The next morning, I arrived at school feeling a mix of excitement and apprehension. The events of the previous day still lingered in my mind, particularly my interactions with Rachel and Maeve. I had a feeling today would be just as eventful, if not more.
As I made my way through the crowded halls, I spotted Maeve leaning casually against a row of lockers, a bright smile lighting up her face when she saw me. Her presence was like a beacon of warmth in the otherwise chaotic environment.
"Hey, Joanne!" Maeve greeted me cheerfully, her accent a soothing melody amid the morning bustle. "Ready for another day of fun and adventure?"
I laughed, the tension in my shoulders easing slightly. "As ready as I'll ever be."
We chatted for a few minutes, exchanging stories about our mornings and our shared classes. Maeve's easygoing nature was infectious, making me feel more at ease. She had a way of making everything seem less daunting.
"Alright, I have to head to Chemistry," Maeve said, glancing at her watch. "I'll see you at lunch?"
"Definitely," I replied, feeling a pang of disappointment as we parted ways.
The morning classes passed in a blur. I couldn't shake the feeling that I was being watched. Every time I glanced around the classroom or the hallways, I half-expected to see Rachel's piercing gaze fixed on me. But she was nowhere to be seen. Despite her absence, the sense of being under a microscope persisted, keeping me on edge.
When the lunch bell finally rang, I made my way to the cafeteria with a mixture of anticipation and nerves. Maeve had invited me to join her and her friends, and I was eager to meet them, hoping to carve out a small niche for myself in this new environment.
Maeve waved me over to a table near the windows, where a small group of students had already gathered. They greeted me with friendly smiles, their expressions warm and welcoming.
"Everyone, this is Joanne," Maeve introduced me. "Joanne, meet the gang."
The group consisted of a few girls and guys, each with their own unique style and personality. There was Sophie, a bubbly girl with curly red hair; Max, a lanky boy with a penchant for bad puns; and Liam, who seemed to have an endless supply of random facts. They all welcomed me with open arms, making me feel like I belonged.
As we settled into our lunch, the conversation flowed easily. Maeve's friends were a lively bunch, their banter light and entertaining. I found myself laughing more than I had in a long time, the weight of my earlier worries lifting.
At one point, Liam, who had been making playful comments throughout lunch, leaned in a bit closer. "So, Joanne, are there any cute guys catching your eye yet?" he asked with a wink.
I felt a flush creep up my neck."Wellll…" I say awkwardly. "My eyes are mostly on girls than guys, but I lay eyes on them too, if they're my type"
The table fell silent for a moment, the initial surprise evident on their faces. But then, Maeve broke into a chuckle, "Seems you won't win Liam, women are HOT after all."
I looked at Maeve to see she was smirking at me, along with a playful wink, reminding me of Rachel's playfulness yesterday. I blushed at her antics, whether it was because of her charm, or the fact that it reminded me of how Rachel was with me.
I'm personally not sure what to make of her antics, but I just hope it won't turn out the same as Rachel's but then again, she has warned me about her, I guess I just had to see it for myself before I could believe it, and it just means I need to keep my guard up.
Liam looked a bit sheepish but quickly recovered. "Well, that just means I'll have to up my game," he said with a laugh, earning groans and chuckles from the rest of the group.
The rest of lunch passed in a comfortable blur of conversation and laughter. I felt a sense of relief wash over me, grateful for the acceptance and camaraderie of Maeve's friends. It was a stark contrast to the tension I had felt around Rachel.
As the day drew to a close, Maeve and I walked home together, the warm afternoon sun casting long shadows on the pavement. We chatted about our classes and plans for the weekend, the conversation flowing easily.
As we reached my house, we paused at the gate, still laughing over a shared joke. Our eyes met, and Maeve leaned in closer, her eyes locking onto mine. My breath caught in my throat as the playful atmosphere shifted to something more intense. Before I knew it, Maeve had pinned me gently against the wall, her body close to mine. The world around us seemed to fade away.
"You know, Joanne," she said softly, her voice a mere whisper. "I really like spending time with you."
My heart raced, a mixture of excitement and nervousness coursing through me. For a brief moment, I considered giving in to the moment, but Rachel's warning echoed in my mind. I reluctantly pulled away, creating a small distance between us.
"Maeve, I... I really like spending time with you too," I said, my voice trembling slightly. "But-" before I could finish, I was interrupted by my phone's sudden vibrations and beeps within my pocket.
Maeve moved away as I fumbled with my phone, glancing at the screen to see an unknown number. My stomach churned as I answered the call, already having the feeling that it would be Rachel.
"You seemed to have a fun day?" And as expected, Rachel's voice oozed through the line, flirty but possessive.
"Uh, yeah, it was alright," I replied, trying to keep my tone neutral. "I have to go, we'll talk later."
Without waiting for her response, I ended the call and turned to Maeve, who was watching me with a curious expression.
"Sorry about that, Maeve. I, uh, have to go inside. I'll see you next week maybe?" I said, stepping back towards my front door.
Maeve's playful demeanor returned. "I'll see you when I see you Joanne."
I quickly entered my house, my heart still racing from the unexpected call and the intense moment with Maeve. I went straight to my room, locking the door behind me before sitting on my bed and taking a deep breath. A few moments later, my phone buzzed again. It was a message from Rachel.
"Joanne, we need to talk." With a sigh, I called her back. Rachel answered almost immediately.
"What was that about, Rachel?" I demanded, trying to keep my voice steady.
"I just wanted to check on you," she replied smoothly. "You looked cozy with Maeve."
"Rachel, I don't understand why you're doing this…we've barely talked.," I said, exasperation creeping into my voice.
"Look, I know that I've been a pain in the ass to you, the school hierarchy CLEARLY distracting you, but please, I need you to trust me on this. We'll get to know each other wayyy better by next week, or maybe sooner than that, just when I finish this thing going on with the squad…I promise" Sounding genuine.
"Alright, alright…but it doesn't mean I'll avoid Maeve and her friends just By your words." I say making my voice stern enough for her to understand.
"Just be careful," Rachel warned, her tone growing serious. "Maeve isn't as innocent as she seems. She has a way of getting what she wants, no matter the cost."
I paused, processing her words. "What do you mean by that?"
"Let's just say she has a history of leaving people hurt," Rachel said cryptically. "Just watch yourself, I don't want you getting caught in her web."
I didn't know what to think. Rachel had her issues, but she seemed genuinely concerned.
"Thanks for the heads up, Rachel. I'll be careful."
"Good. I'll talk to you soon…when things are less busy on my end," she said, ending the call.
I sat on my bed, staring at the phone in my hand. Maeve seemed so genuine, but Rachel's warning lingered in my mind. She seemed very adamant that I keep my guard up, and I HAVE…I just don't understand why she's being so genuine when she was such a tease at first.
Just then, my contemplation was cut short by the series of notifications that popped up on my phone. I had been added to a group chat with Maeve and her friends.
The chat was buzzing with messages, mostly jokes and casual conversation. I scrolled through them, a smile creeping onto my face despite the unease Rachel had stirred.
Then, a new message caught my eye.
Sophie: "Hey guys, how about a hangout this weekend? Maybe a movie night?"
The chat quickly filled with enthusiastic responses, everyone agreeing to the plan.
Max: "Sounds great! Joanne, you in?"
I hesitated, Rachel's words echoing in my mind. But then I remembered how welcomed and happy I had felt with Maeve and her friends. Maybe Rachel was just being overly protective.
Joanne: "Sure, I'm in."
The group chat exploded with excitement, and plans were quickly made. As I put my phone down, I resolved to keep Rachel's warning in mind, but also to give Maeve and her friends a chance. I would go to the hangout, but I would keep my guard up and see for myself what Maeve was really like.
I looked at the time, before heading to change my clothing. Going in the shower as I start to reflect on the information I have gathered so far, I'll keep my guard up, but I also prefer not to be rude to Maeve incase Rachel's presumption of her was inaccurate, and she was just being paranoid for me. I would prefer not to cause a misunderstanding between me and Meave's group.