Loose Ends

SOTC: left hand free (alt-j)

It was after the fourth time tongues had been stuck out and middle fingers were raised that Constance finally slammed her locker door with a bang.

"Okay. Since you're clearly not going to tell me; what's up with you and Lover Boy over there?"

Mia frowned at her, confusion across her features.

"Who?"

Constance nudged her head over at Julian and Devon.

Julian caught Mia's eye, nodding along to whatever Devon was saying but smirking as soon as she had attempted to break eye contact. Mia, being incredibly competitive - never wanted to lose to her nemesis and today was no different. She would have won, if it wasn't for the throbbing pain she felt when she had taken a step back.

"Ow."

"Oh, sorry." Mia played it bashful, trying not to stare at the gorgeous boy standing in front of her.

He had dirty blonde hair, the whole tanned out surfer look complete with hazel eyes. He looked oddly familiar, though Mia couldn't place him.

His gaze appeared to scour her face, looking for something...a sign of recognition?

But Mia would have definitely remembered meeting someone that pretty. After a few more seconds of silence, the boy gave a bashful grin.

"Well, I'm Keanu."

Mia had to stifle a laugh. Keanu? Was he for real? This was playing out like a teen film. Now to find a quarterback named Brad...

"Mia."

The two stood still, a blanket of silence settling between them when Keanu scratched his neck.

"My locker's right here so-"

Now genuinely embarrassed, Mia burst out a sorry and moved over, blushing madly.

Keep it together Mia. Damn it.

In the midst of sorting out his locker, Brody continued to talk to her (thankfully), "Is one of them your boyfriend?" He said, pointing behind Mia.

Boyfriend?

As Mia turned, she was greeted with stares from Julian and Devon. And Constance.

When had she gotten over there?

Turning back around to Keanu, Mia shook her head.

"That one on the left? I hate him. And the other one is his best friend so he's ruled out by principle. So I'd never go out with them." She informed him, pretending to gag.

Keanu laughed, "Sorry. They were just pointing at you so, well I figured."

"It's cool, what class do you have first?"

She didn't know exactly why it was, but upon knowing that Julian was watching her...Mia wanted to continue being occupied with Brody.

Brody checked his timetable, "Um...history."

Mia groaned in response.

"History. With him." She added, this time pointing at Julian.

"Best subject for you then I imagine?"

Mia mockingly punched Keanu in the arm.

"Don't even joke about it."

But before he could retaliate, Constance was walking Mia away as she yelled a hasty 'bye' to Brody.

"What about Julian?"

Constance's words stopped Mia in her tracks.

Where did Julian factor into this?

"What? What about Julian?" Mia watched as Constance ran her hands through her hair, then crossing her arms.

"I thought you had something going on with Julian."

"Since when? Wasn't aware that hell froze over."

Was this all because we had pulled faces at each other a few minutes before?

Constance gave an eye roll. "Alright smart ass."

It had all come into place for Mia. Like the scene where the protagonist made the ultimate realisation.

"Oh my god," She took a step back in disbelief.

"You're trying to set me up with Julian so I'll get off your back at the party."

There were immediate protests from Constance.

"No! I just saw you two getting along before and Devon and I just thought..."

Mia had to laugh. It felt like a comedy skit.

"Devon and you? Oh my god, I don't need you to play matchmaker Connie."

Constance accepted her defeat, taking a cursory glance back at Devon and Julian.

"In my defense, he seemed into it. In the meantime, go hit up that cute new guy okay?" With a wink, Constance made her way back to the two boys.

Of course she backed off only after she had dragged her forcibly away from Brody.

She was already having hushed whispers with Devon by the time Mia had looked over at her. She could even spot the faint disappointment in Devon's face as Constance undoubtedly informed him of the disappointing news. Casting her eyes away from the two, Julian caught Mia's eye, shooting her a grin. A refreshing change from his usual smug smirk. She gave him a lighthearted eye roll, making her way to History.

Though Mia would much rather endure anything before admitting this even to herself, she was finding the hatred she had for Julian Preston to become more of an act than a genuine feeling.