Chapter 23

I was happy when I woke up the next morning. I sat up on my bed and grinned like a child.

The sun seemed brighter. The sky seemed bluer... If that's even a word

Last night was the best date ever, since Drew practically destroyed what he set up. We decided to go to a restaurant instead. It's not the most extravagant date I've ever been on but it certainly was the best because this is the first time I genuinely like someone. This is the first time I've actually connected emotionally with someone.

I jumped into the bath tub to shower. I played 'shower' by Becky G

The song fit my mood perfectly

You light me up inside like the fourth of July

Whenever you're around I always seem to smile

An people ask me how

Well you're the reason why I'm dancing in the mirror and singing in the shower

*

The first person I saw at school was Drew. He was waiting for me at the parking lot

''Hey'' I greeted when I came down

''Hi babe''

I hugged him tightly as I took in his scent. I smiled. He smells like strawberries. He smells like everything I've ever wanted.

We walked into school with his hands around my shoulders. We kept talking non stop.

People stared at us the whole time. Some even had the nerve to point and whisper which was really starting l to irk me. Can't people mind their business?

''People are staring'' I whispered

''I know''

We stopped at my locker so I could get my books out

''It's creeping me out''

''Nope its fun" he smiled "I'm glad I could show off my girlfriend''

What? Did he just say?

''Did you just say girlfriend?" I asked for confirmation

''Yeah, why?''

''I never thought.... ''

''I didn't kiss you last night to be just friends with you''

''You never asked''

He sighed

''Will you Bella Martins make me the happiest guy in this town by being my girlfriend?''

I put my finger under my chin pretending to be in deep thought

''I'll think about it'' I teased

''Come on''

The bell rang signalling that I have to get to class

''My answer is yes'' I told him as I shut my locker

He grinned widely

''Bye girlfriend''

I stood on my tiptoes and kissed him quickly on the lips

''Bye boyfriend''

I waved at him then went to class.

*

I kept my focus on the ticking of the clock, silently wishing that class would be over. AP math is the worst thing that can happen to a high school student.

This man kept talking about something that had to do with binomial distribution

''That's how you find x''

I sighed. I wish Drew took this class with me. At least, he would have kept me entertained.

I got bored so I scrolled through my news feed on Instagram

A text from an unknown number came on my screen

Hey, it's Leslie. Please meet me at the tree on the school field during lunch. Its really important

Why would Leslie want to talk to me? I saved her number anyway

I felt a light tapping on my shoulder. None of my friends sit near me in this class

Who has the nerve to touch me??

''What?'' I snapped

''For you''

The girl behind me gave me a paper

Roses are red

Violets are blue

Check 'The Eye', what's trending is you

-Tiffany❤️x

I replied her

Sure

-Bella

I gave this paper back to the girl and took my phone to check 'the eye' blog

#Number 1 trending

Drew Parker and Bella Martins. Westview high new couple? How can this be?

There was a picture of Drew and I from this morning

Comments

'I didn't even know they talk

Lol, a real life version of beauty and The beast

Wow Bella really stooped low this time, thought she had class

Isn't he like poor?

He's probably with her for her money

Bella messed up this time

Is this the same Bella Martins? Most popular girl in school 😱

You can't be serious

I rolled my eyes. People can't mind their business. Its been less than an hour and the news has gone round.

I packed my books when the bell rang, happy that the class was over even though I didn't listen to anything

Time to meet Leslie

Tiffany

Tiffany and I were at the cafeteria talking about what happened

''I'm screwed'' I groaned

''I told you never to dare her'' Amber scolded

.

''Why does she have to be so fucking attractive? Nothing works. We've tried everything to pull her down''

As if on cue, Bella appeared and sat beside me

''Hey guys'' she cheerfully greeted

''Hi'' we replied dryly

"So Amber, have you seen what's trending on the eye? "

"Yup. You won, we'll get you your money"

"Don't bother. I don't need it. I got something worth more that money anyway. I came here to thank you. If you didn't dare me I wouldn't be this happy"

She dropped an envelope on the table. It contained $1000

.

''Thanks'' she said

She waved then got up. I looked at the money to make sure it was real and I'm not just seeing things.

''What just fucking happened?''

Bella

I folded my arms as I stood in front of Leslie. I met her at the back of school just like she asked.

''What do you want?'' I asked her. I don't have time for her games

She just stared at me

''Can you talk? Lunch is almost over unless you wanna take me into the woods and kill me''

''I want to apologize''

''For what?''

''For everything. For letting a boy who isn't even worth it to come between us. The fact that you didn't tell anyone what happened on Saturday made me realize you're still the best friend I have even though we weren't talking. Other people would have used the opportunity to ruin me but you behaved like nothing happened. I'm sorry, I really am. Can we start over? Please''

I have been waiting for those words for the past three year. Truth is, I never really hated Leslie. I was just disappointed that she ruined our friendship for a guy. The worst part is that she never apologized. She said she felt no remorse so for her to apologize now, it meant a lot to me.

I didn't know what to say so I just hugged her. That's how we stood there in the middle of the field crying

''I missed you so much'' I sobbed

I really did. She was my best friend.

''Not as much as I missed you''

''You were my best friend since fourth grade. You don't know how much it hurt to lose you''

''I'm sorry''

I wiped her tears when we pulled away

''Something is wrong, you wanna talk about it?''

She nodded

''Please''

We sat down under the tree

''Eric hits me'' she confessed

''What?!" I shrieked

Domestic violence?

''He gets so jealous whenever he sees you with Drew. He'd take his anger out on me. He threw me out on Saturday because I refused to have sex with him for a week now so he had the idea that I was sleeping with someone else, that's why he was calling me slut"

''Well, why didn't you?'' I was curious to know

"I wasn't feeling it anymore. Sex with him was something i looked forward too cause I love him but for a few months now its been empty. My feelings for him diminished by the day''

''Wow, he's never hit me''

''He loved you. He still does. He just used me to get back at you but I didn't mind''

I remember when Leslie moved out of her parent's house because she wanted to be independent.

That's what caused our fight. She ran to Eric instead of coming to me for advice. Bottom line, he cheated on me, they hooked up.

Next thing I saw that they were dating on the blog

''Where are you staying now?''

''At my cousin's. She lives on her own''

''Your parents don't know about this, do they?''

''No, I can't tell them. My pride won't let me''

''You have to''

This is way too much information to take in all at once

''There's so much to talk about. How about we go out sometime?''

''Are you asking me out on a date?'' She joked

I laughed

''You're crazy but seriously''

''Sure''

''Come on let's go back to school''

I pulled her up. We went back to school hand in hand. Students stared; some even took pictures. I couldn't care less.

I know it isn't easy to forgive somebody who has wronged you for years. I know its not easy to forgive somebody who has tormented and betrayed you in the most unimaginable ways. In fact, it seems unrealistic but I am willing to try.

We stopped by her locker to collect her books

''So, you and Drew, huh?''

I smiled at the mention of his name

''Yeah''

''You really like him, don't you?''

''Yes''

''We have a lot to talk about''

''Yup''

Tiffany came rushing towards us

''What is this?'' She asked gesturing between Leslie and I

''Friendship'' I replied

''Last time I checked, you almost ripped each other's throats out!''

''Well, we're good now''

A crowd formed around us

''You guys have been fighting for the past five years then you're suddenly friends now''

''Why does this bother you so much?''

Leslie grinned widely

''I know why she's scared'' Leslie taunted

Tiffany glared at her

''Don't you dare''

They came closer ready to fight

''I'm still gonna tell her'' Leslie said

''Tell me what?!" I asked

A whistle was blown which could only mean one thing. We're dead

The crowd parted for The Principal to come through

''What is going on here?'' She asked

A random girl raised her hand

''Yes?''

''Tiffany and Leslie were arguing''

''Who asked you?'' I snapped at her

''I did'' the Principal replied

That's true

''Two of you my office now''

**

I sat on one of the chairs outside the office

I feel so bad for Leslie, this is the second time she's been called to the Principal's office this term. It could be really bad for her record since we're seniors

I quickly stood up when I saw Tiffany come out

''How's Leslie?'' I questioned

She just walked past me angrily

Leslie came out after

''How was it?'' I asked as we walked to the car park

''Eh normal''

''Is it going on your record?''

"No"

''Thank goodness''

''Can we talk?''

''Sure''

We got in my car. Pablo was already waiting for me

"Wow miss Arnold, great to see you again" Pablo said to Leslie

"Likewise" Leslie replied with a smile

"Take us home please" I instructed

"Of course, ma'am"

''I want to tell you what Tiffany was so scared of'' Leslie began as we made our way home

''I'm listening''

''Number one; Amber and Tiffany are the ones who leaked your nudes out to the school blog. I overheard them talking about it"

My mouth hung open in shock. It can't be. Those are my friends.

"What?!" I shrieked "Are you sure?"

"Affirmative"

I face palmed myself. How could I not have connected the dots when Leslie gave me a hint that day.

''What?''

I had to stop the tears from rolling. If not because of my confidence, I would have been traumatized.

Who would want to go to a school where everyone has seen you naked?

Those are who I called my friends. Wow

"That's not all. They connived to take your place as cheer captain''

I already know that

''Wait how do you know all this?''

''Perfect timing. I'm always there when they discuss things''

I sighed

"I'm not saying I'm a good friend but I'd like us to start over" Leslie said'

''I don't even care anymore. Its all in the past''

I meant it

''Good''

''I'm hungry, wanna get something to eat?''

''Sure''