While sitting in class, listening to the lesson, Gina next to me seemed lost in her thoughts. I tapped her shoulder and whispered, "What's wrong?"
"Nothing…" Gina said.
"You call this 'nothing' to your best friend?"
"When did I become your best friend? We've only known each other a week," she said. Well, that was kind of shocking.
"Okay, then don't talk if you don't want to," I said, just to keep my dignity.
"Good, you understand," Gina replied.
I don't know… she's been babbling about friendship for a week and now gets upset when I call her my best friend. Damn, what a contradiction.
Back at home… ugh, I can't believe this. I'm facing my dad and his wife again. This never ends, I guess…
I scrolled through my phone out of boredom and opened Gina's Instagram. What? She has ten thousand followers… she's actually famous. She gave me her account, but I didn't add her so she won't see me and my 20 followers. They don't even see my stories. What… is this...noel ? And why did Gina add him? This girl is way too attached to him.
I checked Noel's account—he has thirty thousand followers. He's actually popular. I can't believe someone like him gets all this attention. And his account is private, with a background picture as his profile pic. What a total show-off. I threw my phone aside to lie down. "I need to go for a walk. I'm sick of this house."
Morning came, and no message from Gina. I wondered, what's wrong with her? She must have a bunch of friends to check on… will she care about me now? Whatever, I'll get up anyway.
I finally headed to school to settle things with Gina today. On my way, I tripped over someone.
"Are you okay?"
That voice… he was wearing white shoes, which looked brand new, a white shirt, and gray pants. Don't tell me… "Yes, it was Noel."
With that smug smile of his, he said,Notice this?
You always end up in some mess… so I have to help you every time, don't I?
What is this jerk talking about? Step away from me. Why are you even here? Did they block the roads or something?
Noel chuckled and said, "By the way, your books are scattered on the ground. Should I help you pick them up, or are you waiting for some movie-style heroic rescue?"
I couldn't believe what I was hearing. This confidence, this annoying face… he thinks I'm that easy.
I went down to pick up my books, and he went down too, carrying them for me.
I laughed mockingly and said, "Do you think I'd see this as kindness? You're just tiring yourself out."
"I know, you stubborn girl. I just felt sorry for you."
"So, what do you want now? Get out of my face."
"But you need to hurry. You have school, right?"
You idiot… and he grabbed my hand again.
"You were really cold to me last time," he said.
I pulled my hand away sharply. "Don't touch me again, got it?!"
…He looked at me like…
It's like he's holding something over me.
"I'll deal with you even worse if you don't leave me now!" I snapped.
"Never. I'm not blocking your way; I'm going to the same school."
My head was spinning from what I just heard.
Whaaaat?!
Noel laughed confidently. "Do you like me this much? Every time you see me, you ask for help and drag out the conversation with me. What's all this about?"
Seems like you just want to hear it from me, huh? Poor thing, searching for love this badly.
"What I meant was… they stopped the registration, idiot.
They can't say that in front of me because my family isn't just any family. he said.
And why would I care whose son you are? I'll go."
He smiled at me, and I looked away.
Spoiled idiot… that's exactly what I didn't need. God, why am I seeing these faces on my supposedly peaceful morning?!
to be continued...