Nervously tapping my foot on the floor, I fiddled with my fingers staring at the clock above.
Class was still in progress and the teacher was busy ranting about some war that happened years ago, but I heard none of it.
My mind was on other things too preoccupied with what awaited me after this lesson was over.
Butterflies swam in the depths of my stomach as the arms of the clock moved unbelievably slower than usual.
Impatient and antsy I waited for those five minutes of torture to pass me by but it felt like years before the bell finally went off.
As soon as it did students scrambled to get their things together and leave for lunch and I was no better.
Without thought or care, I threw my books and pencil case into my bag, swung it over one shoulder, and made my way out the door.
But as I was about to go through the door the slamming of a hand across the entryway stopped me in my tracks.
Looking over the arm and to the owner, I saw an unfamiliar face.
A girl with plane brown eyes and long golden locks stood towering over me. Her stilettos made her appear taller than she actually was.
But I'm not so sure they helped her soles with the pain.
Makeup decorated her face and a dirty scowl was there to complete the bitch look.
Gosh, what did I do to get on such a person's radar in the first place?
I've spent the last few years in this damn school being a ghost for the sole reason of avoiding such a situation.
"You,"
She sneered at me with venom in her words, glaring daggers at my soul.
I knew what she was doing. She was trying to intimidate me, this was something popular people, or as I liked to call them the "alphas", liked to do.
And by the looks of it, she was trying with all her might to strike fear in me.
Now I could react to this in one of two ways: I could pretend to be scared and frightened out of my mind but that would just satisfy her, or I could stand up to her and show her that I wasn't afraid; which would just piss her off more and potentially ruin the rest of my peaceful school life.
Or
Deciding on the less troublesome option I lowered my gaze to the floor and squirmed in one spot.
Making it look like I was nervous and a little uncomfortable.
"Y-yes?"
I asked in a shy way. It was important to make myself seem scared. A big part of that notion was ensuring that my voice trembled with fear.
If you can't do that then stuttering was the next best thing. This added being a target of course but if done right you might be seen as a ghost instead.
"You're partnered with Nicholi, right?"
Oh, so that's what this is all about. I knew grouping with someone so flashy was gonna be a problem for me.
Now, look what being involved with that emerald-eyed, hot piece of meat has gotten me into!
My dislike for him just increased by thirteen percent.
"Hey, I asked you a question!"
"Huh?!"
Without meaning to I rudely looked up to her with a look of irritation plastered on.
Catching myself in the act I quickly changed my tune and looked down to the floor once again.
This is what happens whenever I think about that guy. Fudge him!
"What'd you say?"
"N-nothing!"
Frantically waving my hands in dismissal I tried to reassure her that she was the alpha.
"What I meant was y-yes. I-I am partnered with h-him."
"Oh good."
Her tone suddenly changed from one filled with venom to a sweet and innocent one.
What a fake!
But I suppose I can't really say anything about that since I'm doing the exact same thing by pretending to be scared.
"If you're doing an assignment with him, that must mean you're in contact with him too, right?"
Ah, so she's after his contact info.
"Mind giving me his digits?"
She asked with a smile on, eyes closed and hands held together in a prayer gesture.
"U-uhm, I don't think that's such a good idea."
Her face fell into a scowl of pure anger and irritation at my words. The look of happiness completely wiped off from existence.
Panicked I hurried to rephrase my words.
"N-no, I meant that I don't have his numbers. He didn't go very them to me."
Gosh, I really hope she believes this lie. I don't want to be responsible for an angry Nicholi charging in the hallway.
No, sir, I do not!
"What? You really think I'd believe that! It's obvious you have his numbers. How else are you supposed to manage your times to meet?"
Nervous and caught in a tough spot my eyes wandered away from her face to the door behind her. Willing it to pull me away from this crazy bitch.
But no such luck.
Out of options and ideas, I said the first thing at the top of my head.
"I-I'm the one doing the work. He just gives me information he gathered and I write it all down!"
Yeah, I probably shouldn't have screamed that out. Now students in the hallway are staring at us.
Attention? I don't like attention!
"Hmmm, fine. And in any case, it's not like a loser like you would ever get his numbers that easily"
Jokes on you, I actually do have his digits. Huh!
Pushing herself off the wall she made a sharp turn, her hair whipped me in the face in the process and she walked away.
Letting out a deep sigh of relief, I looked up to the small crowd that had formed.
Taken aback by this unwanted attention, I flinched back on impulse.
Grabbing the hood of my jacket I brought it over my head, concealing my face in the process, and fast-walked away from the prying eyes.
I quickly made my way to the cafeteria where I promised to meet with Nova.
Entering the crowded space I stretched out my neck in an attempt to find my new friend.
But it was hard to scout out people in such a crowd, especially when you're as short as I am, tippy toes and everything!
The possibility that they ditched me did come across my mind but I was doing all I could to keep such thoughts at bay.
I wanted to learn to trust Nova and her words. Even though it won't happen in a matter of minutes, I want to come to a point somewhere in time where I can easily trust her words.
Growing up I wasn't given much of a reason to trust people. Even now I don't trust them.
The only person I know for a fact I can rely on is myself.
"There you are!"
The sudden loud voice of Nova exclaimed. As I was about to turn around to her, an arm wrapped around mine, and I was stopped in my tracks.
"Hey, Rei!"
A bright smile blinded me and I could not help but mimic the look of joy on her face.
"Hi, Nova. Where's Tri-"
Without warning another arm wrapped around my free one.
Surprised by this my head whipped to the stranger, only for my eyes to widen in complete shock.
There in all her glory was none other than Trixy Lawrence and she had her arm wrapped around mine like we were buddies.
Say what now?!
"Hey there BL lover. We've been waiting for you for some time now. Where were you?"
She asked with genuine curiosity. It actually seemed like she was being friendly with me and not pretending at all.
But I was still wary of her. After all, she was known for ruining the lives of many within a day.
"Yeah, where were you? I thought you ditched us or something"
Ditched you? Wouldn't you be the ones to ditch me?
Why the heck would you think a nobody like me would run away from the two people that could make my life a living hell?!
"Ah, I was held back in the class by a little something. But it's all good now"
Laughing nervously as my mind thought back to the girl with plane eyes, I inadvertently scowled.
"You sure? You look a bit peeved though"
Quickly changing my expression I looked at Nova and gave her a friendly smile.
Trixy pulled on my arm a bit and took the initiative, directing us to an empty table.
"Well, since you say it's okay we'll believe you. Now come on, we got some food to eat"
"Yeah, she's right. Whenever you're in a bad mood, food always makes it better!"
Nova cheered raising a free hand to the air in a tight fist.
I laughed at the two but complied anyway.
Taking our seats Nova sat next to me while Trixy sat across us.
I looked down to the empty table and raised a brow in question. Looking over to Trixy for an answer I asked her confused.
"Uhm, Trixy?"
"Just call me Trix, sounds better."
"Okay...then Trix. Aren't you guys going to get yourself some lunch?"
"Yeah we are"
I stood there for a few seconds, contemplating whether to ask where the food was or keep quiet.
"Uhm"
"Oh, I got you your favorite today Trix."
"Really? Sweet!"
Rubbing her hands together in glee, Trix looked over to Nova in expectation.
Placing a large lunch box onto the table, my eyes widened at the size of the thing.
Where the hell did that come from? I swear she wasn't holding that when we met up.
Did she pull it out from her anime pocket or something?
"Rei ...Rei!"
Jumping in surprise at the loud voice my head whipped to Nova in question.
"Y-yeah?"
"I was asking if you eat rice?"
Rapidly blinking at the sudden question I answered slightly confused
"Yes?"
"Is that a certain yes or not?"
Trix asked with a look of boredom on.
"I meant yes."
"Good, then you'll love rice balls wrapped up in kelp. My mom made them and I thought to bring 'em over. I've also got curry and salmon. Are you good with fish food?"
She was talking way too fast. A bit taken aback by Nova's sudden speed talking I waved my hands around in a panic
"No, I don't mind having anything really."
Even though I said that, I'm not much of a seafood fan.
"That's great!"
"No, it's not. Just because she's pushing her likes onto you doesn't mean you have to accept it all like that. It's okay to refuse some things if you don't like them."
She saw right through my lie. I didn't know whether to be grateful that she helped me out of that or if I should be bothered that she just outed me on my lie.
"Y-yeah"
"Hm, what do you mean by that?"
"You're really an airhead aren't you Nova?"
"Hey what does that mean?!"
"It means exactly that you dork"
"I'm not a dork and I still don't get what you mean that I'm an airhead"
"Well, that's too bad then. Guess you'll have to figure it out somehow."
"Hmph"
Puffing out her cheeks and folding her arms, annoyed at her friend's words Nova turned her head away from the table.
Trix just rolled her eyes and smiled at her sulking friend.
"Alright, I'm sorry you're definitely not a dork"
"Really?"
"Really"
And just like that, her bright and happy smile was brought back to her face with a vengeance.
"Okay!"
Watching from the sidelines I couldn't help but laugh at their silly little quarrel.
It was funny how two completely different people could become such good friends so easily.
To even go as far as establishing their own dynamic. It was sweet.
"What are you laughing at?"
"I'm sorry, it's just so funny how well you two get along."
They silently looked at each other and broke into laughter of their own.
"Yeah, I guess."
Trix said shrugging her shoulders.
"And you'll be around us a lot. Which means you'll soon join in on the fun!"
This girl really is cheerful and I guess I misjudged Trix.
Maybe this could become my new normal.
And I gotta say, I don't hate it as much as I thought I might.