Chapter 4

Awkward. Awkwardness overloaded.

Oh, my God.

Why are these people staring at me? Like, full-eyed, the most disgusted look I ever got in my academic years. Now, people really hate me. Now they think I am not only a slut, a cheapo, but also a boyfriend-stealer.

I hung to my backpack as I walked past the glaring eyes.

But I kept my head right up. I don't care if some stupid idiotic teenagers think that I'm a slut, when they don't know the full story. I seriously don't care if Madeline fed 'em up with some cock-bull story. All that matters is my life. But, right now, a new place to live without any fear.

My mother would've never wanted any of these. She would've faced the obstacles in her life like a brave woman. So, I'm following her.

My first class was in biology. I wasn't so prepared for the test paper due today, but I did know something about the topic. I always did a bit of background reading when I got the time from my job and other things.

Seemingly, I was the first one as the bell had not been rung. I just didn't want those prying eyes to drill a hole all over my body.

I arranged all my textbook and pencils over my desk beside the window and waited for the session to start.

Waiting.

Still waiting.

Duh, this is taking forever to start!

So, to kill time, I bowed my head in the desk and closed my eyes.

Darkness.

Of course, it would be dark, dumbass.

"Blue, are you okay?" I heard a familiar sound beside me.

"What?" I asked, snapped out of my respite. "Oh, Ethan. It's you,"

"Who did you expect?" he asked with a mischievous grin starting to appear.

"No one. That's why it surprised me," I said, flashing him a weak smile.

"Are you sure you're okay? You didn't reply,"

"Yeah-yeah, I'm fine. Pretty sure,"

"Well, you look a little, you know, disordered," he said.

With a concern?

"Oh, yeah. It's just...I just remembered I have no place to sleep from today," I said densely.

He stared at me with a blank face.

"Some part of my thoughts tells me that I am the reason behind all of this," he said, inhaling deeply.

"That part is just stupid. Don't mind it," I said acoustically.

"No, Blue. I am serious. Can I talk to you after this period?" he asked me as the teacher came in.

The class had started to fill up.

"Yeah. Sure," I said, pretending to be cheery.

But, deep inside me, I knew things were going to change. A lot.

******

We were assigned to meet at the Jodey's tree, a tree named after a former student here. I don't exactly how this tree got her name, but I'm pretty sure she just threw up after her senior prom and her friends decided to call this tree her name.

Anyways, what now matters is that Ethan is late.

5 minutes.

7 minutes.

10 minutes.

11 and a half minutes, and there comes the boy!

"Ethan, you are 11 minutes 30 seconds late!" I screamed at him as he came jogging towards me.

"Calm down, woman," he said sarcastically.

"I am calm," I said, exhaling deeply.

"Um..." he trailed off.

"You asked me to meet you at Jodey's tree to say 'um'? God, you are so dead," I breathed.

"Wait- Blue, let me talk. There's actually a lot of things I need to tell you. I just didn't know where to start,"

"How about you start from why those people are staring at me every time I walk past the hallways or sitting in the class? It's starting to get really creepy," I breathed.

"Okay, then. Let's start with that," he cleared his throat. "They are staring at you because they basically think that now you are my girlfriend, by which you seduced me from her. And, secondly, they think you are using me right now, to get money as literally everyone know you are a poor one,"

"Ouch, that hurt," I said, rubbing my chest.

"Sorry, no offence meant, Blue. Back to the story. Madeline told Sophia that she stole money from Lilith's cafe, which practically just to make others hear, and they told other girls that you don't have a home anymore. So, they say you are pretending to my girlfriend just so I will let you live with me,"

I choked on my own spit.

"Easy, there. But some she told everyone that I love her, so I haven't accepted you as my girlfriend." he sighed.

"Well, yeah. You are rich as Prince Charles, so no wonder why they thought that," I said in a matter-of-fact tone.

He raised his eyebrows.

"Its a matter of fact, honey," I said, patting him in the shoulders.

He looked at me like I was crazy, in a silent way.

"What's the problem here?" I asked suddenly.

"Problem? What's the problem? Well, Blue, that rodent is tormenting me to go back to her, through public humiliation!" he whisper-yelled.

I gave a start.

"I am sorry, Blue. But, what should I do?" he asked with concern.

"Make that 'what should we do'," I said as he raised his eyebrows.

"Wait, I think I'm getting a weird idea," he said asudden.

"Everything in my life is a bit weird. I think I can handle a weird idea too,"

"You have no home, and I don't want Madeline in my life. There's a spreading gossip that you like me, but I love her, which isn't true. Now, how about, we actually act as boyfriend-girlfriend, till the gossip dies, and it's a pretty good way to get back at Madeline," he said excitedly.

"Agreeable, yes. It is a good idea,"

"And...you stay with me," he said, pointing at himself.

My eyes bulged out, as they almost fell. My mouth was literally on the ground.

"What?!" I almost yelled at him.

As a matter of fact, my Geography period was almost over.

And, as a matter of another scary fact, my life was ruined.

"You. Are. Staying. With. Me," he emphasised every word.

"That ain't possible, Theo!"

"That is possible, Theo!" he mocked me. "That is the only way, Blue. Think about it,"

"I know, but...don't you live alone?" I asked my heart almost on my mouth.

"As a matter of fact, yes. I live alone. But it's not like I will rape you or something," he said.

"I know you won't rape me,"

"And...?"

Silence. He bowed down to my height and stared at me as he waited for an answer.

"Fine! I will stay with you. Stop looking at me like that, Ethan," I inched him hard in the shoulder.

"Ouch, woman! Are you calling me both Ethan and Theo?"

"Yes. It depends on my mood, really," I said.

A grin appeared on his lips. Soon, it spread ear to ear.

I grinned too. Why'd he has to be this handsome?

His dark eyes were glinting. He had perfect jawline; perfect fit body.

And, look at me. 4'6 figure with a nose, two eyes and a mouth with a pair ears just to show that I'm a human being. I am extra-ordinarily skinny, so nobody curves, I guess. I had blue eyes and auburn hair where Ethan had dark chestnut brown hair.

I knew two things for sure: We were no match, and that we were never going to be together.