection23ＰＥＮＡＮＡuhDlcfq9S4
My face scrunches up in confusion. "What?"copyright protection23ＰＥＮＡＮＡathf7lMVE8
He tilts his head towards the cafeteria. "Are you coming?"copyright protection23ＰＥＮＡＮＡQyzQVuU7UK
I blink at him, a frown still present on my beautiful face, but comply. As we walk towards our separate tables, I glance back, only to spot a group of young girls dreamily staring and giggling at Hugo. copyright protection23ＰＥＮＡＮＡQo2uKeJaoC
Oh my god. copyright protection23ＰＥＮＡＮＡey6wOdSA8w
I narrow my eyes at the Hugo’s big head, who currently has his hand stuffed in the pocket of his school pants, searching for—presumably—money. As if sensing my glare, he turns to me and pauses. "What?"copyright protection23ＰＥＮＡＮＡIZ4iQ0NK8H
I purse my lips, looking back at the young girls before focusing my attention on him again. He seems to catch my drift, because not only does he smile and wave at the giggling year elevens, but also has the audacity laugh at my annoyed expression. copyright protection23ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZ6xtRMc2a
"No need to turn green, Vellary," he states.copyright protection23ＰＥＮＡＮＡOhJUNy8G8h
I gasp. “I’m not jeal—”copyright protection23ＰＥＮＡＮＡcRgha6hXQp
"Don't worry though," he cuts in, patting me on the head. "You're the only girl for me." He casts me a wide, mischievous smile before stalking off to his friends.copyright protection23ＰＥＮＡＮＡFloLSSDE4F
I stare at his retreating back, eye twitching and cheeks burning, before making my way to my table with my head down.copyright protection23ＰＥＮＡＮＡPTWyOJ6Wqf
I've known Hugo since year seven. The day he arrived, all the young girls were hysteric about the boy with "beautiful hair". Although, I beg to differ, when he walked into PE class that day, his hair was anything but. It looked like a bushy mop.copyright protection23ＰＥＮＡＮＡdC7tThAber
"Care to tell us why you're blushing like a mad woman?" copyright protection23ＰＥＮＡＮＡBTM0FFSikX
I look up at the sound of Lily’s voice. She and Lucien are sitting on the same table. But why?copyright protection23ＰＥＮＡＮＡY9QUHEEOA4
I give Lucien a confused look, taking a seat next to him. I wonder if they made up, or if she's planning n making up with me.copyright protection23ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3OHahArSMG
“Are you talking to us now?” I ask Lily.copyright protection23ＰＥＮＡＮＡjnA6ofLgy6
She looks at Lucien, who looks at me with a small smile. Looks like a grimace to me though.copyright protection23ＰＥＮＡＮＡewf4qXI5Lj
“Lily said that she and Chad aren’t dating,” says Lucien. copyright protection23ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9O7RZpsqhe
My eyebrows raise at that. “Really, why?"copyright protection23ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7BCHH0Wthu
“I told him we all needed to work things out first. And that he needs to apologise to you guys,” says Lily. copyright protection23ＰＥＮＡＮＡzv1PAsMixy
“And what did he say?” I ask. copyright protection23ＰＥＮＡＮＡCHmJzl81Mq
She smiles. “He said he’ll do it.”copyright protection23ＰＥＮＡＮＡfT1RAJSxca
I nod. “So where is he?”copyright protection23ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2MG3Cgwoz4
”Huh?” copyright protection23ＰＥＮＡＮＡXbMkVlG4ms
“Where is he? Isn’t he meant to be apologising?”copyright protection23ＰＥＮＡＮＡuBmwtXfmus
“That’s the thing, Vel,” says Lucien. “He’s invited us to a party this Saturday. Apparently he’s going to apologise there.”copyright protection23ＰＥＮＡＮＡxxfdBRt7g3
I rest my cheek against the palm of my hand. “Really?”copyright protection23ＰＥＮＡＮＡbdeXx9ideE
He shrugs, and we turn to Lily, who shrugs. copyright protection23ＰＥＮＡＮＡGIg2fK0u6u
“He’s really sorry,” she says. “He feels bad about everything he’s done.” copyright protection23ＰＥＮＡＮＡXD1cRD3lKj
“I would’ve preferred to hear that from him, actually,” I say.copyright protection23ＰＥＮＡＮＡoVxDT4Nch1
”That’s what I said,” says Lucien. copyright protection23ＰＥＮＡＮＡRYJ70YS0tZ
”You both will. At the party.”copyright protection23ＰＥＮＡＮＡvqCxDuaGPU
I glance at Lucien. “Are you going?”copyright protection23ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0eQxRKCEWU
He shrugs. “I don’t know. I gotta think it over.”copyright protection23ＰＥＮＡＮＡGNSpVToNUS
I nod.copyright protection23ＰＥＮＡＮＡMpjpXWT8DJ
”I don’t want to lose you guys,” says Lily. “You’re more like siblings than friends, to me.”copyright protection23ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3EXTcOEOtA
”You should’ve thought of that before choosing that ginger over us," says Lucien.copyright protection23ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9oBzjuY7o
"I didn't choose him over you. I just--"copyright protection23ＰＥＮＡＮＡRTOajL7dTL
"Then what do you call what you did during lunch the other day?" I ask. copyright protection23ＰＥＮＡＮＡWXpUQCIvqc
She looks away, but I still catch her guilty gaze and the large bags under her eyes. Her hair, which is usually straightened and tied in a low bun, is thrown up in a messy ponytail. copyright protection23ＰＥＮＡＮＡ59mtLVNfUU
"I was caught of guard. With what you guys were saying and what he'd told me. I just needed to get away from it all. I was really--"copyright protection23ＰＥＮＡＮＡELOsW7e3k8
"Confused?" says Lucien.copyright protection23ＰＥＮＡＮＡPh5fbWRUrh
She nods. "But that's still not an excuse. I shouldn't have put you guys in that position."copyright protection23ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7xrt1cpOsj
"Damn right, you shouldn't have," I say. "We're you're best friends. You shouldn't choose him over us. If he was a good person, sure, that's understandable, but he's a bully!"copyright protection23ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ65xy1FN50
"I know." She lowers head. "I didn't mean to. I just--"copyright protection23ＰＥＮＡＮＡVVh1atX1np
"And the way you let him talk shit to Lucien too." The more I remember what happened, the higher my irritation soars. "You cared more about him calling you 'girlfriend' than the way he talked to Lucien."copyright protection23ＰＥＮＡＮＡjuWKXXXnMp
It seems her actions affected me more than I let on...copyright protection23ＰＥＮＡＮＡGvvM34OIRT
"I'm sorry."copyright protection23ＰＥＮＡＮＡJNP0OZtM0R
Her eyes are teary, and Lucien, who's been quiet most of the time, says, "Vel, I think that's enough. She's about to cry--"copyright protection23ＰＥＮＡＮＡbjm84k61HT
"You were gonna cry that day too, but she did jack-shit, Lucien."copyright protection23ＰＥＮＡＮＡqooVas0YbS
He looks away.copyright protection23ＰＥＮＡＮＡSUFHVuGpgH
I tune back to Lily. “What’d I tell you? Didn’t I tell you think it through? If I don’t matter—”copyright protection23ＰＥＮＡＮＡgs0DB5XH6E
"You do matter, Vel!" she says.copyright protection23ＰＥＮＡＮＡAw2ZsdstcD
"Okay, put it this way then: if Chad didn't purposely push me down the stairs, that's fine, but you can't make us forget all the shit he's done to Lucien and go on to choose him over us, right in front of us!"copyright protection23ＰＥＮＡＮＡl4y0MtvtSM
And...that's when she bursts into tears. Do I feel bad? Yes. Do I regret what I said? No. Because if our positions were swapped, I wouldn't even do what she did, neither would Lucien. copyright protection23ＰＥＮＡＮＡb9fbMQhKyn
"I'm sorry." She sniffs. "I didn't mean for all of this to happen, I swear." copyright protection23ＰＥＮＡＮＡo8Ur8mFAQR
Lucien pats her on the shoulder, and I shake my head, turning away. copyright protection23ＰＥＮＡＮＡebWMcJgHc9
"I guess I got overwhelmed with the fact that he liked me."copyright protection23ＰＥＮＡＮＡuniJz5zQP7
"When did you even have the time to like him?" I ask. It doesn't make any sense. Although, she was the only one who Chad never picked on. copyright protection23ＰＥＮＡＮＡeeg8GpvlZl
"We work at the same cafe."copyright protection23ＰＥＮＡＮＡdew91JShr5
My head snaps towards her. Lucien seems just as surprised. copyright protection23ＰＥＮＡＮＡqVtJE3PeUF
"Since when?" he asks.copyright protection23ＰＥＮＡＮＡl8UCgA1MW1
"Since last Christmas." copyright protection23ＰＥＮＡＮＡ79fEjgocxP
I sigh. copyright protection23ＰＥＮＡＮＡiYKLIpPxDJ
"I wanted to tell you guys, honestly! But, I was scared of how you'd react."copyright protection23ＰＥＮＡＮＡcYR6A8HCUD
"I wish you told us. Better than finding it out this way," says Lucien. copyright protection23ＰＥＮＡＮＡD2NSG684jG
"I agree. If you told us from the very starts, we would've at least been a little understanding," I add.copyright protection23ＰＥＮＡＮＡTBEEnm3cUG
She nods, big, fat tears still streaming down her face. Despite my annoyance, my heart still hurts. I don't like seeing her cry nor do I like seeing Lucien cry. I absolutely hate it when we fight, especially over someone as low as Chad. copyright protection23ＰＥＮＡＮＡV7FNdgVVSP
"Here, have this." Lucien hands her a small packet of tissues, and Lily thanks him. copyright protection23ＰＥＮＡＮＡyvRmnyswDM
"I'm sorry," she says, wiping her tear away. copyright protection23ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxoRbLefY8
Lucien and I glance at each other.copyright protection23ＰＥＮＡＮＡVTfBHtRCoJ
"I can't say we forgive what you did," states Lucien, "but we can work towards that, right, Vel?"copyright protection23ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXekjCTM8w
My eyes jump from him to lily and then back to him. I nod. He's not wrong.copyright protection23ＰＥＮＡＮＡyl3WcfIruG
"Starting with going to Chad's party," he adds.copyright protection23ＰＥＮＡＮＡAqAP1hjSUI
Wait, what?copyright protection23ＰＥＮＡＮＡCmFQHYsALB
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