Facebook Notification
Theo Carlson added you as a friend.
Troy Jasper Belmont added you as a friend.
Sebastian York added you as a friend.
What kind of joke is this? Why are they adding me on Facebook? The three most popular guys in school—adding a nobody like me. Should I accept them?
I've wanted to be friends with Seb on Facebook for a long time, but I definitely don't want TJ or Theo on my friends list.
Wait… I only hate Theo, right? And if I accept TJ and Seb but ignore Theo, that would totally piss him off. That's a win-win! Plus, I'd still get to be friends with Seb.
Eleanor Winslow is now friends with Troy Jasper Belmont and Sebastian York.
I was about to stalk Seb's profile, but… maybe not. What if I see something I don't like?
After scrolling through Facebook for a while, I decided to take a shower—it was way too hot. I rushed through my bath because I started feeling really hungry.
The moment I stepped out of the bathroom, I saw Cholo…Biting my pink underwear. "Baby! Put that down!"
"Of all things, why did you have to grab that?!No! Stop! Bad dog! Give it back!" I tried to take it from him, but he bolted out of my room.
Crap!
Charles and his friends are in the living room! What if they see my underwear?!
Panicking, I grabbed my towel and wrapped it around myself. I didn't even bother putting on clothes. "Cholo!"
"Witwiw." TJ's teasing voice made me freeze.
That's when I realized—they were all there. And they all saw me in nothing but a towel. Why are they even here?! They were probably going out with Charles again, but why did it have to be now?!
"Hey, nerdy! What the hell are you doing? Put some clothes on!" Charles said.
They were all staring at me. I glanced at Seb—he quickly looked away.
"Take care—" Mom's voice suddenly came from behind me. Then she gasped. "Ellie! Why are you dressed like that in front of them?!"
Theo mumbled something, but I heard it loud and clear. "She's trying to seduce me."
"WHAT?!" I snapped my head toward him. "Excuse me?! How am I seducing you?! Huh?"
Now everyone was staring at me.
"What did she say?" TJ asked, wearing a mischievous grin.
I crossed my arms, fuming. "I said, Theo thinks I'm seducing him! But I'm not!"
"Hey, Dork! Stop making it so obvious that you like Theo!" Charles said.
Like him?
LIKE HIM?!
Ew.
The last thing I'd ever do is fall for that annoying jerk.
""Alright, you all should head home now. I'll take care of Ellie. Take care" Mama said with a smile.
"Thank you so much for the snacks, Aunt Winslow. We'll be going now," Seb replied, and together, they were escorted to the door by Charles.
I turned to Mom, glaring at her. "You—why are you looking like that?!"
"Mom, it's because Cholo took my underwear! I had to chase him downstairs, and I didn't have time to get dressed! I had no idea we had visitors!"
She sighed. "For goodness' sake! Go upstairs and get changed. Good thing those boys are just your brother's best friends. I'm sure they won't tease you."
Oh, if only you knew, Mom! My once peaceful life at school is already a complete mess—because of them!
I marched back up to my room and flopped onto my bed.
Please, let everything go back to normal tomorrow! I don't think I can handle being famous—especially if it's for something embarrassing.
---
The Next Day
"Why are you up so early?" Mom greeted me with a puzzled look as I walked down the stairs.
"I'm walking to school today."
"Huh? Why? We have a car!"
"I just want to exercise." This was my first step in reclaiming my peaceful life—by staying far away from Charles at school. Well, not too far. I still love that monkey, sometimes.
The moment I finished breakfast, I grabbed my bag and left. Right on cue, Charles appeared at the top of the stairs.
"Hey! Wait for me!"
"I'm walking. Bye, Mom! Bye, monkey!" As I strolled down the street, a car pulled up beside me—a red Ford Mustang.
The car moved slowly, as if keeping pace with me as I walked. After a moment, the window rolled down, and I saw TJ behind the wheel. "Ellie, why are you walking?"
I felt my blood pressure spike the moment I saw his face this morning. Ignoring him, I walked faster. But he kept driving his car at my pace! No matter how much I ignored him, he just wouldn't leave.
TJ Belmont, could you leave me alone?!
When I finally arrived at school, it was still early—not many students were around yet. Then, another voice stopped me.
"Ms. Winslow, can you do me a favor?" It was my Science teacher, Mr. Zea.
"Yes, sir?"
"Would you like some extra credit? I heard you got detention, and that's a big no-no for a valedictorian candidate."
Oof. He had a point. And I really wanted that top spot. "Anything, sir," I replied with a bright smile.
"Ms. Winslow, could you tutor Mr. Troy Jasper Belmont in Science?"
Wait…what?
"You're my best student, and I need someone to help him."
Seriously?! Just when I thought I could finally avoid them! But what about my shot at being valedictorian? I can't afford to lose that. And, well… it's not like I have a choice.
"Okay, sir."
"Great! And let him know, okay? Thank you so much."
Oh, wow. He needs my help, but I have to be the one to tell him?! How am I supposed to avoid them now?!
Time passed, and class finally started. But I couldn't focus. All I could think about was how to avoid those four.
My head was starting to hurt! The entire lesson went by, and I barely understood a thing because I was too annoyed and frustrated.
When lunchtime rolled around, Mr. Zea approached me again, reminding me to tell TJ about the tutoring so we could start after school.
Ugh. Why won't he leave me alone? And now, I had to walk up to those four in the cafeteria? In front of everyone?
My classmates were already whispering, some laughing, some looking at me like I didn't belong.
"I told you," Theo smirked. "Charles's sister totally has a crush on me."
The audacity.
"Excuse me," I said, crossing my arms. "I'm not here for you."
"Oof! She shut you down, bro!" TJ teased, laughing.
Theo's smirk dropped into a glare. Charles looked confused, and Seb—ugh, Sebastian, as usual—was just sitting there, headphones on, gazing off into the distance like he didn't care about anything.
"As if he'd ever look at me," I thought bitterly.
I turned to TJ. "Mr. Zea said I have to tutor you in Science. You can come over after school."
"What?" he asked, genuinely shocked.
Yes, what? If only you'd studied harder, we wouldn't be having this conversation.
"Ellie, didn't I tell you not to embarrass me in front of my friends?"
"How exactly am I embarrassing you?"
"Your face is embarrassing enough."
Laughter erupted around me, and even Seb—Sebastian—chuckled.
"Next time, Ellie, just message me on Facebook instead of coming up to the popular kids," TJ said, shaking his head.
"I—"
Before I could finish, Theo cut me off. "Just admit it. You wanted to see me." He stood up and stepped closer.
"Never," I spat. "N-E-V-E-R!" I said loudly. With that, I turned and stormed off, my face burning. Why did I let them get to me again? Why couldn't I just ignore them?!
My phone vibrated.
1 Facebook Messenger notification
Theo Carlson: Get ready. THIS IS WAR!
Uh-oh. Wrong move.