(Friday)copyright protection145ＰＥＮＡＮＡyR51eJHn03
"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 protection145ＰＥＮＡＮＡwkv3F84Cqx
"Shut the fuck up, Hugo!" I snap.copyright protection145ＰＥＮＡＮＡqLuAlbQteE
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 protection145ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQtyYbSCYn
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 protection145ＰＥＮＡＮＡp7VdcHlM3y
"Are you going to Chad's party this Saturday?"copyright protection145ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2xsXHKHVPO
I glance at Hugo, who's ditched the books and has his phone out instead. "He's throwing a party?"copyright protection145ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0IpZaQR9ZN
He pauses, looking up at me. "Yes?"copyright protection145ＰＥＮＡＮＡa2jrg0Nw6H
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 protection145ＰＥＮＡＮＡLv7FSvEaSg
"So, are you going?"copyright protection145ＰＥＮＡＮＡMczkY3RpLV
I shrug. "I don't know. Most likely not."copyright protection145ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9kN8CHpVbv
Hugo frowns. "Why not? Isn't he like, dating your bestie or something?"copyright protection145ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0xh08ebLjP
I snort, amused. "No one says 'bestie' anymore Hugo."copyright protection145ＰＥＮＡＮＡte1dkyVqLO
He rolls his eyes, but I catch the faint blush colouring his checks. "Whatever. So are you going?"copyright protection145ＰＥＮＡＮＡGBHmXprxqN
I sigh, crossing my arms and leaning back against the wall. "Why are you so persistent about it?"copyright protection145ＰＥＮＡＮＡteb8KEiYiL
He shrugs, and for a split second, he reminds me of a six-year-old: cute and annoying. "Curious is all." copyright protection145ＰＥＮＡＮＡLMZVlXimbs
I hum in reply, not believing a word about his so called 'curiousity'. copyright protection145ＰＥＮＡＮＡkSsiaFNJyQ
"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 protection145ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZ7pEuYZfL
"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 protection145ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5EHPnYIKtt
But he's still a pest.copyright protection145ＰＥＮＡＮＡ76HKB8jlQA
"I know, Carr," he drawls back, almost cheekily. And this time, I can't stop the smile from appearing.copyright protection145ＰＥＮＡＮＡyWyHeCmVVK
"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 protection145ＰＥＮＡＮＡtRKzeiYJS2
"It's only a practise test, Vallyhills, you have plenty of time to improve."copyright protection145ＰＥＮＡＮＡy2hQSnUvnU
Sigh. "I know, Hugo." copyright protection145ＰＥＮＡＮＡLHGeDeVuKH
I push past a couple of students lingering near my locker and pull out my keys to unlock it. copyright protection145ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5aRmkWdpPz
"Then what's wrong?" he asks, leaning on the locker next to mine.copyright protection145ＰＥＮＡＮＡt0Bybr8AUk
I shake my head, and pick up my psychology textbook for next class. "Nothing's wrong. I'm just tired."copyright protection145ＰＥＮＡＮＡxMmGyUCB45
I close and lock my locker door, ignoring his searching gaze. copyright protection145ＰＥＮＡＮＡjlB1DnwMtr
"Are you sure?"copyright protection145ＰＥＮＡＮＡNCB9ubkvG3
“Yup.”copyright protection145ＰＥＮＡＮＡPXSWJtEiTU
Shoving my book in my bag, I glance at Hugo, only to see him staring back at me with narrowed eyes. "What?"copyright protection145ＰＥＮＡＮＡBeMcgg1yCT
He shrugs. "Wanna get something to eat?"copyright protection145ＰＥＮＡＮＡvH11KujsVz
I start making my way to the cafeteria. "No."copyright protection145ＰＥＮＡＮＡbAgPDzzHV3
"Why not?" copyright protection145ＰＥＮＡＮＡT8DPtFDdk7
"I'm not hungry." copyright protection145ＰＥＮＡＮＡHOruqfCU27
Hugo continues to pester me until we reach the cafeteria doors. copyright protection145ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Eg7pgiJh2
"For the last time, no, Hugo," I say, annoyed at his persistency.copyright protection145ＰＥＮＡＮＡ94lUJyMdbg
"Awe Vallyhills, maybe next time. You can stop begging now," he cooes at me, holding the door open. copyright protection145ＰＥＮＡＮＡy6cWmmUl1E
My face scrunches up in confusion. "What?"copyright protection145ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2jtopQFXaL
He tilts his head towards the cafeteria. "Are you coming?"copyright protection145ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2IWIW4CLyw
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 protection145ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8dgnYfDAsg
Oh my god. copyright protection145ＰＥＮＡＮＡj67podYXP1
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 protection145ＰＥＮＡＮＡGnZOX7lFtm
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 protection145ＰＥＮＡＮＡXEmgyCpqbG
"No need to turn green, Vellary," he states.copyright protection145ＰＥＮＡＮＡZhmDT2QQom
I gasp. “I’m not jeal—”copyright protection145ＰＥＮＡＮＡR2t5nGLGaY
"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 protection145ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7KvKnLVd80
I stare at his retreating back, eye twitching and cheeks burning, before making my way to my table with my head down.copyright protection145ＰＥＮＡＮＡyG2GlPFD4T
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 protection145ＰＥＮＡＮＡcaSz588asO
"Care to tell us why you're blushing like a mad woman?" copyright protection145ＰＥＮＡＮＡCghFCHspeM
I look up at the sound of Lily’s voice. She and Lucien are sitting on the same table. But why?copyright protection145ＰＥＮＡＮＡfv1Bk8dehE
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 protection145ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQPXq9ndIN
“Are you talking to us now?” I ask Lily.copyright protection145ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2kiiLSu0QC
She looks at Lucien, who looks at me with a small smile. Looks like a grimace to me though.copyright protection145ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0W43x33e7a
“Lily said that she and Chad aren’t dating,” says Lucien. copyright protection145ＰＥＮＡＮＡ83Q5lfGOgp
My eyebrows raise at that. “Really, why?"copyright protection145ＰＥＮＡＮＡImFjPBQj3d
“I told him we all needed to work things out first. And that he needs to apologise to you guys,” says Lily. copyright protection145ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4YaTH78rvd
“And what did he say?” I ask. copyright protection145ＰＥＮＡＮＡG37gLGNywr
She smiles. “He said he’ll do it.”copyright protection145ＰＥＮＡＮＡhuHEkDlJni
I nod. “So where is he?”copyright protection145ＰＥＮＡＮＡU97HDNn1wG
”Huh?” copyright protection145ＰＥＮＡＮＡejRaE6OTY4
“Where is he? Isn’t he meant to be apologising?”copyright protection145ＰＥＮＡＮＡZgwFjq68kF
“That’s the thing, Vel,” says Lucien. “He’s invited us to a party this Saturday. Apparently he’s going to apologise there.”copyright protection145ＰＥＮＡＮＡFd6NtbpMwq
I rest my cheek against the palm of my hand. “Really?”copyright protection145ＰＥＮＡＮＡDBOWh6k21T
He shrugs, and we turn to Lily, who shrugs. copyright protection145ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ox7mY385S
“He’s really sorry,” she says. “He feels bad about everything he’s done.” copyright protection145ＰＥＮＡＮＡiCn56SSuJd
“I would’ve preferred to hear that from him, actually,” I say.copyright protection145ＰＥＮＡＮＡZF2PVJvr9n
”That’s what I said,” says Lucien. copyright protection145ＰＥＮＡＮＡMsdc2g0M8d
”You both will. At the party.”copyright protection145ＰＥＮＡＮＡXz1Hcp1kBi
I glance at Lucien. “Are you going?”copyright protection145ＰＥＮＡＮＡaiRuCffaz9
He shrugs. “I don’t know. I gotta think it over.”copyright protection145ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2kkDM9Q00X
I nod.copyright protection145ＰＥＮＡＮＡSkQqHAZBnb
”I don’t want to lose you guys,” says Lily. “You’re more like siblings than friends, to me.”copyright protection145ＰＥＮＡＮＡW4HryfbGu4
”You should’ve thought of that before choosing that ginger over us," says Lucien.copyright protection145ＰＥＮＡＮＡjENteIJlXS
"I didn't choose him over you. I just--"copyright protection145ＰＥＮＡＮＡIgk3iXApwU
"Then what do you call what you did during lunch the other day?" I ask. copyright protection145ＰＥＮＡＮＡZIINGRZGw5
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 protection145ＰＥＮＡＮＡ46uHIX0B8j
"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 protection145ＰＥＮＡＮＡLIbeLmGoJe
"Confused?" says Lucien.copyright protection145ＰＥＮＡＮＡS5hrq1OzcB
She nods. "But that's still not an excuse. I shouldn't have put you guys in that position."copyright protection145ＰＥＮＡＮＡd0u3UAkUUx
"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 protection145ＰＥＮＡＮＡMoKXQKtl0y
"I know." She lowers head. "I didn't mean to. I just--"copyright protection145ＰＥＮＡＮＡyogCmVV3Jb
"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 protection145ＰＥＮＡＮＡWrw1sJFazC
It seems her actions affected me more than I let on...copyright protection145ＰＥＮＡＮＡJnH3HMXcJD
"I'm sorry."copyright protection145ＰＥＮＡＮＡxIY2SIykRC
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 protection145ＰＥＮＡＮＡjM8niI0Mn2
"You were gonna cry that day too, but she did jack-shit, Lucien."copyright protection145ＰＥＮＡＮＡx4Z2nPv7OE
He looks away.copyright protection145ＰＥＮＡＮＡeXf7oj4obq
I tune back to Lily. “What’d I tell you? Didn’t I tell you think it through? If I don’t matter—”copyright protection145ＰＥＮＡＮＡH1bavq9o1W
"You do matter, Vel!" she says.copyright protection145ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6SWuseNwPh
"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 protection145ＰＥＮＡＮＡozBfsRzfv5
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 protection145ＰＥＮＡＮＡ42PiYLJKaa
"I'm sorry." She sniffs. "I didn't mean for all of this to happen, I swear." copyright protection145ＰＥＮＡＮＡezq3hHDgHy
Lucien pats her on the shoulder, and I shake my head, turning away. copyright protection145ＰＥＮＡＮＡiLRTzSIKPv
"I guess I got overwhelmed with the fact that he liked me."copyright protection145ＰＥＮＡＮＡSXWEaeJGje
"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 protection145ＰＥＮＡＮＡmIRWgGmaOL
"We work at the same cafe."copyright protection145ＰＥＮＡＮＡCwMj5vu1QW
My head snaps towards her. Lucien seems just as surprised. copyright protection145ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Ewks7FAxw
"Since when?" he asks.copyright protection145ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7HqJKY8onF
"Since last Christmas." copyright protection145ＰＥＮＡＮＡE59WHc41vn
I sigh. copyright protection145ＰＥＮＡＮＡzyGYv6DUW5
"I wanted to tell you guys, honestly! But, I was scared of how you'd react."copyright protection145ＰＥＮＡＮＡFxidYdiCPa
"I wish you told us. Better than finding it out this way," says Lucien. copyright protection145ＰＥＮＡＮＡc1eVmtTeuX
"I agree. If you told us from the very starts, we would've at least been a little understanding," I add.copyright protection145ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJ2D9R2oiV
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 protection145ＰＥＮＡＮＡHGg0LcKJke
"Here, have this." Lucien hands her a small packet of tissues, and Lily thanks him. copyright protection145ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7uMocvApAF
"I'm sorry," she says, wiping her tear away. copyright protection145ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2VlYqOdjB9
Lucien and I glance at each other.copyright protection145ＰＥＮＡＮＡdyu9pPHL12
"I can't say we forgive what you did," states Lucien, "but we can work towards that, right, Vel?"copyright protection145ＰＥＮＡＮＡARffzcigMh
My eyes jump from him to lily and then back to him. I nod. He's not wrong.copyright protection145ＰＥＮＡＮＡl85ZWVkA1v
"Starting with going to Chad's party," he adds.copyright protection145ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0zhdBUNxz5
Wait, what?copyright protection145ＰＥＮＡＮＡlehHDsRHze
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