Everyone was staring at her.
They were staring at her with knowing smiles, mostly.
December worried for a second that she was back in freshman where news of her embarrassment travelled fast throughout the student body, and everyone was looking at her because of it.
She shook her head mentally, casting those unfortunate images out.
She stopped by a lounge area, the vending machines of snacks being her choice that evening. Just before she made her way towards it, two girls stopped her, friendly and happy smiles on their faces.
"Are you December?"
Hesitant to why they wanted to know, she said, "Yes."
"Oh, that's wonderful! Everyone's been dying to know who the Student President declared his love to today. You're a senior just like him, too right? Oh, that's just perfect!"
December didn't know how to react to them but a slow warmth spread in her chest, and she thought it was a pleasant feeling. "Thanks." She smiled at them.
The second girl rolled her eyes but said, "Please excuse her excitement, she's just happy to know that the President didn't choose someone snobby as his girlfriend. You seem nice enough."
But then the first girl's demeanor changed and with an ominous expression, she said, "Don't break his heart, though or we'll come after you."
When December looked in wary and surprise at the second girl, she found that the girl was smiling, though that too seemed scary. Talk about a sudden change, she mused. Wanting to just get to her snacks, she nodded slowly at them.
And just like that, they flounced away as though they hadn't just issued a threat to December.
Others who were walking past in the dorm either gave her indifferent looks or friendly smiles as they went their way.
Huh, she thought. At least the majority of the students at her dorm didn't care about her love life much, and she couldn't be more thankful for that.
A small chuckle sounded next to her and December looked up to see Ramona leaning against a wall, her eyebrow raised and lips quirked. "So you met the fans?"
December raised a disbelief eye brow. "Seriously?"
"One hundred percent. There's always some fans here and there in the dorm, especially if they are for the guys. You just happened to meet two out of hundreds of them, and that's just for the Student Council's President."
December looked at Ramona warily. "How do you know that?" before her eyes widened and she groaned. "Don't tell me you're going to give me death threats too?"
Ramona laughed, the sound full and merry. "No," she wiped the corner of her eyes. "I've got my eyes only on my Felix."
Huh, interesting, she thought. Felix had to be one of the guys who joined them during their night out. She hadn't seen that coming, but she was happy for them nonetheless.
December couldn't help but grinned. "Good for you, Ramona."
Ramona said, "Thanks. I've gotta go now. Oh, Lily and the rest are in there." She pointed towards the inner part of the lounge before walking away.
She hadn't plan on lounging around but when she peeked in, sure enough, her newly made friends were sitting around on the couch and bean bags, packets of open and unsealed snacks strewn around.
When they saw December approaching, they hooted, "Hey, if it isn't the star President's girlfriend!"
December flushed but couldn't help to grin. "The President has a name, and so does his girlfriend."
"Oooh," Lily crooned before Marsha said. "Okay then December, so how does it feel to be with the most sought after guy in the academy?"
She shrugged shyly. "I still can't believe it… but enough about me," She said hastily, wanting to switch the topic and glad that she found one to focus on. She frowned. "Piper isn't here?"
Jasmine chuckled, hugging the pillow giddily to herself. "She's out with Oliver."
December raised her brow, a happy surprise etched on her face. "They're dating now, right?"
"Correction, dated. Apparently they agreed to become friends first." Lily said, munching on the chips.
"And so far," Marsha interjected with a smile, "all signs point to them being perfect for each other. Seriously, you should have seen how in sync they are when they're fighting. But they've been arguing non-stop like old couples these days, it's so entertaining and frustrating. Like, please just get it on, already." She moaned before giggling and hitting Lily lightly.
"Yes, get it on!" Lily whooped.
"He totally have the hots for her, and I think he's growing on her too. Any time now." Jasmine nodded.
"Yup, any time now." Marsha and Lily agreed in unison.
December laughed at their enthusiasm. First Ramona and Felix, and now Piper and Oliver? December has been showered in good news, making her mood ten times better and she never wanted them to stop.
Before she knew it, it had been twenty minutes since she walked into the lounge. Too caught up in conversing with the girls, she didn't notice her phone vibrating and it took her the third buzz to fish it out of her pocket, where she realised she had a few missed calls from Serena.
Surprise and guilt etched across her face and December's heart beat picked up. Could it be some news about the evidence?
Unaware of the turmoil December was feeling, Lily teased, "Ooh, lemme guess, that's the boyfriend?"
She chuckled and shook her head, face flushed. "I have to go now, by the way."
"Aw, so soon?" Marsha whined, her lips pursed into a pout. Lily was watching her, and by the look on her face, December thought there might just be something going on between the two girls. It was really adorable and it made her wonder for a brief second if Zach had ever looked at her that way.
That thought started to make her feel giddy but she tamped it down, lest they'll tease her again.
She bit back a smile and looked at them. "Yeah, something just came up. I'll see you guys around, yeah?" Then, after a thought, she continued and gathered her snacks towards them. "Here, you can have these."
Jasmine looked surprised as she said, "Oh, it's alright. We already have – "
"More snacks!" Marsha squealed, immediately standing up to grab December for a hug. "Thank you."
"Omph!"
"Strong…arms…" She muttered, her eyes wide as she tried to squeeze some breaths into her lungs.
Lily sighed and pulled the girl off of her. "Sorry, December," She then rolled her eyes. "I told her to take it easy, but did she ever listen? No."
December's brow raised, glancing from Lily to Marsha. "You mean…?"
"What, tipsy?" Lily's lips were straight as a line as she fought from chuckling. A few giggles escaped from her.
"Oh."
"Yeah, don't tell anyone though. We snuck some from the matron's room. Who knew the woman stashed alcohol around? Shocking."
December stared at them. Jasmine actually looked like she was about to doze off anytime now, whereas Marsha was seconds from doing a dancing jig around an imaginary bonfire. Lily, she mused, might not realize it but she also seemed drunk, which came as a huge puzzle to December.
Since she came, they hadn't touched any bottles of liquor, which she might add, seemed void in sig – wait, was that a bottle…under the cushion?
How had she not realize they were kind of drunk – and light weight too by the looks of it – all the while she was sitting there?
Probably because you're drunk too, her subconscious threw at her, but of a different kind.
She couldn't argue with herself on that.
December's eyes went wide in disbelief and amusement. Chuckling, she shook her head and wave them good byes.
Shocking? Yes, indeed.
She was walking towards her room when she tried calling Serena back. On the second try, the girl answered.
"Hey, Serena. Sorry I missed your call." December winced into the phone.
"Don't mind it. I called because I wanted to let you know about what we discussed earlier." Serena's smooth and soft voice floated from the receiver and December's heart skipped a beat.
Do they have the evidence? Wait, did Weston not want to help her? She decided to tune in.
"So, I've asked Weston to help out – which he agreed – he's here with me actually – oh, wait, let me put this on." Serena pressed some buttons and a second later, said, "You're on speaker now."
The next voice that came on was not Serena. "Hey, I heard what's going on. I'm working on it but…there's been a problem."
Oh no. "What, what is it? Are you guys in trouble?" She was starting to feel heavy with panic.
Weston's light chuckle did something to ease them, but not completely. She wanted to know if they should thwart off this plan or not. Getting in trouble was not an option. If she had to, December would find another way for this.
After all, their academic record would be on the line if someone caught a whiff about it, and if this marred theirs, well…she'd much rather it be hers instead.
"Fortunately, no. I'm not sure yet. The school's surveillance system is too tight. I'm not a professional but I don't think even pros would have an easy time getting through it. But – "
Although some part of her felt relieved, December was still anxious. If this was a telling sign from the universe that she should abandon this plan, then maybe she should just do it. "Okay…well, do you think the universe is saying something? Because I think this means we should drop it."
"What? But December, this is the only way to get an evidence for what Karen did to you." Serena's voice came on in the background.
Then, Weston spoke again. "I would be all for that except…she does have a point. From what I heard, sounds like this would be the only way to get justice for what she did."
December bit her lip in frustration. Well, they certainly made their point too, and regardless whether she wanted so badly to get the evidence, their safety matters. "But you guys could be in trouble! I don't even know if – "
"December, stop. We knew what we sign up for when this was discussed. I appreciate your concern, as I'm sure we all do, but there's no way I'm backing out from helping you on this." Serena spoke softly before adding, "And Weston?"
"I'm all in too." There were no hesitancy in his voice.
December's lips started trembling but she bit her lip again, hard. She was choking in emotions, and how could she not when she was constantly being reminded of how awesome her friends are to her? The things they would do for her. December would forever be grateful for them.
There were no response from her end, and before they could get more worried about her, she decided to eat her feelings up and focus on the matter at hand. "You're right," she sniffed before continuing, "Thanks, guys. I just… I really don't want any of you to be in trouble for this, you know? Especially since this is our last year and we'll be leaving for college soon. Too much at risk."
Serena's soft chuckle floated through the speaker. "True, but we're going to be just fine. Now, Weston actually has some good news, too. Tell her, West."
He cleared his throat. "Right, so as we all know, the school doesn't disclose security related information, including name of company at the very least, since for some reason, that would make them unrivalled by other schools, so the good news is," She could hear him grinning when he said, "after some calls, I found out which company and turns out we know people who owned said company."
December had stepped into her room when she heard that. She gasped in disbelief. "No way. That's…this is great news! But wait," her brows furrowed when she thought of a problem, "How do you get them to help?"
December could imagine Serena sharing mischievous glances with Weston when she let out soft chuckles and Weston laughed quietly in the back.
"Let's just say that this would be the ideal time to use the power of persuasion." Serena chimes.
"Or specifically, old favours to the family." Weston added.
It didn't feel ominous nor did she felt it directed to her, but at that moment, December realised that these two individuals and couple could have more bite than they look, and she suppressed the urge to rub the chills off her skin.
The alarm read three in the morning, and even then December was still thinking about the conversation she had with Serena and Weston. Their families were some of the influential clans in San Francisco and, December was certain, globally too. To think that they would go through such lengths for her, felt surreal yet slowly feels believable too.
That she was worthy of receiving such help from them.
No one had ever done that for her before, and another thought occurred that it was because she had no real friends back then. Her heart swelled with so much love for them and she didn't know if it can take any more love. If they ever needed her help someday, she would lend it because she owed it that much to them.
She didn't know what sort or process it would take to get the possible evidence, but they told her they would let her know once it was obtained.
December was too engrossed in her thoughts to be aware of her surroundings that day, and she couldn't remember if there were any cameras monitoring the hallways of the usually empty third floor, but she muttered a quick prayer that all would be in her favour.
With that thought in mind, her eyes slowly fluttered close as sleep engulfed her.
ns 172.70.38.225da2
