The Bad Boy and I | Pt.2

The morning came just as quickly. Tora busied herself tying a simple, low, messy bun. Her makeup was also simple compared to yesterday's thick liner and colorful eyeshadow. She opted for a more natural look. Thinly drawn brown liner and just mascara. Her brows were bare, and her face had only sunscreen.

The makeup part was easy, but the problem came when it was time to choose her outfit. Everything in Allison's closet and drawers screamed popular preppy girls. The amount of crop top cardigans and old money skirts gave Tora a headache.

She liked expensive stuff. But she was no longer a teenager who dressed that way. Her style was more relaxed and casual. Not knowing what to pick, she chose a simple shirt and skirt. She grabbed a pair of sneakers and slipped them on.

"Morning, did you sleep well?" She followed the smell of eggs and toast into the kitchen. She muttered a soft good morning back to her father. "You're feeling good enough to go to school?"

"Yes." It was a short and simple answer, but David couldn't help loosen his tight grip on the spatula.

"Come have breakfast," said David softly. He didn't comment on the slightly different styled makeup and overall look, nor did he comment on the slightly different speech and attitude. He simply smiled softly and set the table for his one and only daughter.

"It's very good. Thanks, Dad." Her eyes didn't meet the person across from her and her lips were slightly pressed.

"Just call if you want to leave school early. I'll pick you up."

"Thanks."

He didn't make any more small talk and neither did Tora. The sounds of metal clicking against the ceramic plates filled up the silence.

It didn't take long for Tora to finish her meal. David had offered to drive her to school. Not having any reason to refuse, she agreed.

"I know it's hard during a breakup...Actually, never mind. Have a blast at school!" Her hands that were on the buckle halted.

"The lunch bag." Her hands unbuckled her seat belt as she stared at David's expression. "That's for me, right?" She pointed towards the bag on the floor in the backseat.

She had noticed it earlier when they were in the kitchen. The bag was placed neatly on the counter.

When they left home, she noticed David sneaking it in the car. He had a complicated look on his face, almost as if he was contemplating whether or not to give it to her. Ultimately, it landed in the back on the floor.

He must have thought Allison would hate it. I wonder if she noticed him always preparing her lunch.

"Ah...that's..." He rubbed his neck nervously but still reached back to grab the bag. "I didn't know if you'd like me doing this." He placed it gently on her lap.

"Thanks, Dad." She smiled at him and left the car. However, she stopped herself from shutting the door, almost as if she just remembered something. "It would be nice if you could make me lunch every day. See you later!"

She jogged away after shutting the door, leaving David completely stunned. The corner of his lips twitched uncontrollably, his heart clenched, and his stomach felt funny.

His hands reached towards his phone, dialing a certain number.

"Get me information on Adrian Lennel and his associates." 

  +  +  +

Tora felt her heartbeat increase and her palms sweaty. She was currently a 26-year-old woman who was last in high school eight years ago. 

She had forgotten how judgmental teenagers were towards themselves and others. The constant stares gave her the creeps. 

"Allie!" She was bumped slightly by someone. Looking over, Tora realized that it was the friend from yesterday. "What's that in your hand?" Karina glanced at the lunch bag curiously.

"My lunch." She was suddenly grabbed by both shoulders and spun around. "What are you doing!?"

"Whoa! Look at you! Are you not feeling well or something?" Karina stopped spinning Tora and instead placed a hand on her forehead. Her eyebrows wiggled around with every change of expression.

"This is ridiculous," Tora swatted away her hand and sighed. "I thought a change was needed. Does it look bad? Is that why everyone is staring so much?" Her serious expression invoked a chuckle from Karina.

"Nope! The best you've ever looked actually! A total beauty! Even I can't help staring." Her giggles made Tora feel weird. Karina pulled her into a hug, coddling her like a precious baby. Tora clicked her tongue and tried pushing this person off her.

Ever since she arrived here in this world, she's been constantly grabbed, hugged, and touched in more ways than she's ever experienced throughout her whole life. 

"Are you saying my smoky-eyed look was ugly? How dare you!?" She had been pent up and decided to take out her anger on this friend of hers. Karina felt funny at the way Allison was acting.

For Karina, Allison was someone stubborn, extremely self-centered, and kept this "I am above everyone" attitude. She never slipped up even once and acted childishly like this. The soft pushes made Karina smile.

"Honestly, I was worried that you would wake up and hate me again." She let go of Tora and looked around the hallway. She could feel her heartbeat increasing and her palms sweaty.

She'd been walking behind Allison for a short minute, trying to think of what to say or how to approach her. She worried that Allison would go back to finding their friendship annoying and repulsive again.

Although Allison was extremely unlikable, Karina continued to try her best to conserve the friendship they'd had since birth. Because the Allison she knew, compared to the one in high school, was a caring and understanding person.

Karina's eyes locked on one person, the person that changed her "Allison."

That son of a bitch! I'm gonna lose it if he tries to ruin the "Allison" I finally got back again!

For four years she had tried her best to break them up. She should probably thank the appearance of the new kid for making that happen.

"Don't look at him! That dirt isn't even worth your stare," Said Karina as she blocked Tora's view of Adrian.

"Oh right, Adrian exists." Karina flinched at the soft mumbling and eye roll from the person in front of her. "Let's go. I need to talk to Coach." 

"Allison!" They failed to even walk a step before Tora was pulled again. "We need to talk—."

"Let her go! I warned you yesterday, Adrian!" Karina was quick at grabbing his hand and trying to pull it off. Tora could feel the heat rising between both of their heads. Tora simply sighed and yanked her hand out of them both.

"Seriousl—."

"It's my fault! Please, stop making Adrian out to be the bad guy!" Before Tora could even finish, a voice suddenly interrupted them. Along with the voice, came a beautiful nerdy girl who was holding books in her arms.

"Sarah? Is your ankle okay?" Adrian immediately went over to grab hold of Sarah. His eyes scanned her, checking to see if there was anything wrong.

"What a bitch..." Tora heard the annoyed mutterings of Karina and almost laughed.

I see...This must be when Sarah twisted her ankle after an argument with Allison and misstepping, causing her to fall down those three steps from the stairs in front of the entrance.

"Oh! Thanks, but you should be paying attention to your girlfriend instead of me." Although she said that, she was still leaning into Adrian's arms. Tora simply stared silently at the obvious actions.

"No worries. We're not dating anymore, so you can stop faking that ankle injury." A very loving and understanding smile stretched across Allison's face. The gentle words and voice gave everyone nearby shivers and goosebumps.

"Allison..." Adrian called out stunned, however, he quickly recovered and let go of Sarah. "That...about us breaking up. How should I say this...?" He bit his lips in frustration and sighed.

"Bye," Tora waved and turned around to leave.

"WAIT! Jesus— Alright! I'm sorry! Let's talk about this, okay?" He panicked and quickly ran in front to block her way. His voice softened towards the end, almost in a coaxing way. "We've been together for so long. Are you really going to end it just like that?"

"Move!" Karina harshly pushed Adrian aside and pulled Allison along with her. The push sent Adrian crashing against the lockers.

"Adrian!" Sarah quickly ran over and supported him. "Now and then! You're such a bitch, Allison! To treat a person like trash is probably in your nature!" Sarah's fist balled up and her stance was very fight-ready. Her head boiled with anger and she started spewing nasty words.

"Sure am." Tora couldn't even stop herself from laughing at the absurd situation. She found it funny that Sarah was blaming her, even though Karina was the one who pushed him. Tora's short sarcastic reply really annoyed Sarah.

"I've had enough of you!" Sarah came straight up in Allison's face. Her nostrils flared in anger. It almost made Tora burst out in laughter.

"Do not test me, Sarah." Tora moved in even closer, so close that their foreheads nearly touched. "I even broke up with him for your sake. You should be thanking me instead. Don't you think so?" Backing off slightly, Tora gave Sarah the same gentle smile as before. "Let's never talk to each other ever again. I've got better things to do."

Sarah couldn't help the shiver that crept up her spine. She felt a pit in her stomach as she stared at the back of an unfamiliar Allison.