Chapter 22

Diana's P. O. V

As I strolled past the halls I could feel everyone's sharp gazes all directed towards me. It's as if they all wouldn't just go away or let the video be erased. I tugged unto my bag and headed straight to my class. The only class I have with June, she isn't in drama class, I don't know how she escaped that though.

"You certainly love being the centre of attention"June said and dropped her biology textbook on the lab table.

"Don't remind me"I said not wanting to remember how fast my name spread across the entire school.

"Am not trying to judge you or anything but doesn't it bother you that not one of the guys in your love triangle isn't even your real boyfriend?"June asked.

"Am doing a favour for a friend"I said referring to Pablo, "and Mike?"she asked, once she said his name my stomach churned.

"He's forcing me into doing It remember?"I said, he started this mess in the first place anyways.

"It doesn't look like it"she muttered to herself but I obviously heard it. What? Does she think I want to be his girlfriend?.

"Just give me an idea on how to clear my name"I said, hoping to get something useful from her.

"Stephen is freaking out about his acting"she said.

Shit! I forgot about him.

"I totally forgot! How's he holding up? Is Sam being a bitch?"I asked, lowering my voice when I swore.

"When is Sam not being a bitch? And he's panicked. He said she's trying to scare him out of acting"June said and I could tell she was angry.

"Why is she still playing the part anyways?"I asked, Sam could just back out of it and no one would overlook it.

"She would never, she wants to remain on the topic list"June said, and I raised a brow at her. Topic list? She got my hint of confusion and went on.

"The student's website has a topic list, and it's ranked, top 15, top 10, top 5, top 3 and the top of the list. Sam has a reputation of being in top 5 of the topic list consistently. And she's feels intimidated by you"June said.

"You're kidding me. Who would feel intimidated by me? I think she's the intimidating one"I confessed, our biology teacher sure was taking his time today. Class is ten minutes gone.

"Just look at this and you'll change your mind"June said swiftly bringing her phone out of her bag. She logged into the student's website and showed me the topic list for the week.

5 : GLEE CLUB'S VIDEO CALL INCIDENT.

4: ROMEO AND JULLIET STARRING SAMANTHA.

3: LOVE TRIANGLE IN THE AIR.

2: MICHAEL AND DIANA'S RELATIONSHIP... SHORT-LIVED?

1: MICHAEL BENCHED FOR TWO WEEKS BY COACH.

I was still trying to figure out how I didn't know about this topic list when the top news caught my attention.

Michael? Benched? I clicked on that to read but our biology teacher stormed in, coffee all over him.

June put her phone away and we focused on the bald forty year old man.

*Lunch Time*

I took my lunch and went over to the lunchroom, I knew I'd find Stephen there. Most students ate at the patio so the lunchroom wasn't all that crowded, the perfect place for Stephen to eat.

I found him at the end of the room, looking into a calculator while tossing a chip into his mouth. He seemed invisible, no one was around him, I took my lunch and placed it on the table next to his lunch.

"Hey"I said to him startling the hell out of him, he dropped his calculator in shock.

"Hi...Hi"he said while gathering his things, I stared at him in perplexion then sat down. "What's up?"I asked, he had a milkshake on the table, with a bendie straw.

"No...No.. Nothing"he said looking at the table, "is something wrong?"I asked noticing how on edge he seemed.

"I thought it better no one saw you talking to me"he said, "it would ruin your image"he added and pulled his hood over his head.

"Don't be a jackass, I don't care about that whole image stuff and let people say whatever they want. I just care about you right now"

"Your boyfriends are two very popular guys"He said not feeling at ease with me.

"They are...I don't....it's a mess okay, but believe me when I say am innocent and being used"I said, he seemed confused about that but didn't push it any further.

"How's the play?"I asked.

"Am thinking about quitting"he said and my eyes widened. "Why the hell would you do that?!"I asked trying not to yell at him. He noticed the slight change in my tone and took a huge sip from his milkshake.

"I...am no good"he said, "no, you feel you're no good Stephen and you are"I said. He lacked self confidence all because of those around him.

"I can't be seen on the same stage with Sam anyways, am out of her league"he said.

"Whose not in whose league?"June asked while sitting beside me at the table. I didn't notice her come in, the place suddenly became a little more lively.

"Nothing"Stephen said, "What did the dickhead say now?"June asked ignoring him. "He's convinced he can't act on the same stage as Sam"I said, he folded his arms.

"Did she say that? Gosh! She's such a..."

"Bitch"both I and Stephen said in unison.

"Yeah, a that"June said. "What if we can make him see he is in her league"I said grabbing both their attention. "I say we loose the glasses, change the hairstyle, toss these dull hoodies and practice on attitude"I suggested.

I got bullied by Cassandra at my old school all because I felt I was weaker and because I was afraid of her. But now, I know that I needed to stand up to her and tell her I can't be knocked over. The same goes for Stephen.

"No!"he said, "um...yes, that's a good idea, and you are doing it"June said. "I am not"he said, "you are too, do it now or I'll tell aunt"June said. I almost forgot they were both cousins.

"I feel fine the way I am"he protested wanting to leave, "there are two of you acting the main lead but only one of you is getting recognition. And you're the main lead"I said.

"I don't care okay, it's not important"he said gathering his things. "Yes, it is"I reminded him, wanting him to agree to this.

"No, now drop it"he said ready to leave us both.

"Why can't you just stop being a pushover!"I said aloud, grabbing the attention of everyone around.

I saw some hurt in his eyes, I wished that I could take those words back and eat them up. He stared at me then walked away from us both not looking back.

"I'll go talk with him later okay, he will come around, he always does"June said and left the lunchroom.

I got my things and left to hide away in my class, I got these stares that didn't help me, I felt sick and I wanted to throw up.

I ran to the girl's bathroom but brushed past someone on my way there.

"Sorry"I said gathering my things, I looked at the person to discover it was Makela. She was with three girls, her friends maybe?

"Oh hey! You're Makela right?"I asked, we had only met once I think and that was at Pablo's party. She was a pretty nice person.

She stood there looking at me from head to toe, weirdly assessing me.

"Yes"she said. "Am Diana"I said and stretched my hand out to shake hers.

"I know who you are"she said, "yeah, we met at a party"I said hoping that was how she remembered me. "We haven't really gotten to know each other yet"I said, as Michael's pretend girlfriend I am expected to know his sister.

"I think I know a lot already and am not impressed"she said and folded her arms, "excuse me?"

"Ugh! Diana Netwood...Newest kid...Newest fling....Newest slut...Newest plaything....The list goes on and on. I never thought there'd be someone sluttier than Sam"she said.

Something broke inside hearing someone say stuff like that about me. For something her brother started and her friend couldn't end.

"It's not what you think alright? And you can't go around saying stuff..." She cut me off immediately.

"I get it, you wanted to make a name for yourself and you decided to crawl into the beds of two hot guys. I can see how high your standards are..."

"That's enough from you"I heard from behind her. She stopped talking and looked behind her to see Michael. He walked past her and held my hand in front of everyone.

"I've said it once before and I'll say it again, paws off she's my girlfriend"he said and pulled me to his side.

I could feel the tension between both siblings at the moment, and worst of all I was getting caught in the middle of it all.

A/N: Thanks for reading! See y'all in the next chapter!