Chapter 13: Only one

Chapter 13: Only one (Wattpad)

I think I’m floating. But no, that doesn’t seem right. The last thing I remembered was walking to school, but I was really drowsy and…

“Hey, kid!”

OH, JESUS CHRIST. MOTHER OF GOD. I was startled back to consciousness and almost stumbled backward. That was incredibly stupid! 

“Sorry!” I called out to our neighbor from his window. You saved my life, I wanted to add. He said, “Yeah, no problem!” then, “Drink coffee!” I should definitely do that. 

“Will do!” I started walking again, willing not to make another scene like that one. God, that was embarrassing. I yawned. I really can’t believe I just did that! I don’t think it’s even possible.

I shifted the weight of my backpack and tried to focus my mind. If only I slept properly last night. Why does this have to happen to me, off all people! I clenched my teeth together as I recalled the events after dinner last night.

The lights were off. I was half-sleeping already and looking forward to a peaceful slumber when my phone rang beside my head. 

Oh, God. I’ve had bloody enough of phone calls starting this afternoon! I bet my house that when I pick up, the phone line would be dead and then it would ring again, I pick it up, no answer, ring, pick-up.

It’s endless. It’s insanity.

But I can’t just let my phone ring like that – I’m only a coward sometimes – so I grabbed it. Fully awake now, I pressed accept and didn’t waste a second to put it in my ear.

“Hello?”

“You cold-hearted bitch.”

“Sorry?”

“How dare you take Travis away from me!”

“Uhm…I really don’t know you. Sorry, but – ”

“Just because the Lord took pity on you and made you his seatmate, doesn’t mean that you have to go flirting with him! Bitch!”

“I don’t know you, okay?” God. The female dog word just gets old and I don’t get hurt when they sat that anymore; I probably heard it a gazillion times in less than an hour, “Just stay away from me.”

“I don’t think you even love Travis! You’re just using him, aren’t you? And then you’ll break his heart, you bitch! You’re using him!” 

This girl has no idea, not a single idea, that what she’s saying is the other way around. “Please, it’s the middle of the night. We have classes tomorrow – ”

“You just want to go tomorrow so you can slaver over Travis’ body! You are so disgusting!” I don’t believe this. So I am the disgusting one here?

“Look, whoever you are, just get over it. Travis and I are together, he loves me, I love him, the whole nine yards. So, just please, leave me alone. We could all do with some sleep.” I can’t believe I just said that but this girl is pushing me.

“Don’t you dare speak to me like that! You, slut! You’re going to pay for what you did. You hear me? You’re going to pay!” She’s going to scream forever, Avery. Face it. Lord, forgive me. I never hang up on someone, but…

I shakily pressed the decline key and immediately turned my phone off, getting out the battery to be thorough. 

Silence. Now this kind of silence is divine.

I closed my eyes, but it was a few more hours later before I actually slept. Bloody distractions. 

I now joined the crowd of people slowly making their way to the school entrance. I didn’t even sleep that well; I had nightmares when I tried to – about a bunch of girls killing me in my sleep with armalites and axes while Travis took bloody pictures of the whole scene, using Polaroid.

Highschool is full of perils. 

Then suddenly, one girl came up to me after taking care of her things in her locker. I know her – Mia Thompson. She’s good friends with Will.

“Uhm, Avery?”

“Err, yes?” This conversation is awkward. 

“Is it true about you and Travis Warner?” she asked with huge eyes.

I forced a smile and said, “Yeah, we…yeah. It just happened, you know.” I shrugged, hoping it would make up for my lack of words. It worked. “Oh!” she said, her eyes getting wider, “I see. Well, we’re very happy for you, Avery.” I am so not.

“Thanks, Mia.” I smiled and waved goodbye to her and went to my room. As soon as I sat down settled, I opened my phone and texted Cassie, See you at lunch? While I was waiting for her reply, I got out my things, ready as always for note taking. My phone beeped and I aged at her message.

You sure you don’t want to have lunch with your new boyfriend? (; 

Aaargh. It’s just lunch for God’s sake. Just because you have a relationship doesn’t mean that you have to spend every second with your partner.

Right?

And this isn’t even a real relationship! It’s forced. It’s cruel to innocent people. It’s impossible.

“I’m not going to bloody spend my lunchtime with him.” I muttered under my breath as I started typing Cassie a negative answer when out of nowhere a hand covered my eyes from behind.

“What the – ” Oh, no. Oh, God. There’s only one person who has the guts to do this kind of thing, “Uhm, Travis?” I asked faintly.

I heard his booming laugh and then he removed his hand. I blinked several times rapidly and then looked behind me.

Oh, no.

Oh my God.

“Flowers?”

He held out the bouquet of red roses to me and gave me a million dollar smile. What is he doing? This isn’t part of the deal, it bloody isn’t. “Hey, don’t you like roses? They suit you. And I also brought you something.” He gave me a big rectangular box covered in royal blue. 

“I hope you like it. Mom picked it out for you.” He grinned hugely. 

“Your mother?”

He chuckled, “I just said it; please tell me why that insignificant fact is so hard to believe.” He winked at me and I scowled, “Copycat.” 

He laughed lightly and said, “I have a plan for us today and I think it would be extremely healthy for you.” Plan? My mind is suddenly exploding with information.

“Wait, wait.” I laughed uncomfortably, “What plan? Why did your Mom buy this for me? And last night, what was the Polaroid issue? And did you know I haven’t got a decent – ”

He covered my mouth with a hand, laughing. “Slow down! God, you’re so cute. Now tell me what happened last night.” He went and sat down on his seat, twisting his chair to face me. 

I did my best to ignore the ‘cute’ comment and he said, his brow creasing in amused confusion, “You’re blushing.” 

“You’re delusional. And last night, your fansclub is to blame.” I put the flowers and the package on my desk and looked at him straight in the eye. He looked confused, “Fansclub?”

“They prank-called me last night, cursed me, called me names, accused me of things I’ve never done, condemned my very name to the gates of hell and I couldn’t sleep because – ”

He looked angry, “What the fuck – ”

“We both heard my phone ring and I quickly darted my eyes to the caller ID. 

Unknown number.

I faced my seatmate and raised my eyebrows at him, “I’m going to put it on loudspeaker, okay?” I didn’t wait for his response and pressed ‘accept’, putting it on loudspeaker.

“Hello?”

“Allton, you’re at school now, aren’t you? Fucking with Travis’ body no doubt – ” I barely got a word out of my mouth when Travis pried the phone away from my hands and said, “Sarah, what are you doing?”

“Travis?”

“Leave Avery alone. Go away or I swear I’ll destroy your immaculate image if she complains ever again. And we never even had a relationship. You’re delusional.” He cut the call and slammed the phone on my desk. 

I was speechless.

That was…new. 

“Are you, err, okay?” I said hesitantly, my heart was pounding and I was concerned he might explode. He just pursed his lips and said, “If they bug you, I’m right here.” He smiled slightly at me, but the smile was beautiful, nonetheless. “They’re so delusional. How can I have a relationship with sixty-seven girls all at the same time?” 

Yeah, I thought wonderingly, last time I counted I was only one.

Chapter 9: Unfair

Chapter 9: Unfair (Wattpad)

Oh, Sweet Jesus Christ. That experience was so scary, so freaky and oh, God, it was impossible. Maybe it wasn’t time travel or dimension. It has to be a medical problem. That’s it, that’s the answer - either a glitch on his brain or a glitch on mine. But it’s more probable that he’s the one who has the problem. Brain tumor? Unbearable stress? Or possibly, it could be in his genes. Who knows, right? Maybe I should check with some books at home – 

“Earth to Avery. Are you going to tell us what the bloody hell happened or should burgers come plying at you?” My ears heard Cassie saying.

I looked at my friends with my eyes unfocused, “Huh?” Lexi looked at me weirdly  and then slowly said, “Ave, you were, uhm, mumbling about tumors and genes and you were saying ‘Jesus Christ’ over and over.”

Theresa touched my shoulder, “I think you study too much. It’s better if you give yourself a break. If you don’t, we’re all going to steal your notes and your Bio book.”

Bio book.

Bio.

Warner.

Oh, God. I can’t.

“Avery, you look very pale.” Edward was facing me with a concerned look on his face and Nicole piped up, “You didn’t even touch your lunch. You should eat.” If I do that, I’ll most likely throw up. I don’t even know why I brought food with me in the first place. 

“Avery.” Cassie said in a tone that clearly says that she is serious, “We want to know what happened. Do you know that when I walked with you out of your classroom, you were saying creepy stuff under your breath like, dimensions and what was it? I forgot the other one.”

“Time travel?” I supplied lifelessly.

“Yep. Time travel. Care to explain about that, honey?”

I sighed and faced all of them, “You’d think I’m crazy.” Lexi answered, “We’re kind of expecting that from the way you’re acting just now.” then she took a bite of her apple.

“Well?” Theresa urged.

I bit my lip, “Today on Bio, we were having genetics and I…” 

“Let me guess, it’s about Travis.” Edward said.

I nodded and said faintly, “Yes, it’s about Warner.” 

“What about the spoiled git?” Case asked.

“He asked me for a favor.” An impossible, crazy one.

“What favor?”

“I…I don’t want to talk about it! It’s so creepy and funny – ”

“Creepy and funny?” Lexi asked.

“Avery, you’re worrying me.” Nicole patted my hand.

“I know! It’s fine, you guys. It’s fine. I’ll be completely normal.” None of them looked convinced. 

“Oh, look. He’s here.”

At what Nicole said, my head involuntarily turned to the entrance of the cafeteria and oh no. He is here. While he was looking around for some place to sit, he was totally oblivious to the girls swooning over him just nearby and to me hating him. I hate those designer shoes and those capri pants. I hate that snug turtleneck. And I really hate those – 

“Ave, if looks could kill, he would’ve been buried by now.” Wha – What did she say?

“Sorry, Case. I didn’t catch that one.” She sighed and rolled her eyes, “I said, if looks could kill, Warner would be absolutely – ”

“Is it me ever-helpful eyes or is he making his way here? And I mean here, here, on our table.” Oh, no. I can’t be that doomed for a single day, can’t I? 

“I don’t think it’s your eyes, Lexi.” said Edward.

“I think I have nausea,” I said to all of them as I started grabbing my bag, “I need to go to the bathroom, I really don’t feel well – ”

“Ave, you never get nausea.” Theresa complained.

“Maybe it’s cancer, not nausea.” I started getting up, “I don’t know, it doesn’t matter. I need to get the hell the hell out of – ”

“Hi, Avery.”

“ – here.” I finished faintly, dropping back to my seat. Oh, no. What the bloody hell is he doing?! I lifted my eyes to him and said quietly, “Hi, Travis.” He winked in response, complete with a killer smile and faced my friends, “Can I steal Avery for just one second?” No way.

“Uhm, you see, Avery was just telling us something important.” Nicole said nicely, as always. Travis raised both of her eyebrows, “Really? I wonder what it is.” He looked at me and although he was smiling, the message was crystal clear: Don’t you dare.

I said, “Yes, and it’s somewhat private, so if you don’t mind, I’ll talk to you later.”

“Oh, that’s cool. I’ll just see you around, ‘kay?” What? He’s just going to let the opportunity slip like that? He’s way too cunning for that – something’s fishy. I replied nervously, “Thanks.” He was just turning around when he seemed to remember something.

“Oh, right.” He faced Ed, “Bailey and Tolland wants to play ball. You wanna come?” What?

“Sure, that’s cool. What time?” Ed replied.

“No idea. You’ll have to ask them.” 

“Yeah, thanks.” Edward nodded. The bane of my existence smiled then looked at me and I should’ve – oh, no. He’s looking at me with that gleam in his eyes and I knew instantly that he thinks he won me over. I stared at him and then flickered my gaze to Ed discreetly.

He’s blackmailing me! Stupid, dirty, prick!

“See you later, Avery.” He walked away as Lexi whistled low, “That was weird, though I must say he looks better up close.” I paid them no attention as I groaned loudly. Oh, God. I can’t do this anymore. He is so evil.

“Avery? What’s wrong? I think that went well.” I heard Nicole say. Then Theresa said next, “Ave? You’re on another planet again.”

My mind slipped away as I considered my options. So the bane of my existence needs assistance – bloody assistance – and I don’t cooperate he’ll go psycho on me. So what the bloody hell should I do? Jesus Christ.

Option one – don’t agree. I bit my lip at the thought. Don’t agree option equals to rifts in friendship, so no. My friends are everything to me, and I won’t rock to boat. Agree? Oh, God. I can’t even think of the endless things that option would imply. I just can’t, it’s unbearable. 

How about the double-cross him option? I pursed my lips.

That would be evil.

But he is evil, too! This is his entire fault; he made sure that I have no escape and have no more options. He is such a motherfu –

“Avery!” Cassie shook my shoulders, “Can you hear a word I’m saying here?”

“Yes, of course!” I replied hastily. She arched her brow, “What was I saying just now, then?”

“You asked me if I could hear a word you’re saying.”

“And before that?”

Cassie just won’t quit, aaargh. I took a wild guess and threw caution to the winds, “You were interrogating me about what happened with me and Travis.” She was just opened her mouth to respond when Theresa attacked me first with a bewildered gaze. 

“Since when do you call the bane of your existence by his first name?”

Crap.

They’re looking at me weirdly right now, like they’re waiting for an impending storm. Their stares have so much intensity that their anticipation was almost tangible. I could feel it.

“Why the hell are you all looking at me like that?”

“Avery,” Lexi said with exasperation, “Just answer the question for the sake of our peace of mind.” They had me cornered. All of them. What the bloody hell should I say?! Panic rose through me as I considered my options for the second time, super fast. Don’t agree – impossible. The truth? Not bloody likely. He, Travis – I mean the bane of my existence – he will kill me and right after my parents chose an epitaph he’s going to tell Ed.

Double-cross him option – I have no idea! But that thought of doing something that bad to someone is just…wrong! It’s not me! And I bloody well can’t do it.

Oh, no. No, no, no. This is bad. This is very bad.

I need to use my evil side in this situation, damn it! Why do I feel bad, anyway? I really can’t take this.

I faced my friends, meeting their gazes with what I hope is a convincing face, “The thing is…maybe I don’t really hate the Boy E – I’m not saying I like him!” I added hastily, seeing their expressions, “It’s just that he’s been nice sometimes and maybe it’s not really good to feel hate and he’s been okay lately and…stuff.”

They didn’t seem convinced. Edward said, “But just a while ago, you acted really…odd.”

Lexi couldn’t even sit straight, “Ed meant that you had sudden cancer and nausea when he went here and what about the favor? Why did he want to talk to you?”

I just answered one question and they fire me with dozens of others! This is just madness – 

“Avery, spill. Now.” Cassie said and I knew in an instant that her patience is running out. She wants to find out what’s going on, right this second. I took a deep breath and said the unbelievable.

Chapter 6: Helping hand

Chapter 6: Helping hand (Wattpd)

 “You sure about that, Avery?”

“Yes, why? Is there something wrong?”

My friend on the other line had no hesitations on how to answer, “There’s nothing wrong at all. It makes perfect sense but it’s just that I tried to solve it thirteen times and I never ended up with your answer.” 

“It’s fine, Will. I’ll help you tomorrow.”

“Thank you so much.”

“No problem.”

“Oh, wait. Why can’t I contact you yesterday?”

“I had my phone turned off, sorry.”

“No, it’s fine! Thank you again. Bye.”

“Bye, Will.”

I pushed a key on my phone and cut off my conversation with William Ricks. He’s actually a nice pal, and he’s really adorable when he asks me how to do this, how to solve that, yadda yadda.” I grabbed my book from under my pillow and walked to the cabinet. I arranged it with a pile of others and debated on what to read next. Rowling? I read the series five times already, so no. Tolstoy? Nah, too lengthy. Austen?         

I bit my lip and played with the hem of my t-shirt. My hair was down and my attire was for bedtime already, but I want to read. I opened the windows slightly to let some night breeze in my bedroom, even though I was wearing shorts. I finally decided and took Pride and Prejudice from the small shelf inside the cabinet and shut it tightly.

I’ve read it before, of course, but whatever.

I settled myself on the sheets, placing the blanket higher up to my waist and leaning my back on the headboard. I haven’t even read the first word on the book when I heard my phone beep once. Oh, God. I bet it’s another person to ask help for the complex assignment. 

I unlocked the phone with my security code – bamboo. Yeah, I know. Boring. But no one would really know that unless they know me really well. I went to the inbox and read the message.

It’s from Athena.

The text read, Hey Avery. It’s Athena Larsen, but you know that, don’t you? Travis certainly talked about me since you’re both seatmates. So, anyway. I was hoping whether you can give me a reviewer or just make one for the upcoming test on Friday? I really need it. Thanks!

I stared my phone in absolute shock. What am I? Her puppet? After insulting me she orders me to listen to her like I’m some sort of  aaargh. All I want is to read my book in peace. I need quiet and solitude and now I can’t –

My phone beeped again and I felt it vibrating against my palm. I sighed and opened the message. It’s from Will, and he’s asking the same thing as well, only he said it in a more decent way. He said specifically history test.

I’ll just make two of the damned reviewers. Two ages would suffice. I got my planner – a Harry Potter planner, no less – from my side on the lampshade and started scribbling on my to-do list tomorrow. But I paused. I unlocked my phone again and looked at Athena’s massage.

What bloody test was she talking about? 

There’s a flood of tests on Friday and I can’t possibly make one for every single subject because I – hell. 

I pressed reply and started typing in with both thumbs, What test? We have a lot for Friday.

I placed my phone on my side after sending together with my planner. Just read, Avery. Read. I was on the second page when my phone vibrated again. Athena’s reply was – 

Who is this?

What the – is she bloody kidding me? I gritted my teeth in frustration. If she’s going to ask for a favour like that, she should atleast know who she’s asking for the damned help and certainly not forgetting about them in a blink of an eye.

It’s Avery, I texted furiously. I didn’t add anything else and just pressed send. She should just get with Warner and migrate somewhere far away. I returned to the book, hoping to lose myself in another world before reality would come crashing down on me. My state of anger slowly ebbed away, but about a minute later, my phone beeped again. I composed myself this time before opening the message. 

I have no doubt that it would be her apologizing and as well as the demands that would fill the text. It read, Oh gosh! So sorry, Avery! I was busy calling Travis and I thought we were somebody else. Somebody else? She thought I was a complete nobody! Irritation overwhelmed me. And I don’t care about her and bloody Warner.  And about the reviewer – I need the one for history. Thank you again!

I hate them both.

“Avery, honey?”

I heard a rapping on my bedroom door and I called out, “Yes, Mom.” The door opened and she came in with her pajamas, reading for sleeping as well. 

“I just wanted to talk to you about something.” She closed the door gently and went to sit beside me. I was still simmering about the reviewer issue so I put my cellphone under my pillow to avoid any reminders.

“What’s up, Mom?”

She pursed her full, pink lips before smiling, “It’s not really important. It’s just something your Dad wouldn’t understand.” 

Dad is my best buddy in the whole world but there are some things he wouldn’t understand. I blinked once, “So what is it?” She gave me a reassuring grin and said, “I know that you really don’t have a boyfriend.”

Not that again. Isn’t this just my lucky day? With Warner on Bio and in the damned shop, then Athena and now this. I hate this day. I can’t even begin to describe how much.

“I know that you know, Mom.” 

“Yes. I was just wondering if by any chance, you really want one.”

What? “Want what?” She chuckled and said as though it was really obvious, “A boyfriend, silly.” 

I stared at her weirdly, quite shocked. Has my mother been possessed in the past hour or something? “Uhm, Mom? I don’t do relationships.” 

“I was just wondering. You’re seventeen, Ave.” she shrugged.

“I know, Mom. Someone hasn’t caught my eye yet.” 

She exhaled a little breath and bit her lip, then she held up her hand and stroked it through my hair. “All you do when you go home is to study and read – not that I don’t like what you’re doing. Your Dad and I just want you to enjoy. Hang out with your friends more – ”

“I hang out today. Just today – ”

“And I heard from Cassie that you’re not planning to go the school dance.”

Cassie.

“Mom. I like what I’m doing. It’s fine.”

“Are you sure?”

No. Not really.

“Yes, Mom. It’s really fine. Don’t worry.”

She mussed my hair then. “Okay, darling. Goodnight.” 

“’Night, Mom.”

She switched the light off and I heard her go out that door. This day is really screwing with my mind. And things don’t even screw my mind. I placed my Austen book on the table beside the bed and settled under the covers. I shut my eyelids close and thought about tomorrow. 

I’m sure it would be better than today. How the hell can it not be?

Chapter 2: The bane of my existence

Chapter 2: The bane of my existence (Wattpad)

          “Do you ever unbraid your hair?” 

          “Sometimes.”

“You need to let your hair down sometime, you know.”

Cassie. She’s my bestfriend. But at times, I want to scream at her loudly or something. I sighed softly and rolled my eyes as we made our way through the throng of people in the cafeteria, with our bags over our shoulders.

“Case, let’s just get to Lexi and the others.”

“I’m just saying! You can be pretty if you just give it a shot, Ave. I’m serious.” I just nodded to give her a signal that I’ve been listening – and that I have no belief in what she just said in the slightest. Cassie is a lot prettier that me in the physical department, so she can’t complain. When I actually confessed to being jealous of her shoulder-length, curly, rich locks and her expressive face – oh, God. I can’t think about it again. There’s her and the rest of the pretty girls and then there’s me. I’m not that hideous, I guess. I have nice dark chocolate hair that reaches to my shoulder blades; hair I got from Dad. I’m tall and slim – getting closer to skinny everyday – and I’m pale as sheet. I have constant eyebags, but I’ve gotten used to them. The only things I like in my appearance are my eyes and hair. I have caramel eyes, though some people insist on brown, I know it’s caramel. 

To narrow my pitiful story down, let’s just say that a number of people turned me down and crushed my confidence by using my for their own advantage. Isn’t life just a piece of cupcake?

“About time. We’ve been here for an eternity.” Theresa started eating the second that Cassie and I sat down. Case said, “We had a complex sidetrack.” I giggled out loud. Everyone knows what that c-word meant in this school. 

“Do you know where Ed and Nicole are?” Lexi piped up, finishing with her food and pushing the tray back. Nicole and Edward had been together forever, like seriously – they’ve had a crush on each other since 6^th grade and on freshman year, they boosted themselves up. They’re perfect for each other, actually; I’ve never seen another couple more in sync.

Lexi, on the other hand, is a more reserved type of specie. As much as I want to say that Alexis Gladwell is a rebel, an emo, or something, I always end up with the word ‘reserved.’ She has extremely black long hair, piercings and very long legs.

“They’re on the field,” Theresa managed between mouthfuls, “Doing something.”

Well, that’s nothing new. “Something,” I said, nodding, “They’re doing something.” Cassie laughed her heart out and dropped her spoon.

“You’re taking it the wrong way – ”

“My, you’re learning, Ave.” She said between chuckles.

“Shut up, Case.”

She smothered her laughs behind Lexi’s back, who just smiled at me and continued eating her apple parfait. Theresa shook her head at me, barely able to hide her huge grin, “I can’t believe you just said that – ”

“I didn’t! Your minds are so corrupted – ”

“I would say that yours is, too. But I actually can’t.”

“Yeah.” Lexi and Cassie chorused. I rolled my eyes at the three of them and took a sip of water. I got used to them making fun of me in that particular way – the only part I couldn’t figure out was how to react. Annoyed? Happy? I don’t know.

“I would say thank you, but I think I have something stuck in my throat.” I should’ve known that saying that was a mistake when a about a dozen of French fries were thrown, aimed at my face.

“What the – ”

“You should be thankful that we didn’t include the ketchup.” Cassie interrupted with her chin resting on top of her linked hands.

“Well, then. Thank you Case, Lexi, Theresa,” I said, nodding to each of them as I pulled out fries from my hair, “It’s gladly appreciated. I therefore announce this carbohydrate-stuffed food as a mark of our strong friendship – ”

“Howdy, guys.” Ed practically came out of nowhere and sat down on our table, hand in hand with Nicole. She’s smiling like crazy, but again, that’s nothing new.

“We already ate, so what’s up?” she asked, pulling her hair in a ponytail. Her smooth blonde hair. I’m not really the envious type, but damn; she’s cute. And here I am, having the sex appeal of a panda.

No, wait. Pandas are cute. Maybe a platypus would – 

“You okay, Ave?” Edward asked, his brown eyes trained on me. I really liked the color of his eyes even way before I started to admire him in a completely different way. He’s always nice to me the way the other guys aren’t, but then I found out one day that he’d been head over heels for Nicole. The worst part is, he told me while asking for advice on how to ask her out.

But I got over it. I always do. Been there, done that countless times. And if that memory could be any more humiliating – which it can – he never even knew I had a thing for him. I never had the guts to tell him, only Cassie.

But as I said, I got over it. To be honest, I keep on hoping that maybe, just maybe, someone will actually like me. Even for just a bit. I’ve never had anyone in my life like the others do, but sometimes, I get tired of waiting.

“Of course I’m okay. Just thinking of some homework.”

They all groaned in unison.

“Please don’t remind me of homework.” Ed said in a defeated voice.

“Avery, lighten up!” Nicole exclaimed, her pearly white teeth showing.

“With all due respect, you can do your homework in your sleep.” Cassie, this time.

“Yeah, and all of ours, as well.” Theresa joined in. If truth be told, she can actually be the school’s genius herself. But she doesn’t want to. Although she gets an A without much of a sweat, her real problem is with projects and performances. She doesn’t like to be up and about, doing this, checking that – she just sits. 

“I’m just saying. By the way my Gym grades are looking, I don’t think I’ll – ”

“Pass?” Lexi and Cassie said together skeptically. I shrugged my shoulders as Ed chuckled and put his arm around Nicole. He said, “That’s so unlikely. I don’t think I would live to see the day where you fail one subject.”

“Yeah.” They all muttered in unison with their eyes on my direction. One person can only take too much of staring.

“Are you all trying to burn me with your eyes or is it just me?”

“Just you.” Lexi said, pulling out her iPhone as everyone engaged in their own conversations. She started tapping and said suddenly, “Oh, I forgot to ask,” she put her phone down and leaned forward eagerly, “How the Boy E?”

I almost cried from intense joy. Boy E is one of the topics I look forward to talking with my friends today. In case you’re wondering – which, I’m sure you are, considering the primary instinct of human socializing which naturally tends to – oh. Nevermind. Boy E is an acronym made by my five-year old cousin, Nique. It means bane of your existence. I just got the habit of using it and it stuck to the rest of us ever since. Boy E is my seatmate. Travis Anthony Warner. Frankly, he made my life hell since I stepped in this school. He’s the most famous jack-of-all-trades, master of none guy in MHS. You know that kind of person that everyone lusts after? That’s him. And being my seatmate, he constantly annoys me with all his poking, pick-up lines and winking and the smiling, hell – everything. He just thinks he’s this super awesome gut and that we should all bow down to him.

I loathe Boy E.

“Did I hear that cursed acronym?” Cassie swiveled around and faced me, “What’s he done this time?”

I grinned at her. “Nothing. He didn’t come in class today.” Her eyes widened slightly and her eyebrows shot up, “Really? That’s great! He should do that more often.” We laughed loudly, except for the lovebirds at the side who were whispering under their breaths. I was brimming over with happiness as I thought of my peaceful morning without Warner. But I wonder why he didn’t come.

But who cares, anyway?

“I seriously don’t see why he’s bugging you so much.” Nicole said, lips pursed. “I mean, he has zillions of girls after him and I think Athena lusting over his body is quite more than one person can handle.” I felt a stab of irritation at the mention of Athena. I don’t like her at all, especially when she shoves the fact that she has Travis to my face. Like I care. She’s just annoying me when she does that. I get that she’s pretty, with her stylish blonde hair and eyes that screams, I’m hot. Then her designer clothes, world-class heels, make-up, and seductive mouth. 

Yes, Travis and Athena should do the world a favor and just get together. I’m sure the first thing they would do together as a date would be to look at themselves at the mirror and glorify their bodies or something like that. 

Okay, that’s incredibly rude and judgemental. Who knows? Maybe deep inside – deep, deep inside – they’re sort of nice people. Sort of.

“I’ll survive. Thanks Cole.” I said to her and smiled. She smiled sweetly in return and nodded her welcome. Of course I will survive. And I will. In fact, I think it would be easier than the most complex of Professor’s problems.