Sarah finished her breakfast that consisted of toasted bread and fried eggs. She was drinking milk from the fridge when she heard her door bell ring.
DING DONG!
And who could that be?
She knew it wasn't Nick since his driver would just horn. She went to open the door and saw her best friend standing on her porch.
"Charlotte? What are you doing here?" Sarah asked. She was surprised to see her here.
"Well, good morning to you too, bestie." Charlotte replied. "I came here so that we can go to school together."
"And since when do you do that?"
"Since I realized that I should be a good friend. I should be here waking you early and walking with you." Charlotte explained.
Sarah looked at her suspiciously. Not that she had ever complained about Charlotte not doing that. Infact, she never expected it but she didn't question it further.
"So, are you going to let me in?" Charlotte said, snapping her out of her thoughts.
"Uh, yeah. Come in." Sarah moved out of the way for Charlotte to walk in.
Sarah scanned her friend and saw that she looked extra beautiful today. Not that she wasn't beautiful any day but today was an exception. Charlotte wore a creamy white off shoulder dress that reached below her knees. There were leafy designs. Her white short heeled shoes were sparkling. She tied her hair in a ponytail with a green ribbon and she wore red lipstick.
She stared at her friend with a surprised look.
"So, are you ready to go?" Charlotte asked.
"Oh, um, no." Sarah stuttered. "I mean, yes. But, um, Nick is coming to pick me up."
"Okay. Then, we are waiting for him."
"I guess so. He'll be here any minute now." Sarah assured her.
Soon enough, Nick arrived in his red SUV. Nick stood outside his car as the girls went to meet him. Nick smiled when he saw Sarah but was surprised to see Charlotte.
"Hi, Sarah and um, Charlotte." He said.
Sarah saw the look on his face. "Right. You have met Charlotte. She came here and thought it was okay to accompany me. I don't mind but if you mind, then…"
"No, it's okay. I don't mind. She can come with us."
"Thanks." Sarah gestured for her friend to come.
Charlotte walked towards them and smiled at Nick. "Morning."
Nick half smiled. "Morning." They entered the car and endured a silent ride to school.
They finally made it to school and Sarah hoped nobody would bat an eye at them. But she was wrong. As soon as they got out of the car, not only were they surprised to see Sarah early for the second time with Nick, they were surprised to see Charlotte with them.
Sarah and Charlotte didn't have any classes but Nick did. So, they left for their spot. Sarah couldn't stop thinking about the people that stared at them. Why were they judging her?
Charlotte looked at Sarah concerned. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine." Sarah lied.
But her friend saw right through her. "No, you're not. Still thinking about them?"
"And what they are going to talk about. I'm sure that I'm going to be the topic of discussion."
"Forget them. They are just jealous that they aren't friends with a cool kid. Besides, Nick doesn't pay them much attention and I don't pay them much attention. So, don't bother about them." Charlotte comforted her.
Sarah thought about it. Her friend was right. She was always right. Soon, it was lunch break and they had to go to the cafeteria. Sarah really didn't want to leave but Charlotte urged her. When they had their seats, they saw some people whispering. Sarah knew they were talking about them but chose to ignore them.
Don't mind what they say. Don't mind what they say. She kept chanting those words in her head. She paid no attention to her surroundings until she felt something wet on her hair and heard gasps.
Someone had poured water on her hair.
"Amanda?!" Charlotte yelled.
Sarah stood up and turned around. She saw Amanda and her four minions laughing at her.
"What? She looks better now. Better trash." Amanda laughed as she splashed water on Sarah's blue gown.
The whole cafeteria laughed at the scene.
"Just keep this in your head at all times. Stay away from Nick." Amanda warned.
"And why should she? They are friends." Charlotte argued.
Amanda scoffed. "Don't go thinking he's friends with you because of your great personality, Sarah. We all know that he's friends with you because he pities you. Just like your friend, Charlotte." And with that, she left.
Sarah was too stunned to speak. Just then, Sarah saw Nick standing far off, staring at her. Tears jabbed her eyes as she turned and ran. She ignored Charlotte's calls for her to come back. Sarah ran till she reached her special spot. She sat on one of the swings and started crying.
Why, why, why? She asked herself over again. Nick saw me in my humiliated state. He would never be friends with me. No one will be friends with me. Not even Charlotte. Or maybe Charlotte would still stay with me. Maybe not. Her head spiraled with many thoughts. She didn't leave the place until closing time.
Great. My first time missing class for a whole day.
She sniffled as she cleaned her face. She decided not to wait for Charlotte or for Nick to take her home. Not like he would now.
She was outside the school when she heard quiet voices talking. No, they were arguing. She didn't want to eavesdrop but then she heard her name.
Sarah.
Who was talking about me? She hid behind a wall as she leaned forward to see who they were. She saw Amanda stomping her foot as she argued with the person on the other side. That person was…
NICK?!
WHAT THE HELL!
Sarah could only make up a little of what they were saying.
"You poured water on her, Amanda. On Sarah. What made you think I had anything to do with her?" Nick demanded.
"Oh, let me think. You let her in your car, you pick her up from home, you drop her off at her house and you talk to her. That makes anyone think you have something to do with her." Amanda stated.
"She is just a friend."
"A loser friend." Amanda added. "Why don't you ever take me home in your car? Hmm? Do you prefer losers?"
Sarah saw Nick's hands folded into angry fists.
"No, I don't." Nick whispered.
And then, she couldn't hear anymore because he started talking in a hushed voice. Whatever he said made Amanda calm down.
What was going on?
She didn't have time to understand before she got the shock of her life. Nick pulled Amanda for a small peck on her cheeks.
WHAT?!!
Sarah stood there, her eyes widened and frozen in her spot. She let out an accidental gasp which alerted them. She quickly hid behind the wall before they could see her. She heard footsteps moving away from her hiding spot. They were leaving. When she was sure that they had gone, she brought her head forward and scanned the area. Letting out a sigh of relief, she ran away. She didn't want Nick to see her there and ask her to wait for him.
She finally got home, ran upstairs to her room and landed on her bed.
That was crazy!
What was Nick doing with Amanda? Why did he kiss her? Well, he didn't kiss her. He pecked her. But it was the same thing. Maybe they are friends. Friends don't kiss friends. But some do. Why was he with her anyway?
UGH!
She banged the back of her head on the bed over and over as her thoughts kept getting her confused. She went downstairs to the kitchen for a glass of cold water to cool her down. As she drank it, she heard her phone beeping.
A message.
She ran upstairs to check who it was. It was Nick and Charlotte. She decided to reply to Nick's message first.
Hi. I didn't see you. I thought we were going home together.
Sarah didn't know what to reply. She thought of the humiliation and the scene she witnessed.
Are you alright?
Sarah typed back. "I am. I wasn't feeling too well. Sorry. I couldn't wait."
There was a small silence, then a beep.
It's about what happened in the cafeteria, isn't it?
Sarah really hoped he wouldn't go there. So much for hoping.
No. Not really.
"Don't lie to me. It is."
Sarah's face became sad. "Yeah, it is. I'm really a loser."
You're not. You have me and Charlotte. From what I've known, losers don't have friends.
Sarah laughed a little. "I guess so. I'm really sorry. I should have waited."
No probs. See you tomorrow. We are going to school together. No excuses.
Of course.
Good bye.
Sarah wanted to ask about Amanda but decided not to.
Goodbye.
Then, she opened Charlotte's message.
Girl, I didn't see you throughout. Are you alright?
Sarah replied. "I'm fine. Wasn't feeling good. But I'm good now. See you tomorrow."
She sat down on her bed and went through all that had happened in her head.
Tomorrow will be another crazy day.