*Here's the compensation chapter dearies*
SOFIA
Everyone has been giving me pitying looks, and it's annoying. Can I blame them, though?
To them, my boyfriend cheated on me with my best friend.
While Barbie has been pretty brazen about it, Keith kept insisting that it was Barbie who kissed him, and without his permission too.
He explained and apologized, over and over, until I said I wasn't mad. I even told Barbie that she's free to date him. He's my best friend, not my boyfriend.
Now all sorts of boys are trying to court me, since I'm not "taken" anymore. And as if that's not bad enough, all of a sudden Keith and Barbie are kissing again,in full view of everyone!
I don't love Keith... not in that way anyway, and yet... what's this dull ache in my chest? What's this painful knot in my throat? What's this strong urge to pull Barbie away from him?
Everyone stopped to stare. I don't know how long we spent, standing and staring, before they disengaged from each other. Then, their eyes still fixed on each other,as if the rest of us were just debris and not people to be acknowledged, they held hands and headed for the gates.
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LINDA
OMG!
Keith and Barbie are dating! It's been a week since their little romantic stunt near the hedge. The very next morning,we dragged them to the back of the school auditorium. Six of us had a long talk about everything that's happened since the moon dance. Sofia confirmed that she has no feelings for Keith, and in the end, Keith and Barbie, with our blessings, became an official couple.
I really can't believe how enamored they are with each other. When did that happen exactly??! They feed each other while we're all seated together at lunch time. Their hands touch too often. They stare at each other too often, even while we're all chatting together.
They walk to the gates together, hand in hand.
It's clear they have created their own world, which the rest of us can never enter, however hard we try.
I'm so happy for them, especially since James and I are also dating (secretly, because of his family values). But... I've noticed a change in Sofia. She looks away whenever they feed each other,or hold hands,or smile at each other, etcetera.
She calls Keith's name too often, even if she has nothing to tell him. I think she just wants him to look at her. She's always the last to leave the block, just so she won't see them leaving together.
Poor girl, she blew her chance.
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KEITH
I lay on my bed, staring at the ceiling and thinking of Barbie. I still can't believe how deeply I've fallen for her. Even as I stare at the ceiling, all I can see is her. Her skin so light it's almost translucent, her glossy mane of strawberry blonde hair, her apple round cheeks, her peach, cupid bow shaped lips, her round emerald eyes, her cute baby smile.
I can still hear her voice. Today we sat on the roof together and she sang Alan Walker's Lily. If Walker had met her, I'm sure Emelie Hollow never would have stood a chance.
I'm so happy. Is this what heaven feels like, I wonder.
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BARBIE
"For anyone who might have plans of complaining the questions were impossible..."Mr Dune, the math teacher jabbered on.
I couldn't hear anything else he said, because my mind had already travelled to la-la land. Keith asked me out on a date!
It's our first date, and I'm sooo excited! We're going out from school, and he says he has prepared me a surprise. Where could we be going, I wonder?An ice cream bar?A sweet store?An eatery? I can't wait!
"Congratulations, Kendall"Mr Dune said just beside me, momentarily startling me out of my daydreams.
I watched as he handed James his script. James got an A+,as usual. From across the room, Linda gave him a thumbs up, slightly lifting her own script. She got a B. James grinned at her.
Those two...
Rumors have been circulating. People claim they're dating. And it really isn't hard to believe. She often excuses herself during lunch to sit with him (he's started spending lunch time in the cafeteria), they smile at each other a lot, no matter the distance between them, and sometimes she stays behind to help him tidy up. But even if they are, it's not bad at all. Linda's grades have really improved ever since she started getting closer to James.
"Jones, see me"Mr Dune interrupted my thoughts again, slapping a sheet of paper down on my desk.
I stared at my script, at the F written in red ink at the top right corner, and sighed.
I expected this.
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So, I met Mr Dune in his office and listened to a long boring lecture about how I should put more effort and think more about my future and ask for help when I need it and try to make my parents proud.
I merely fixed my gaze on the hand painted ostrich egg behind him and listened with half an ear. I hate calculations. Nothing is ever going to change that. Not even a million lectures from a million Mr Dunes.
Math is just not my thing. He has to understand that.
"Barbie? You okay?"Keith squeezed my hand gently.
"I'm fine"I forced a smile.
"Okay,"he replied,then grinned"my driver is coming to pick us up. But first, I want to get you a present. I've arranged for him to meet us later".
I smiled and nodded eagerly. We joined the crowd of kids walking through the gates, laughing and chatting loudly.
Pretty soon, Keith's warm chatter and cheerful laughter began to ease some of my pent-up frustrations.
"Barbie, over here"Keith said excitedly, tugging my arm.
That was when I heard the glass shattering on the showcases of a nearby store. Then I heard loud screams and shrieks.
I didn't hear anything else.