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"It's difficult to appreciate the values of others when your own self assessment is over-valued." - Mary J.

Dedication: Wickedangel

Recap:

Take that, for bringing that girl over last night.

He groaned, the sound echoing through the house. My laughter was uncontrollable. He slowly sat up, looking extremely unimpressed.

"You're going to regret doing that."

"Yeah? Bite me."

With that, I strode up the stairs, a proud smirk planted on my lips.

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I was having a bad day.

Xavier had decided not to do a prank, you could say, in pay back for what I did. But he did react. He has decided to be lazy. Go out of his way to be unhelpful, annoying and lazy. He has decided to not do the dishes, do any cleaning and not even flush the toilet. Yeah, it's gross.

So, that's what I have been dealing with, the past 72 hours. Although that has definitely triggered my bad mood, it is not the sole reason for it. That would be an entirely different person.

Jacob.

After that stupid, idiotic, drunken mistake on my behalf at Xavier's (technically mine as well) party, it seems to have given him the impression that we're okay to be on speaking terms again. He seems to think he has been given a second chance with me.

He could not be more wrong.

He drove me home the other day, yeah, big deal? Doesn't mean we're going to be best buddies now.

He had been trying to talk to me a lot, but it isn't anything I can't handle. But it was when he decided to sit next to me in class, was when my mood moved from annoyed to pissed off. This was getting more frustrating by the second. Was he really that blind in realising that I don't want anything to do with him?

"Hey Faith," he smiled, bumping elbows with me.

I death stared him in return. His smile didn't waver. I glared at the board the teaching was scribbling notes on, attempting to ignore the stares of my former classmates. They were all confused. They knew we had broken up and most now knew that I was living with Xavier. Having Jacob sit with me, for the first time in months, would look pretty weird to them. Hell, it's weird for me too.

"How ya' goin?"

"Jacob, what are you doing?" I snapped, my voice a little louder than I intended it to be. Mr O'Reily, turned his owl-like eyes to me. I lowered my gaze. Once he had turned back to what he was doing, I swivelled my eyes to Jacob, expecting an answer.

"Taking notes, what about you?"

"Stop being dumb," I hissed, hitting his hand, knocking the pen from his fingers. "Why are you suddenly doing this? I don't want anything to do with you."

"You see," he said, smiling a little too widely. "That's what I thought as well, until you kissed me."

I groaned loudly. Eyes turned to me and Mr O'Reily sighed. "Is there a problem, Faith?"

"No," I scowled, my teeth grinding.

He frowned at me, before attempting, yet again, to write notes on the board.

"I was drunk, you moron."

"Still a kiss, nonetheless!" he hissed back, looking eager. "You don't have to pretend you don't still like me anymore, I want to be together as well!"

"For God sake!" I snapped, standing up. My chair went flying behind me and hit the wall. I was in the back row, so it wasn't that far from me, but it still sounded dramatic anyway. Everyone was openly staring now, wondering what the hell was going on.

Mr O'Reily looked at me, a mixture of shock and disaproval on his face. I'm a pretty good student. I rarely get in trouble or sent out of class. I can usually keep my anger in check, except now, clearly.

"I need to be excused," I said suddenly, my voice sharp.

Mr O'Reily didn't argue. He must have known something was going on, I'd never acted up in his class before and he'd been teaching me for a few years now. With slightly trembling hands, I grabbed my stuff and marched from the room, without a backwards glance.

Jacob was going to get a punch in the face if he doesn't back the hell off.

***

"Want a lift?"

I stared up at Xavier, a deadpan expression on my face. "Why would you offer me that?"

He shrugged. I didn't move or change my expression. He sighed, shifting his weight from his left foot to his right, folding his arms across his chest. He leaned nonchalantly onto his motorbike.

"Heard about what happened in class."

I couldn't stop my eyes from rolling, if I tried. "Of course you did. Did your followers report to you any other details about my day?"

He cracked a grin, rubbing his hand over the shiny bike beneath him. "Nah, that was all I got today."

"Thanks, but no thanks. Your driving is bad enough in a car, I'm not going to risk my life, letting you drive me home on that thing."

"You're the one who didn't go at the green light!" Obviously, this argument has been brought up a number of times. I still bring it up because somebody hasn't paid my insurance. I like walking, but it's getting colder and if I have to walk in the rain, I'm going to be cranky. Plus, I miss my car. I worked hard for it.

"Doesn't mean you go anyway, you idiot!"

"You're in the wrong here, not me."

"Oh please!" I fumed, striding towards him. I reached to poke him in the chest, but he gripped my wrist.

"Stop."

"Let go of me," I spat, yanking my hand from him.

"What's wrong with you? That time of the month or something?"

There must have been steam coming out of my ears by now. Hot tears formed in my eyes as I just wanted to slap that arrogant smirk off his dumb, ugly face. Okay, it was a really smooth, pretty face but I'm angry and dumb and ugly are going to be sufficient adjectives right now.

I turned on my heel and stomped home, angrier than I was before. Thankfully, Xavier wasn't home when I reached my driveway. I went to my room, threw all my essentials in an over night bag and strode towards my aunty's place. It wasn't too far away, but it was still a bit of a hike when you're carrying not only clothes, but text books as well.

This is what it had come to. I didn't even want to stay in my own house.

I twisted the cool, metal door knob. It was never locked. I groaned, really needing to go to the toilet. I began banging on the door. Bec suddenly appeared, a dressing gown on, her hair wrapped in curls, a wine glass planted in her palm. Her cheeks were rosy red from intoxication and her eyes wide.

"Oh, Faith," she exclaimed, surprised. "What's wrong?"

"Can I crash here the night?"

"Of course," she stepped back and I walked in, my shoulders feeling heavy. She looked at me with concern, putting her wine down. She gripped my shoulders, although she was the one swaying and needing help, not me. "Are you alright?"

"Fine," I said dismissively, shrugging from her hold. "Just having a bad day and don't want to deal with my roommate tonight. Is this a bad time?"

"I'm going out for dinner with a few of the girls," she trailed off. "I could stay here, though?"

She was half way to being drunk. There was no point. I'd rather be by myself anyway.

"No, it's all good. I just want to chill out and do some homework. Is it okay to just hang here?"

"Yeah, of course," she tucked her black hair behind her ear. "Heard from your mother lately?"

"Not a good day to bring that topic up," I groaned, collapsing onto the chair, putting my head in my hands. "She is the last person I want to think about."

Bec took an uneasy sip of her wine. I narrowed my eyes, staring at her through my fingers. "What?"

"Hmm?" she asked. "Oh, nothing."

"Spit it out."

"Well, err-she wants you to, um, do some modeling for her for the Talent Quest this year."

"What? Why? Isn't she like, too old to enter in that?"

Bec snorted. She was the younger one of the two and took that for granted every second she got. I helped in her anyway I could in that department - anything to go against my mother.

The Talent Quest was held annually every year. Anyone could enter. Apparently, anyway. A lot of the time it was younger kids doing some magic tricks or attempting to make jokes, but there were a few good teens out there singing and performing. You did get some pretty cool acts, actually.

Afterwards, a live band usually plays and there's a bonfire. People always set up stalls and sell baked goods and whatnot or hand-made accessories. Then you have the people bringing in balloon popping games and it ends up being a min-festival type thing. Usually kicks off about 3pm onward. I performed one year, doing some dancing. I will never forget it. It was one of the most humiliating things in my life. The strap of my top broke and I ended up flashing the entire crowd. I was only young so there wasn't all that much to flash, but it was absolutely mortifying, nonetheless. Safe to say, I have never, entered the contest again.

Mum, or I like to address her as Aubrey, must want to enter her new fashion line. It's probably just so her ridiculous new boyfriend can take photos. It will then be spammed all over Facebook as some big, glamorous event when really, it's just an old talent show with kids pulling rabbits out of their hats.

Brooklyn and I were, unfortunately, subjects to this modelling thing. Brooklyn would do it - just to be polite. She'd probably even have fun. But I hate it. I hate being social, I hate being the centre of attention and I hate doing a favour for the woman who chose this career over her own family.

"No way in hell."

"I knew you'd say that," Bec replied with a chuckle. "But once Aubrey gets something in her head-"

"I know, it's painful."

"Anywho, just thought I'd warn you," she sang, downing the remainder of her wine. She turned the music up on her radio and began shimmering. I frowned at her. This might be even worse than putting up with Xavier.

My phone began vibrating. It was Xavier. I really shouldn't have agreed to give him my number. We exchanged them for "emergencies" as he liked to state it. I pressed decline. He rang again. I exhaled deeply, declining once more.

X: Yo, where you at?

F: I'm not coming home.

X: Y?

F: Because I don't want to.

X: U all good?

I rolled my eyes at the way he spoke. That was cool when I was like eight. I didn't reply. I was scrolling through Instagram, before another message came through.

X: Serious?

F: I'm all good.

X: Where r u?

F: Does it matter?

X: Just want to make sure ur ok.

F: I said I'm fine, okay? Do what you want at home, I don't care. See you at school tomorrow.

X: U wanna talk about it?

F: Please leave me alone.

X: Ok, u got it. Have a good nite xx

I stared at the 'xx' with a frown. Is that something he does with everyone? I squeezed my eyes shut, forcing myself to not overthink anything and just let it go. Doesn't matter anyway.

Begrudgingly, I withdrew my books from my bag and began working on my extension English homework.

Hopefully, I'll have a better day tomorrow.

***

"You will not believe what Aubrey wants now," I sighed dramatically, leaning against a post on the porch of my house. The afternoon wind had picked up, resulting in me hugging my too-thin cardigan closer to my body.

"Do I want to know?" Dad asked with a laugh.

"She wants me to enter the Talent Quest - as her little puppet and parade her ridiculously expensive clothes."

"Doesn't she remember that time when you performed-"

"I thought we agreed to never bring that moment up again," I said in a rush, not wanting him to remind me of the humiliating experience I had endured the last time I entered the show. I knew he was smirking. He loved bringing that up.

"Ah, yeah, sorry." His voice was overloaded with sarcasm. I rolled my eyes. See where I get it from? "So, what did she try to bribe you with? Did she buy you perfume that you won't wear or jewellery that you'll end up pawning off to one of your friends?"

"Bec has just given me a warning, actually. Haven't heard from the She-Devil yet."

"You shouldn't call your mother that." Dad said and I knew a frown was on his face. He didn't like the blatant disrespect I had for the woman who apparently carried me for nine months. If anything, he should dislike her more than I do, she left him but not only that, forced him to raise a child all on his own.

"She shouldn't have given up on her family."

His sigh was deep.

"What else has been happening?"

"Xavier is annoying. Jacob is annoying. I'm trying to avoid the both of them - I stayed at Bec's last night."

"What's Xavier doing? Need me to kick his ass?" Dad suddenly asked.

"One, if anyone's ass was to be kicked, I'd gladly do it myself. And two, don't stress. Xavier isn't anything I can't handle, he just annoys me. It's Jacob that's the main problem now."

"Why has he suddenly come back into things?" Dad asked, confused.

I bit my lip, playing with a loose thread in my jeans. Dad would be so disappointed in me if he knew that I kissed him again. I could only imagine the look he'd give me. It would be a frown, but one where his face is kind of scrunched up and his eyes heavy. He'd say his famous line after, "I'm not angry, I'm just disappointed."

I shrugged, even though I was well aware he couldn't see me and lied through my teeth, at the only human I would usually never lie to. "Don't know."

"Hmm. Bit odd."

I didn't reply to that comment, feeling guilty. "Anyway, how's life for you?"

"I have something to tell you, actually."

"You're hooking up with your ex-girlfriend that you were with the last time you were up there?"

"How did you know?"

"I knew it was going to happen now that Nancy, thank God, is out of the picture."

"Well, yeah," he laughed. "She's nice. You'd like her."

"Really?" I deadpanned, knowing that was just something he said.

"Well... Probably not but she is nice."

"I'd hope so."

"I'm sending you money to get your car all sorted out at the end of the week, okay? I'll ring the insurance company and get you sorted."

"That'd be great. Thanks dad."

"No worries, Kid."

That was a good feeling. I couldn't wait for my car back. Although I still one hundred percent think Xavier should have paid it, considering he was the one in the wrong, but I shouldn't complain. I was getting it all sorted regardless.

"I better go," I said reluctantly. "I think Xavier's cooking and I have to go open the kitchen window or he'll set the alarm off again."

Dad's chuckle was low in my ear. "Alright squirt, keep your head up and stay out of trouble. I'll call you soon. Make sure you get your car organised. Love you."

"Love you," I replied.

"Aw," Xavier cooed, leaning against the door frame. "Aren't you two just the cutest."

"Eavesdropping is an unattractive trait," I said, drawing to my full height and sliding my phone into the back pocket of my jeans.

His lips twitched. "Unattractive? Never heard that word before."

I rolled my eyes. That was lame.

"Yeah." I avoided looking him in the eye as I brushed past him. He grabbed my hand and pulled me back. I stumbled, shocked. I hadn't expected that. I felt suddenly self -conscious, which was strange, because I usually don't care what other's think of me. I had my hair, which was almost always down, pulled into a top-knot on my head. If I had my hair up, I always had bits of my hair framing my face. It was all slicked back and probably a hot mess. I wore it like that when I showered and don't want to get my hair wet. My face was bare as I'd not long gotten out of the shower. The way his eyes bored into mine, made me feel squirmish.

Xavier leaned forward and my breath got hitched in my throat. His warm fingers grazed my forehead as he pushed the short, loose tendrils of my hair back.

"You should wear your hair up more often," his voice was like silk.

My lips felt dry. Swallowing uneasily, I stepped back. I forced myself to speak, hoping my throat wasn't as dry as it felt. "Maybe."

"You should."

As I wound up the stairs, I glanced back at him. He was watching me, a small smile on his face. I rarely saw him genuinely smile.

It annoyed me that that small act, had butterflies exploding in my stomach, making me realise I was in more trouble than I thought.

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